Postwar Washington was prosperous and anxious in equal measure. The suburbs of Virginia and Maryland exploded with development as families left the city, while downtown hummed with Cold War government activity. The civil rights movement was gaining momentum, and the city’s neighborhoods were beginning a long transformation.
Before the Capitol’s famous white dome was fully restored in 1959, it had taken on a reddish hue from decades of weathering.
Take a trip down memory lane and explore the history of DC with these amazing photos from January 20th, 1953. See what life was like in the city decades ago with Ghosts of DC!
Did you know that the Washington Senators almost moved to Los Angeles?
Explore the dark and fascinating past of 1843 7th Street NW in DC, from murder to bankruptcy and liquor bans. Discover the stories uncovered by GoDC researchers.
In 1951, the Interior Department banned soapbox orations from Franklin Park in Washington, D.C. after complaints from nearby businesses, hotels, and offices. Learn how this ban helped the community and the history behind it.
This is a great find from archive.org. We dug up an old home movie of a family’s visit to Washington and the White House. When you watch it, you’ll be shocked to see how different the times were (i.e., security compared to today was non-existent)
Source: The Internet Archive
Here’s another great video of the old D.C. streetcar system.
This is some really cool old footage. It shows the 82 streetcar line running from Eckington, heading through northeast, up to Mount Rainier, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, and College Park.
It’s really long, but well worth a watch.
Relive Fidel Castro’s visit to Washington, DC in 1959. This photo essay takes a look at a young Castro, his visit to Meridian Hill Park and his arrival at National Airport. A fascinating look at a revolutionary leader from our own backyard.
