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Penn Quarter

Penn Quarter was DC’s neglected warehouse and light-industrial district for most of the 20th century before transforming in the 1990s into one of the city’s most active urban neighborhoods, anchored by the MCI Center and a wave of restaurants and galleries.

The Willard Brother Who Built the Ebbitt House

May 19, 2026 by ghostsofdc
Matthew Brady photograph of the original Ebbitt House boarding house at 14th and F NW in November 1865

Three Willard brothers ran the Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. The fourth, Caleb, ran a hotel just as big a block away. He just had the misfortune of calling it the Ebbitt House.

Categories If Walls Could Talk, Notable People & Places Tags 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900s, Architecture, Hotels, Penn Quarter, Willard Hotel, William McKinley

Exploring Washington’s Center Market in 1921

April 26, 2026November 29, 2021 by ghostsofdc

Take a look back in time and explore Washington’s Center Market in 1921. Located on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th until 1931. | Ghostsofdc

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1920s, Penn Quarter

Exploring D.C.’s German Beer Hall History at Dietz’s Rathskeller

November 9, 2022July 1, 2016 by ghostsofdc

Before World War I, Dietz’s Rathskeller was a popular beer joint in the heart of D.C. Learn about its history, explore the area today, and be amazed at what this spot has to offer!

Categories Lost History Tags 1910s, Penn Quarter 1 Comment

F Street NW at Night in 1955: Then and Now from 13th Street

November 9, 2022August 26, 2015 by ghostsofdc

This nighttime photograph of F Street NW was taken from 13th Street in 1955. The marquees and storefronts are long gone. Compare it to the same block on Google Street View today.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1950s, Penn Quarter 3 Comments

Uncovering the Past: A Look at the First Congregational Church in Washington DC in 1909

April 27, 2026December 5, 2014 by ghostsofdc
First Congregational Church in 1909

Explore the past with us as we take a look at the First Congregational Church in Washington DC in 1909. Uncover the history with this wonderful old photo found at Dig DC.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1900s, churches, Penn Quarter 2 Comments

A Look Back at Washington, D.C. in 1921 – The 400 Block of 11th St. NW

November 24, 2021August 28, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Washington, D.C., 1921. "National Fruit Co." Out-of-town bananas and news. National Photo Company Collection glass negative.

Take a look back at Washington, D.C. in 1921 with this incredible photo of the 400 Block of 11th St. NW. You’ll notice the YMHA (Young Men’s Hebrew Association) building in this shot

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1920s, Penn Quarter 1 Comment

The Sad Tale of the Destruction of a Beautiful Old Church in the Name of Progress

December 19, 2021August 26, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Circa 1924, "Metropolitan Methodist Church, C Street, Washington, D.C." And the Ford building next door. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size. The church, at C Street NW and John Marshall Place, was abandoned and razed after the congregation moved to its Nebraska Avenue location in the 1930s. The 1905 Ford Motor Co. building on Pennsylvania Avenue was torn down in 1980.

What a sad tale of progress – a beautiful old church, destroyed in the name of progress. Read the story of how this once grand building was lost forever, and the impact it had on its community.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, Lost History Tags 1920s, Architecture, churches, Penn Quarter 1 Comment

A Look at the North Side of F Street in DC’s Gallery Place

January 13, 2022April 16, 2014 by ghostsofdc
north side of F St

Take a look at the north side of F Street in DC’s Gallery Place with this historical photograph from the Library of Congress. Learn more about this area of DC today!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, Penn Quarter

Exploring the Success of a Popular Boarding House in Washington, D.C. in 1882

January 1, 2022December 3, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Intersection of 9th and F St. NW (1888)

In 1882, Mrs. Ragan successfully ran a boarding house in Washington, D.C. This article explores the key components of what made it so successful, and provides a closer look at the street where it was located.

Categories If Walls Could Talk Tags 1880s, Penn Quarter 1 Comment
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