Even though the Eagle Gate — located at Rock Creek Church Road & Upshur — is clearly recognizable today, there is no mistaking that its has undergone some changes over the years.

Eagle Gate, Soldiers' Home ca. 1920

Eagle Gate ca. 1920, from postcard in author’s collection.

Eagle Gate, Soldiers' Home, Mar. 2010

Eagle Gate today.

The most noticeable may be the absence of the iron archway and electric light that once illuminated the gate. More subtle, but still obvious is the moving of the piers which originally defined a narrower gate with side pedestrian gates. Though these elements are still present, they’ve been reconfigured to accommodate modern vehicles.

Another significant change, though not present in these photos, is the absence of the street car line that once served this location.

Eagle Gate (Detail)

Eagle Gate, detail showing current placement of northern piers.

Kent Boese posts items of historic interest, primarily within the District. He’s worked in libraries since 1994, both federal and law, and currently works on K Street. He’s been an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner serving the northern Columbia Heights and Park View neighborhoods since 2011 (ANC 1A), and served as the Commission’s Chair since 2013. He has a MS in Design from Arizona State University with strong interests in preservation, planning, and zoning. Kent is also the force behind the blog Park View, DC.