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Georgetown

Georgetown is one of Washington’s oldest neighborhoods, predating the federal city itself. These posts explore its colonial-era streets, Federal rowhouses, working waterfront, and the characters who shaped one of DC’s most enduring communities.

A Fascinating Bird’s-Eye View of Georgetown, D.C. in 1855

November 9, 2022July 13, 2018 by ghostsofdc
View of Georgetown D.C. / lith. and printed in colors by E. Sachse & Co.

Look back in time to 1855 and get a fascinating bird’s-eye view of Georgetown, D.C. in this beautiful painting

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1850s, Georgetown

Discovering a Cool Old Photo of Aqueduct Bridge 105 Years Later

April 27, 2026October 6, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Bridge spanned the Potomac River from Georgetown to Rosslyn, Virginia and was demolished after construction of the Key Bridge

Take a trip back in time 105 years and explore the Aqueduct Bridge as seen in a cool old photo. Discover what the bridge looked like before it was demolished after the construction of the Key Bridge.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, Arlington, Bridges, Georgetown 1 Comment

The Baltimore Sun Discusses the Possibility of Retroceding Georgetown to Maryland in 1839

November 9, 2022August 3, 2015 by ghostsofdc
1835 map of Washington

In January 1839, The Baltimore Sun discussed the possibility of retroceding Georgetown to Maryland. Read about it here, plus check out an 1835 map of Washington D.C. to get the full picture.

Categories Lost History Tags 1830s, Georgetown, Politics 5 Comments

Exploring Old Georgetown Neighborhoods: An 1885 Map

November 9, 2022July 9, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Plat of the tracts of land called "Mill Seat," "Philadelphia," and "Frogland," from the original patents as located in Georgetown D.C. / B.D. Carpenter, surveyor.

Take a journey back in time and explore the old Georgetown neighborhoods of 1885 with this map. Learn about the history of the area and discover the original patents of Mill Seat, Philadelphia, and Frogland.

Categories GoDCers Love Maps Tags 1880s, Georgetown 5 Comments

Exploring the Lost Neighborhood of Herring Hill in Georgetown, DC

November 9, 2022June 9, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Washington Post - April 29th, 1895

Take a journey through the lost neighborhood of Herring Hill in Georgetown, DC. Learn about its history, including an interesting story from 1895, and explore the area with a Google Map!

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1890s, Georgetown

Smallpox Patient Roams the Streets of Georgetown and D.C. in 1881

November 9, 2022April 24, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Georgetown waterfront

Take a step back in time to 1881 Washington D.C. and Georgetown, where a smallpox patient was roaming the streets and spreading infection. Read the story of how it was dealt with in this article from The Washington Post.

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1880s, Georgetown 4 Comments

Check Out These Great Old Team Photos of Georgetown Prep’s JV Basketball Team From 1911

April 27, 2026January 15, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Washington, D.C., circa 1911. "Georgetown basketball." Our second look at the Georgetown Preparatory School JV squad. Harris & Ewing.

Check out these amazing old team photos of Georgetown Prep’s JV basketball team from 1911. Amazing uniforms! See the current team photo too.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, Georgetown, Sports 1 Comment

A Look at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in 1909

April 27, 2026December 23, 2014 by ghostsofdc
View of four boats in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal lined up to cross the Potomac Aqueduct Bridge. The boats are owned by the Canal Towage Co. (misspelled "Towace). The postcard's reverse is stamped "Sunday Magazine April 16, 1933."

Get a glimpse of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in 1909! View a photo of four boats crossing the Potomac Aqueduct Bridge owned by the Canal Towage Co. Learn more here.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1900s, Georgetown, Landmarks 1 Comment

Remembering the Key Mansion: 3518 M St. NW in Georgetown

November 9, 2022December 17, 2014 by ghostsofdc
View of the M Street NW elevation of the two-story Key Mansion with Key's single-story law office attached to west side of structure. A portion of the commercial building continuing west along the street is also visible.

Take a look back at the Key Mansion, a two-story house located at 3518 M St. NW in Georgetown, Washington, DC. Learn more about the history of this house and its place in Georgetown today.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags Architecture, Georgetown, Key Bridge, Notable People 3 Comments
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