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1930s

What was Washington, D.C. like in the 1930s? Take a look at our great posts with stories, people, photos, and history about the District from the thirties.

A Look Back at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Circa 1931

November 9, 2022September 30, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Washington, D.C., circa 1931. "Fifteenth Street at Pennsylvania Avenue." Note the traffic lights, which made their D.C. debut in 1926, as well as the traffic-cop gazebo at center ("NO LEFT TURN") and streetcar switch tower to its left. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative.

Take a look back at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. circa 1931. See the traffic lights, traffic-cop gazebo, and streetcar switch tower in this amazing old photo. Source: Shorpy.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1930s, Pennsylvania Ave. NW 2 Comments

A Look Back in Time – President Herbert Hoover with Boys and Girls at the White House

November 9, 2022August 10, 2015 by ghostsofdc

Take a look back in time with this cool old photo showing President Herbert Hoover with a large group of boys and girls at the White House. Source: Shorpy.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1930s, Herbert Hoover, The White House 2 Comments

Exploring Walter Johnson’s Post-Baseball Life Through Hunting Dogs

November 9, 2022May 22, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Walter Johnson and his son Eddie in 1938

Dive into the post-baseball life of Washington hero and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Walter Johnson, through his involvement with hunting dogs. Learn where his 130-acre farm near Germantown was located and more!

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1930s, Walter Johnson 5 Comments

Federal Triangle History: The Story Behind A Name

November 7, 2023May 15, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Aerial view of Pennsylvania Avenue looking west, showing Federal Triangle and the National Mall. (2006)

The history behind the Federal Triangle moniker reveals an intriguing story intertwined with the urban evolution of Washington D.C. in the early 1900s.

Categories Notable People & Places, Why Is It Named...? Tags 1920s, 1930s, Federal Triangle 4 Comments

1939 Tourist Footage of Washington

November 9, 2022May 11, 2015 by ghostsofdc

Check out this great film footage of Washington, D.C. from back in 1939.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1930s 6 Comments

A Look Back: Comparing FDR, Eisenhower, and Obama Inauguration Photos

November 9, 2022April 6, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Aerial view of U.S. Capitol and crowd on the grounds of the east front of the U.S. Capitol, during the inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, March 4, 1933

Take a look back at history with photos of historic inaugurations of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and Barack Obama. See how the ceremonies have changed over the years!

Categories Historical Events Tags 1930s, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States 5 Comments

The Tenement Housing of Washington D.C. Alleys

November 9, 2022April 1, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Washington tenements, Nov. 1935.

Take a look back at what Washington D.C. alleys used to look like when they were filled with tenement housing. Learn more about this piece of history here!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1930s 5 Comments

Honoring Abe Lincoln: A Look at the 1930 Military C-41 Blimp at the Lincoln Memorial

November 9, 2022March 26, 2015 by ghostsofdc
February 1930. Washington, D.C. "Army Airship C-41 lands on Mall and airmen, led by Brigadier General William J. Flood of the 19th Airship Company, place wreath at Lincoln Memorial, honoring Lincoln's Birthday."

Check out this cool image from 1930 of a military C-41 blimp floating near the Lincoln Memorial in honor of Abe Lincoln’s birthday. Also, you can check out film footage of this at Critical Past.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1930s, Lincoln Memorial 1 Comment

A View of the Washington Monument From the George Washington Memorial Parkway

November 9, 2022March 11, 2015 by ghostsofdc
VIEW OF WASHINGTON MONUMENT FROM THE VICINITY OF CAPITAL OVERLOOK, 1932. - George Washington Memorial Parkway, Along Potomac River from McLean to Mount Vernon, VA, Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, VA

Take a look at this amazing view of the Washington Monument from the George Washington Memorial Parkway. What do you think? Check out GhostsofDC.org for more!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1930s, Arlington VA, George Washington Memorial Parkway 4 Comments

This is What the Metro Center Area Looked Like in 1930

November 7, 2023February 13, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Looking west on G Street NW from 13th Street showing the commercial buildings on the northwest corner of the intersection including the Church of the Epiphany.

Take a look back in time at this photo of the Metro Center area in Washington, D.C. in 1930. Don’t miss the Wilkins Coffee sign and a photo of Robert DeNiro’s doppelganger from the same era.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1930s, Wilkins Coffee 5 Comments
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