by Ann Kessler A 1907 Baist real estate atlas shows very little development in what would become Forest Hills. Sure, there were land owners with acres of land, and some […]
History: Who was Melvin C. Hazen?
by Ann Kessler In one newspaper article marking his passing in 1941 at the age of 73, Melvin C. Hazen was called “The Boss,” “First Citizen of Washington,” and “one […]
Harry Truman paid $120/month for his 4701 Connecticut Ave. apartment and loved to walk the neighborhood
by Ann Kessler President Harry S. Truman loved to walk. He did so almost every morning of his adult life. “I go every morning at 6:30 to 7:00 for a […]
You might get a “charge” out of this Van Ness history lesson from a Washingtoniana librarian
The DC Public Library’s Washingtoniana collection needed a temporary home during the renovation of Martin Luther King Library. And for a little more than a year, Van Ness provided one. […]
One block, 90 years: From Piggly Wiggly to Bread Furst, and the “auto laundry” watching over decades of change
by Ann Kessler On the Flagship Car Wash at 4432 Connecticut Avenue there’s a sign that says “Since 1941.” It’s off by a decade. The car wash was built in […]
When Van Ness was known as “Gasoline Alley”
by Ann Kessler Looking at Connecticut Avenue between Van Ness and Albemarle Streets today, it might be hard to imagine that it was once a destination for drivers seeking gas […]
Exploring Murch Elementary’s mystery tunnel
“We Shall Not Bore the Reader.” That’s the first rule of The Blue and Gold, and a pretty good rule for any publication to keep in mind. But this newspaper […]
Peirce Mill updates: A modern amenity, and fundraising for 18th century tech
by Steve Dryden Way back in the last century, there was a restroom at Peirce Mill – actually next to the Peirce Barn, but it did serve the purpose of […]
Where to find the ghosts of DC
The first indoor shopping mall in DC was in Van Ness. Lady Bird Johnson carpooled with other Murch parents. Elvis was here. We have neighbor and historian Ann Kessler to […]
In 1922 Forest Hills, a week of snow days and a brush with tragedy
Did you know that today’s neighborhood kids flock to the same sledding hills as they did a century ago? And even in the early part of the last century, siblings […]