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Old Post Office Pavilion

The Old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue opened in 1899 and was the tallest structure in Washington for a decade. Long considered an eyesore by the city’s planners, it survived multiple demolition attempts and was eventually saved and converted into a pavilion in the 1980s. These posts trace the Old Post Office’s remarkable story, from federal headquarters to its most recent chapter as a Trump hotel.

A Historical Look at the Old Post Office Pavilion, Now the Waldorf Astoria

January 21, 2023April 25, 2019 by ghostsofdc

Take a look at the Old Post Office Pavilion, now the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Pennsylvania Ave. Learn how the building’s ownership and purpose have changed over the years.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1910s, Architecture, Old Post Office Pavilion

A Rare Look at Downtown DC in 1911: A Photo From the Air

November 9, 2022October 12, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Circa 1911. "Washington from Washington Monument." Points of interest in this panoramic view include B Street (today's Constitution Avenue), running diagonally from the Potomac Electric powerhouse at lower left; Louisiana Avenue, branching off in the general direction of Union Station at upper right; the Old Post Office and its clock tower at left-center across Pennsylvania Avenue from the Raleigh Hotel under construction; the Agriculture Department greenhouses in the foreground with a corner of the Smithsonian "National Museum" at far right, just below Center Market; Liberty Market at upper left, below what looks to be a vast tent encampment; and, at right-upper-center, the Pension Office north of Judiciary Square and the District Court House. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co.

Get a rare glimpse of downtown DC in 1911 with this photo taken from the air. See the amazing details of the Old Post Office and other points of interest in this panoramic view.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, Old Post Office Pavilion 1 Comment

A Spooky, Yet Beautiful Photo of the Old Post Office in 1911

November 9, 2022May 6, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Old Post Office in 1911

Take a look at this spooky, yet beautiful photo of the Old Post Office in Washington D.C. from 1911. Captured on a snowy, foggy night, the photo was labeled June 5th but clearly it didn’t snow then. See the photo for yourself!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, Old Post Office Pavilion 6 Comments

A Look at the Amazing Old Photo of the General Post Office in Washington, DC

November 9, 2022April 24, 2015 by ghostsofdc
General Post Office from the corner of 8th Street and E Street, NW, Washington, D.C., the shop of Elija Dyer, merchant tailor, on the left

This amazing old photo of the General Post Office in Washington, DC, still stands today. Check out the beautiful image from 1846. The building is now the Washington Monaco Hotel.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1840s, Old Post Office Pavilion 4 Comments

Incredible View of Washington, D.C. in 1922

November 24, 2021September 16, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Washington, D.C., circa 1922. "Star Building from air." The Washington Star newspaper building at the center is at the intersection of 11th Street N.W. and Pennsylvania Avenue, which runs diagonally across the photo. The big building with the tower us the Old Post Office. There's a lot to see here, including laundry hung out to dry. National Photo Company glass negative.

Get an incredible bird’s-eye view of Washington, D.C. in 1922! See the Washington Star newspaper building, the Old Post Office, and more. Click now for the full view!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1920s, Old Post Office Pavilion, Pennsylvania Avenue 1 Comment

Exploring the Old Post Office Building in Washington, DC: Photos from 1920

April 23, 2013 by ghostsofdc
inside the Old Post Office

Take a trip back in time by viewing these amazing photos from 1920 of the Old Post Office Building in Washington, DC. Learn about the history of the building and why it’s still standing today, despite President Trump’s plans for it.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1920s, Old Post Office Pavilion 1 Comment

A Glimpse of History: An Old Photograph of F Street’s General Post Office in the 1860s

April 28, 2026March 24, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Photograph showing the General Post Office building in Washington, D.C. (1860-1878)

Take a look back in time with this old photograph of the General Post Office on F Street in Washington, DC during the 1860s. Glimpse a piece of history and see what DC looked like over 150 years ago!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1860s, Civil War, Old Post Office Pavilion 3 Comments

Old Post Office Pavilion: Donald Trump’s Newest Property. Hope He Doesn’t F*ck it Up!

October 4, 2012 by ghostsofdc
Old Post Office Pavilion in 1915

Donald Trump’s newest property is the beautiful Old Post Office Pavilion. Let’s hope the businessman doesn’t ruin the historic building and make it ridiculously ostentatious!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, Old Post Office Pavilion
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