The 1900s opened with the Senate Park Commission’s plan to redesign the National Mall, launching one of the most ambitious urban transformations in American history. Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency brought energy and ambition to the capital, and the city’s grand Beaux-Arts institutions began rising across downtown. These posts cover Washington at the dawn of the American century.
Take a rare look at Washington, DC’s Union Station under construction in the early 1900s. This photo from Sidney Duff shows only one of the six statues installed over the entrance. Click to learn more!
We love old ads here at Ghosts of DC and this is a great one from The Evening Star, printed on June 24th, 1906. Three weeks later, Alfred Dreyfus was exonerated, bringing an end to the Dreyfus Affair.
The 40 sandstone markers Ellicott and Banneker planted in 1791 and 1792 still stand at the original corners of Washington, D.C. Here is where to find them.
The coldest day ever in Washington was in 1899. On February 11th, it was recorded to be -15 degrees fahrenheit.
Explore the beauty of Washington DC, the US capital, and why many people believe it is the most beautiful city in the world. Learn about the McMillan Plan, the unbuilt Grant Memorial, and Frederick Law Olmsted. Read the full article from 1907.
This incredibly detailed photo of Pennsylvania tells a story when you zoom in. Read the post to learn more.
Take a look back at Howard University and St. John’s College football teams from 1904 and 1906. Check out the cool photos and learn about how the school has changed over time.
Take a look back in time to explore the Harvard St. Bridge in Washington, DC. This bridge crosses Rock Creek Park and has been a part of the city since 1909. See a photo of the old bridge and learn more here.
Get a glimpse of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in 1909! View a photo of four boats crossing the Potomac Aqueduct Bridge owned by the Canal Towage Co. Learn more here.
