The History of Mt. Pleasant: From Pleasant Plains to The Raven
James Holmead received a land grant here in 1727. The area was known as Pleasant Plains, then The Raven, before becoming Mt. Pleasant.
Notable People
Washington has drawn fascinating characters throughout its history, from city planners and inventors to entertainers and scoundrels. These posts spotlight the people who shaped the capital in ways that didn’t always make it into the textbooks.
Why Is It Named Woodley Park?
The Woodley estate in England was torn down in 1962. Its DC counterpart still stands on Connecticut Avenue and became part of Maret School in 1950.
Charles Lindbergh Parade in D.C.
Charles Lindbergh was celebrated with a huge parade in Washington, D.C. upon returning from his historic 1927 transatlantic flight.
Remembering Major Archibald Butt and the Titanic Memorials in Washington, DC
Remember Major Archibald Butt, who perished in the 1912 Titanic disaster. Read this guest post to learn more about the Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain and the Women’s Titanic Memorial in DC. See photos, maps and learn more!
Francis Scott Key’s House in Georgetown, and How DC Lost 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.
Uncovering the Stories Behind the Names on Headstones at D.C.’s Holy Rood Cemetery
Take a stroll through one of D.C.’s less visited cemeteries, Holy Rood Cemetery, and discover the stories behind the names on the headstones. From prominent doctors to Irish immigrants, uncover the past lives of the city’s regular Washingtonians.
The Moving of a Georgetown Landmark: How Bellevue Became Dumbarton House
Visit the historic home of Bellevue in Upper Georgetown, DC, built around 1750 and once the residence of Joseph Nourse and a frequent guest of George Washington. Learn more and explore the area today!
Exploring the Plan for the Federal City with a Terrific Old Map
![Plan of the city intended for the permanent seat of the government of t[he] United States : projected agreeable to the direction of the President of the United States, in pursuance of an act of Congress, passed on the sixteenth day of July, MDCCXC, "establishing the permanent seat on the bank of the Potowmac"](https://ghostsofdc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/06/ct001333.jpg)
Discover the plan for the federal city with a terrific old map from the Library of Congress. Explore the projected layout of the city to gain insight into the history of the United States.
The 1913 Washington Post Story of the Runaway Horse and Carriage
A wild story from The Washington Post in 1913 about a runaway horse & carriage in Washington DC. Read the full story, plus learn more about George Bowman, the liveryman, and Harry L. McCormick, who rescued the baby.