Compare and Contrast: 1940s Aerial Photo of Washington and Google Map
GoDCer Chris graciously shared an aerial photo of Washington from the 1940s. Compare and contrast it to the Google Map for a fascinating look into the past.
1940s
World War II reshaped Washington completely. The Pentagon rose across the river in just 16 months, the federal workforce exploded, and the city became the command center for the Allied war effort. Housing was impossibly scarce, rationing was everywhere, and Washington hummed with wartime urgency from 1941 to 1945.
Remember This Super Ugly Giant on Wisconsin Ave.? It’s Soon to be the New Cathedral Commons!
Remember this super ugly Giant on Wisconsin Ave. near the Cathedral? It’s soon going to be the new Cathedral Commons! This old photo was taken in the summer of 1942.
A Large Group on 13th Street NW: A Library of Congress Photo
A Library of Congress photograph showing a large group of people gathered on 13th Street NW in Washington, D.C.
Life in a Washington Boarding House: Esther Bubley’s 1943 Photos
Photographer Esther Bubley documented life in Washington boarding houses in January 1943, capturing the cramped wartime routines of young workers sharing rooms and kitchens.
Victory of Japan Day in Washington, DC – Celebrating the End of World War II
Flashback to August 14th, 1945 – Victory of Japan day and the final end of World War II. Read about the celebration that took place in front of the White House, in Lafayette Square, and the other regular happenings of the day.
GoDCer Bob Sends in a Photo of a Man Putting Up New Street Signs in 1946
GoDCer Bob sent in a photo of a man putting up new street signs for Missouri Avenue NW in 1946. See the photo and learn more about this moment in history!
The Dunbar Hotel at 15th and U: Black Washington’s Premier Address
The Dunbar Hotel at the corner of 15th and U Streets NW was Washington’s premier Black-owned hotel from 1945 to 1974, where Duke Ellington stayed when he came home to play. Before that it was the Portner Flats, a brewer’s luxury apartment house built in 1902.
Help Us Identify These 1940s Washington Boarding Houses
GoDCers, we need your help! We got this photo of 1940s Washington boarding houses from Ben and we’d love to help him identify the location. If they still stand today, let us know in the comments! Plus, don’t forget to read our post on how to run a boarding house in 1880s DC.
A Rare Look at the White House Before the Truman Renovation
This is a rare glimpse at the White House as viewed from the South Lawn before the Truman renovation. Check out this amazing photo from the Charles W. Cushman Photograph Collection.