Arlington VA Archives - Ghosts of DC

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Arlington County, Va., circa 1941. "National Airport. Plane in front of passenger terminal and control tower." Photo by Theodor Horydczak.

National Airport Way Back in 1941

This lovely old photo was taken in 1941. You’re looking at the old terminal (then the only terminal) at National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

Proposed Southside Freeway in Arlington

Here’s an interesting proposal for the Southside Freeway in Arlington, which never came to be. This graphic is from The Washington Post printed on October 7th, 1960. That date, by the way, is when the famous Kennedy/Nixon presidential debate happened, being

View of Rosslyn over the Key Bridge in 1964

1964 View of Rosslyn Skyline

This old photo is over 50 years old, showing what Rosslyn looked like from Georgetown in 1964. Source: Library of Congress

Looking east at construction on Arlington Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., in the United States. Note the statue on the partially-constructed pedestal just to the right of the abutments (bottom center). The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts erected this mock-up to determine how high statues on the piers of the bridge should be.

Cool 1928 Photo of Arlington Memorial Bridge Construction

This beautiful old photo shows the construction of Memorial Bridge looking from D.C. towards Arlington National Cemetery. The photo is dated May 15th, 1928. Source: Flickr user Tim Evanson

Bridge spanned the Potomac River from Georgetown to Rosslyn, Virginia and was demolished after construction of the Key Bridge

Cool Photo of Aqueduct Bridge in 1910

This cool old photo of Aqueduct Bridge shows what it looked like 105 years ago. Source: Dig DC

1940s. "Arlington County, Virginia. War Department. Pentagon, aerial view." Safety negative by Theodor Horydczak.

Pentagon Seen From the Air in the 1940s

This photo is something that probably wouldn’t be shot today. At least, not easily, without military notification and support. So, enjoy this rare photo of the Pentagon as seen from above. Source: Shorpy

Why Is It Named Clarendon?

Clarendon started as a development off of the Georgetown to Falls Church road (now Wilson Blvd.) and the Washington, Arlington, Falls Church Railway.

Detailed Civil War Map of Northern Virginia

Now this is an incredible, detailed map of Virginia outside of Washington. Click on it for a much larger version. Source: Library of Congress

VIEW OF WASHINGTON MONUMENT FROM THE VICINITY OF CAPITAL OVERLOOK, 1932. - George Washington Memorial Parkway, Along Potomac River from McLean to Mount Vernon, VA, Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, VA

1932 View of George Washington Parkway

Here is a photo looking at the Washington Monument from the vantage point of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Source: Library of Congress It looks like this bend is somewhere near where National Airport is today. What do you think?

18th Century Map of What Would Become Arlington

How cool is this old map of Arlington? It shows Arlington County as it looked in the 18th century. By the way, do you know why it’s named Arlington? Source: Library of Congress