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World War I

The Lost German Embassy at 1435 Massachusetts Avenue

May 5, 2026April 28, 2026 by ghostsofdc
1880s photograph of Highland Terrace on Massachusetts Avenue NW, with the Ferguson House (the future German Embassy) at right with a corner turret.

How Count von Bernstorff left the German Embassy at 1435 Massachusetts Avenue in 1917, and what became of the seventy-room mansion before and after.

Categories Lost History Tags 1910s, 1950s, embassies, Thomas Circle, World War I

Hains Point: How Did It Get Its Name?

April 27, 2026April 8, 2022 by ghostsofdc
Major General Peter C. Haines, Retired

Peter Conover Hains was a U.S. Army Major General who served in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I. The point carries his name.

Categories Notable People & Places, Why Is It Named...? Tags 1920s, Parks, Tidal Basin, World War I

World War I “Bombing” on Wisconsin Ave.

November 9, 2022December 23, 2019 by ghostsofdc
World War I - doughboys

Many don’t know the extent of chemical warfare experiment that were conducted on and near the university grounds during the Great War.

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1910s, World War I

A Blast from the Past: 7th and Pennsylvania Ave. During World War I

November 9, 2022September 9, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Washington, D.C., circa 1918. "World War I. Food Administration electric signs, 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue N.W." National Photo Co.

Take a step back in time with this incredible old photo of 7th and Pennsylvania Ave. during World War I. Get a glimpse of what the streets of DC looked like during the war

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, World War I

A Spectacular Sight: 1917 Photo of the State, War, and Navy Building Flying French, U.S., and British Flags

April 27, 2026September 24, 2014 by ghostsofdc
1917 - State, War, and Navy Building

A spectacular sight from 1917: French, U.S., and British flags flying from the State, War, and Navy Building. View the photo and read more here!

Categories Featured, Notable People & Places Tags 1910s, Military, World War I

A Look Back at the U.S. Postal Service Plane from 1918

December 20, 2021September 5, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Two Curtiss JN-4H "Jenny" airmail planes parked at the temporary airmail field at Washington, DC’s Polo Field, a small strip of grassy land between the Tidal Basin and Potomac River.

Take a look back at the history of the U.S. Postal Service with this amazing photo of a plane from 1918. Learn more about this incredible piece of American history!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, World War I

Marines Await Shipment Out for WWI: A Photo from Union Station in Washington, DC

December 21, 2021July 9, 2014 by ghostsofdc
John Henry Balch, Corpsman, U.S. Navy, visiting Washington, D.C., in June 1917 [at Columbus statue at Union Station], while awaiting shipment overseas. The Marine on the right is not identified. [Portraits.] [Scene, World War I, World War 1.] John Henry Balch. 06/1917; NH 80571; Courtesy of Commander J.H. Balch, U.S. Navy (retired), 1974.

GoDCer Michael sent in this amazing photo of two marines awaiting shipment out for World War I at Union Station in Washington, DC. See the photo and read more about the story behind it.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, Union Station, World War I 1 Comment

Discovering History Through Old Photos: Camp Meigs in 1918

December 20, 2021March 4, 2014 by ghostsofdc

Explore Camp Meigs in the summer of 1918 through two beautiful old photos. Learn about history and discover the past with these stunning images!

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, World War I 1 Comment

WWI Soldiers in Washington: A 1918 Photo from the Streets of DC

March 28, 2022January 7, 2014 by ghostsofdc
soldiers rolling through Washington on trucks

A 1918 photograph shows WWI soldiers riding through the streets of Washington DC, as the city filled with troops and wartime activity.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday Tags 1910s, World War I 6 Comments
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