Metropolitan Police Department Archives - Page 4 of 4

Uncovering the Brutal Criminal Underworld of Washington DC’s Chinatown in the 1920s

December 20, 2019April 11, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Discover the fascinating and terrifying criminal underworld of Washington DC’s Chinatown in the 1920s. Uncover gruesome acts perpetrated by Chinese gangs and the Hollywood-like mafia murders in this old local history.

The Story of Officer Sprinkle and the Infernal Machine

December 23, 2021April 4, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Old Masonic Temple building (via Jacqueline Drayer)

Once again, our favorite hero has come to the rescue.

This tale from the annals of Officer Sprinkle dates back to July 1st, 1914. The Washington Post reported a story about an explosive device found in a telephone box near the Old Masonic Temple.

Old Masonic Temple at 9th and F St. NW in 1909 (Library of Congress)

If Walls Could Talk: Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar

January 13, 2021March 5, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar. Photo credit: Jennifer Kolansky

Last week’s winner of the “If Walls Could Talk” poll was Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar. They altered the look and feel of the tavern-heavy block of Pennsylvania between 2nd and 3rd St. SE and have been satisfying discerning palates with sophisticated wine and charcuterie since the fall of 2005.

I’m excited to branch out to a different neighborhood for this next IWCT and judging by the popularity of this place, I’m hoping this will be a well-liked post.

If Walls Could Talk: The Yellow House at 2513 Cliffbourne Pl. NW – Part 2

December 20, 2021January 31, 2012 by ghostsofdc

The "Rainbow Row" of homes on Cliffbourne Pl. NW

This is the second post in a four-part series covering the colorful homes on Cliffbourne Pl. NW, between Calvert St. and Biltmore St. This one is the brightest of the set and it really stands out on a sunny day. Let’s now look into the second home … the one at 2513 Cliffbourne Pl. NW.

The Yellow House: 2513 Cliffbourne Pl. NW

The Horrific Eckington Streetcar Accident of 1919: Robbery Amidst the Chaos

January 26, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This looks bad. And, it is as bad as it looks. I came across this old photo on Shorpy (of course). It was a major streetcar derailment that injured 35 passengers, resulting in the arrest of both the motorman and the conductor.

Read what the Washington Post had to say about it on August 2nd, 1919 …

If Walls Could Talk: The Looking Glass Lounge

November 22, 2021January 20, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This next installment of “If Walls Could Talk” will be the Petworth watering hole, The Looking Glass Lounge. This is one of my favorite places for a Sunday afternoon beer, especially in the warmer months, out on their back patio. I imagine the place will be packed this evening, and now you guys have another interesting conversation topic … what’s the story of the building inside which you’re drinking beer? So, let’s look into the history of the building at 3634 Georgia Ave. NW.

The Looking Glass Lounge, 3634A Georgia Ave. NW

I should also add that two businesses occupy the top floor of the building — Fission Strategy and Big Window Labs.

Comparing Photos from Columbia Rd. and Sherman Ave. NW in 1921 and Today

January 18, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Close up of accident at Columbia Rd. and Sherman Ave. NW

Here are a couple photos from my new favorite site, Shorpy. This was taken on January 5th, 1921 at the intersection of Columbia Rd. and Sherman Ave. NW.

Accident at Columbia Rd. and Sherman Ave. NW

Now this is cool … take a look at the photo of the same intersection today (courtesy Google Street View). Both photos are looking east down Columbia Rd. The whole row of homes on the right is still there.

Below, read what was written in the Post a few days later on January 8th.

Officer Sprinkle: Captured Geronimo, Accused Bootlegger, and Bodyguard to President Wilson

December 20, 2021January 17, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Popular Lieutenant Sprinkle of the 5th precinct (1914)

A couple of reader comments about an Officer Sprinkle in this earlier post piqued my interest in finding out a little more about the guy who has the kind of name you’d give to a cat. An unforgettable name, so hopefully I’ll be able to dig up enough information on this guy to write a … Read more

Exploring the Streets of Swampoodle in 1895: A Column From the Washington Post

December 20, 2021January 12, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Swampoodle sounds like an area filled with some tough blue-collar dudes. Here’s a little column I found in the Post from January 21st, 1895 about three locals, boozing until the wee hours of the morning.

Two plumbers and a plasterer went outside of “Swampoodle” Saturday night to find trouble. They found quite a large quantity of it about 3 o’clock Sunday morning, and incidentally learned that among the policemen of the First precinct are a number of expert sprinters. At the station the plumbers gave the names of George Ricketts and William McGregor, and the plasterer said that his name was Bernard Downing.

Swampoodle, by the way, was a rough Irish immigrant neighborhood, centered where Union Station is today. Much of the neighborhood was bulldozed to make way for the railroad station, which most law-abiding locals supported. It was a nasty shantytown, rife with crime, rampant prostitution and drunkenness. So, needless to say, these guys lived in a rough part of town.