I hope you find these photos I recently purchased on eBay as interesting as I do!
“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”
“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…
“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.
“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.
3 thoughts on “Some eBay finds, including an interesting building feature.”
The “gas plant” referred to in the second photo produced one of the many versions of coal gas used for city lighting and heating until natural gas became readily available. The plant was indeed coal fired, but controlled, reduced air to the combustion produced gas with carbon monoxide suitable for lighting, heating, and cooking, but not for breathing–it’s poisonous.
Richard, Thanks for the clarification! Fascinating stuff. In my notes I have the plant being shut down in 1933. (probably after the 1933 flood, which crested at 11.1′) The 1936 flood (in a couple of these photos) was a 17.3′ crest! Ten years later in 1943 it was decommissioned and in 1968 it was finally torn down.
The plant in the photo is the capital Traction power plant for streetcars. I believe the gas plant was in Foggy Bottom on the spur to the Lincoln Memorial. Probably journalistic confusion at the time. Your dates sound about right for the Capital Traction plant.
The “gas plant” referred to in the second photo produced one of the many versions of coal gas used for city lighting and heating until natural gas became readily available. The plant was indeed coal fired, but controlled, reduced air to the combustion produced gas with carbon monoxide suitable for lighting, heating, and cooking, but not for breathing–it’s poisonous.
Richard, Thanks for the clarification! Fascinating stuff. In my notes I have the plant being shut down in 1933. (probably after the 1933 flood, which crested at 11.1′) The 1936 flood (in a couple of these photos) was a 17.3′ crest! Ten years later in 1943 it was decommissioned and in 1968 it was finally torn down.
The plant in the photo is the capital Traction power plant for streetcars. I believe the gas plant was in Foggy Bottom on the spur to the Lincoln Memorial. Probably journalistic confusion at the time. Your dates sound about right for the Capital Traction plant.