Monthly Archives: October 2014

Very short film clip of Georgetown in the 50s

History, Prototype

I’m a complete sucker for media showing the Georgetown Branch in its heyday, and get pretty excited when it’s of the film/video variety. There are simply not that many films in existence which depict the branch in service! There are fabled copies of a film showing the fan trip down the line in the late 40s held by the NRHS but I haven’t even been able to get a reply from them on this.
Anyway, in this film which is a snippet of a collection of aerial footage of DC in 1954 shows the Georgetown waterfront area for the first 23 seconds. Not that great, it’s wobbly, but it’s there. Note the aqueduct bridge footings, still in place in the river (Army Corps of Engineers had yet to demolish them), the Lone Star cement factory standing tall and the Hopfmaier rendering plant smoking away across from the Wilkins Rogers mill. The power plant is still standing and the coal steam plant can be seen in the background near the end of the line. Very cool!
http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675050411_Potomac-River_Lincoln-Memorial_Jefferson-Memorial_National-Airport_Key-Bridge

Some eBay finds, including an interesting building feature.

History, Prototype

I hope you find these photos I recently purchased on eBay as interesting as I do!

May 15, 1947, Fatal Bus Accident
“BETHESDA, MD- Three persons were reported killed and at least five injured when a B&O freight train struck a private bus at a grade crossing here today (5/14). One of the victims is shown being removed from the wreckage. ACME TELEPHOTO” 

I wrote about this previously here.

March 19, 1936, Potomac Floods Capital Area
“POTOMAC FLOODS CAPITAL AREA, An aerial view of Georgetown, Historic spot of Washington, D.C., Submerged in flood waters of the swollen Potomac. The building with the two smoke stacks is the city’s gas plant which probably will be out of commission soon, thus leaving the city without gas. 3/19/1936”
I’m curious if that power plant was ever gas powered. I always thought it was coal-fired. Hmm…
March 19, 1936, Georgetown Flooded
“GEORGETOWN FLOODED, A view from the air of Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, several feet under water due to the rising waters of the Potomac. It is estimated that the Potomac has left $5,000,000 property damage in its wake. 3/19/1936”

Interesting to note the rail cars left in the yard as well as the buildings along Water Street. Also note the trails of stains in the water from the industrial area.

October 17, 1942, District of Columbia Flooded
“DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FLOODED, Washington, D.C. – “K” street in Georgetown, D.C., was submerged by the flood waters of the Potomac today. The river can be seen at upper right. 10/17/1942″ 

Note the giant beer bottle sign on the corner of the building at left. Also the Lone Star cement plant to the right and the Wilkins Rogers milling building in the distance. My favorite has to be the big beer bottle advertisement on the corner of the building in the lower-left hand corner of the bottom image. This was most likely for Brenizer Brewing Co. which maps indicate was located on this site.