1974 Visionary Blueprint for Pennsylvania Avenue’s Revitalization
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
1M ago
In February 1974, amidst the winds of change sweeping through Washington D.C. with the advent of Home Rule, the District of Columbia Office of Planning and Management released a visionary document aimed at the revitalization of Pennsylvania Avenue. This period marked a significant transition for the city, moving towards greater self-governance and reflecting a broader desire for community involvement and local control. Against this backdrop, Pennsylvania Avenue—a thoroughfare emblematic of American history and democratic ideals—stood on the cusp of a major transformation. The document’s decla ..read more
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The Old Glass House of Washington
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
1M ago
The Dawn of Washington’s Glassmaking Excellence In 1807, the Old Glass House was established by brothers Andrew and George Way, marking a significant milestone in early American industrial history. Positioned strategically at the western edge of what is now the National Mall, near the Lincoln Memorial, its location by the Potomac River was pivotal for the inflow of raw materials and the distribution of its primary product, window glass. At the outset, the factory boasted ten furnaces and employed approximately 100 workers, including skilled Bohemian glassblowers. This blend of mechanization an ..read more
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Blood on the Marble: The Taulbee-Kincaid Capitol Shooting
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
2M ago
Portrait of William P. Taulbee On a seemingly ordinary day in late February 1890, the corridors of the U.S. Capitol, usually echoing with the sounds of legislative debates and political discourse, became the backdrop for a shocking incident that would etch itself into the annals of American political history. This was not a story of policy disagreements or partisan squabbles but a tragic tale of personal vendetta and fatal consequence involving Congressman William Preston Taulbee and journalist Charles E. Kincaid. The Prelude to Tragedy William Preston Taulbee, emerging from the rugged landsc ..read more
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Braddock’s Rock: A Stone Steeped in History and Controversy
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
2M ago
The Legend and Its Origins Like many memorable tales, the story of Braddock’s Rock blends mystery, irony and metaphor. Today an overlooked slab hidden under highways rushing today’s commuters, this unassuming relic nurtured early seeds of an unfamiliar new nation. As later Washington Post chronicles detail, the rocks once soared 7 feet over Potomac shores when General Edward Braddock landed to launch a transformational campaign. His 1755 camp under the granite canopy marked a milestone in Colonial military evolution. And George Washington tagged along, unwittingly commencing his crash course i ..read more
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Peril Over the Potomac: The Crash of Air Florida Flight 90
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
2M ago
The Catastrophe of Air Florida Flight 90: A Day of Despair and Heroism January 13, 1982 marked one of the darkest days in the history of Washington D.C. aviation. Air Florida Flight 90, bound for Fort Lauderdale with a stop in Tampa, crashed into the 14th Street Bridge and fell into the icy Potomac River shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport. This tragedy, as detailed in a Washington Post article from January 14, 1982, resulted in the loss of 74 passengers and five crew members, with only five individuals miraculously surviving. Compounding the grim atmosphere, this Air Florid ..read more
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Lights, Camera, Laughs! Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone Charmed Washington, DC
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
3M ago
Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky in 1894) first gained fame bringing his impeccable comic timing and “stingy” stage persona to vaudeville crowds. His pioneering style paved the way for generations of future comedians. And Benny’s eventual dominance of radio, film and television cemented his status as a true legend of laughter. Alongside him was wife Mary Livingstone (born Sadie Marks), who Benny met in 1927 when she was a Seattle sales clerk. Though initially shy, Mary emerged as a talented radio comedian in her own right, playing the sharp-witted friend to Benny’s hapless miser on The Jack ..read more
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Cook & Stoddard Company: Cadillac’s Glory Days in Downtown Washington
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
4M ago
Cook & Stoddard Company Sold Luxury Vehicles on Connecticut Avenue In the early 20th century, the Cook & Stoddard Company operated an auto dealership at 1138 Connecticut Avenue NW in downtown Washington DC. They were the leading seller of Cadillac motor cars in the city prior to World War I. The elegant showroom and garage facility first opened in 1912, housing Cadillacs and other luxury vehicles of the day. Echoes of Early Automotive Era: The Washington Cadillac Co. – A Moment in Time Captured Between 1910 and 1926, Preserved in a Glass Negative by the National Photo Company. When the ..read more
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The Silver Sightseer: Washington D.C.’s Air-Conditioned Tourist Trolley
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
4M ago
The streets of Washington D.C. were once filled with streetcars transporting residents and visitors alike. Among them was a unique vehicle known as the Silver Sightseer. This specially designed streetcar gave tourists a cool ride while viewing the most famous sights of the nation’s capital. A Fancy Ride for Capital Visitors The Washington Post reported on June 25th, 1957, that Washington D.C. introduced the Silver Sightseer, its first air-conditioned sightseeing streetcar. Originally an ordinary PCC-type streetcar (number 1512), it underwent a transformation into a deluxe tour bus on rails. T ..read more
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Severine G. Leoffler: The Man Who Fed 1919 D.C. with His Iconic Liberty Lunches
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
4M ago
Dive into 1919 Washington, D.C., where Leoffler’s Liberty Lunch captures your attention among the street vendors outside the Treasury Annex. For just 20 cents, they offer a meal that comes with a quirky promise of bananas. This image, snapped in time by the National Photo Company, transports us to an era where street food intertwines with daily hustle, reminding us of the timeless appeal of quick, affordable eats. Leoffler’s Liberty Lunch, 1919: Where 20 cents bought D.C.’s busy government workers a hearty meal and a slice of comfort, reminding us that the best things in life come in simple p ..read more
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The Cherry Tree Rebellion: How Jefferson’s Memorial Spurred a Revolt
Ghosts of DC
by ghostsofdc
4M ago
Early Planning Raises Concerns In 1912, the mayor of Tokyo gifted 3,000 cherry trees to Washington D.C. to enhance the landscaping of the Tidal Basin. By 1938, the blossoming Japanese cherry trees lining the basin had become iconic, attracting thousands of tourists every spring to enjoy the scenic natural beauty. That same year, proposals for a memorial to Thomas Jefferson threatened the beloved trees and serene landscape, igniting heated controversy. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commission (TJMC), authorized in 1934 and chaired by New York Congressman John J. Boylan, unveiled proposals in 19 ..read more
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