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
It is not often that my research on the history of Capitol Hill ends up leading to the possible identity of Jack the Ripper, so I will certainly milk this connection for all its worth. It starts with Francesco Maria Scala, the Italian-born leader of the Marine Band for many years. Scala was born about […]
One of the enduring questions for tour guides of this city is why, among all the streets that are named for states here, 48 are called ‘avenues’ while the other two, Ohio and California, have only a drive and a street, respectively, named for them. Ohio Drive can be understood due to its location along […]
Today is a day off for most people, and thus time for another rerun (This rerun was meant to run on Monday, but didn’t because we were taking the day off too and oops! Sorry about that. –MHC). And, as it’s the 4th of July, the appropriate topic is beer. I am particularly pleased to […]
A few months ago, I wrote about a TV show, WETA Neighborhoods, that was being partially filmed on Capitol Hill. The show, which operates under the slogan “Exploring Our Community, One New Story at a Time,” was originally broadcast from 2005-7, and has recently been revived. It always had focused on looking at odd corners […]
I wrote last week about an early steam engine installed at the Washington Navy Yard. Today, we’ll look at a newer, better one. – ad the man who designed it. A sawmill had been part of the Navy Yard since at least 1810, and it was an improved version of this one that burned in […]