Anacostia in Washington, D.C. - Page 2 of 2

Then and Now: Anacostia Home Construction Circa 1919 and Today

January 3, 2020November 5, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Anacostia home being constructed circa 1919

See the transformation of a home being constructed in Anacostia circa 1919 compared to today. This makes for a great Then and Now shot. Check out the Google Street View below.

Lost in 19th Century Anacostia: The President’s Cleveland Visit to Mr. Fred Douglass (Washington Post, Aug. 13, 1886)

March 31, 2026June 4, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This is a guest post by John (from The Lion of Anacostia), cross-posted here. An article from the Washington Post about President Grover Cleveland and Col. Daniel S. Lamont getting lost in 19th century Anacostia while attempting to visit Fred Douglass at Cedar Hill.

Violence on the Streets of Old Anacostia – A Letter From Washington in 1886

January 12, 2022May 21, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This post recounts a letter from Washington, D.C. in 1886 discussing the violence on the streets of Anacostia. Reports and perceptions of violence and criminality in Anacostia are over-rated and have a history.

Exploring the Racist Real Estate Ad from 1911 for Fairlawn in Anacostia

December 20, 2021May 18, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Fairlawn real estate advertisement from the Washington Herald - July 22nd, 1911

This blog post explores a real estate advertisement from 1911 for Fairlawn in Anacostia, DC. It provides a harsh window into a very different and blatantly racist time in Washington. Read to learn more about this area’s history.

A Look at Congress Heights in 1902: An Advertisement from the Washington Times

November 19, 2023April 29, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Congress Heights advertisement - May 17th, 1902 (Washington Times)

Take a look back in time to 1902 and explore Congress Heights with this advertisement from the Washington Times. Read through the whole thing and be amazed!

Exploring the History of Poplar Point and the Anacostia Flats

November 24, 2021March 31, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Discover the history of Poplar Point and the Anacostia Flats and learn what important events occurred here involving a future president. Read about the Bonus Army and the Summer of 1932 and Proposed Stadium Site. Plus, learn about Bolling Field opens for air mail.

Three Things About the Bryant Street Pumping Station

November 21, 2019March 30, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Bryant Street pumping station (Wikipedia)

Curious about water problems in DC? Here are stories about the Bryant Street Pumping Station from the early 1900s.

Why Is It Named Anacostia? The Native American Origins of DC’s Historic Neighborhood

March 26, 2026February 13, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Captain John Smith map - full size (1612)

Anacostia takes its name from the Nacotchtank people, the Native Algonquin tribe Captain John Smith encountered when he sailed up the Eastern Branch in 1612. Here’s how “Natcotchtank” slowly became “Anacostia.”

The Worst Aerial Tragedy in Washington History: The 1938 Plane Crash in Anacostia

February 12, 2022January 30, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Came across is crazy photo on Shorpy. This happened on November 9th, 1938 when two aviators, Lieutenant Colonel Leslie MacDill and Private Joseph G. Gloxner burned to death in, what was then, the worst aerial tragedy in the history of Washington after their airplane crashed on a street in Anacostia.

They had just taken off from Bolling Field and their plane went down, destroying three cars in the crash.

Oh, by the way, MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa was named after the pilot. He was kind of a big deal.