Historical D.C. Metro Map

03/27/2018 in DC by Mark Jones

Since its opening in 1976, Washingtonians have had a love-hate relationship with our Metro system. Over the years, the system has been praised for its role in connecting neighborhoods in our region and spurring development. At the same time, DMV residents have been critical of delays, reliability and increasing fares.

However, our bone to pick is with the actual names of the stations. Frankly, they’re quite boring. Given the rich history of our area, there are lots of good alternatives. So, we've created a new (or, rather, old timey!) Metro map inspired by historical events and sites rooted in the neighborhoods that surround each station. Hop aboard! Take a ride and learn a little something about your commute as we make bland names like “Branch Ave” and “Huntington” a thing of the past.

Visit the map →

Have a better local history name for your favorite Metro stop? Let us know via email or Twitter!

Mark Jones has called the D.C. area home since he was three years old. As a child he enjoyed taking family trips to Colonial Williamsburg and impersonating historical figures for elementary school book reports. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from Davidson College and a Master's in History and New Media from George Mason University. Prior to coming to WETA, Mark worked as an interpreter for the National Park Service at Arlington House: The Robert E. Lee Memorial, where (much to the amusement of his friends) he wore the "Smokey the Bear" hat as part of his uniform and occasionally donned period clothes. (Photos are classified.)