A Look Back in Time: East Capitol Street from the Dome, 1880 and Today
Take a look back in time with us at East Capitol Street from the Dome, with a photo taken in 1880 and a modern update. Check it out!
1880s
Victorian Washington was booming in the 1880s. The decade brought the dedication of the Washington Monument (finally finished in 1884), the consolidation of Georgetown into DC, and a wave of grand Romanesque architecture that still defines many of the city’s neighborhoods. These posts explore Washington at its Victorian peak.
Why Is It Named Petworth? The 200-Acre Estate Behind DC’s Neighborhood
Colonel John Tayloe III owned a 200-acre country estate near the Soldiers’ Home. Developers bought it in 1887 and it became DC’s largest subdivision.
It’s Friday and GoDCers Love Maps: Explore an 1888 Map of Lafayette Square and Farragut Square
It’s Friday and GoDCers love maps! Check out this amazing 1888 map of Lafayette Square and Farragut Square. See the area in a whole new way!
Explosion of Gas in Sewer Main Causes Chaos in Georgetown – A Washington Post Story from 1889
Read the incredible Washington Post story from 1889 about an explosion of gas in a sewer main in Georgetown that caused chaos in the area. This is a wild story you won’t want to miss!
Unearthing the History of the Ebbitt House Hotel and Newspaper Row
Discover the historical significance of the Ebbitt House Hotel and Newspaper Row, located in Washington DC and discovered by GoDCer Brian. Learn more about the area’s past with this interesting article!
The View Southeast from the U.S. Capitol, Around 1880
This photograph taken from the top of the U.S. Capitol around 1880 looks southeast toward the Anacostia River. A block of five homes at 1st and A Street SE is visible in the foreground, on land now occupied by the Capitol complex.
A Look Back at Real Estate Prices in 1886
Take a step back in time and discover what real estate prices were like in 1886. In this Washington Post ad, you can find houses for sale for $15,000 or rent for $40 a month!
Exploring the History of Takoma Park (and Takoma), a Victorian Suburb of Washington, DC
Discover the fascinating history of Takoma Park, a Victorian-era suburb of Washington, DC. Founded by Benjamin Franklin Gilbert in the late 19th century, explore the charming architecture and unique culture of this small neighborhood by the District line.
The Sanborn Fire Map of Washington Circle in 1888
Take a look at the astonishing Sanborn Fire Map of Washington Circle in 1888. See the residential structures, many of them frame structures, that were there at the time.