Take a rare look at Union soldiers guarding the Potomac River in Washington, DC in 1861. Georgetown University is visible in the background. Photo by George Barnard.

Take a look at this stunning photo of the Potomac River from 1898. Learn more about this rare photo from the Library of Congress and read comments from the GhostsofDC community.

This is a sad story of a young man, John McCalip, who was drowned in the Potomac River in 1908, shortly before his wedding. Read more about his story and the tragedy that happened on the river.

It was so cold 130 years ago, you could skate on the Potomac River! We dug up some old stories about the misery of winter and found some good stuff about the freezing temperatures causing problems all over the city. Read on to learn more!

“Remember how bad the Potomac River was in the 1970s? Back then, there was a warning posted telling people not to swim in it. Check out this sign from 1973 recommending you seek immediate medical attention after prolonged exposure.”

Take a look at this incredible photo of the boat club just above Aqueduct Bridge (or Key Bridge today). Source: D.C. Public Library.

Check out this cool map of what would become the City of Washington. It was done around 1893 near the city's centennial. View the Patawmack River, not the Potomac, in this early map of Washington.

Explore history through this amazing photograph from the 1860s. See the entrance to the Washington Water Works near Great Falls and discover more about this incredible image.

Take a step back in time and explore the past with this fascinating photo of the Potomac Boat Club in 1921, standing in front of, what will soon become, the Key Bridge. See why this old photo is worth looking at!

Take a look at these beautiful prints of Washington as it looked in the 1790s. They were done by George Isham Parkyns and show a slightly different, more pastoral landscape. See the print of the Potomac and guess which island it is!

Where was Herzog's famous sea food restaurant in Washington, DC? And, what did it look like?

Learn the history of Chain Bridge Road in Washington, DC, and why it's named after a bridge that has no chains. Discover the story of the bridge's role in the Civil War and the floods of 1936 that led to its replacement.

Marvel at this rare view of Washington, DC from the top of Georgetown in 1865. You can also see Aqueduct Bridge from Virginia into Georgetown and Mason's Island (i.e., Roosevelt Island today). This image was taken by William Morris Smith and can be found at the Library of Congress.

Explore the lost history of Arlington Beach in the 1920s, with stunning photos from the National Photo Company Collection. See kids playing at the amusement park, near the Pentagon today, in 1925 and 1923.

Uncover the amazing story of Leoma Davis, a beauty queen hero who saved a man from drowning in the Potomac River in 1924. Learn how she was connected with Officer Sprinkle, who lived nearby her home in Washington, DC.

This is the story of a revenge crime on the Potomac in 1937. A taxi was pushed into the river and the police soon had their suspect, Maurice 'Buddy' Sweeney, an auto mechanic and numbers writer. How did he end up in the middle of gambling kingpin Emmitt Warring's racket?

Before the Watergate scandal, these steps were used for grand arrivals of dignitaries and heads of state and for summer music concerts. Learn how the steps near the Lincoln Memorial were put to good use before jets flew over them.

In the early 20th century there was a somewhat corroborated rumor of shark attacks in the Potomac River. Read the unbelievable story.

Why is the capital in Washington, DC? After the British burned the White House and Capitol in the War of 1812, the capital almost moved back to Philadelphia.

A horrific air disaster occurred on November 1st, 1949 near National Airport. An inbound passenger flight from Boston collided with a small military plane, killing everyone on board.

Curious why it's named Anacostia? Check out the history which goes back to Captain John Smith in the 17th century.