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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.

Discovering the Story of Officer Sprinkle and the Inspiration for our Logo

April 27, 2026April 22, 2013 by ghostsofdc

Learn the incredible story of Officer Sprinkle and how it led to the inspiration for our logo. Read the original biography from the 1908 Metropolitan Police Department’s official history book, plus the original photo that inspired it!

Categories A Personal Story Tags 1890s, Metropolitan Police Department, Notable People, Officer Sprinkle 4 Comments

Did They Do The Harlem Shake? Tales from a 19th Century Washington Dance

September 1, 2019April 18, 2013 by ghostsofdc
The Sidewalk Dance - Handpainted Oil Painting by John George Brown (1894)

Step back in time to the 19th century Washington dance scene! Read this article to find out how people danced, find out who was there, and the all-important question: did they do the Harlem Shake? Learn the answer and more here!

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1890s, Brookland

A Bizarre Discovery: Two Tramps Find a Newly-Born Infant on the Railroad Tracks

April 27, 2026April 9, 2013 by ghostsofdc
railroad tracks

Two tramps, traveling from Leesburg, VA to Baltimore, MD, made a bizarre discovery on the railroad tracks near College Park, MD: a newly-born white infant. Read the full story here!

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1890s, Crime, Prince George's County 3 Comments

An Interesting Experiment: The Effect of Whisky and Beer on Oyster Digestion

April 28, 2026March 27, 2013 by ghostsofdc
oysters are yummy with beer

An interesting experiment was conducted by a Washington physician to determine the relative effect of whisky and lager beer on the digestion of food in the human stomach. Read this article to find out the outcome and try it for yourself at Pearl Dive or Hank’s!

Categories Uncategorized Tags 1890s, Bars & Restaurants 1 Comment

A Sight You’re Unlikely to See Today: Kids Riding a Goat Cart on the South Lawn

April 27, 2026March 19, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Major Russell Harrison and Harrison children--Baby McKee and sister on goat cart

Take a look back in time to a sight you’re unlikely to see today: kids riding a goat cart on the South Lawn. Major Russell Harrison and his children provide a glimpse of quaint times gone by.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1890s, Frances Benjamin Johnston, Politics, The White House 2 Comments

A Look Back: A Policeman Standing Guard at the White House in the Early 1900s

October 18, 2021March 18, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Policeman standing guard at entrance to White House

Take a look back in time to the early 1900s with this photo of a policeman standing guard at the entrance to the White House, taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1890s, Frances Benjamin Johnston, The White House 1 Comment

An Incredible Look Back Through Time: An Old Photograph of the Cairo Building from the 1890s

October 18, 2021March 7, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Cairo Flats circa 1890

An incredible look back through time – take a glimpse of the past with this old photograph of the Cairo Building from the 1890s. Discover the history of this incredible structure.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1890s, The Cairo

A Look at the Transformation of the Washington Manual Training High School to the Asbury Dwellings Apartment Building

March 7, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Perspective sketch - Washington Manual Training High School, Henry Ives Cobb, Architect (1895-1898)

Take a look at the transformation of Washington Manual Training High School to the Asbury Dwellings Apartment Building in this post. See the 1895 perspective sketch of the school and the current Google Street View of the corner today.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1890s, Shaw 1 Comment

Exploring the 1890 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Route from Washington to Rockville

April 27, 2026February 27, 2013 by ghostsofdc
1890 B&O Railroad Map

Take a journey back in time with this 1890 map of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad route from Washington to Rockville. Explore the history of this iconic railroad and its impact on the region.

Categories GoDCers Love Maps Tags 1890s, Transit
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