How Bison on the Mall Became the National Zoo
William Hornaday penned live bison behind the Smithsonian Castle in 1886 to save the species. The Mall menagerie became the National Zoo by 1889.
National Mall
The National Mall has been Washington’s civic spine since Pierre L’Enfant laid it out in the 1790s, but the Mall we know today looks almost nothing like what was there for most of the city’s history. These posts dig into the Mall’s evolution, from the rail yard and canal that occupied it in the 19th century to the Senate Park Commission’s 1901 redesign and the monuments that have risen since.
Trump Painted It Blue. Henry Bacon Wanted It Invisible: A History of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
On May 7th, 2026, Trump’s motorcade rolled across the drained Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, freshly painted American flag blue. Architect Henry Bacon designed the 1923 pool as a mirror you weren’t supposed to look at, built on dredged Potomac mud with no foundation.
Temporary Structures Reshape Washington’s Monumental Core
Take a rare glimpse of the massive Navy and Munitions Buildings erected on the Mall in 1918. See how massive they were from the Washington Monument in 1942 with this incredible vantage point.
It’s 4:20 Somewhere
Hazy blue smoke surrounds the origins of the annual Fourth of July Smoke-In. Though it now takes place in Lafayette Square, across the barricaded street from the White House, it began on the Mall.
A Virtual Sea of Candles: Reflecting on September 11th, 2001, One Day Later
A look back at the candlelight vigil held on the Mall one day after the tragic events of September 11th. Read my reflections on the solemn event and see a photo of the virtual sea of candles that lined the Mall.
Exploring the Past and Present of Washington, DC with Maps
Digging into the past of Washington, DC? Check out this comparison of an old 1903 Baist map of DC near the Capitol and a Google Map of the same area in 2017. See how much things have changed!
Is Washington the Most Beautiful City in the World?
Explore the beauty of Washington DC, the US capital, and why many people believe it is the most beautiful city in the world. Learn about the McMillan Plan, the unbuilt Grant Memorial, and Frederick Law Olmsted. Read the full article from 1907.
Explore a Proposed National Mall from the Early 1900s
Take a look at what a proposed National Mall could have looked like from the Capitol Building in the early 1900s. See photos and find out more about this fascinating idea.
The Mall in DC: A Beautiful View from the Early 20th Century
Take a look at this incredible view of the Mall in Washington DC from the early 20th century. See how this iconic area has changed over time – a truly spectacular sight!