This cool mural of CJ Walker is on the side Stylistics salon at 501 Florida Ave, NW. CJ Walker was:
“Madam C.J. Walker (December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919) was an African-American businesswoman, hair care entrepreneur and philanthropist. She made her fortune by developing and marketing a hugely successful line of beauty and hair products for black women under the company she founded, Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company.”
Awesome find by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC:
Postcard of Central (now Cardozo) High School, in Columbia Heights in Washington, DC. Reverse is dated 1926, and reads:
“The Central High School is one of the largest and most modern institutions of its kind in the United States. It contains a large swimming pool where the pupils are taught swimming and lifesaving. The Stadium is used by all the high schools for football games and athletic track meets. The large auditorium is used for public functions and Community Center activities. The stage is the largest in the city and the proscenium arch is one of the largest in the world.”
It always boggles my mind how many things I have overlooked in this city. I think I’ve walked past this gatehouse hundreds of times located at 15th and Constitution (another is located at 17th and Constitution). It has a neat history:
A few more photos after the jump (including pretty cool high water flood markings) (more…)
Wow, I had no idea there was fox hunting in DC at one point.
The above incredible photo was taken by D©Bloom And to kick it old school a bit, below, Alsatian uploaded a shot from way back in the day.
Submit your photos via email or to the PoPville flickr pool here.
“Bureau of Printing and Engraving looking south down 14th Street circa 1900-1910.”
Some of the city’s heritage trail markers have the greatest old signs.
Truthfully, I liked the ones earlier in the week better but this one was kinda cool in learning the history and seeing the building behind it.
At least I think this is the Broadmoor on Connecticut Ave in Cleveland Park:
A few folks have recently asked me about this cool building located at 1328 Florida Ave, NW. Some thought it was a condo but actually it’s Meridian Public charter school:
We’ve looked at this building before and it definitely is a gem with great details:
Photo by PoPville flickr user Wake Up The Giant
Thanks to a reader for sending this link:
“Ben Ali was a businessman with a plan. He gave all three of his sons the middle name Ben in case one of them ever took over Ben’s Chili Bowl, the restaurant he opened in the de facto segregated District of Columbia of 1958. It turned out that two of them, Kamal and Nizam, did just that, and by the time their father died, they had long ago proved equal to the task, turning a neighborhood haunt for chili dogs and chili cheeseburgers into an internationally known business, with annual sales exceeding $5 million.”
You can read the rest of the tribute here.
Thanks to a reader for sending this great bit of history from the Historical Society of DC.
The reader writes:
“This is a fascinating photo essay about the redevelopment of SW DC. You will love it. Great detail and photos of how mid-century DC was “renovated”. I recommend downloading the PDF and going through it that way…”