On this day in 1802 the City of Washington was incorporated by Congress, the first step in the then-ongoing creation of a new capital for the nation.
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Results tagged “history”
Happy 210th Birthday, Washington!
Glen Echo Trolley Disappears From Outside Famous Park
For years, a rusting green trolley stood outside the entrance to the famous Glen Echo Amusement Park along MacArthur Boulevard in Montgomery County. As of this week, though, it disappeared.
Literacity: Up, Down and Around the Potomac River
Author Garrett Peck is back with his third book, but instead of focusing on the history of drinking as he has in the past, he sets his sights on the Potomac River—all 383 miles of it.
Life in the Alleyways of Southwest D.C. Almost 70 Years Ago
Seventy years ago, almost 10,000 people lived in the alleyways of Southwest D.C. Thanks to the website Alley Connoisseur, we can see what life was like in those conditions.
Who Wouldn't Want to Live on Xenia Street?
Prior to the early 1900s, many of the neighborhoods we now live in had very different street names. It's too bad some of them had to go.
From Washington to Obama: The U.S. Presidents That Have Left Their Mark on D.C.
From George Washington to Barack Obama, many U.S. presidents have had a distinct impact on our fair city. So on this day that's dedicated to them, we look back through history to see which president did what for D.C.
Fifty Years After Stopping, D.C. Streetcars Rolling Back
It was 50 years ago this weekend that the District's extensive network of streetcars was scrapped in favor of buses.
Wonder Bread Factory Granted Landmark Status
A quick update to a story we noted back in August -- the District's Historic Preservation Review Board has officially granted landmark status to the Wonder Bread Factory (officially known as Dorsch's White Cross Bakery) at 641 S Street NW in Shaw.
How's This For Windshield Perspective
We're big fans of local historical photography here at DCist, so there really wasn't any chance we'd pass on featuring the above May 1974 image of the packed to the gills Antonelli parking lot where the Ronald Reagan Building stands today.
Washingtoniana Book Sale Today
Washingtoniana is the largest special collection at the D.C. Public Libriary, flush with old photographs, local maps, rare books, millions of newspaper clippings and the D.C. community archives. This weekend, the history collection is having its first book sale in the division's 107 year history.
November 3, 1964: D.C. Votes in First Presidential Election
On this day in 1964, District voters cast their first presidential ballots since the city was established in 1800.
Literacity: Drinking, Historically
The District's is seeing something of a drinking revival these days, but it didn't have to be that way -- a new book finds that prior to prohibition, the District was a drinkers paradise.
Yale Releases Collection of Historic D.C. Photographs
Like many of you, we at DCist love historic photography of our town. So when a reader sent us a link to this collection of rare negatives from news photographer Alexander Lmanian, we couldn't wait to dive in.
D.C. Politics Geeks Now Have A Lot More to Read
If you've ever got questions about legislation in D.C. -- that which passed, and that which didn't -- the D.C. Council's Legislative Information Management System is an invaluable tool.
On Two Wheels: Occupy Bikeshare!
As we look towards a pleasant weekend, here's a roundup of all of the bike-related news you might have missed this week.
Despite Troubles, D.C. History Conference Marches On
We've certainly seen better times for Washington's history, but there's still hope on the horizon.
Literacity: The Books that Help You Understand Local Politics
Though it is excellent, Dream City isn't the only book about the District of Columbia you should read. Here's a few others we'd suggest.
The Way We Were: A Bicyclers' Paradise
While recently doing some research for a post on the killing of diplomats in Washington, I came across a hugely helpful online historic archive of Washington Post articles dating back to the late 1800s. The history nerd in me came out in full force, and next thing I knew I was searching for names, neighborhoods and events over the course of the last 150 years.
Atlas Added to National Register of Historic Places
Last week, the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street NE was officially named to the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of the Interior.
What Could Have Been: Rock Creek...Lake?
Rock Creek Park is something of an urban gem, a natural getaway only minutes from most of the District. But when officials were debating creating the park in the late 1800s, they almost went for an option that would have made the park, and the District, a very different place -- a lake.
Territory Has a Nice Ring To It, Huh?
It was on this day in 1791 that our fair city was named -- but it was called the "Territory of Columbia."
Nicknaming This Building Should Be Fun
Earlier this month, we passed along the news that the Wonder Bread/Hostess Cake Factory at 641 S Street NW in Shaw was being considered for inclusion on the D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites as it underwent redevelopment. Now we know how new owner Douglas Development would like to update the site.
Wonder Bread Factory Nominated For Historic Preservation
The District's Historic Preservation Review Board is going through a long-standing vacancy crisis, but that doesn't mean that it isn't considering buildings for preservation. The latest high-profile nominee to cross the HPRB's desk? The Wonder Bread Factory at 641 S Street NW in Shaw.
Washington, 1961: Sidewalk Cafes Will Be The Death Of Us
Who doesn't love a sidewalk cafe? Getting in some people watching as you down your meal is often one of the highlights of living in the city -- though don't tell that to the people who were running this city in 1961.
Now That's A Greenbelt
There are quite a few words, many of them fiery, being uttered about the National Mall these days. What better time, then, to dive into some historical maps which document the space?
Walter Reed Closed Its Doors Today
Walter Reed Army Medical Center lowered its flags today. In its 102 years at its location along Georgia Avenue, the campus has served countless numbers of veterans.
National Archives Digs Into Nixon Watergate Recording Gap
If you're an American history buff, you'll want to check out this video by the Nationals Archives, which details historians' efforts to try and figure out what President Richard Nixon and his chief of staff H.R. "Bob" Haldeman were talking about during an 18 1/2-minute gap in a recording made shortly after five men were arrested for breaking into the Watergate complex in 1972.
Locals Explain How D.C. Got Its Shape
The History Channel is currently featuring a rather fascinating series, How The States Got Their Shapes -- and a recent episode covered the return of the District's ten miles square to Virginia, or how "George Washington's perfect diamond was torn apart."
The Underground Pools of D.C.'s Past
It is summer, and you will probably lounge near a pool at least once in the coming months. You will be outside, squinting your eyes from the sun and probably getting burned. It wasn't always like this. At the turn of the century, the most exclusive pools in Washington, D.C. were underground.
Tonight We're Going To Party Like It's 1861
As I type, a huge balloon is being inflated on the National Mall. Has a challenge for a hot air balloon race around the world been issued? Sadly, no. But the real reason is pretty interesting, in its own way.
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