Washington, D.C., circa 1917. "Washington Gas Light holders at 26th and G streets N.W." These relics of the gaslight era ("two of Washington's biggest stinkers") were scrapped around 1947. Just about every city of any size in the latter half of the 19th century had its "gashouse district" -- a rough neighborhood dominated by smelly holding tanks for the municipal gas plant, where coal was gasified to make "city gas" (generally either "coal gas" or "water gas," depending on the process) for illumination. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1914. "Henry Lincoln Johnson, Recorder of Deeds." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative, Library of Congress. View full size.

August 8, 1925. "Dr. H.W. Evans, Imperial Wizard." More from the KKK konklave. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

"KKK parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, August 8, 1925." From the Washington Post's report: "Phantom-like hosts of the Ku Klux Klan spread their white robe over the nation's most historic thoroughfare yesterday in one of the greatest demonstrations this city has ever known. . . . Police estimated that there were 30,000-35,000 in the weird procession -- men, women and children of the Klan." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

July 28, 1925. Washington, D.C. "Undelivered mail of World War soldiers (crucifix in bottle)." National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.

"Woman in automobile circa 1915." From of a series of pictures showing National Photo owner Herbert E. French and friends on motor excursions in the D.C. area. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

July 18, 1925. Laurel, Maryland. "R.J. O'Connor, inter-city championship bicycle races, Laurel Speedway." National Photo Co. glass negative. View full size.