Comments on: An Introduction to the Manhole Covers of Washington, D.C.

By: Selcuk

Selcuk — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:23:39 +0000

Dear All,
We are manafacturer of manhole covers and also we have many models, is there anybody to need manhole covers please kindly contact with me,

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:03:59 +0000

Thanks, Rob. I am a little behind in finding this great article and photos.

I too have always been fascinated by manhole covers since spending a summer in Rome and looking for all the various designs there… I’ve become obsessed with taking pictures of them wherever I travel now. I’m not sure that other people always understand me, but I’m glad to know I’m not the only one. :)

By: Rob Goodspeed

Rob Goodspeed — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:45:44 +0000

From the H-DC email list:

In the 1870s (up to 1877) the B&O Railroad had its Washington drove yard at
First Street NE between E and F Streets. I’m looking for photos that might
show the drove yard and its cattle pens, buildings, etc. The railroad
contracted with a cattle dealer to run the yards who in turn rented the
property where they were located. In 1877 the property was sold and the
drove yards moved out to Queenstown (Brookland) where they remained for ten
years before moving a final time to Benning Road. Ideally, I’d like to find
photos of the Queenstown yards, too. I’ve struck out at the LOC,
Washingtoniana, HSWDC, and National Archives. Offlist suggestions for
private sources or other archives would help greatly.

By: Planning Commissioners Journal

Planning Commissioners Journal — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:29:58 +0000

What’s Round, Weighs 250 Pounds ……

From PCJ Editor Wayne Senville: What’s round, weighs 250 pounds, and plays a vital role in our cities and towns? Want another hint? It can be found just about everywhere you walk or drive. If you haven’t guessed (or peeked at the photos), I’m talkin…

By: Ed Yates

Ed Yates — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:38:49 +0000

Interesting site.

One morning I was walking home down 11th Street, SE near Lincoln Park after my run and came accross not one but 2 manhole covers with the initials A&PRR. When I got home I looked on the Internet for Railroads thinking the RR must be “railroad” and found that B&O purchased ADDISON & PENNSYLVANIA RR. B&O had a station at C and New Jersey Ave NW that opened in 1851 and moved to Union Station in the early 1900s. So, I can see why there would be A&PRR manhole covers in DC that B&O must have purchased when they bought the company. But my question is why are they on 11th Street, SE alomost a mile away from the closest station?

By: Bobbi Mastrangelo

Bobbi Mastrangelo — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 04:39:36 +0000

Dear Rob,
You would be interested to know that the Baltimore MD Public Works Museum
has a good deal of my manhole art and trappings in their archival storage.
They gave me a one woman exhibition in 1996. Presently a few of my works are on display near their gift shop.
Grate wishes,
Bobbi Mastrangelo

By: Bobbi Mastrangelo

Bobbi Mastrangelo — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 04:55:17 +0000

I am a manhole artist who enjoyed your site.
check out my unique art based on manhole covers.
Regards,
“The Grate Lady”

By: Matthew Gilmore

Matthew Gilmore — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 04:28:26 +0000

C’mon. Calling Alexander Robey Shepherd “Boss” is passe. (Really Democrat calumny of 130 years ago). At least spell Shepherd right!

By: Ezra

Ezra — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 17:51:49 +0000

Great post -- although you left out the most fascinating aspect of DC manhole covers: their tendency to explode and fly into the air. It appears that SL and TS are PEPCO customer rate classes for street lighting and traffic signal service.