Robert Pohl worked for many years as a computer programmer but recovered from that and became a full time stay-at-home dad. With his son now in school, he has expanded his horizons and become a self-taught historian. He has written books about his house as well as Emancipation in the District of Columbia. You can reach Robert at Robert[at]thehillishome.com
Last week we looked at Alexander McCormick, Capitol Hill merchant. The McCormick family stayed nearby, starting with his son, also named Alexander McCormick. The younger McCormick was, like his father, not one to make it into the history books; however, two tales of his life are worth mentioning. The first was that McCormick, who was […]
In the new year, it seems appropriate to go back to the earliest days of the Hill and to one of its earliest inhabitants –especially as there is a crime involved. Some of those who came to Capitol Hill in its earliest days were not there to either build the city or run the country, […]
I usually try to stay on the Hill for these pieces. Occasionally, however, there is reason to go further afield. Like when the D.C. Council asks questions that seem custom-made for me. This week, I try to answer their question: “Why is there a Unicorn Lane NW?” Unicorn Lane is an odd street, to be […]
As residents of Capitol Hill, we have become used to strange sounds emanating from local military installations, whether the guns of Arlington Cemetery, aircraft flyovers, or the sounds of the National Anthem in the morning. While these are usually greeted with a simple,“What was that?” there are also historical precedents that do not accept these […]