Pennsylvania Avenue Archives - Page 7 of 7

An Unforgettable Silent Film: The 1929 Inauguration of Herbert Hoover

April 27, 2026April 5, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This is an excellent silent film from 1929. It begins with outgoing president Calvin Coolidge and Hoover entering a vehicle and being taken to the Capitol Building down Pennsylvania Avenue.

The members of the Supreme Court are seen — including former president and then Chief Justice William Howard Taft — on the inauguration platform. Both Coolidge and Hoover are present and then the scene closes with the latter giving his inauguration speech.

The parade is grand and festive as Washington celebrates the incoming president. Hoover reviews the parade from the grandstand on Pennsylvania Ave, just north of the White House. The film closes with Calvin and Grace Coolidge waving goodbye from the back of a train.

Pool, Booze and Betting: A Recipe for Trouble in Washington, DC

May 6, 2026April 4, 2012 by ghostsofdc

pool hall in the early 1900s (source unknown)

Get a glimpse of Washington, DC’s wild side in 1900! Throw men, booze and pool into an equation, with a little competition and gambling on the side, and you’ve got a recipe for trouble. Read this article to find out what happened when two men competed for the city championship.

Exploring the “Then and Now” of the Washington Star (or Evening Star) Building

May 6, 2026February 11, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Take a journey through time and explore the “Then and Now” of the Washington Star (or Evening Star) Building. Learn about the history of the building, the newspaper, and the renovation that saved it.

Celebrating the New Year with Lou Gehrig in 1929

April 27, 2026February 11, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Celebrating the New Year in 1929, Lou Gehrig, the Iron Horse himself, was in Washington, DC to ring in the New Year. Read about his famous farewell speech and his stay at the Occidental Hotel.

In Hotel Lobbies: Kicking off a New Category with the Story of Buffalo Bill in Washington, DC

January 13, 2021February 3, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Explore the history of Buffalo Bill in Washington, DC with the first entry in a new blog category, ‘In Hotel Lobbies’. Learn about his Wild West Show, his friendship with Senator Warren, and his project to irrigate the Big Horn Basin.

Then and Now: The Old Riggs National Bank Across from the Department of Treasury

May 6, 2026January 28, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Riggs National Bank stood across from the US Treasury for generations. Here is a then-and-now look at one of Washington DC’s most storied financial institutions.

Faces of Yesterday – Dime Messenger Service Boys of D.C. 1912: The Case of Frank Rowler and Michael McDonald

April 27, 2026January 8, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This article looks back to January 11th, 1892, when Frank Rowler, a messenger boy, was assaulted by a man named Howard. Michael McDonald, a bystander, was so angry that he hit Howard a terrible blow, leading to his arrest. This paints a picture of a rougher town in a rougher time, without the use of guns.