>> unfortunately it did. >> jenna: it's also an important place in american history. we have some things here that give us an idea of what life was like then. >> i think one of the most telling photographs is the one here of people who walked away from slavery during the civil war. they found wood and building materials and built themselves saloons right around this area. things were pretty grim right after the civil war down here. the old post office was one of the first projects to bring this area up to a higher level. >> jenna: and more ways than one. some believe that the old post office is actually the site for the very first flag day. >> the flag day idea was an outgrowth of the patriotism i was developing in the beginning of the 20th century. because of this new patriotism,