Category Archives: Abraham Lincoln
Police and fire boxes gain new life
I’ll admit not knowing the following story until becoming a tour guide. Like a lot of statues, I’d walk by these call boxes never knowing they were once the lifeline of police and firemen. It’s not often I find superb … Continue reading
Finally, an honest man in Judiciary Square
How many statues are there of Abraham Lincoln around town? That’s a good question. And, I don’t know the answer. What’s special about this one in front of the D.C. Court of Appeals (Lincoln was a lawyer, after all) is … Continue reading
Lincoln Cottage still a great respite
I have a secret – I’d never been to the Lincoln Cottage before taking a tour group. And it’s better than expected. Now I’ll leave the nuts and bolts to the website Lincolncottage.org. But a few things hit me during … Continue reading
Small places I love in town – Lincoln portraits
My favorite places aren’t the biggest attractions, but the smaller venues.The personal connections. It’s what makes travel fun. Maybe that’s why I like covering teams just as much on non-game days as the games themselves as a local sports writer … Continue reading
Henry Rathbone’s house – the man next to Lincoln
The White House isn’t the only house to walk by the front door around Lafayette Park. A famous bystander to history is a few doors down. Major Henry Rathbone was in Abraham Lincoln’s box when murdered by John Wilkes Booth. … Continue reading
Best Lincoln Memorial photo tips
The best times to photograph the Lincoln Memorial are at night and early morning. Otherwise, the overhead sun leaves it looking flat and the evening sun is behind the Lincoln to provide a dark photo. Night photography can be easy, … Continue reading
Ranking presidents 1-44
1. George Washington Abraham Lincoln Franklin D. Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Dwight D. Eisenhower Harry S. Truman Lyndon B. Johnson John F. Kennedy 10. Thomas Jefferson James K. Polk John Adams Ronald Reagan Ulysses S. Grant Bill Clinton Barack Obama … Continue reading
Fort Lincoln Cemetery: Defending Washington during Civil War
Two cannons rest amid earthworks in Fort Lincoln Cemetery just past the city’s eastern border, remnants of the Civil War defense. Ironically, they’re only a couple hundred yards from the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814 where the British … Continue reading
Petersen House is a must stop for Lincoln fans
For many years, I’ve walked past Petersen House en route to Ford Theatre. I should have detoured across the street years earlier. President Abraham Lincoln died at Petersen House on April 14, 1865 after shot the night before at Ford’s … Continue reading
Lincoln at Fort Lincoln Cemetery
Truly, this is one of the hidden gems of Washington. An Abraham Lincoln sculpture by renowned Lincoln scholar Andrew O’Connor sits in the middle of Fort Lincoln Cemetery about 100 yards from the District line. The 13-foot enduring bronze statue … Continue reading
The Cursed Lincoln?
Robert Todd Lincoln fascinates me. The only son of Abraham Lincoln (please tell me you know who he is) to live past 18 was called “The Cursed Lincoln.” Really? His father was assassinated and Robert’s the one who was cursed? … Continue reading