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Southwest

DC’s Southwest quadrant has a dramatic and contested history. Once a dense working-class neighborhood, it was almost entirely demolished by urban renewal in the 1950s and 60s. These posts examine what was lost and what replaced it.

From the Crazy Vault: A Gruesome Buzzard Point Tragedy from 1912

April 28, 2026October 11, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Washington Post headline - March 18th, 1912

From the Ghosts of DC Crazy Vault: An unfortunate tragedy from 1912 at Buzzard Point in DC. Read about the gruesome murder and attempted peacemaker thwarted by a jealous husband with a revolver.

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1910s, Crime, Southwest 1 Comment

Tragedy of the Sky: The Drowning of Charles Willis in 1920

March 9, 2022September 23, 2013 by ghostsofdc
March 4th, 1920 headline

In March of 1920, Charles Willis of Chicago was tragically drowned when his parachute jump from an army airplane went wrong. We explore the story of his death and the rescue efforts that followed.

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1920s, Southwest 2 Comments

The Sad History of L’Enfant Plaza in D.C.

April 13, 2026August 1, 2013 by ghostsofdc
Southwest Washington, D.C. With South End Of L'Enfant Plaza In Foreground, April 1973

L’Enfant Plaza in Washington D.C. has a sad history. It was once a vibrant part of the city, but it was bulldozed in the 1960s as part of an urban renewal program. Learn more about this unfortunate chapter of D.C. history.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1970s, Architecture, Landmarks, Southwest 5 Comments

Unmuzzled Dogs Biting People in Washington DC – A Look Back to 1924

April 28, 2026July 29, 2013 by ghostsofdc

A wild article from 1924 Washington DC shows that unmuzzled dogs were biting people and that health and police authorities were uniting to check the epidemic. Take a look back at this intriguing article from the Washington Post.

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1920s, Southwest 1 Comment

Remembering the Homes Lost During the Redevelopment of the Southwest Quadrant

April 28, 2026March 22, 2013 by ghostsofdc
map of SW in 1909

Remembering the homes that were bulldozed to make way for the “modern” Southwest Quadrant in DC. Take a look back at the history of the area and the impact of the redevelopment on the local community.

Categories GoDCers Love Maps Tags 1900s, National Mall, Southwest 2 Comments

A Look Back at Southwest Washington, D.C. Before the War

April 28, 2026March 7, 2013 by ghostsofdc
November 1942. Washington, D.C. "Southwest section. Two Negro boys." Large format negative by Gordon Parks, Office of War Information.

Take a look back at Southwest Washington, D.C. before the war with this amazing photograph of two young boys. See how the area was before it was destroyed and rebuilt in the ugly, brutalist style that stands today.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1940s, Southwest, World War II

This Photo From 1942 Is Stunning and Speaks for Itself

May 6, 2026February 15, 2012 by ghostsofdc
N and Union St. SW (1942)

A stunning photo from 1942 of N and Union St. SW. This photo speaks for itself and is courtesy of Shorpy – the best website ever. This photo is in color, not colorized

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1940s, Southwest, World War II 2 Comments
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