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The Pentagon

Eastern Air Lines Flight 537: The 1949 Crash That Killed 55 Near National Airport

May 9, 2026May 9, 2026 by ghostsofdc
Eastern Air Lines Douglas DC-4, the type of airliner that crashed as Flight 537 near Washington National Airport on November 1, 1949.

At 11:46 on November 1st, 1949, a young controller kept calling: Bolivia 927, turn left. The pilot never answered. Fifty-five died.

Categories Featured, Historical Events Tags 1940s, Aviation, Congress, Potomac River, The Pentagon, Washington National Airport 2 Comments

Why the Pentagon Has Five Sides: It’s Not What You Think

May 5, 2026October 2, 2025 by ghostsofdc
Survey map of Arlington Experimental Farm showing the irregular pentagon boundary created by existing roads

The Pentagon wasn’t designed to be five-sided. In 1941, architects had 72 hours to fit a building around a five-road intersection. The shape stuck.

Categories Notable People & Places, The Best Of Tags 1940s, Arlington, The Pentagon

A Rare Photo of the Pentagon From Above

November 9, 2022September 29, 2015 by ghostsofdc
1940s. "Arlington County, Virginia. War Department. Pentagon, aerial view." Safety negative by Theodor Horydczak.

Get a birds-eye view of the Pentagon from the 1940s with this rare photo. Enjoy a glimpse of a bit of history and the War Department with this aerial shot captured by Theodor Horydczak.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1940s, Arlington, The Pentagon 1 Comment

Exploring Arlington: Aerial Photos of Washington National and the Pentagon, and Spout Run near Lee Highway and Dead Man’s Hollow

November 9, 2022October 24, 2014 by ghostsofdc
aerial view of Washington National and the Pentagon

Explore Arlington, VA with two great photos sent in by GoDCer Ken. The first is an aerial photo around Washington National and the Pentagon. The second is Spout Run near Lee Highway and Dead Man’s Hollow.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags The Pentagon, Washington National Airport 1 Comment

Uncovering the Lost History of Arlington Beach – A Photo Journey Through Time

November 8, 2012 by ghostsofdc
Arlington Bathing Beach in 1923

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.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1920s, Arlington, Potomac River, The Pentagon 2 Comments
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