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Alexandria

Exploring the Mid-Century Modern Hollin Hall Neighborhood in Alexandria, VA

October 8, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Hollin Hall advertisement - February 29th, 1948

Join us as we explore the mid-century modern Hollin Hall neighborhood outside of Old Town Alexandria, VA. We’ll take a look at an old post-war advertisement for the housing development and find out what it’s like today.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1940s, Alexandria

Never Built: CIA Headquarters in Alexandria

April 27, 2026October 3, 2013 by ghostsofdc

Did you know the CIA’s headquarters was almost built in Alexandria, Virginia? This Washington Post article from 1955 explains what happened.

Categories Lost History Tags 1950s, Alexandria, Politics 1 Comment

The Home at 219 North Saint Asaph Street in Alexandria: Then and Now

August 3, 2013 by ghostsofdc
219 North Saint Asaph St.

Take a look at the home at 219 North Saint Asaph Street in Alexandria, Virginia, as it appeared in an ad from January 2nd, 1900, and as it looks today in Google Street View.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1900s, Alexandria

A Look Back at an Old Omnibus Advertisement from 1854

July 29, 2013 by ghostsofdc
omnibus advertisement - July 5th, 1854

Take a look back in time to 1854 with this old omnibus advertisement from the Daily Evening Star. Learn more about the coach service to Alexandria and the history behind it!

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1850s, Alexandria 1 Comment

Alexandria’s 1858 Custom House and Post Office at Prince and St. Asaph

April 21, 2026July 24, 2013 by ghostsofdc
custom house in Alexandria

The 1858 Alexandria Custom House held the federal flag at Prince and St. Asaph through the Civil War occupation and was demolished in 1930. Ammi B. Young designed it.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, If Walls Could Talk, Lost History, Notable People & Places Tags Alexandria, Civil War

Discovering a Detailed Landscape of Alexandria in 1864

October 26, 2021July 19, 2013 by ghostsofdc
View of Alexandria, Va., showing new engine house in which sixty engines can be stored in working order

We dug up a great old photo of Alexandria from 1864 and found another gem at the Library of Congress. What do you recognize in this photo?

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Alexandria 6 Comments

Can You Recognize Anything in This Amazing Civil War Photograph?

March 9, 2022July 17, 2013 by ghostsofdc
General view of the city of Alexandria, Va., April 15, 1864

Take a closer look at this amazing Civil War photograph from April 15, 1864, exactly one year before Lincoln was assassinated. Can you recognize anything? Take a look!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Alexandria 4 Comments

A Look Back at the Estate at 107 South Royal St. in Alexandria

July 8, 2013 by ghostsofdc
beautiful colonial estate in Alexandria - 102 S. Royal St.

Take a look back at this beautiful estate located at 107 South Royal St. in Alexandria, Virginia, as it was in June 28th, 1913. See what it looks like today and help us locate this house if it still exists.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1910s, Alexandria 5 Comments

Incredible View of Alexandria Wharf in 1865

November 4, 2021July 3, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Photograph shows cargo ships at the wharf in Alexandria, Virginia from Pioneer Mill, which was six stories high.

What did Alexandria, Virginia look like in 1865? This photo shows the Alexandria wharf in May, 1865.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Alexandria 1 Comment
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