What was Washington, D.C. like in the 1910s? Take a look at our great posts with stories, people, photos, and history about the District from the twenties.
Camp Leach: When Chemical Weapons Were Made at American University
Many don’t know that the U.S. military began its chemical weapons program on the grounds of today’s American University in upper northwest D.C. Nearly 100,000 employees worked at Camp Leach during World War I. Looking at...
Western High School in 1919
Back then it was called Western High School. Washington had that school north of Georgetown, Eastern High School near Capitol Hill and Central High School just north of U St.
Trump Hotel in 1919
Here is the lovely Old Post Office Pavilion, currently the Trump Hotel on Pennsylvania Ave.
Georgetown University Dorm Life Circa 1913
This is from the Georgetown University archives showing a group of young men gathered in a dorm room in 1913.
Managasset: Lost Kalorama Mansion
These are some amazing old images we dug up showing a far more bucolic Kalorama. We found some incredible old images of Kalorama, showing Managasset, the summer home “on the hill” where 20th St. meets Wyoming...
Stunning Look Down Pennsylvania Avenue
Take a look at this remarkable view down Pennsylvania Avenue in about 1921. So stunning.
Potomac and Georgetown Flood
This crazy old photos shows Georgetown’s flooding and the Potomac in 1918. Here’s another good piece about it at The Georgetown Metropolitan.
Five Things in the Paper 100 Years Ago
Let’s try something new. We browsed the papers from Saturday February 22nd, 1919 to come up with some fun and interesting things to share with you. This is what we came across in The Evening Star on that...
Union Station Taxis Before Uber
We love this old photo showing Union Station back in 1914. You’re looking at a familiar line of taxis waiting for passengers. Source: Library of Congress
Amazing 16th Street Mansion as a Christmas Present!
Here’s a great article opening. This was published on Saturday, December 24th, 1910 … Christmas Eve. The biggest and most expensive Christmas gift that will be given in Washington this year is the palatial home in...
Map of Proposed Vermont Ave. Extension From Florida to Georgia
Check this out. Here’s a map of something that didn’t happen. Howard University proposed extending Vermont Ave. from Florida Ave. to Georgia Ave. back in 1919. Source: Library of Congress Here’s that same intersection today on...
Amazing 1913 Map of Chevy Chase
It’s been a long time since we posted anything online. Sorry about that, but having two little kids makes it extremely difficult to keep adding fresh content to the website. Either way, check out this great...
$50,000 Award to Fly Across America in 1911
This cool old advertisement shows a competition for flying innovation in the early 20th century. Click on it to read more and see that William Randolph Hearst was offering $50,000 for a successful flight across the...
1919’s Fourth of July Parade on Pennsylvania Avenue
These great old photos we found shows the Fourth of July in our city way back in 1919. Source: Library of Congress
Dietz’s German Beer Hall on 7th Street
Long gone are the days of the German beer hall in D.C., though some would argue that Brickskeller (ahem, Bier Baron) remains as one of the better ones. Well, it was great back in the day...
Alexandria Viewed From an Airplane in 1919
This fascinating old photograph shows Alexandria, as seen from the air, in 1919. Click on the image to see some incredible details. Source: Library of Congress
Chevy Chase 1913 Real Estate Advertisement
We love digging up old ads from the papers like this one showing some great old real estate in Chevy Chase. You could get a great home in upper northwest back then for $6,500. Using the...
Spanish Embassy on Dupont Circle in 1911
This photo of the old Spanish Embassy is from 1911, showing the building at 1521 New Hampshire Ave. NW, just north of Dupont Circle. Click on it for better details. Source: Library of Congress Check it...
