Hotel Harrington: 109 Years on 11th Street
From its 1914 opening to its 2023 closure, Hotel Harrington was DC’s longest-running hotel. Now KHP Capital plans to bring 436 11th St NW back to life.
1930s
The Great Depression hit Washington differently than most American cities. FDR’s New Deal brought a massive expansion of the federal government, filling the capital with new agencies, new buildings, and hundreds of thousands of new workers. The decade that devastated much of America actually transformed Washington into a modern metropolis.
140 Years of Fighting Over Memorial Bridge
In 1931, gold-topped columns were killed for being too tall for airplanes. Now a 250-foot arch is proposed at the same spot. The full history since 1886.
Lights, Camera, Laughs! Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone Charmed Washington, DC
In March ’36, comedy “royalty” Jack Benny & wife Mary Livingstone arrived in DC, bringing laughs galore to delight politicos & fans. Dubbed “royal couple” by press, the duo charmed the capital for a week with wisecracks ‘a plenty before departing in style, leaving smiles for miles.
The Cherry Tree Rebellion: How Jefferson’s Memorial Spurred a Revolt
The dramatic 1938 Cherry Tree Rebellion saw D.C. women chaining themselves to cherry trees to stop removal for the Jefferson Memorial. Learn the story behind the controversial protest over commemorating Jefferson’s legacy.
DC Taxi Fares: How 75 Years of Zones Ended in 2008
Washington, D.C. was the last major U.S. city charging cab fares by zone, not meter. By the 1950s there were over 20 zones. Drivers fought meters until 2008.
1930s Washington D.C. Apartment Listings: A Glimpse into Great Depression Living
Delve into 1930s Washington D.C. apartment listings and discover how the Great Depression and the presidential campaign influenced living conditions. Explore affordable rents, modern amenities, and the challenges faced by residents in this historic era.
Capturing History from Above: Washington, D.C. Street Scene in 1939
This blog post examines a photograph of Washington, D.C. taken from a building near the Lotus Club in 1939. The image depicts a street scene showing streetcars crossing at 14th Street and New York Avenue, providing a unique aerial perspective of the city during that era. The post reflects on the historical significance of the photograph, serving as a time capsule of the past and a reminder of the rich history of our nation’s capital.
Revisiting Streetcar Life in Washington, DC: A Look Back at Life in 1943
What was it like riding the streetcars of Washington on the 1940s? Take a look at this series of great old photos.
Meridian Hill Park: A Complete History of DC’s Italian Renaissance Park
Meridian Hill Park is DC’s Italian Renaissance secret: Mary Foote Henderson’s vision, the 1922 Joan of Arc statue, and a drum circle going since 1965.