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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.

Exploring Hollin Hall, the Plantation on Little Hunting Creek

October 11, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Hollin Hall in 1938

Discover Hollin Hall, the plantation on Little Hunting Creek that was deeded to Thomson Mason, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Learn more about this historic landmark today!

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1930s, Alexandria

A Rare Find from the Boston Public Library

March 20, 2022October 10, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Lincoln Memorial postcard

We made a great discovery at the Boston Public Library, though not in their building. Check out this rare find from their Flickr page and explore the history of the Lincoln Memorial postcard.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1930s, Lincoln Memorial

A Blast from the Past: A 1939 Advertisement from Acme Markets at 14th and Park Rd. NW

April 27, 2026September 25, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Acme Markets at 1426 Park Rd.

Time-travel back to 1939 and check out this old advertisement from Acme Markets at 14th and Park Rd. NW. Believe it or not, bread was only 7 cents a loaf, and legs of lamb were 20 cents a pound!

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1930s, Columbia Heights

A Stunning Look at the National Mall in 1936

December 22, 2021September 19, 2013 by ghostsofdc
National Mall

Take a look at this beautiful shot of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. as seen from the Washington Monument in 1936. See the full picture here!

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1930s, Capitol Building, National Mall

Identifying a 1930s Building in DC: Can the GoDC Community Help?

September 13, 2013 by ghostsofdc
400 block of unknown street

Help GoDC identify a 1930s building in DC – can you recognize the “435” on the transom? Check out the Library of Congress photo and see if you can find the building’s exact location. Have a guess? Let us know!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1930s 4 Comments

Remembering the Dixie Chicken Shop on 14th Street NW

April 28, 2026August 31, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Dixie Chicken Shop advertisement (May 20th, 1939)

Take a trip down memory lane to the Dixie Chicken Shop on 14th Street NW in 1939. Read the Baltimore Afro-American ad, see the photo, and reminisce about the good ol’ days of fried chicken!

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1930s, Bars & Restaurants

Copley Hall at Georgetown University: Photos from 1931

May 6, 2026August 27, 2013 by ghostsofdc
The Hall was named for Thomas Copley, S.J. (ca. 1595-1652). Among its many external decorations is a large Latin inscription on its middle gable which reads: 'Moribus Antiquis Res Stat Loyolaea Virisque.' This has been translated as: 'Loyola’s Fortune Still May Hope To Thrive, If Men and Mold Like Those of Old Survive.' The south gable bears the family crest of St. Ignatius Loyola who founded the Society of Jesus, the lily of the seal of the University of Paris where he was educated, and the seal of the Society of Jesus.

Copley Hall opened at Georgetown University in 1931 as one of the campus’s major new buildings. Here are the original photos from its opening.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1930s, Georgetown, Georgetown University 1 Comment

Three Stories About McKinley Tech

December 8, 2021August 22, 2013 by ghostsofdc
McKinley Tech

We dug up three stories about McKinley Tech in Washington DC: their football dynasty, star athlete “Snookie” Kernan, and a tragic auto accident involving a graduate. Enjoy this post on the history of McKinley Tech!

Categories Three Things... Tags 1930s, 1940s, Columbia Heights, Sports 1 Comment

Stoddert Elementary School, Glover Park: History of the Name

May 6, 2026August 19, 2013 by ghostsofdc

Stoddert Elementary School in Glover Park is named after Benjamin Stoddert, the first Secretary of the Navy. Here is the history behind the name and the school.

Categories Why Is It Named...? Tags 1930s, Glover Park 5 Comments
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