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Architecture

Washington’s built environment is the product of grand ambitions, fierce debates, and brilliant (and sometimes terrible) ideas across more than two centuries. These posts dig into the buildings, architects, and design decisions that shaped the city we know today.

A Look at the Historic Sewall-Belmont House in Washington, D.C.

April 28, 2026July 17, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Photo shows Sewall-Belmont House, 144 Constitution Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C.

Take a step back in time and visit the historic Sewall-Belmont House in Washington, D.C. Learn more about its rich history and how it’s still standing today. Come explore the grounds and make sure to take a look at the late 1920s photo of the House.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1920s, Architecture, Capitol Hill 1 Comment

Unbelievable Offer: Get a Home in Washington, DC for Just $13,000

April 28, 2026July 6, 2013 by ghostsofdc
1708 Q St. NW

Check out this unbelievable offer from The Evening Star newspaper in 1906: a home for sale in Washington, DC for just $13,000! That same home is now worth over $1.4 million. Read the incredible story here.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags Architecture, Dupont Circle 2 Comments

Unbelievable: Incredible Image of Department of Commerce Under Construction from Shorpy

April 27, 2026June 25, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Washington, D.C., circa 1931. "Department of Commerce under construction from top of National Press Building looking down 14th Street." Willard Hotel at right. Large format negative by Theodor Horydczak.

Unbelievable! Check out this incredible image of the Department of Commerce under construction from the top of the National Press Building looking down 14th Street. Willard Hotel at right. From Shorpy.com.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1930s, Architecture, Federal Triangle

Uncovering a Piece of U.S. History: The Construction of the Hart Senate Office Building in 1979

April 27, 2026June 24, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Construction of the third office building for the U.S. Senate in 1979.

Take a look back in time at the construction of the Hart Senate Office Building in 1979, as discovered on the U.S. Capitol’s Flickr page. Learn about this piece of U.S. history and view the photo of the building in progress.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, Featured Tags 1970s, Architecture

An Incredible Look at the Winder Building After the Civil War

April 27, 2026April 3, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Winder Building in the 1870s

Take a look at the incredible Winder Building after the Civil War. This remarkable building is still standing and in use by the U.S. Trade Representative today. See a photo from the 1870s here!

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1870s, Architecture 1 Comment

The History of Providence Hospital and the Fight to Save Providence Park

April 27, 2026April 2, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Providence Hospital in the early 1900s (Library of Congress)

Providence Hospital opened on Capitol Hill in 1861. It took First Manassas wounded a month later. The site is now Providence Park.

Categories Lost History Tags 1960s, 1970s, Architecture, Capitol Hill, Congress 16 Comments

Remembering Stewart’s Castle: A Tragic Loss in Washington’s Architectural History

April 27, 2026March 28, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Washington circa 1900. "Stewart's Castle, Dupont Circle." The William Morris Stewart house on Massachusetts Avenue, designed by Adolph Cluss, shortly before it was demolished. National Photo glass negative.

Discover the story of Stewart’s Castle, a lost gem of Washington DC’s architectural history. Learn about its design, famous residents, and ultimate demolition in 1901 in this post.

Categories Lost History, Notable People & Places Tags 1870s, 1900s, Architecture, Dupont Circle 2 Comments

The Sad Story of the Demise of the Southern Railway Building in Washington DC

October 18, 2021March 25, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Southern Railway Building in 1917

Take a look at the sad story of the Southern Railway Building in Washington DC, which was purchased by the United States Government in 1928 for $2,680,000 to make way for the construction of Federal Triangle.

Categories Lost History Tags 1910s, Architecture, Pennsylvania Avenue

What Did K Street Look Like in 1850?

April 27, 2026February 4, 2013 by ghostsofdc
View from the 2nd story of the residence of Mrs. Comre. John Rodgers, Franklin Row, K Street at 12 & 13 Sts, Washington, D.C., overlooking the backyard and adjacent neighborhood, and showing children standing on balconies

There was a time when Washington, even the city itself, was very rural. Imagine livestock roaming the streets, unpaved roads, and small farms in the District.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1850s, Architecture 1 Comment
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