Washington’s grand hotels have always been more than just places to sleep. They’ve been political backrooms, celebrity haunts, and landmarks in their own right. These posts explore the history of DC’s most storied hotels and the people who passed through their lobbies.
Take a trip back in time and explore the Dunbar Hotel through photos found at the Smithsonian. Learn more about this building that used to sit on the northwest corner of 15th and U St before being demolished in 1974.
Take a look back to 1918 with a vintage advertisement for the historic Hotel Washington, now known as the W Washington, DC. See the evolution of one of the finest hotels in the city.
Take a look back at 4400 Connecticut Ave. NW in 1973 with this postcard from the Connecticut Inn Motel. See what the building looks like today and explore what has changed over the years.
The overlooked history of Tunnicliff’s Eastern Branch Hotel, Washington D.C.’s first hotel established in 1796, later demolished in 1931 to build a gas station.
As Hotel Harrington prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday, take a look at three of its original advertisements from 1914. See what the landmark hotel offered in its opening year!
Discover the historical significance of the Ebbitt House Hotel and Newspaper Row, located in Washington DC and discovered by GoDCer Brian. Learn more about the area’s past with this interesting article!
This is the mysterious story of Henry L. Doherty and his family, who lived in Suite 870 at the Shoreham Hotel. Read the full story, and discover the strange activity that takes place around 4 a.m. in the suite!
The Washington Hilton was a happenin’ place to see live music apparently, with Hendrix also playing there in ’68. Thanksgiving was the following Thursday, so I imagine a large number of kids were home from college, and what better way to take a break than watch Morrison, Manzarek, Densmore and Krieger?
Wow, this one is gold. Jimi Hendrix played the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Ave. NW — the same one where Hinkley shot Reagan in 1981. That’s right, the guitar god himself played to 4,000 fans in the hotel’s international ballroom on March 10th, 1968, accompanied by his bandmates, Noel Redding (drums) and Mitch Mitchell (bass). This one might be cooler than the Beatles playing D.C. in 1964, but I don’t want to spark a giant musical debate. They’re both awesome finds.
Check out the photo below of Jimi tearing up the stage.
