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1890s

The 1890s were gilded years for Washington, with grand new buildings rising across the capital and the city’s population surging. The Library of Congress opened in 1897, the streetcar network expanded rapidly, and the rowhouses and apartment buildings that define Northwest DC filled in block by block.

Blood on the Marble: The Taulbee-Kincaid Capitol Shooting

January 26, 2024 by ghostsofdc
A stereograph image showcasing the inauguration ceremony of Rutherford B. Hayes, marking the beginning of his presidency in the United States.

On February 28, 1890, former Kentucky Congressman William Taulbee was shot on the Capitol’s marble staircase by a journalist.

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1890s, Capitol Building, Capitol Hill

Amazing 1890 Photo Showing Carriages in Rock Creek

October 22, 2023July 12, 2023 by ghostsofdc
1890s stroll through Rock Creek Park

Take a trip back in time with this amazing photo from 1890. It shows a group of people riding their horse and buggies through Rock Creek Park. See if you can recognize the area!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1890s, Rock Creek Park 4 Comments

A Glimpse Into the Past: Viewing Pennsylvania Avenue in Front of the Treasury Building

October 22, 2023March 1, 2023 by ghostsofdc
View east on Pennsylvania Ave. in front of the Department of Treasury

Take a step back in time and discover a glimpse into the past with this amazing photo of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the Treasury Building. Discover more at the Historical Society of D.C. website.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1890s, Department of Treasury 1 Comment

Exploring Southwest D.C. in 1899 and Now: The Aftermath of the 1899 Blizzard

April 27, 2026January 14, 2020 by ghostsofdc

Explore Southwest D.C. in 1899 and now! See a photo of the aftermath of the 1899 blizzard, and the same view today. See what the area looked like after the blizzard and how it looks now.

Categories Then and Now Tags 1890s, Transit

1892 Map of Smallpox, Cholera, and Measles Deaths

November 9, 2022April 2, 2019 by ghostsofdc

What is a zymotic disease? This is a map of deaths due to this disease in 1892. Find out what that means.

Categories GoDCers Love Maps Tags 1880s, 1890s

1890s Map of Diarrhea Deaths in Washington

November 9, 2022March 28, 2019 by ghostsofdc

An 1890s map plots DC deaths from diarrhea by neighborhood, concentrated in Swampoodle and Murder Bay where sanitation was worst. One of the more unusual maps we have found.

Categories GoDCers Love Maps Tags 1880s, 1890s

What’s a Herdic Cab? What Did They Look Like?

November 9, 2022March 19, 2019 by ghostsofdc

A herdic cab is a type of horse-drawn carriage, used as an omnibus, invented by Peter Herdic of Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in 1881.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1880s, 1890s, Notable People, Transit

Exploring an 1894 Map of Tennallytown and Reno

November 9, 2022October 26, 2018 by ghostsofdc

Take a look at this fascinating 1894 map of Tennallytown and Reno, done by G.M. Hopkins & Co. We’ll point out a few things of note and invite you to share what else you notice. Happy Friday!

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1890s, Tenleytown

A Look at Washington, DC in 1898 Through a Historic Rand McNally Map

November 9, 2022January 23, 2018 by ghostsofdc
1898 Washington, DC

Take a look back in time to 1898 with this historic Rand McNally map of Washington, DC. Get a glimpse of the city as it was over 100 years ago.

Categories GoDCers Love Maps Tags 1890s
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