The expression on this girl’s face is bizarre … “why the hell are you making me hold a doll, a B.F. Keith’s sign and this stupid parasol, while sitting on this uncomfortable sand?” Poor girl. She looks miserable. Washington was in the throes of a horrible heat wave that summer, with two people dying the […]

Here’s a great shot from Shorpy of kids in the waters at Potomac bathing beach (I wouldn’t do this today). This is the official kickoff of summer in 1923, Memorial Day weekend. Click on the image for a closer look. Related articles From a GoDCer: A Family Connection to a Tragic Suicide Potomac Bathing Beach […]

These ladies look like they’re having a great time hanging out at the old Tidal Basin bathing beach. That would be an absolutely nasty place to swim today. Thanks Shorpy! Related articles Bathing Suit Police at the Tidal Basin The Annual Washington Bathing Beach Beauty Show

The photo is from the 1922 annual beauty show held at the Washington Bathing Beach, and these four were the prize winners. The women, in order, are Gay Gatley, Eva Fridell, Anna Neibel and Iola Swinnerton. Based on trophy size, it seems that Eva came in first and Gay came in second. Anne was first […]

Here’s an amazing shot I found on Shorpy (what an amazing site), taken at the Tidal Basin bathing beach in 1922. The photograph is Washington police officer Bill Norton measuring the distance between the knee and the swimsuit. Colonel Sherrill, the Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds had issues an order that suits not be over […]