Aerial Views of the Navy Yard in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s
This photo is an aerial view of the Navy Yard just a couple of months before President Kennedy was assassinated. Source: National Museum of the U.S. Navy Here’s another one from the 1970s. Source: National Museum...
Frederick Douglass Home Ransacked
Here’s a short article that we came across in The Washington Post from March 14th, 1905. The residence of Harold Dougherty, and employe of the Congressional Library, at Cedar Hill, Anacostia, the former home of the late...
1892 Map of Rural Anacostia
We posted a cool old rural map of Tenleytown a short while back. Here’s a map from the same group, showing Anacostia back in 1892. Source: Library of Congress
Wanted: a Sober Man, Without Family
Know any sober gardeners in the area? If so, in 1857, the could have earned $200 per year, with room and board. Good Hope Hill is an area in, what is today, Anacostia. It was later...
Butler Heights: The Best Buy in Washington
Do you know where Butler Heights is (was)? There’s a tiny Butler St. SE today, very close to Frederick Douglass’ old home. This is an advertisement that we found in the Washington Herald from May 13th,...
Then and Now: The Anacostia Bank
This is a great image that we dug up in the Library of Congress archives. The photo is from around 1918. It’s the old Anacostia Bank, which is still standing. Source: Library of Congress Now check...
Then and Now: Bury’s Drug Store to Uniontown Bar and Grill
Well, this was a hopefully step to revitalize Anacostia, but the most recent owner made a couple bad decisions. Here is the building as it looked around 1919 as Bury’s drug store. And below is the...
Incredible Aerial Views of D.C. From Anacostia
Here is a great series of photographs, showing Washington in the 1960s, as viewed from the east.
Good Hope Road in 1916
Take a look at how different Good Hope Road in Anacostia looked in 1916. And below is the Google Map of the same area, with a pin marking the intersection of Good Hope Road and 19th...
1907 Map of Anacostia
Take a look at this Baist map of Anacostia in 1907.
Anacostia Street Frozen in Time (1919)
Here is a terrific shot of homes being built in Anacostia. This was taken around 1919 and this row appears to be the 1900 block of 16th St. SE. Check out the Google Street View below...
Grover Cleveland Gets Lost in 19th Century Anacostia
This is a guest post by John (from The Lion of Anacostia), cross-posted here. While trying to confirm President Hayes visited Douglass at Cedar Hill, I came across this news item telling of President Grover Cleveland (the 22nd and, later, the 24th...
Violence on Streets of Old Anacostia (1886)
This is a guest post by John (from The Lion of Anacostia), cross-posted here. I walk the streets, alleys, back-cuts, and lounge on the corners of Anacostia everyday, every hour, every minute. Tour an abandominium or...
To See Fairlawn Means a Lot
This is an advertisement for new development and real estate across the Eastern Branch, near Anacostia. Click on the ad for a closer look at what is a harsh window into a very different (and blatantly...
Congress Heights: The Healthiest and Most Delightful Suburb of Washington
Admittedly, I do not focus enough east of the river. I was doing a little digging around the Library of Congress archives and came across this gem. This is an advertisement for homes in Congress Heights,...
Three Things About Poplar Point and Anacostia Flats
If you’re fortunate enough to be participating in WABA’s “Down the Tubes” ride tomorrow, the last stop on your journey is going to be Poplar Point. Probably 70% of District residents don’t know what this is...
Three Things About the Bryant Street Pumping Station
Curious about water problems in DC? Here are stories about the Bryant Street Pumping Station from the early 1900s.
Why Is It Named Anacostia?
Curious why it's named Anacostia? Check out the history which goes back to Captain John Smith in the 17th century.
