Ghosts of DC Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/ghostsofdc The lost and untold stories of Washington, DC. The buildings, blocks and people the city and region forgot. The Beatles played their first American concert here. Sharks turned up in the Potomac in 1911. Ford’s Theatre collapsed in 1893 while government clerks worked inside. Since 2012, Ghosts of DC has been digging through old newspapers, maps and archives for stories like these, from Georgetown to Anacostia and across the whole DMV. Now they’re a podcast. Short episodes, most around ten minutes. Each one is built on the historical record and tied to a full post with photos and sources at ghostsofdc.org. Something for the Metro ride or the walk to work. Narrated with an AI version of Tom’s voice. AI also helps with the archival research, and facts are checked against the original sources. © Ghosts of DC 0d660e1e-0643-58b3-a155-84b849510ed4 yes Introducing Ghosts of DC en Sat, 24 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400 Sat, 24 Oct 2026 11:00:05 -0400 https://ghostsofdc.org https://img.transistorcdn.com/vhR8eBZppvnCpgNyEV9j70Lg6ghMqguVKF_b5V8LgYk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82ZDcz/MmUyNzdlYzgxOTEx/MTk3OTA5Y2QyMGJh/NjBkZi5qcGc.jpg Ghosts of DC https://ghostsofdc.org episodic Ghosts of DC The lost and untold stories of Washington, DC. The buildings, blocks and people the city and region forgot. The Beatles played their first American concert here. Sharks turned up in the Potomac in 1911. Ford’s Theatre collapsed in 1893 while government clerks worked inside. Since 2012, Ghosts of DC has been digging through old newspapers, maps and archives for stories like these, from Georgetown to Anacostia and across the whole DMV. Now they’re a podcast. Short episodes, most around ten minutes. Each one is built on the historical record and tied to a full post with photos and sources at ghostsofdc.org. Something for the Metro ride or the walk to work. Narrated with an AI version of Tom’s voice. AI also helps with the archival research, and facts are checked against the original sources. The lost and untold stories of Washington, DC. Ghosts of DC podcast@ghostsofdc.org No No Suburban Gardens Booked a Young Duke Ellington 7 7 Suburban Gardens Booked a Young Duke Ellington full 5aefaf1b-182d-4905-86e2-530e79187a57 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c5632fed In June 1922, a 23-year-old Duke Ellington played a beauty contest at an amusement park in far Northeast DC. It was the only major amusement park ever built inside the city, and Black Washingtonians built it because Glen Echo wouldn't let them in.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2026/05/24/suburban-gardens-deanwood-black-amusement-park/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> In June 1922, a 23-year-old Duke Ellington played a beauty contest at an amusement park in far Northeast DC. It was the only major amusement park ever built inside the city, and Black Washingtonians built it because Glen Echo wouldn't let them in.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2026/05/24/suburban-gardens-deanwood-black-amusement-park/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> Sat, 24 Oct 2026 09:01:00 -0400 Ghosts of DC Ghosts of DC 668 Suburban Gardens in Deanwood drew 7,000 people on one night, gave Clarence Darrow a stage, and may have hidden a mountain lion. Suburban Gardens in Deanwood drew 7,000 people on one night, gave Clarence Darrow a stage, and may have hidden a mountain lion. Washington DC history, Suburban Gardens, Deanwood, Duke Ellington, Black history, amusement parks No How Washington Got DC's Land in Three Days 6 6 How Washington Got DC's Land in Three Days full 8f389d02-4c33-4ae8-b52e-1d988f512d2d https://share.transistor.fm/s/ce205362 In March 1791, George Washington met two feuding camps of landowners at a Georgetown tavern. Three days later he had the land for a capital, and he hadn't bought most of it.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2012/03/02/d-c-is-composed-of-land-from-19-original-owners/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> In March 1791, George Washington met two feuding camps of landowners at a Georgetown tavern. Three days later he had the land for a capital, and he hadn't bought most of it.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2012/03/02/d-c-is-composed-of-land-from-19-original-owners/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> Sat, 24 Oct 2026 09:00:54 -0400 Ghosts of DC Ghosts of DC 559 The White House lawn was a farm, and its owner was "the obstinate Mr. Burns." Washington got the capital's land without buying most of it. The White House lawn was a farm, and its owner was "the obstinate Mr. Burns." Washington got the capital's land without buying most of it. Washington DC history, original proprietors, George Washington, Georgetown, White House No Washington's Last Streetcar Bridge Is Held Up by Vines 5 5 Washington's Last Streetcar Bridge Is Held Up by Vines full 9bb29c41-8a2e-448c-b392-2b5b79c101b3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0410586c In 2019, engineers checked what was still holding up DC's last streetcar bridge. Their answer wasn't the steel.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2026/10/20/foundry-branch-trestle-last-streetcar-bridge/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> In 2019, engineers checked what was still holding up DC's last streetcar bridge. Their answer wasn't the steel.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2026/10/20/foundry-branch-trestle-last-streetcar-bridge/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:38:47 -0400 Ghosts of DC Ghosts of DC 436 Nothing has crossed the Foundry Branch Trestle since 1960. Metro owns it, never ran a train over it, and in 2026 it was cleared for demolition. Nothing has crossed the Foundry Branch Trestle since 1960. Metro owns it, never ran a train over it, and in 2026 it was cleared for demolition. Foundry Branch Trestle, Glover-Archbold Park, Georgetown, DC streetcars, Washington DC history No River Place in Rosslyn Expires in 2052 4 4 River Place in Rosslyn Expires in 2052 full f06d33c0-b0ec-40b5-b235-adc62f1ae7fb https://share.transistor.fm/s/7e48cad2 About 1,700 homes in Rosslyn have an expiration date. In 2052, the land under them goes back to the landlord, and the buildings go with it.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2026/06/15/river-place-rosslyn-arlington-towers/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> About 1,700 homes in Rosslyn have an expiration date. In 2052, the land under them goes back to the landlord, and the buildings go with it.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2026/06/15/river-place-rosslyn-arlington-towers/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:33:55 -0400 Ghosts of DC Ghosts of DC 635 About 1,700 Rosslyn homes sit on a 99-year ground lease. Diplomats once trained in its garage, and a ballpark almost replaced it. About 1,700 Rosslyn homes sit on a 99-year ground lease. Diplomats once trained in its garage, and a ballpark almost replaced it. Washington DC history, Rosslyn, Arlington, River Place, Arlington Towers, ground lease No The Missing J Street Was Never L'Enfant's Grudge 3 3 The Missing J Street Was Never L'Enfant's Grudge full 54bd8486-a099-4736-af17-4115ebf1156a https://share.transistor.fm/s/f6ab1049 Walk north from Lafayette Square and the streets go H, I, K. For more than two hundred years, people have blamed a grudge against John Jay, but the man they blame never named a single street.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2013/01/30/why-is-there-no-j-street/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> Walk north from Lafayette Square and the streets go H, I, K. For more than two hundred years, people have blamed a grudge against John Jay, but the man they blame never named a single street.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2013/01/30/why-is-there-no-j-street/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:24:51 -0400 Ghosts of DC Ghosts of DC 489 The John Jay grudge is a myth. The 1792 map already skipped J, nobody wrote down why, and an 1855 engraver slipped one in by mistake. The John Jay grudge is a myth. The 1792 map already skipped J, nobody wrote down why, and an 1855 engraver slipped one in by mistake. Washington DC history, DC street names, J Street, L'Enfant Plan, Lafayette Square No Sharks in the Potomac and the Man Who Punched One 2 2 Sharks in the Potomac and the Man Who Punched One full 3302facd-9466-4912-aef3-2963531c8327 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a75a0d4a In July 1911, the Washington Post reported that a man on the Potomac punched a shark on the nose. Days later, Alexandria's fishermen formed the Society for the Suppression of Man-Eating Fish.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2012/07/09/sharks-potomac/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> In July 1911, the Washington Post reported that a man on the Potomac punched a shark on the nose. Days later, Alexandria's fishermen formed the Society for the Suppression of Man-Eating Fish.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2012/07/09/sharks-potomac/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:19:54 -0400 Ghosts of DC Ghosts of DC 481 In 1911, Alexandria's fishermen formed a society to fight man-eating fish. The Potomac's real shark is a bull shark, and its story starts in 1640. In 1911, Alexandria's fishermen formed a society to fight man-eating fish. The Potomac's real shark is a bull shark, and its story starts in 1640. Washington DC history, Potomac River, Alexandria, bull sharks, St. Mary's River No The Beatles' First US Concert Ended With Scissors at the Embassy 1 1 The Beatles' First US Concert Ended With Scissors at the Embassy full 3f0d6cae-52f1-4b41-889f-583820dc1cdd https://share.transistor.fm/s/834ddc36 In December 1963, the British Embassy told a DC disc jockey it couldn't help him get a Beatles record. Two months later, the band played its first American concert at Washington Coliseum, and the embassy threw them a party.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2012/01/06/beatles-first-concert-washington-coliseum/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> In December 1963, the British Embassy told a DC disc jockey it couldn't help him get a Beatles record. Two months later, the band played its first American concert at Washington Coliseum, and the embassy threw them a party.


Full story, photos and sources: https://ghostsofdc.org/2012/01/06/beatles-first-concert-washington-coliseum/


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:14:48 -0400 Ghosts of DC Ghosts of DC 493 A Silver Spring 14-year-old got the Beatles on DC radio. Their first US concert came weeks later, in the round, with jelly beans flying. A Silver Spring 14-year-old got the Beatles on DC radio. Their first US concert came weeks later, in the round, with jelly beans flying. Washington DC history, The Beatles, Washington Coliseum, Uline Arena, NoMa No Introducing Ghosts of DC Introducing Ghosts of DC trailer b977dfab-058a-4cd5-a8bf-af45878483e5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/40933056 The Beatles played their first American concert in DC, on a snowy night in February 1964. In 1911, a captain in Alexandria said a twenty-foot shark tried to climb into a rowboat on the Potomac. Ghosts of DC is built on stories like these: the lost and untold history of Washington, now as a podcast.


Follow Ghosts of DC wherever you listen or at https://ghostsofdc.org/podcast


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> The Beatles played their first American concert in DC, on a snowy night in February 1964. In 1911, a captain in Alexandria said a twenty-foot shark tried to climb into a rowboat on the Potomac. Ghosts of DC is built on stories like these: the lost and untold history of Washington, now as a podcast.


Follow Ghosts of DC wherever you listen or at https://ghostsofdc.org/podcast


Narrated by an AI version of Tom's voice. AI also helps research and write the scripts; facts are checked against the original sources, and Tom reviews the episodes.

]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:45:15 -0400 Ghosts of DC Ghosts of DC 72 The lost and untold stories of Washington, now as a podcast. The lost and untold stories of Washington, now as a podcast. Washington DC history, DC history, Georgetown, history podcast No