The 1910s brought World War I and a massive wave of federal construction that reshaped downtown Washington. The war brought hundreds of thousands of workers flooding into the city, straining housing, transit, and every civic institution to its limits. Woodrow Wilson’s Washington was also the decade when the federal government was formally segregated.
Take a look at this remarkable view down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. in about 1921. See the stunning photo and learn more about this historic view of the U.S Capitol.
Check out this old photo of Georgetown’s flooding and the Potomac River in 1918. Read more about it at The Georgetown Metropolitan.
Join us as we explore history through a 1919 newspaper – The Evening Star. We look at stories such as the origin of “Keeping Up With the Joneses” and Dry Detective Slain in Rosslyn. Plus, income exceptions for 1918 babies, driver right-of-way and McLean farm for sale.
A series of Baist real estate maps shows how Petworth filled in with brick row houses between 1903 and 1919, from bare lots to the blocks around Grant Circle.
Take a look back in time and explore a photo of Union Station in 1914. See the familiar line of taxis waiting for passengers in this historic image.
This Christmas Eve, experience the story of Secretary MacVeagh’s palatial home on 16th Street NW. Learn how this gift cost $5.5 million in today’s dollars and discover the secret of the Kalamein iron doors.
The gold-and-white top-floor ballroom where Buddy Holly danced for Washington teens on live TV. Then a wrecking crew in 1964.
Explore the past and take a look at this old 1913 map of Chevy Chase, DC. Discover the history of this iconic Washington, DC neighborhood with this beautiful vintage map.
This cool old advertisement shows competition for flying innovation in the early 20th century. William Randolph Hearst offered $50,000 for a successful flight across the U.S. Learn more about Jay Gould’s $10,000 offer to the first pilot to fly at 10,000 feet and the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company founded in College Park Maryland.
