Why Is the CIA Called Langley? The History Behind the Name
Everyone calls the CIA Langley. But why? The name traces from a Virginia governor, a Shropshire estate, and exit signs that lied for over a decade.
Fairfax County
Fairfax County in Northern Virginia has been part of the Washington story since before the capital was established, and GoDC has covered the parts of the county that are inseparable from DC history. From the early history of Mount Vernon and the county’s colonial roots to the postwar suburban explosion that made it one of the most populous counties in the country, these posts explore Fairfax County’s long relationship with Washington.
Looking Back to Colonial America: Exploring a Land Advertisement from the Maryland Gazette in 1760
Delve into the past with an old advertisement from the Maryland Gazette in 1760 promoting a large tract of land for rent in Fairfax, located about 40 miles northwest of Alexandria. Through this historical document and a bit of research, gain insight into life in early colonial America and the social and economic dynamics of the time.
Uncovering the Past: An Incredible Civil War Map from the Boston Public Library Archives
Happy Saturday GoDCers! We uncovered an incredible Civil War map of the rebel fortifications just west of D.C. in the Boston Public Library archives. Check out the original here!
Maybe A GoDCer Recognizes These Women Shopping at Hecht’s in Tysons Corner in 1971
Do you recognize the women in this photo from 1971? They are shopping at Hecht’s in Tysons Corner, three years after it opened as the largest enclosed mall in the world. Can you identify them?
Falls Church, Virginia in 1903: A Tour of a Washington Suburb
In 1903, Falls Church was a town of 1,000 people in Fairfax County, serving as a telephone hub for two dozen Northern Virginia communities. Here is a tour through the town as it was.
The Capital Beltway: How It Was Built, How It Got Its Name, and Who the Original Beltway Bandits Really Were
The original Beltway Bandits were an actual crime gang. Plus: how I-495 was built, how it got its name, and why “inside the Beltway” means what it means.