Skip to content
Ghosts of DC

Ghosts of DC

  • The Best Of
  • Neighborhoods
    • Southwest DC
      • Waterfront
    • Maryland
      • Gaithersburg
      • Rockville
      • Bethesda
      • Hyattsville
      • Silver Spring
      • Bladensburg
    • Virginia
      • McLean
      • Falls Church
      • Alexandria
      • Vienna
      • Arlington
    • Southeast DC
      • Congress Heights
      • Navy Yard
      • Capitol Hill
      • Anacostia
    • Northeast DC
      • Trinidad
      • Woodridge
      • Deanwood
      • Brookland
    • Northwest DC
      • Tenleytown
      • Park View
      • Friendship Heights
      • Brightwood
      • Crestwood
      • Sheridan-Kalorama
      • The Palisades
      • Logan Circle
      • Petworth
      • Glover Park
      • Bloomingdale
      • Georgetown
      • Woodley Park
      • Dupont Circle
      • Columbia Heights
      • Cleveland Park
      • Adams Morgan
      • Mt. Pleasant
      • Chevy Chase
      • Cathedral Heights
      • Chinatown
    • Lost Neighborhoods
      • Hell’s Bottom
      • Swampoodle
      • Murder Bay
  • Notable People & Places
    • Places
      • Washington Monument
      • Library of Congress
      • The White House
      • The Capitol Building
      • Dulles Airport
    • People
      • Franklin D. Roosevelt
      • Calvin Coolidge
      • Officer Sprinkle
      • Dwight D. Eisenhower
      • Warren G. Harding
      • William McKinley
      • Abraham Lincoln
      • John F. Kennedy
      • Teddy Roosevelt
      • Woodrow Wilson

Howard University

What Could Have Been: Howard University’s Proposed Extension of Vermont Ave. in 1919

October 22, 2023January 28, 2023 by ghostsofdc

Take a look at what could have been! Howard University proposed extending Vermont Ave. from Florida Ave. to Georgia Ave. back in 1919. See the maps, read the letter of rejection, and check out the intersection today on Google Maps.

Categories GoDCers Love Maps, Lost History Tags 1910s, Howard University 12 Comments

Why Is It Named LeDroit Park? The Misspelled Name Behind DC’s Historic Neighborhood

April 23, 2026April 3, 2015 by ghostsofdc

Established in 1873, LeDroit Park was one of the first suburbs of Washington, DC. Its name honors a family member of founder Amzi Barber.

Categories Why Is It Named...? Tags 1870s, Howard University, LeDroit Park

A Look Back at Howard University and St. John’s College Football Teams in 1904 and 1906

November 9, 2022January 30, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Howard University football in 1904

Take a look back at Howard University and St. John’s College football teams from 1904 and 1906. Check out the cool photos and learn about how the school has changed over time.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1900s, Howard University, Sports 1 Comment

The Best Commencement Speeches Given in Washington, DC

March 9, 2022June 16, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Check out the best commencement speeches ever given in Washington, DC from President John F. Kennedy to Ken Burns, Tony Snow and others. See the full lists from NPR and Vox.com.

Categories Guest Posts, Notable People & Places Tags American University, Catholic University, Gallaudet University, George Washington University, Georgetown, Georgetown University, Howard University, John F Kennedy, videos

Dive into History: An Incredible Advertisement from Howard University in 1919

November 3, 2021March 4, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Howard University of 1919

Take a trip back in time and explore this incredible advertisement from Howard University in 1919! Learn more about this fascinating piece of history.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1910s, Howard University

Griffith Stadium: The History and Demolition of Washington’s Lost Ballpark

May 4, 2026January 23, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Griffith Stadium

Griffith Stadium stood where Howard University Hospital is today. Full history: from the 1911 fire to Walter Johnson to the 1965 wrecking ball.

Categories Lost History, Notable People & Places, The Best Of Tags 1910s, 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, Baseball, Griffith Stadium, Howard University, Sports, Washington Senators 1 Comment

Experience a Historical Moment: Howard University Women’s Athletic Day in 1949

November 7, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Howard University Women’s Athletic Day, Nov. 1949

Relive a historical moment with this cool photo from Howard University’s Women’s Athletic Day in 1949. See the photos and learn more about this special day!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1940s, Howard University

First Congregational Church at 10th and G: The Abolitionist Church That Birthed Howard University

April 21, 2026October 15, 2013 by ghostsofdc
First Congregational Church (10 and G Streets NW) c. 1946. Bert Sheldon Photograph Collection, HSW.

In 1946 this Gothic brick church had stood at 10th and G Streets NW for 78 years. Abolitionists founded it, Henry Robinson Searle designed it, and Howard University grew out of it.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, If Walls Could Talk, Lost History, Notable People & Places Tags churches, Frederick Douglass, Howard University, Penn Quarter

Exploring Howard University’s Old Main Building: Two Great Photos

February 1, 2022September 13, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Old Main Building

Take a look into the past with two photos of Howard University’s Old Main Building. Explore the history of the building and its importance to the university.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Howard University
Older posts
Page1 Page2 Next →
Explore the Archive
The Best Of Old Ads & Classifieds Then and Now Lost History
GoDCers Love Maps From the Crazy Vault Faces & Places of Yesterday If Walls Could Talk
Historical Events Notable People & Places This Day in History Guest Posts
Three Things… A Personal Story Why Is It Named…? Featured
Ghosts of DC© 2012–2026 Ghosts of DC · AI Policy