Washington DC has a fascinating history. The city has grown and evolved so much but it’s still fun to look back on the past. Take a look at these 11 vintage photos of Washington DC’s streets to get a glimpse of history. Enjoy the 11 best vintage photos of DC’s streets.
- 14th Street from Thomas Circle in 1920.
Flickr/StreetsofWashington
- 2101 Connecticut Avenue, 1930. Today the apartments and condos here are millions of dollars!
Flickr/Bill Walsh
- The view down F Street NW in 1942. It looks like there has always been traffic and pedestrians in DC!
Flickr/army.arch
- Have farmers market always been popular in DC? These shoppers shop are at the outdoor food market on 7th Street at Pennsylvania Ave NW.
Flickr/The US National Archives
- Temple Court of D Street and Delaware SW. Can you see the Capitol in the background?
Flickr/New York Public Library
- A traffic jam on 14th Street and the Mall. Looks familiar today, doesn’t it?
Wikimedia Commons/Department of Commerce Public Records
- This is a truly vintage photo of the The Grand Review Parade of Union armies marching down Pennsylvania Avenue in 1865 after the Civil War.
Wikimedia Commons/Matthew Brady
- In 1942, no one was buying gas! Everyone was renting bicycles like at this gas station. Notice the “No Gas” sign.
Wikimedia Commons
- You can’t find parking here these days! This vintage auto mobile is parked outside the Natural History Museum.
Wikimedia Commons
- The Aqueduct Bridge in Georgetown around 1900. The bridge was destroyed in the 1930s. Today you can still see ruins of the abutment near the Key Bridge.
Flickr/DCPL Commons
- It took decades for the streets of DC to recover from the 1968 riots, as photographed here.
Flickr/pingnews.com
So has DC changed at all or has it stayed the same? Love vintage DC? Check out these rare photos!
Flickr/StreetsofWashington
Flickr/Bill Walsh
Flickr/army.arch
Flickr/The US National Archives
Flickr/New York Public Library
Wikimedia Commons/Department of Commerce Public Records
Wikimedia Commons/Matthew Brady
Wikimedia Commons
Flickr/DCPL Commons
Flickr/pingnews.com
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
