Rock Creek Park runs through the heart of Washington, a 1,754-acre strip of forested parkland that has divided the city’s neighborhoods since it was established by Congress in 1890. The park has served as a recreational escape for Washingtonians for more than a century, and its history includes Civil War fortifications, a functioning flour mill, and the unsolved murder of a Georgetown socialite. These posts explore Rock Creek Park’s long and layered history.
In 1886, a proposal for Rock Creek Park in Washington DC was made. Read and explore the idea, its history and how the land was eventually used for something more important than a park: Arlington National Cemetery.
Learn about the mysterious alligators that appeared in Rock Creek Park in 1916 according to an article from The Washington Times. Plus, don’t forget to read about the alligators in the basement of the Commerce Department.
Take a journey back in time to explore Rock Creek Park with this 1922 map from the Washington Times. Learn about the drivable roadways and the history of this beautiful park.
Revisiting Rock Creek in Washington, DC in the 1920s. See a photo comparison of a car crossing and horseback riders. View images from the Library of Congress.
D.C. architect George Oakley Totten Jr. spent 16 years fighting to see his 1917 Calvert Street Bridge design built. Here’s why it never happened.
Explore a fascinating 1907 map of Rock Creek Park and get a glimpse into the large tracts of land that were present in the early 20th century. The map is oriented looking west.
The bridge at Calvert Street over Rock Creek opened to a 30,000-person parade on December 19, 1935. Renamed for Ellington in 1974.
Last week we posted a detailed topographical map of Rock Creek Park from 1866. There were some great comments on it, including GoDCer Elizabeth’s observation that the map was entitled “Location for a Public Park & Site for Presidential Mansion” … intriguing. Another GoDCer, Carlton from Glover Park History, did some digging and came up with … Read more
Discover the origins of Rock Creek Park with this topographical map from 1866. Learn more about the Senate Resolution of July 18th, 1866 that led to the creation of this beautiful park.
