What did the Willard Hotel look like just after it was built in the early 1900s. This series of photos shows the ornate interior as it was back then.

Step away from the news cycle for a minute and take a trip down memory lane. Check out this cool photo of Peacock Alley in the Willard Hotel, dating back to the 1920s.

Take a look back at the Willard Hotel's major renovations in the 1980s with this aerial image of the iconic Washington, D.C. hotel. Learn more about the history of the Willard Hotel with this post!

Take a look at this amazing photo of the Willard Hotel from the year 1904. See what the building looked like in that era and click to learn more. Source: Library of Congress.

How cool is this find? We dug up this great old menu for the Willard Hotel’s room service at Discover DC History. Click on them for more details. This appears to be from the 1960s? Maybe the 1950s? A menu for bottle liquors room service at the Willard Hotel. A menu for bottle liquors room service at the Willard Hotel. (back) Source: Discover DC History

A look at the historic National Hotel, once located at 6th & Pennsylvania Ave. Presidents and duels were plotted there, and John Wilkes Booth stayed there before Lincoln's assassination. The Newseum now stands in its place.

Here’s a great old photo from 1976. It shows the Willard Hotel, looking northwest across 14th St. Willard Hotel in 1976 Source: Library of Congress

Here is a great old photo to close out the day. This is the Willard Hotel in 1904, viewed looking up 14th St. to the right and Pennsylvania Ave. to the left. Click on the image to view a much larger version. The details are pretty impressive. The Willard Hotel in 1904, view up 14th St. NW

This is the incredible story of Private Paul J. McDuff, as published in the Washington Post in June 1949. Three brave policemen saved McDuff from plunging to his death from the ninth-floor ledge of the Willard Hotel, in a scene of suspense and drama. Read the full story here!

Take a look back in time with this amazing shot of what would become Federal Triangle in 1932. Discover the history of the Old Post Office Pavilion, Southern Railway Building, and District Building on Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.

This is the first guest post by Roger. Check out his blog Forgotten Stories for some excellent lost history. Philemon T. Herbert was a crooked lawyer, a card shark, frequented brothels, and stood accused of attacking a political rival with a knife. In other words, he fit right in with the rough and tumble environment of California in the early 1850s, so much so that the good voters of that state...

Pass the afternoon by studying this amazing photo of Washington, D.C. Featuring the Willard Hotel and Old Post Office tower. Amazing detail, including a view of the landmarks. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company.

Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) date unknown (Library of Congress) The creator of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn was in our city back in December 1906 to participate in the copyright hearings before Congress. The Washington Post mentioned them in in their “People Met in Hotel Lobbies” section. “I should like to talk to you, but I have just retired and am bound for sleep,” said...

In January 1860, the Tokugawa shogunate sent a delegation to the United States with the primary objective of ratifying the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation (aka, the Harris Treaty). Commodore Matthew Perry (not Chandler) had opened Japan (forcefully) in 1854 and this was the first Japanese diplomatic mission sent to the United States. This historic event is particularly...

Take a closer look at the Willard Hotel with this iconic photo! Learn more about its fascinating history and amazing detail. #WillardHotel #DCHistory #DCGhostsOfDC

Today, I'm flipping the order or my posts and kicking the morning off with a cool old photo from Shorpy, taken at the intersection of 14th and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Click the photo for a higher resolution image and share this one with your friends on Facebook.

This macabre story from the Washington Post in 1903 chronicles the tragic death of Edward M. Fossler, an elevator conductor at the New Willard Hotel. Learn more about this gruesome accident and the hotel that wasn't even fully complete yet.

Calvin Coolidge was known to be an extremely quiet man. When he and his wife had to evacuate the Willard Hotel during a fire, he showed his true colors of kindness and good humor. Read the full story of how he stayed calm in a chaotic situation.

In December 1905 Pat Garrett came to Washington to seek reappointment as customs collector. Unfortunately, he had lost his good standing with President Theodore Roosevelt by associating with Tom Powers. Teddy was incensed and Garrett was not reappointed. This began his gradual path to destitution and eventual murder in 1908.

Congressman Joseph G. Cannon of Illinois is considered by many as the most powerful Speaker of the House in American history. From 1903 to 1911 he was a congressman from Illinois, presiding over the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Joseph G. Cannon (Wikipedia) In December 1914, he was staying at the Willard Hotel. The Washington Post reported on him in their daily hotel...

Explore the history of Buffalo Bill in Washington, DC with the first entry in a new blog category, 'In Hotel Lobbies'. Learn about his Wild West Show, his friendship with Senator Warren, and his project to irrigate the Big Horn Basin.

Celebrate with the Washington Senators as they head to the 1924 World Series to face the New York Giants. Learn about the large party held at the Willard Hotel and how Walter Johnson, the star pitcher from Mount Pleasant, helped the team to victory.

Travel back in time to Washington DC in the early 1900s and 1940s with these amazing YouTube videos. From postal workers and streetcars, get a glimpse into the District's streetcar past.