The Francis Scott Key Bridge connects Georgetown to Rosslyn, Virginia, carrying M Street traffic across the Potomac since 1923. Named for the author of the Star-Spangled Banner, who lived near the Georgetown end, it replaced the older Aqueduct Bridge that had served as both a water carrier and a Civil War crossing. These posts explore the history of the Key Bridge and the crossings that preceded it.
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.
In an incredible story of a mother’s dedication, The Washington Post reported in 1956 on the birth of Patti Sue Williams on Key Bridge in Fairfax. Read the article excerpts and find out whether you know this brave woman!
Explore the incredible proposed design for an entryway to Key Bridge from 1928. This fascinating piece of architecture was never built and shows the approach from Rosslyn into Georgetown.
James Hall, a drunk 26-year-old, fell from Key Bridge as he did stunts on the railings to amuse onlookers.
Check out this amazing photo of Rosslyn in 1965. We dug up this photo on Flickr and it was taken by Roger Wollstadt. Plus, don’t miss our post from earlier in the week about a giant fire and explosion that rocked and almost destroyed Rosslyn.
Take a look at this incredible photo of the boat club just above Aqueduct Bridge (or Key Bridge today)
Three Sisters Islands in the Potomac carry a Native American curse stretching back centuries. They also nearly vanished under a 1970s highway bridge. Here’s both stories.
Take a step back in time and explore the past with this fascinating photo of the Potomac Boat Club in 1921, standing in front of, what will soon become, the Key Bridge. See why this old photo is worth looking at!
A Capital Transit streetcar route schematic from 1936 shows 26 years before the last DC streetcar: routes to Rosslyn, Cabin John, Catholic U, Beltsville, and the 7th Street Wharves.
