When Washington Tried to Ban Horses From Its Streets
In 1925 the District banned horses from Sixteenth Street. A Washington Times reporter beat the rule with a mule named Stupid.
Transit
Long before Metro, Washington moved by streetcar, railroad, and horse-drawn carriage. These posts trace the history of how people got around the capital, from 19th century rail companies to the debates that shaped the modern transit system.
Gas Rationing in Washington, D.C.: The Long Lines of 1942
In June 1942, Washington D.C. gas stations on upper Wisconsin Avenue ran dry by 8:30 a.m. These Office of War Information photos show how the city lived through wartime gas rationing.
Massimo Vignelli: The Visionary Behind the Washington Metro’s Iconic Design
Explore the legacy of Massimo Vignelli, the visionary designer behind the Washington Metro’s iconic look. Discover how his philosophy of simplicity and functionality shaped the visual identity of D.C.’s public transit system.
DC Taxi Fares: How 75 Years of Zones Ended in 2008
Washington, D.C. was the last major U.S. city charging cab fares by zone, not meter. By the 1950s there were over 20 zones. Drivers fought meters until 2008.
Metro Magic: How Public Transit Sparked Ballston’s Revival
Ballston Metro Station: The linchpin in Ballston’s journey from a fading strip to a bustling urban center. Dive into its transformative tale.
1880 Statistical Maps of Washington, D.C.
A series of 1880 maps showing property values, pavement conditions, public schools, railroads, and street sweeping schedules across Washington, D.C.
1880 Map of Telegraph Lines in Washington
The first overland long-distance telegraph line in the United States was between Baltimore and Washington in 1843. This map shows all telegraph lines in Washington in 1880.
Metro’s 1968 Mockup Station: Before the First Tunnel Was Dug
In 1968, WMATA spent $69,000 on a full-scale mockup of a Metro station to test the design before construction began. At just 17 feet long, it looked right but went nowhere.
When Did Metro Open in D.C.?
Washington’s Metro opened on March 27, 1976, with 4.6 miles of track between Rhode Island Avenue and Farragut North. All rides were free.