125th Anniversary of the DC Public Library

This exhibit gives a brief snapshot of life in the District around 1896, using images from The People’s Archive at DC Public Library.

By DC Public Library

Center Market by People's ArchiveDC Public Library

The Center Market

7th and Pennsylvania Ave, N.W. In 1896, markets were the main source of groceries for city residents. With over 500 vendors, covering two city blocks, the Center Market was not only the largest market in the city but one of the largest in the country.

George Washington's Houses by People's ArchiveDC Public Library

George Washington's Houses

200 New Jersey Ave, N.W. The pair of matching buildings in this photo were designed by George Washington. The houses stood on the 200 block of North Capitol St, a block which no longer exists. A plaque in Upper Senate Park marks where the houses stood.

Public Transportation by People's ArchiveDC Public Library

Public Transportation

D.C.'s earliest trollies were pulled along the tracks by horses. From the late 1880s until a power plant fire in 1897, D.C. used cable cars powered by steam power. After the fire, the cable car system was replaced with an electric street car system.

After a Blizzard by People's ArchiveDC Public Library

Looking North on 6th St., S.W.

Snowy 6th St, S.W., after the blizzard of 1899. The bridge is for the railroad tracks that still run through southwest D.C. The tower of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station, which once stood on the mall, is visible in the distance on the left.

Dupont CircleDC Public Library

Statue of Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Dupont

Dupont was honored for his work during the Civil War protecting the District from confederate invasions. In 1921, the statue was replaced with the fountain standing there today.

Federal Triangle by Murder BayDC Public Library

Federal Triangle

The 12-block area east of the Ellipse was known as "Murder Bay," and by the early 1900s had become the prime location for "Bawdy Houses" and saloons in downtown D.C. The Federal Government razed the neighborhood in the early 1920s, creating Federal Triangle.

Franklin SquareDC Public Library

Franklin Square Park

This undated photo of Franklin Square shows the park around the turn of the century. The Franklin School, still standing today, can be seen in the background on the right. The park, located at 13th and K St, N.W., has just undergone a major renovation.

A view of Capitol Hill from the Washington MonumentDC Public Library

Capitol Hill from the Washington Monument

This view shows the many commercial buildings and a train station that once stood on the National Mall. In 1902 the McMillan Plan was created to remove all but the Federal buildings and to create the open, green National Mall that exists today.

Hay Adams Houses by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

The Hay-Adams Houses

Designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, the Hay and Adams houses were combined in design to dominate the corner of 16th and H Sts, N.W. They were razed in 1927 by Harry Wardman to make room for the Hay Adams Hotel.

Mt. Vernon Square by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

Mt. Vernon Park

Mount Vernon Park, located at 8th and K Sts, N.W., before the construction of the new DC Public Library building. The fountain stood where the Carnegie Library building is now located.

Northern Liberty Market - Convention Hall by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

Northern Liberty Market and Convention Center

Located at 5th and K Sts, N.W. the market was designed by James Hill and opened in 1875. Later a second floor was added to the interior and the upper floor became known as the convention center.

St_ Thomas Church by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

St. Thomas Church

Built in 1893, St. Thomas Church was located at the corner of 18th and Church St, N.W. In 1970, it was destroyed by arsonists. The congregation made the decision not to rebuild and instead created a park where the church stood.

British Legation by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

British Legation

The first British Legation stood at 1300 Connecticut Ave, N.W. The embassy moved to its current Massachusetts Ave location in 1931 and the Connecticut Ave building was razed in 1932.

Market Shoppers by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

Market Shoppers

View of shoppers at Center Market, on a sidewalk along B St, N.W. (later renamed Constitution Avenue). Vendors' carts are laden with fowl, eggs, and produce. The market stood where the National Archives is now located.

Watermelons by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

The Southwest Wharves

Produce, poultry, beef, pork, and seafood from the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland, and Virginia's Northern Neck was often delivered by water to the District's Wharf in southwest and sold at the city's municipal markets.

Washington Post Building by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

The Washington Post Building

From 1893 - 1950 the Washington Post Building was located at 1337 E St, N.W. The Post moved to L St, N.W. in 1950 and the building was razed in 1954.

Willard Hotel by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

The Willard Hotel

In 1901 this series of connected rowhouses, which had housed the Willard Hotel since 1818, were razed and the 'New Willard', which still stands at 1401 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., was built.

Truxton Circle by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

Truxton Circle

Truxton Circle was located between the older downtown and the new developments of Eckington and Bloomingdale at the intersection of North Capitol St and Florida Ave. The circle was removed in the 1940s to expedite commuter traffic.

View of Brookland from Oboyle Hall CUA by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

View of Brookland from Oboyle Hall at CUA

This view of Brookland was taken at the turn of the century. The photographer was standing at what is now called Oboyle Hall on the Catholic University Campus and looking south towards Brookland.

View from Monument over Hains Point by People's Archive at DC Public LibraryDC Public Library

View from the Monument over Hains Point

This view of D.C., taken from the monument, shows an undeveloped Hains Point and the piers that once lined the river in southwest. The building on the lower left is still standing, at the corner of 14th St and Independence Ave, S.W.

Credits: Story

Produced by Nicholas Petr and Monica Miller with the assistance of the staff of the People's Archive at DC Public Library.

This exhibit is part of the DC Public Library’s Art and Exhibits Program, a program highlighting the history and culture of the District of Columbia through exhibits displayed in the Library and online. For more information on the program and individual exhibits, please visit dclibrary.org/exhibits.

DC Public Library is grateful to the DC Public Library Foundation for making this exhibit, and other activities of the Art & Exhibit Program, possible.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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