Rediscovering Capitol Hill (Washington, DC) Photo Gallery by Helen Betts at pbase.com

Rediscovering Capitol Hill (Washington, DC)

After living in Turkey and Japan for the past 15 years, my husband and I have finally moved back to our old house on Capitol Hill. Although hit by both culture and sticker shock, I'm beginning to remember why I loved the Hill so much in years past and have been rediscovering its architecture and people and friendly way of life. I hope to shoot more than just its Victorian homes but have recently been fascinated with the beauty and sheer variety of houses here. For more pictures of Capitol Hill, go to https://pbase.com/helenpb/gallery/trying_out_the_lx3 where I was trying out a new camera and did a tour of my neighborhood at Christmas.

The reason it's called Capitol Hill	Houses on Lincoln Park	Lincoln Park, doggy heaven	Play time for all at the park
Congregating at Lincoln Park	In memory of Tilki, enjoying her garden	House prices have skyrocketed here...	Row houses in a row
District of Columbia enthusiast	Special garden	Spirit of the season	East Capitol Street rooftops
East Capitol Street mansions	East Capitol Street mansions	Picture window	Towered
New from old	Room with a view	Stately	Parapetted
Time worn	Fall colors on 11th St. NE	Circular	The ultimate renovation
Towering	Feeling just like Turkey	Roof to remember	Moon over Capitol Hill
Uniquely situated	Eastern Market	Eastern Market detail	Eastern Market detail
Eastern Market	Eastern Market	Eastern Market	Saturday at Eastern Market
Saturday at Eastern Market	Saturday at Eastern Market	Saturday at Eastern Market	Saturday at Eastern Market
Saturday at Eastern Market	Facade or optical illusion?	Favorites on A Street NE	90 percent
Fall color on A St. NE	Houses of all kinds	Fall colors on the Hill	One tree, double the color
Red, white and blue	Four of a kind	Classic elegance	Dogwood on white
Castle keep	1893 pharmacy building	Trompe l'oeil	Two beauties on North Carolina Ave.
A nice touch	Perfect for Rapunzel	Pennsylvania Avenue, SE	Natural progression
Maple revisited	Duelling maples	Front yards	Red and gold
By the light of the silvery moon	Two of a kind	Favorites on A St. NE	So near yet so far apart
C Street NE turrets	Odd Man Out	Double Doors	East Capitol row, late fall
East Capitol Street homes	Long fall shadows	East Capitol rooftops	Holiday shadows
Winter at the Capitol	Reflections of a Capitol Christmas	Our festive neighborhood	Winter shadows
A riot of color	A row of rowhouses	Splash of holiday color	13th Street SE resident
The start of spring	Spring at Lincoln Park	Spring in Lincoln Park	Spring housecleaning
Magnolia	Cherry on East Capitol	Weeping fruit tree	House on the corner
Falling shadows on East Capitol	Five of a kind (of sorts)	A unique kind of roof	Spring Weather
Cityscape Under Water (4th place, Weather Challenge)	Eastern Market: 1873-2007	Eastern Market, aftermath	Eastern Market aftermath
Spring garden and model	Closed on Sunday	1876	"The Deer House"
Restoration at 900 East Capitol	The guardians	Two of a kind	Capitol Hill Billies
Wall life	Grand house on the corner	Encounter	Restoration Society tour house
Doorway cat	Sophisticated chimney	Marine Commandant's House	Building conversions: Carbery School/condo
Carbery School condo conversion	Building conversions: Grace Baptist Church/condo	Grace Baptist Church/condo	Grace Baptist Church 1891, condo c. 1991
Building conversions: The Car Barn/condo	The Car Barn/condo	The Car Barn/condo	Philadephia Row (1862)
Rose garden	Symmetry on the park	Two out of three	Fortified
Pennsylvania Avenue rooftops	North Carolina Ave. steeple	Fall door	Time worn
Urban farmer	Urban agriculture	Urban birdbath	Seasonal pattern
Storm brewing in the alley	Hill spirit	Hill spirit	Hill spirit
For sale	Looking through the keyhole	Garden color	Never-ending task on our block
The end of fall	Lincoln Park trio	1300 block of C Street NE	East Capitol on the park
Brick polychromy on Stanton Park	Old red schoolhouse on Stanton Park	Marvelous Market	Spring on D St. SE
A reflection of spring	Dinner for four	Spring in full bloom	Picture window
Party house	Advent of summer	Summer wilt	Fresh paint
Oasis in the City	How time changes things	Philadelphia Row (1862) revisited	Eastern Market still under repair
Turret	Marvelous Market, again	Al fresco 1	Al fresco 2
Barracks Row (8th St. corridor)	The 'real' Barracks Row (USMC)	Marine Barracks	Marine Barracks
Sure sign of spring	Whimsey	The Old Naval Hospital (c. 1866)	The fence (c. 1870)
The advent of spring	Neighborhood gathering	Magnolias on the Hill	Victorian windows
Joined at the hip, so to speak	Sunday afternoon on 10th Street NE	Playing with paint	Our majestic block
So near, yet so far apart	Frederick Douglass Museum	Mansard roof mansion	Flat fronts
High canine style on the Hill	The sentries	Black cat on salmon stairs	Red dogwood on blue
Weeping peach on East Capitol NE	What a difference a day makes!	Dogwood season on the Hill	All lit up
Spring garden	No parking	Splash of purple on North Carolina	From my garden this year
Tulips on Lincoln Park	Window box	Wrought iron	Stairs in bloom
Wisteria house	Nice house, but why all the bars?	Grand entry	Dream house
Don't Tread on Me	Sunset dogwood	The nicest dogwood of all...	Front yard whimsey
Beautiful detail but needs some work	Lenox School condo conversion	Red. red and more red	Patriotism and nostalgia
Hangin' out	Carbery House (1803)	The City Bank building (1908)	The City Bank building
Duddington Place	Neighborly ambience of Duddington Place	Unique detail, Duddington Place	Duddington Place, across the street, a world away
Christ Church (1807)	Even the Police Department is historic	Three shades of pink	Marine Barracks, looking out
Marine Barracks, Parade Ground	Commandant's house, USMC	Semper Fi	Woodwork at #412
Modern take on an old theme	Magnificent bay	Ten variations on a theme (1)	Ten variations on a theme (2)
Ten variations on a theme (3)	Ten variations on a theme (4)	Ten variations on a theme (5)	Ten variations on a theme (6)
Ten variations on a theme (7)	Ten variations on a theme (8)	Ten variations on a theme (9)	Ten variations on a theme (10)
Spectacular row on North Carolina	9th Street NE pair	During renovation	After renovation
The very nice house on the corner	Unusual neighboring roofs	Unusual neighboring roofs	The house with the gigantic yard
The epitome of beautiful brickwork	Maryland Ave, 600 block, row	:: The Facades of Maryland Avenue NE, 600 Block ::	Elegant portal
Turreted apartment living	Maryland Avenue steeple	Added for effect?	Motley crew off Maryland Avenue
Elegantly secure	Old Engine House No. 10	Totally different turret	Creative approach to land use
Pierce School	Creative paint job	Repeating patterns	Massive
Eclecticism at its best	Lovejoy School condo conversion	Turrets 1: Anachonistic	Turrets 2: Peeking over the trees
Turrets 3: Shadow games	Daring color scheme	Unlikely neighbors	Three out of four
Totally modern interpretation	The 'new' Eastern Market	Eastern Market reopening	Eastern Market reopening
Eastern Market reopening	Festivities at Eastern Market	Festival-goers enjoying a cuppa	When you don't have a back yard
One of a kind	Door with a flair	Rich accents	The red door
New construction, traditional lines	Room top	Fraternal twins	The red tower
Broken	Castle on Constitution Avenue	Out of control	Another take on an old favorite
Graceful detail	The crape myrtle at 410 A St. NE	Leigh's house	C Street NE rooftop deck
C Street NE rooftop deck	North Carolina Street NE stoops	Philadelphia Row grille	Brilliant
Out of the ordinary stairs	A real mix of styles	Secret hideaway (and cool chimneys)	Fanciful row, great windows
St. Peter's Catholic Church	Modern row	Another modern-day mansion	Modern mansion
A row of modern-day row houses	More new construction, old style	Missed the mark a bit	Distinctive corner tower
Unexpected flair	Peabody School	Stuart Junior HS	Free Public Library, Northeastern Branch
Unique twins	From convent to museum to condos	Another side of Stanton Park	New surrounded by old, Maryland Avenue NE
Of long windows and iron balconies	Window detail	New development from old	Old train station
Stanton Park	Lincoln Park	Marion Park	Folger Park
Providence Park	Garfield Park	Seward Square	Seward Square
Mayers Block (1887)	Four bays	Corner house	Double towers
Green windows	Copper windows	Bold windows	Elegant windows
Crenellated roof	Deck with style	'Bay-top' garden	The (real) golden house
A most unique pair	Jumble of styles	The fire engine red house	Copper appointments
Halloween on the Hill	Garage garden	Red on white	St. Mark's (1888)
Church for sale	Fall shadows	A Street NE neighbor #1	A Street NE neighbor #2
It's the giant pumpkin!	Restoration work	The most unique roof	Hidden away
Urban renewal block	Urban renewal, example	Urban renewal, example	Urban renewal, example
Another urban renewal project	Creative urban renewal	Three houses	Old stone row on Lincoln Park
Caught in the act	Gen. Greene in Stanton Park	Neon house	Stanton Park row
How'd it get that roof??	Restored, and not	Holiday doors	My favorite block with new lens
Across from my house, new lens	Across from my house, new lens	East Capitol favorite with new lens	Another East Capitol fave
New and old, with new lens	Falling shadows, with new lens	Stranded at home	December: Silent night (ISO 2500)
Alike, but not quite	360 degreee turret	New Orleans flair	View from the top
The church on the corner	Large, lovely condo on East Capitol	Christmas shadows/reflections	A few blocks up on 11th Street NE
Saturday at Eastern Market	Saturday at Eastern Market	The house on the corner, and the one next door	The really red brick house
Late afternoon on East Capitol	8th and A Street NE in snow and sweet light	House on our corner	In need of owners
The blue roof	Details details	Unusual foursome	The neon house revisited
Flowered	F.I.Co.	Overseer	Home banking
Victorian adobe?	Not your everyday Capitol Hill House	As far as the eye can see	Home banking again
Miller's Court	CF and 1881	Poop happens	Spring on East Capitol Street SE
Siamese twins	Elegance on Mass. Ave.	Very Second Empire, 8th Street SE	Window dressing
All lined up	Alternators	Southern flavor	Port of entry
Well topped off	Shaded	Small can be nice	Front stairs
Doggie water fountain (only on Capitol Hill)	A row of small houses	Novel brickwork	Quiet day at Eastern Market
Seventh Day Adventist Church, Mass Ave NE	Late afternoon on Capitol Hill	Around the corner	Common walls, East Capitol Street NE
There's one in every crowd	Something lost	Evolving style	Shadowed houses
The eternally red house	Home banking	Home security system	Unique for the Hill
The church that's still a church	Once a church, always a church	Making a statement	The impossibility of buying a house on Capitol Hill

Denise J T Lee		27-Feb-2025 22:27
A pageant of captivating styles of architecture, really lovely. Thanks, Helen, for this magnificent collection. For someone who loves photographing architecture, it's simply a feast for the eyes !

Richard Chu		26-Jun-2018 00:55
Great gallery full of beautifully captured images. V

KAI-WING LEUNG		19-Feb-2018 02:38
A superb gallery of beautiful architecture! V

John Hamers		17-Feb-2018 16:51
Great photo documentary Helen. Can't hardly imagine there's still a subject/place you haven't captured here. :) V!

danad		17-Feb-2018 11:37
A great reportage on this place, complete, with beautiful images. V.

Ika Zinka Eferl		12-Feb-2018 09:02
Absolutely amazing collection, your photographs are just superb. V

Dan Greenberg		12-Feb-2018 01:22
So surprised I never commented on this wonderful gallery before. You are so prolific at capturing all these amazing pieces of architectural art. Great variety and fabulous compositions and captures. ~VVV~

Richard Simunek		17-Sep-2015 12:13
Hard to believe that almost a half-century has gone by since my wife, Zorita, and I arrived on Capitol Hill. Downtown DC was dead after 5PM, tremendous controversy ruled over the building of a then considered boondoggle named Kennedy Center, the subway had not opened, prostitution and drugs flourished two blocks east of the White House on 14th Street, and many run down and boarded houses existed in Dupont Circle and Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill neighborhood is so beautiful now, a sought after location. It wasn't always so. We were all young back then, meeting at Hechingers on Saturday morning, buying our supplies, meeting and talking with our neighbors at Heckingers, and then going back home to work on our houses. It was a labor of love. All believed that Washington, DC should sparkle as the nation's capitol. The run down neighborhoods adjacent to the White House and Capitol were unacceptable. Looking back on life's journey, all of us at that time can look back on pride that all of us thru individual hands-on effort made DC the city it is today. All appreciate the developers who have come into DC and have done wonderful things, for example, Penn Quarter. or the National's Baseball Park. But those developers would not have come if individuals did not first believe in DC and Capitol Hill first....and it is those individuals at the time who made DC the sparkling city it is today. But these individuals and efforts and Hechingers will undoubtedly be forgotten. Forgotten also are the six murders during my time on Capitol Hill, something that even old-time Capitol Hillites want to forget. One was a young waitress that was raped and killed with her body discovered stuffed under a car in the alley. Today, the Capitol Hill neighborhood is just fabulous and gorgeous today, as all of us thought it could be. But it didn't come easy...

Bill Klein		12-Mar-2013 23:57
Fantastic gallery, Helen! Brings back many memories (went to college in DC many years ago). V!

Walter Otto Koenig		29-Jan-2012 20:15
A superb gallery, great documentation of this wonderful neighborhood, an a fine study of architecture and architectural details. It's unfortunate that I can only vote once, as you added a lot of fine images to this since my last visit in 2007.

William Barletta		19-Jul-2010 20:09
What a stupendous chronicle of the resurrection of your neighborhood. Super images and a great variety thereof.~big vote~

Laura Sebastianelli		18-Jul-2010 03:49
just moved to eastern market (from Maine!) and love this beautiful introduction!

joseantonio		22-May-2010 14:36
Spectacular colors

Tamas Teleki		09-May-2010 22:14
Wonderful collection! :]

Giancarlo Guzzardi		20-Mar-2010 08:50
beautiful reportage of this likeable little town and traditional architecture too

Kath Brewer		04-Mar-2010 22:48
Such a wonderful gallery with such a variety of top class images. You have such a good eye for these - wonderful work and such a fanscinating gallery for someone like myself that has never been there.

Ashley Hockenberry		04-Mar-2010 22:15
Vote !

Helen Betts		19-Jan-2010 20:03
Richard, I'm so happy to hear that, and glad I could have helped a bit! As to my gallery, thank you! I guess I've gotten a bit carried away, but I just keep finding new things around the Hill and can't stop myself from photographing them ;-). I enjoyed your "museum" reference! In fact, I've published a lot of these images in a vanity coffee table book and thought maybe I might be able to do it commercially (since nothing like it exists AFAIK), but much to my dismay I discovered that I would have to get a property release from every homeowner whose house appears in it (if I were to sell it for profit). So I just enjoy it myself (on my coffee table ;-)). Anyway, again, I'm pleased that you two finally made contact after all these years. Helen

Richard Simunek		18-Jan-2010 01:08
Helen, the Simuneks and Karaseks have re-connected! Thank you so much! This album provides the missing Capitol Hill Museum always talked about but never achieved. I do not hesitate to say this website is truly breathtaking. I enjoyed/enjoy all of your galleries. Thank you for making this availble for us and sharing your experiences with us.

Guest		30-Dec-2009 03:55
From Richard Simunek to Mary Karasek Treece: Email me at ZoritaChef@gmail.com.

Helen Betts		28-Dec-2009 22:02
Mary, I left your message under the Simuneks' front door. The house had a for rent sign on it and their mailbox indicated they had filed a change of address with the Post Office, but there were still things inside the house, so I trust they'll receive it. Helen Betts

KARASEK, Mary Treece		27-Dec-2009 02:57
Mary Karasek Treece to R. Simunek: Thanks for the posting & the wonderful story which I had not heard. Would love to see the place again. First hubby sent iris bulbs in 1962 so I would not miss him while we were engaged 3 yrs, planted front of yard. Dad loved to take care of roses. I have the large mirror which was over the dining room fireplace. Used to sunbathe on roof of back wing as teenager. Maybe can send you more stories later ! Have enjoyed following hx of house over years.

Guest		19-Dec-2009 20:57
Wonderfulll colours, I loved this gallery

Marie Dennis		19-Dec-2009 15:31
Your pictures are beautiful. Do you have a gallery in Washington DC where I could purchase your photo of the old turrets on mulitcolor houses? Marue Dennis marieadeledennis@gmail.com

GoodListener		19-Dec-2009 02:53
Such a wonderful discovery - of Capital Hill and of your gallery!

R�jean Boyte		18-Dec-2009 01:02
Beautiful picts, nice work, vote

Michael Shpuntov		01-Dec-2009 22:46
It was a pleasure to view the Hill through your lens. Vote

Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)		24-Oct-2009 15:10
Light,colors,and other thinghs......all toghether:very excellent pics! My vote. Paolo

Richard Simuenk		09-Sep-2009 01:09
To Karasek family of 517 East Capitol Street SE: Please write us. Your Dad sang "O Do you remember how we danced on the nite we were wed?" to your mom in the kitchen when we bought your family's home in 1983. Your mom stayed with us after we bought the home but we have lost contact. We are also Czech & also from Oklahoma. My wife startled your dad when she responded "Doby Den" to his Czech greeting....and we think that is why they sold the house to us because they had many offers as we later learned.

K Williams		07-Sep-2009 13:02
We too have just returned to the Hill; thank you for this beautiful gallery.. it illustrates part of why we missed it, and we're so glad to be back!

Guest		01-Sep-2009 22:15
Beautiful architecture+beautiful composition+beautiful colors=a great gallery.Very interesting.V

Guest		26-Aug-2009 23:14
Fantastic gallery, makes you want to go there and explore. Congratulations

William Barletta		23-Jul-2009 21:51
Top-notch gallery and exploration of Capitol Hill... Bravissima!

ilene		19-Jul-2009 01:15
Wonderful gallery filled with lots of interesting architecture and vibrant colors.

dond		13-Jun-2009 15:58
valuable contribution of documentation of this historic area. Well done. Nice interesting images.

Guest		13-Jun-2009 00:28
Fantastic collection. Thanks a lot for sharing!

bill friedlander		12-Jun-2009 20:56
Thanks for sharing this great collection of images of the Washington the tourist doesn't normally see. All the images are beautifully composed and very colorful. V

Jake Jacobson		16-May-2009 17:21
What a Great Idea! Nicely Done...Jake

aldeca		16-May-2009 15:23
Very nice.

Guest		28-Apr-2009 21:04
What a wonderful gallery!

don nieman		19-Apr-2009 00:52
Colorful and interesting compositions.

endre novak		02-Apr-2009 21:58
superb collection, great clarity and colours.

Daniel Bollag		07-Jul-2008 21:37
Wonderful gallery, Helen. It looks to me as if you were (re-)discovering something as exotic to you as were your former Turkish "surroundings"... ;-) -- db.

Mary Karasek Treece		19-Feb-2008 01:54
Great job! Capitol Baptist Church was at 900 E. Cap. in '53, attended as child. Also old Metropolitan at 6th & A NE. Dad owned a dozen properties, including restoring 601 G St SE in about '50; Reliance Market next to Safeway, 7th St NE. Moved from 517 E Cap. SE in '82 after 32 yrs. He started Credit Union at Dept. of Commerce in 30's. Rose gardens & metal gliders were norm for front yards, as well as sleeping outside in summer! Was in last class at Wallach Elementary '49, 7th & PA Av SE.

Jamie Smith Disterhaupt		18-Jan-2008 04:50
My grandparents, Robert Hume Smith and Hattie McGraw Smith, lived in this magnificent house at the turn of the century for a brief time. I need to check my records for exact dates, but I was stunned to drive by the address and find such a beautiful home. I would love to know more about the house.

Marjan Schavemaker		11-Jan-2008 12:04
Great gallery, Helen! Thanks for sharing. V

G. Douglas Nelson		04-Jan-2008 21:41
Great Photos of East Capitol Street and North Carolina ave, near Lincoln Park. I carried the Evening Star Newspaper in the 1300 block of those streets, during the period 1930-37, my family attended Epworth Church at the corner of North Carolina ave and 13th Street, and we lived at 1303 C Street, NE. At one time I thought they should continue the Mall down East Capitol street to the Eastern branch of the Potomac River. I'm not so sure now. Thanks much for your photos, Helen.

John Potter		01-Jan-2008 18:23
Wonderful work Helen!

Paul Guttenberg		29-Sep-2007 17:30
Very nice gallery.

Guest		21-Jul-2007 07:59
It should be great pleasure to have time and shoot in this city. All are well exposed and captured, v

Jean-Luc Rollier		11-Jun-2007 14:44
Excellente galerie Helen. Jl Vote

Ali Majdfar		11-Jun-2007 12:39
Fabulous collection, excellent shots. GMV

susan		06-Jun-2007 02:33
My earliest impressions of DC were tainted by the chaos of trying to drive in the city. On recent trips, I have been open to seeing it through a different lens. Your gallery gave a sweet taste of the beauty there and made me want to return with my camera and time to relax and observe. Tikki made me smile. Your architecture views fascinated me, as well as your portraits of the brightest of spring and fall colors.

John Glines		31-May-2007 18:15
Many lovely photos in this gallery. Congratulations!

jim		25-May-2007 12:45
Your Capitol Hill gallery prompted my wife and me to walk the same streets 10 days ago. What a wonderful area, so happily restored. Sadly we walked on down to be confronted by the awful 10 ft wall around the Capitol itself. I'll try never to go back there again.

Guest		22-May-2007 21:28
Great Gallery. Wonderful colors and great composition. Reminded me of Philadelphia, where I grew up. Tilki is adorable. Voted.

Federico D'Inc�		19-May-2007 01:05
a fantastic emotive gallery Helen ...V !

Walter Otto Koenig		05-Apr-2007 18:41
Hi Helen, I really enjoyed looking at your Capitol Hill Gallery. You captured it very well and took some beautiful shots. I lived in DC many years myself. Best Wishes and vote from Walter

Georgia Roessler		31-Mar-2007 00:18
Lovely gallery, as usual, Helen. So nice to see some really good images of a real DC neighborhood! I must say, however, that I'm disappointed that you have come home! I will really miss your images of Turkey, Europe, et al., which I have enjoyed immensely.

Curt G.		30-Mar-2007 02:11
Lately, I have been intrigued by the photographers who have taken on the challenge of documenting their neighborhoods, towns, cities -- the places they live in an ongoing project throughout the year. Whether it's Silicon Valley, rural Quebec, or a Brooklyn Park. Not easy to do well, perhaps because it's so hard to recognize what's unique and special in what most people who live there consider so commonplace that everybody knows about it.

Guest		31-Dec-2006 18:23
I enjoyed viewing this gallery Helen. Beautiful color and great composition.

Vick Soulios		30-Dec-2006 05:21
There are some wonderful colours in this gallery Helen. Great work. The perspective and composition you've used to capture the homes is great too! Vick

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