streetcars Archives - Ghosts of DC

Revisiting Streetcar Life in Washington, DC: A Look Back at Life in 1943

February 17, 2023August 4, 2022 by ghostsofdc

What was it like riding the streetcars of Washington on the 1940s? Take a look at this series of great old photos.

Step Back in Time: Take a Look at What a D.C. Streetcar Looked Like Over 100 Years Ago

November 9, 2022September 29, 2016 by ghostsofdc

Take a trip back in time and see what a D.C. streetcar looked like well over 100 years ago. Click on the image for more details and soak up the nostalgia.

Explore the Washington Streetcar System from 1912

November 9, 2022October 5, 2015 by ghostsofdc

Street railways of the District of Columbia with proposed extensions : to accompany communication of March 20, 1912.

Take a look at this historic map of the Washington streetcar system from 1912, courtesy of the Library of Congress! Click to see a bigger, detailed version of this fascinating map.

Retro Tour of Washington D.C.: Fascinating Footage from the 1950s

November 9, 2022May 13, 2015 by ghostsofdc

This is some awesome footage of the old streetcar system here in D.C. from the 1950s. What’s really great is seeing some recognizable spots in the city, like the Dupont Underground, East Capitol St., and of course Union Station. The footage is quite long, but skip around a little and you’ll see some great stuff.

A Look Back at Union Station in Washington, DC in 1920

December 18, 2021June 24, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Take a look at this photo of Union Station in Washington, DC from around 1920. Two streetcars sit in front of the iconic building. Source: Library of Congress.

Cursed Streetcar: The Tragic Story of Levin Ward and the Georgetown and Tennallytown Electric Railroad

January 20, 2022January 30, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Horse car in Washington, D.C. at Wisconsin and O St. NW (1889)

Read the tragic story of Levin Ward, a 65-year-old soldier from Tennallytown struck by the Georgetown and Tennallytown Electric Railroad’s Car No. 9. See his 1880 U.S. Census entry and learn why this streetcar was cursed.

We Love Streetcars and Old Photos of the Capitol Building: Here’s One from 1947

February 12, 2022August 24, 2013 by ghostsofdc

Take a step back in time and explore the Capitol Building in 1947. We love streetcars and old photos of the Capitol Building, and this shot from 1947 is a great example of this. Source: Jalopy Journal.

Unbelievable! Check Out This Highly Detailed Map of Washington Streetcars from 1880

December 22, 2019August 19, 2013 by ghostsofdc

Check out this highly detailed map of Washington streetcars from 1880. Get a glimpse of history and explore the past. Source: Library of Congress.

Take a Trip Back in Time with This Video of the Old D.C. Streetcar System

March 12, 2023August 13, 2013 by ghostsofdc

Here’s another great video of the old D.C. streetcar system.

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane: Watch This Incredible Footage of the 82 Streetcar Line from Eckington to College Park

April 13, 2026August 12, 2013 by ghostsofdc

This is some really cool old footage. It shows the 82 streetcar line running from Eckington, heading through northeast, up to Mount Rainier, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, and College Park.

It’s really long, but well worth a watch.