Traffic Photos From July 1936
Great old photos showing traffic in Washington back in 1936. Check out Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street jammed up with streetcars, automobiles and pedestrians.
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.
If Walls Could Talk: Red Rocks Pizzeria in Columbia Heights
I am obsessed with Red Rocks at 11th and Park NW. I have been since day one. In the hopes that I can convince my wife to go there tonight (or at least this weekend), I think it’s only fitting that they’re the first restaurant that I do a little historical research on. At least … Read more
Prohibition Officer Charged With Drunk Driving
A rum squad MPD prohibition officer was arrested for drunk driving in 1930. Isn’t it ironic? Don’t you think?
Petworth from the Air: A Bird’s Eye View from the 1930s
An aerial photograph from the 1930s shows Petworth laid out in its grid of rowhouses, one of DC’s most intact early 20th-century neighborhoods.
Garfinckel’s Department Store at 14th and F St. NW
Garfinckel’s department store stood at 14th and F St. NW near the Treasury Building. The building still stands and is home to The Hamilton today.
14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in 1939: What Stood Before the Willard Plaza
This 1939 photograph captures the intersection of 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW — the corner where the Willard Hotel stands today — packed with streetcars, storefronts, and pedestrians. Zoom in for the details.
The History of Balloon Vendors on the Streets of Washington, D.C.
In the 1930s, street vendors like Joe the Greek sold balloons on Washington, D.C. sidewalks. A look at how much money they made and what eventually drove them off the streets.
View of National Archive Site Construction in 1932
This lovely old image shows the site of the National Archives early in the construction process. It was taken on July 1st, 1932.
Revealed: Rare Photo of National Archives Building Before Its Construction in the 1930s
Explore the fascinating history of the National Archives building through a rare photo taken before its construction in the 1930s. Discover the building’s original design and learn how it was transformed into the iconic structure that houses some of America’s most important documents today.