What was Washington, D.C. like in the 1980s? Take a look at our great posts with stories, people, photos, and history about the District from the eighties.
Aerial View Near Gravelly Point and National Airport
Check out this unique aerial view of the waterfowl sanctuary near Gravelly Point. Source: Library of Congress
The Washington Monument as Seen From The Treasury Department
Here’s an incredible view of the Washington Monument some time in the early 1980s. Source: Library of Congress
Remember the Munsey Building at 13th and Pennsylvania?
It’s a sad fact that much of D.C. was demolished from the 1950s through the 1980s. It’s a damn shame, but everything was in the name of progress. Source: Flickr user Smithsonian Source: Streets of...
Soviet Diplomat Testifies on the Hill
So here is a headline you certainly won’t see every day, and you certainly wouldn’t see something like this in the 1980s. In the Cold War edition of Ghosts of DC, here’s a cool...
Mayor Barry Proposes Renaming Part of Mass. Ave. After Mandela
This is an interesting story from the 1980s. Mayor for life, and general embarrassment to the city of Washington, Marion Barry, proposed in 1985 to rename a portion of Massachusetts Ave. in front of...
If Walls Could Talk: Nanny O’Briens
Congratulations to our latest “If Walls Could Talk” poll winner, Nanny O’Briens. We’re going to do a little digging into the history of your building at 3319 Connecticut Ave. NW. The Greek restaurant investor...
Washington, D.C. Drinking Age History
When did DC raise the drinking age to 21?
Secret Service Agent Robs Maryland Bank
Now this is not something you’ll read everyday … or ever really. Except in 1981. We came across this article in The Baltimore Sun from September 23rd of that year. A 29-year-old White House guard...
Map of Metro Done in Braille
This is a map of Metro done with braille. I’m not sure what the date it on this, but since the Red Line stops at Silver Spring (why is it named Silver Spring?), it’s...