Category Archives: History

Ghosts of Georgetown’s Past

Kids On Georgetown Street

1935 Photograph from Library of Congress - Label "Poor children playing on sidewalk, Georgetown, Washington, D.C."

A scene you just don’t see that much more: groups of kids playing on the sidewalk, barefoot, and without adult supervision. More street kids after the jump:

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Why Not: Bring Back Those Old Street Names?

Congress and Bridge?

The Georgetown Metropolitan is proud to present the first in an ongoing series of thought pieces titled “Why Not”, wherein we explore different ideas for our neighborhood that are not typically discussed. The first installment relates to the street names. As described ad naseum last week, most of the streets in Georgetown used to have different names. They were changed in 1880 to be consistent with the rest of the District’s street grid. In the interests of celebrating Georgetown’s past as an independent city, should we consider changing them back?

Of course not, but there’s another option for recognizing the past that comes from the Crescent City. Find out after the jump:

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Is it Dumbarton St. or Avenue?

Which is it? Ave or St?

Running between N and O St. is a road that is mostly called Dumbarton St. However, in more than a few places it is called Dumbarton Ave. For instance, Dumbarton United Methodist Church uses the address “3133 Dumbarton Avenue”. Also, several homes are labeled with “Dumbarton Ave.” Hell, as shown above, Google Maps can’t make up its mind and just calls it both.

So what’s the deal? Why the split personality? For the answers, follow GM back through the 18th and 19th centuries after the jump:

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