Lost in 19th Century Anacostia: The President’s Cleveland Visit to Mr. Fred Douglass (Washington Post, Aug. 13, 1886)

Grover Cleveland

This is a guest post by John (from The Lion of Anacostia), cross-posted here. An article from the Washington Post about President Grover Cleveland and Col. Daniel S. Lamont getting lost in 19th century Anacostia while attempting to visit Fred Douglass at Cedar Hill.

The History of Cathedral Heights, From Wild Dogs to Real Estate Mogul William Matteson

Cathedral Highlands advertisement in the Washington Herald - June 23rd, 1907

Learn the unique history of Cathedral Heights, from its early days of wild dogs to real estate mogul William Matteson. Read an article from 1907 that announced the birth of Cathedral Highlands and the important role Matteson played in its development.

Proposed National Zoo in Rock Creek Park

Alligators in their enclosure in the original Animal House, also known as the Carnivora House, which opened in 1892 and was the first permanent building at the National Zoological Park. The alligators are housed in the "temporary" wooden wing of the structure (Smithsonian)

We are a great nation and Americans in the 1880s were proud of their rapidly growing and dominant country. But how can you truly be a great nation without a national zoo to show off all the wonderful creatures that roam your lands, as well as those of foreign lands? Not only that, how will … Read more

Congressman Joseph G. Cannon: The Most Powerful Speaker of the House in US History

Congressman Joseph G. Cannon of Illinois is considered by many as the most powerful Speaker of the House in American history. From 1903 to 1911 he was a congressman from Illinois, presiding over the United States House of Representatives.

Congressman Joseph G. Cannon (Wikipedia)
Congressman Joseph G. Cannon (Wikipedia)

In December 1914, he was staying at the Willard Hotel. The Washington Post reported on him in their daily hotel lobbies column …

Read more