Urban Legends & Historic Lore of Washington, D.C.

A carving of General Lee on the back of the Lincoln monument, the birth of lobbying at the Willard Hotel, a romantic gesture that built the distinctive homes of Capitol Hill--these are legends of Washington, D.C. The capital is home to all manner of colorful rumors and tall tales. According to local lore, the missing J Street was L'Enfant's snub to Supreme Court justice John Jay, and the course of history could have been changed if only a young baseball player named Fidel Castro had accepted a contract with the Washington Senators. In search of the truth behind these legends and more, local guide and writer Robert S. Pohl takes readers on a tour of the historic lore and urban legends that surround the monuments, neighborhood streets and even the Metro stations of Washington, D.C.

Robert S. Pohl has been a tour guide since 2009 and writes a regular column for both the Hill Rag and The Hill is Home. He is a member of Friends of Southeast Library and Capitol Hill Restoration Society, and he volunteers at the Capitol Hill reading room. Pohl is also the author of Wicked Capitol Hill.