The Potomac River has shaped Washington since before the city existed, serving as the boundary between Maryland and Virginia and the geographic reason the federal capital was placed here. From the Civil War ironclads that patrolled its waters to the bathing beaches that once lined its banks, the Potomac runs through almost every chapter of Washington’s history. These posts explore the river’s long relationship with the city.
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.
A 1921 photograph of the Potomac Boat Club at the site where Key Bridge would soon be constructed.
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?
The 1810 Chain Bridge at Little Falls hung from 22 tons of iron chain. None of its successors since 1840 have actually had chains.
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.
On February 17, 1937, police found a taxicab in the Potomac. Its owner lived under a numbers parlor raided eight hours earlier.
Discover the lesser-known history of D.C.’s iconic Watergate steps, which once resonated with the melodies of the Watergate concerts. From grand visions of dignitary arrivals to captivating symphonies by the Potomac, explore the steps’ transformation through time.
