The Metropolitan Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was a major development in Washington transportation history. It ran right through the farm of Colonel Brooks, who was not pleased.
Author: Robert Malesky
Robert Ridgway was a self-taught ornithologist who rose to become Curator of Birds at the Smithsonian Institution. His Brookland home was an oasis for bird and plant life.
The story of the Brooks Mansion, built by Colonel Jehiel Brooks from 1838-1840. He lived there until his death in 1886.
Street names often underwent a number of changes as the city expanded. Developer street-naming could give the Post Office big problems.
Sculptor Clark Mills opened a foundry nearby back in the 1840s. He produced many great statues with the help of an enslaved artisan named Philip Reid, including the statue of Freedom atop the Capitol building.
Robert Brent was the first mayor of Washington, appointed by Thomas Jefferson. His home, Brentwood, was one of the most impressive structures in Washington County.
The Michigan Avenue Bridge, also known as the Charles Drew Bridge, was built in 1937. It was called the Michigan Avenue Viaduct then and its opening celebration was marred by a major storm.
Queen’s Chapel wasn’t named for royalty, but the Queen family, who built it in the early 18th century.
The worst rail disaster in Washington history occurred just north of Brookland in 1906.
A number of roads that run through northeast Washington date from colonial days. Bunker Hill Road is one of them.
Bygone Brookland 