Beyond the Mall and the monuments, Washington is full of landmarks with stories worth knowing. These posts cover the squares, circles, markets, arenas, and buildings that have defined the city’s geography and character over the centuries.
In the 1950s, the top entertainers in the country performed on 14th Street NW. By the early 1980s, it was known as Washington’s “combat zone,” lined with topless bars and adult bookstores. By 1986, it was rubble. What happened in between reveals how gentrification works when moral crusades and economic interests perfectly align.
The stone arches near the Kennedy Center are the Godey Lime Kilns, Washington’s last 19th-century industrial ruin.
In 1807, two brothers named Andrew and George Way opened a glass factory on the Potomac, where the Lincoln Memorial stands today.
Before the Hay-Adams Hotel went up in 1928, the lot held the homes of John Hay, Lincoln’s secretary, and the writer Henry Adams.
Discover the origins of the Air and Space Museum in this historical journey – when was it built and how it became an iconic institution.
Explore the history and significance of the Smithsonian Castle in Washington D.C. Learn how this architectural gem served as a symbol of unity and enlightenment during the tumultuous post-Civil War era and its evolving role as the heart of the Smithsonian Institution. Discover how the Castle has endured as a treasured national landmark for over a century.
Step back in time to the 1922 Annual Beauty Contest at the Washington Bathing Beach. Explore the stunning winners and fashion trends of the era.
The photograph is Washington police officer Bill Norton measuring the distance between the knee and the swimsuit.
This series of maps shows property values, pavement times, public schools, railroads, street sweeping schedules and more. Don’t miss these incredible maps showing 1880s life in Washington.
