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Constitution Ave NW

View of commercial building on the northeast corner of B Street (later Constitution Avenue) and 7th Street NW. An automobile in the foreground has an Esso advertising cover on its spare tire that reads, "ESSO THE GIANT POWER FUEL." - February 1st, 1931

Check Out 7th and Constitution in 1931

Back in 1931, Constitution Avenue was called B Street. Read about why it was named Constitution Ave. and when. Source: Dig DC
View of Constitution Avenue NW looking towards Center Market, which occupied the northeast corner of 9th Street NW. Many produce stalls are visible on the northwest corner of that intersection and horse-drawn vehicles are on the cobblestone street.

Constitution Avenue View of Center Market

This is a cool old photo of Center Market. Source: Dig DC
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Constitution Avenue Almost Renamed Franklin or L’Enfant Avenue

We wrote a while ago about the history behind Constitution Avenue. Doing a little more digging, we have come up with a great addendum to that post, with a little more backstory on the second-place names. Below is an interesting...
Washington, D.C., circa 1921. "Aerial view looking toward Capitol and Washington Monument." National Photo Company Collection glass negative.

Aerial View of the Red Cross Building

In the foreground, you can see the Red Cross building and in the background, the Washington Monument and the Old Post Office Building. Click on the photo for a larger image. Off in the distance, you can see the Capitol...
Aerial view of a traffic jam, 14th Street and the Mall, Washington, D.C., Apr. 1937. 30-N-37-1360A. (National Archives)

Ugh, Traffic Sucks

Think your commute home today will suck? Check this out … Constitution Avenue circa 1937. By the way, do you know why it’s called Constitution Avenue? If not, read this post. Related articles Bus Strike Creates Traffic Disaster (ghostsofdc.org) Why Is...
Constitution Avenue

Why Is It Named Constitution Avenue?

Do you know why it's named Constitution Avenue? There's an interesting story behind it which includes the state of Wisconsin.
Henry Elphinstone

Henry Elphinstone Wins the 1911 Laurel to D.C. Marathon

Technically, it wasn’t a full marathon as it was only 20 miles, but young Henry Elphinstone from Baltimore finished first with a time of 2 hours 16 minutes and 40 seconds. This was a full two minutes faster than the...