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 thank for these stories and more. (She’s working on something cool right now. Stay tuned.)

Here are some of the other DC historians and social media accounts we enjoy:

Ghosts of DC: This collection of old maps, photos and wild newspaper stories is organized and searchable by topic and location, but there’s still a sense that you’re in a dusty archive, and if you dig a little deeper you’ll find a treasure. Did you know someone wanted to change Reno Road to Washington Avenue? That someone was stealing kitchen sinks from houses on Veazey Street in 1926? And what the Days Inn in Van Ness looked like 47 years ago?

Streets of Washington: Head here for historian and author John DeFerrari’s detailed explorations of a “Lost Washington.” His most recent article was about the Hecht Company, the last local department store. And we are rather partial to his piece on the National Bureau of Standards in today’s Van Ness. And check out deFerrari’s Lost Washington Facebook page for historic photos and images from his extensive postcards collection.

Old Time D.C. is another Facebook page we like. Help solve the mystery of the location of a 1950s or ’60s streetscape photo. Or enjoy its posts on historic and homegrown arts and culture.

What are your favorite DC history blogs? Who else should we be following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? Please leave your tips in the comments section below.