Washington DC Architecture History

The Cuban Embassy at 2630 16th St. NW in 1937

April 27, 2026December 17, 2014 by ghostsofdc

A 1937 photograph of the Cuban Embassy at 2630 16th St. NW in Washington, DC, when it served as Cuba’s diplomatic headquarters.

Remembering the Key Mansion: 3518 M St. NW in Georgetown

November 9, 2022December 17, 2014 by ghostsofdc

View of the M Street NW elevation of the two-story Key Mansion with Key's single-story law office attached to west side of structure. A portion of the commercial building continuing west along the street is also visible.

Take a look back at the Key Mansion, a two-story house located at 3518 M St. NW in Georgetown, Washington, DC. Learn more about the history of this house and its place in Georgetown today.

A Look Back: A Photo of the Government Printing Office on North Capitol St.

November 9, 2022October 22, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Long-distance view of the Government Printing Office on the northwest corner of North Capitol and G Streets NW showing structures in the 600 block of North Capitol and a streetcar heading south on North Capitol.

Take a look back at a really cool old photo of the Government Printing Office off of North Capitol St. Don’t miss this great story about a man who worked at the GPO and his family!

The Moving of a Georgetown Landmark: How Bellevue Became Dumbarton House

November 14, 2023October 21, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Que Street NW between 27 and 28, "Bellevue" Rittenhouse home, built about 1750, was the home of Joseph Nourse and Washington was a frequent guest here - #544

Visit the historic home of Bellevue in Upper Georgetown, DC, built around 1750 and once the residence of Joseph Nourse and a frequent guest of George Washington. Learn more and explore the area today!

Exploring the Evolution of 3rd Street in Washington D.C.

February 16, 2022September 2, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Washington, D.C., circa 1923. "Sherman house, 300 block Third Street N.W." National Photo Company Collection glass negative.

Explore the history of 3rd Street in Washington D.C. with this fascinating look at the evolution of the area from 1923 to today. See the Sherman house in the 300 block Third Street N.W. in a National Photo Company Collection glass negative.

The Sad Tale of the Destruction of a Beautiful Old Church in the Name of Progress

December 19, 2021August 26, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Circa 1924, "Metropolitan Methodist Church, C Street, Washington, D.C." And the Ford building next door. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size. The church, at C Street NW and John Marshall Place, was abandoned and razed after the congregation moved to its Nebraska Avenue location in the 1930s. The 1905 Ford Motor Co. building on Pennsylvania Avenue was torn down in 1980.

What a sad tale of progress – a beautiful old church, destroyed in the name of progress. Read the story of how this once grand building was lost forever, and the impact it had on its community.

14th and F Street in 1903: The Old Ebbitt House

March 9, 2022August 13, 2014 by ghostsofdc

A 1903 photograph of 14th and F Street in Washington, D.C., featuring the old Ebbitt House. The site is home to Old Ebbitt Grill today.

1887 Map of Washington, DC and Its Environs

November 27, 2021July 8, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Map of Washington, D.C., and environs : with marginal numbers and measuring tape attachment for instantly locating points of interest within a radius of twenty miles from the Capitol /

An 1887 map of Washington, DC showing the city and surrounding areas within a 20-mile radius of the Capitol. Click through for the full-resolution version.

Exploring the History of 1523 31st St. NW in Georgetown

November 22, 2021April 30, 2014 by ghostsofdc

1523 31st Street NW in Georgetown was built in August 1885 for Navy engineer Harrie Webster, who later became a Rear Admiral.