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1920s

Washington in the 1920s was a city in full swing. The decade brought jazz clubs, speakeasies, and a building boom that filled in the last great gaps in the city’s streetscape. Calvin Coolidge’s Washington was prosperous and busy, even as Prohibition tried to shut down the good times. These posts explore the capital’s roaring decade.

Exploring Petworth’s Development in the Early 20th Century: Ads from The Evening Star in 1926

May 19, 2026October 19, 2018 by ghostsofdc
1926 ad for Petworth homes in The Evening Star

These 1926 ads from The Evening Star sold brand-new Petworth rowhouses to Washington families. Many of those same blocks still stand today.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1920s, Petworth

Can You Help Us Identify Where President Wilson’s 1919 Pierce Arrow Is Parked?

November 9, 2022June 11, 2018 by ghostsofdc
1919 Presidential Pierce Arrow

Can you help us in our investigation to identify where President Wilson’s 1919 Pierce Arrow is parked? Take a look at the photo we’ve shared and see if you can figure it out. Happy sleuthing!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1920s, Woodrow Wilson

Before 2 Amys: The History of 3715 Macomb Street NW

May 18, 2026June 5, 2018 by ghostsofdc

From beauty shop to shoe shop to 2Amys, explore the history of 3715 & 3713 Macomb St. NW in Washington DC. Learn about the expert barber and shoe repairman that used to occupy the space before it changed hands!

Categories If Walls Could Talk Tags 1920s, Cleveland Park

Remembering Piggly Wiggly: An Ode to a Seriously Southern Brand

November 9, 2022March 16, 2018 by ghostsofdc
Piggly Wiggly advertisement in 1922

Take a trip down memory lane and experience the nostalgia of Piggly Wiggly, the seriously southern brand that no longer exists in Washington. Check out this cool old advertisement from 1922.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1920s, Bars & Restaurants

A Tale of Two Cities: Comparing a 1920s Photo of Washington D.C. to Today’s Google Street View

May 5, 2026February 28, 2018 by ghostsofdc
11th and L St. NW in the 1920s

Take a look at this side-by-side comparison of a 1920s photo of Washington D.C. from L St. NW and what the same area looks like today on Google Street View. See how the city has changed!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1920s, Architecture

We Finally Found a High-Res Image of Griffith Stadium

May 4, 2026February 22, 2018 by ghostsofdc
Griffith Stadium from the air in 1925

Searching for a high-res image of Griffith Stadium? We found one at the National Archives. Check it out and learn more about the history of Griffith Stadium with GhostsofDC.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1920s, Griffith Stadium

Exploring a 1923 Chevy Chase Home Through Real Estate Advertisements and Google Street View

November 9, 2022January 22, 2018 by ghostsofdc
Chevy Chase home at 4104 Harrison St. NW

Take a trip back in time and explore a 1923 Chevy Chase home through real estate advertisements and Google Street View. See what the home looked like nearly a century ago!

Categories Featured, Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1920s, Chevy Chase

Two New Colorized Photos to Identify the Location of a 1927 Image

November 9, 2022December 22, 2017 by ghostsofdc
Washington, D.C., circa 1927. Nature Magazine -- Walter Layman. (Colorized Photo).

Discover two new colorized photos from 1927. See if you can identify the buildings in the background and pinpoint the location! Spend at least an hour of your morning on this awesome image from Pinterest.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1920s 1 Comment

Exploring the History of D.C. Public Elementary Schools: Janney, Gibbs, Eaton and Watkins

April 27, 2026November 20, 2017 by ghostsofdc
Eaton School children in the 1910s

Learn about the history of D.C. public elementary schools Janney, Gibbs, Eaton and Watkins. We explore the background behind their names and the people they were named for.

Categories Why Is It Named...? Tags 1920s, Architecture, Tenleytown 7 Comments
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