4th and Rhode Island Ave, NE Photo by mebates
A couple weeks ago only the Deli and Doughnuts sign was revealed. Now we got a drink too – thanks to mebates. So cool.
If you have a photo of a neat find from your house or place of work please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail.com thanks. Please let me know where/what neighborhood you found it in too. Thanks.
Thanks to Julian for passing on this awesomeness:
“The demolition underway in the triangle lot at New Hampshire, Georgia and Rock Creek Church Road has exposed this painted sign for the Colonial Bakery. (more…)
Thanks to a reader for sending: “I live next door to a new construction project at 4th and Rhode Island ave in Edgewood. During the Demo of the old abandoned buildings we noticed this gem of a sign and wanted to share!”
If you have a photo of a neat find from your house or place of work please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail.com thanks. Please let me know where/what neighborhood you found it in too. Thanks. (more…)
3632 Georgia Ave, NW
Thanks to Jes for sending the above on Friday:
“Not sure what’s going on at the Moroccan place but some layers have been peeled back. I think it’s still going to be the Moroccan place, but they gutted the inside too.”
It appears to be a banana?!?!?
Mike snaps a photo on Sunday: (more…)
I love old matchbooks!!
Thanks to Robert for sending:
“I grew up here & cleaning out my parent’s basement bar, discovered these matchbooks from a DC long ago…they pre-dates area codes- Enjoy!”
More after the jump. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
I’ve been watching the condominium conversion of the old Italian Embassy at 16th and Fuller in my neighborhood and an interesting detail appeared a couple months ago. On the side of the building facing Fuller there’s a window frame detail that wasn’t actually a window, and at the top there has always been a plastered over rectangle that looked like a hole that had been cut for an air conditioning unit. That rectangle had always been messily plastered over. A couple of months ago they cleaned up that little rectangle and it appeared to have writing in it so I took a couple photos (attached). It appears to be a dedication plaque in Latin, with the year 1925 written as MCMXXV.
Each side of the plaque is decorated with an object that looks like it was damaged, but it is pretty clearly the pre-WWII symbol of the Italian Fascist Party, the Fasces (bundle of rods) with an axhead attached. I’ve copied an image of the symbol from Wikipedia below.
Mussolini came to power in Italy in 1922 so this appears to be a symbolic detail to represent Mussolini’s fascist government.
I’m curious what the builder of this high-end condo is going to do with this plaque. It’s not as obviously offensive as a swastika, so I think they might consider an interpretive sign or plaque that explains it. It’s historically significant, and I think this building is in a historic district. I’m also curious what the translation of the Latin wording is.”
If you ever spot a cool Archaeological Find in your house, apartment or office – please send an email to [email protected] thanks!
I thought this was super cool. It’s actually built into the back pantry. I spotted it at an open house for 3726 Veazey Street, NW. For the curious you can see a virtual tour of the whole house here.
If you ever spot a cool Archaeologica Find in your house, apartment or office – please send an email to [email protected] thanks!
Thanks to John for sending from his 1889 Townhouse in Eastern Market:
“Found some interesting stuff behind the walls as we are adding some insulation. Apparently Garfinckel’s was the Nordstrom’s of the day at 1401 F Street NW. little 1982 fashion time capsule right there. And one whole page for men! Well, for some robes.
Also found what appears to be a porcelain painted plate for a dollhouse or something like that. Very intricate design!
Maybe some readers know some more Garfinckel’s history? The catalogue is dated Winter 1982.”
Closeups and a look inside the catalogue after the jump. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
A friend found this in an antiques mall and gave it to me because it looks like a kettlebell (I’m a trainer). I’m so curious about what it actually is, and thought the wise PoPulace might know.
It’s metal, but pretty lightweight, and has a hinge and a lock (key is missing). It opens to reveal a plate with a center hole, surrounded by six smaller holes. It has “100lb.Strong” etched on the side in a nice ’70s font, and “Germany” is stamped on the bottom.
My first thought was some kind of bar accessory, but an initial googling has turned up nothing. Any readers have any clues?”
If you spot an Archeological Find in your house, apartment or office – please send an email to [email protected] thanks!
To be honest not many people read this column but I freaking love it. I’m surprised these papers are in relatively such good shape. Thanks to a reader for sending:
“We’re having our porch redone in Park View and check out what was used as insulation at some point: Washington Posts from 1932. Apparently you could get a sweet corset for $5.”
If you spot an Archeological Find in your house, apartment or office – please send an email to [email protected] thanks!
