Ghosts of DC

Try an address, a neighborhood, a name or a year, like “14th and U” or “1968.”

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Federal Triangle

Federal Triangle is the sweeping block of neoclassical government buildings running along Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol and the White House. Built in the late 1920s and 1930s as part of a unified federal precinct, it required clearing a dense neighborhood that had occupied the site since the Civil War. These posts explore the buildings and the community they replaced.

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Lewis Hine, "Red light resorts on Ohio Avenue near 14th St.," Washington DC, April 1912. Library of Congress, National Child Labor Committee Collection. Colorized by AI.Five Forgotten Murders in DC’s Murder BayJun 29Center Market in Washington D.C. around 1909, with the 7th Street wing and corner tower.Center Market: Before the National ArchivesJun 1Aerial view of Pennsylvania Avenue looking west, showing Federal Triangle and the National Mall. (2006)Why Is It Called Federal Triangle?May 15, 2015

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An Aerial View of Federal Triangle and the Navy Memorial Under ConstructionDec 1, 2013Washington, 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.The Department of Commerce Under Construction, Seen from the National Press BuildingJun 25, 2013The Southern Railway Building at 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, circa 1899-1916. The Library of Congress identifies the flags as probably for an inaugural event. This is the original Second Empire building, expanded in 1893 and 1899, that burned in April 1916. Library of Congress, National Photo Company Collection.Southern Railway Building: Fire, Then Federal TriangleMar 25, 2013Looking southwest at the Old Post Office Pavilion (far left), Southern Railway Building (middle), and District Building on Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., in 1932. On in the fall of 1932, the structures in rear of the District Building would be razed to make way for the U.S. Department of Labor building, whose cornerstone would be laid on December 15, 1932The View from the Willard Hotel’s Roof in 1932: Federal Triangle Taking ShapeDec 7, 2012Department of Commerce, 15th St. sideThe Department of Commerce Building: Washington’s 1932 GiantNov 19, 2012Best OfMurder Bay in 1855 (Smithsonian)Where Was Murder Bay in Washington, DC?Mar 29, 2012Best Of
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