The Success, a convict ship, visits Richmond

Today we have a contribution from a reader named David about a ship called the Success, with a picture probably taken around 1930:

"This is a photo of a ship named the Success. The image must have been taken by the great ship lock, in great shiplock park. The ship is in the richmond dock section of the canal, across Dock street from Tobacco row. The half bascule bridge in the background is open and sticking straight up in the air. This is the same rusty train bridge that is owned by the Norfolk Southern Railroad. A buddy of mine purchased the photo from 'whitings paper company.'

I was in contact with a guy who has devoted a lot of research to this ship and here is what he told me about it:

'What a wonderful photograph. Thank you, David! She appears to be wearing a fresh coat of paint. I checked my files and can provide the following information on her later stay in Richmond: From October 31 to November 20, 1929 she was on exhibition at 17th and Dock Streets, Richmond. She remained in Richmond for the winter and on April 9, 1930, she cleared Richmond for Washington, D.C. Unfortunately my information concerning her earlier visit is less complete. Sometime after December 6, 1913, I believe she arrived from Norfolk. Then sometime in early April 1914 I believe she was taken to Baltimore in tow tug Dauntless. My best guess is that the photo was of her second visit to Richmond, not the first, but I could be wrong.'"

For more info on the Sailing Ship Success, check out this great site.

Bellevue Park - 1907

Here's a great ad from 1907 for lots in Bellevue Park in Northside, now essentially a part of Bellevue. John Pope Ave is listed on this map (now just Pope Ave), as well as Virginia Ave (now Princeton Ave). Also listed is Rosetree Ave. Those familiar with Bellevue know this road doesn't exist today. Anyone know if it was ever built?

Ad courtesy of The Library of Congress

Thalhimers "Hippie" ads - Early 1970s

Some great Wrangler Jean/Thalhimers ads from 1970 and 1971. Gotta love that tagline: Wremember the "W" is Silent.

1970:

1970:

1971:

Ads courtesy of the University of Richmond's Boatwright Library/Digital Initiatives

Pontoon bridges across James River at Richmond - April 1865

Today's picture comes from the tail end of the American Civil War. I love the detail in this picture, so I included a few close ups. You can see them at the bottom of the page.

The caravan across the James River:

The guards:

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

Arlo Guthrie at The Mosque - May 5th, 1972

May 5th, 1972—40 years ago today—Arlo Guthrie played The Mosque.

Photo courtesy of the University of Richmond's Boatwright Library/Digital Initiatives

Before and After: 2100 East Broad Street

Today we have another great before and after from Sydney Jordan-Cooley, Lead Carpenter at Restoration Builders of Virginia. I'll let her tell the story:

"We just finished rebuilding a porch on Broad and 21st. The porch was long since gone, so for the reconstruction, we found a picture from 1916 at the Virginia Historical Society that proved there was a Victorian-ornate porch. The house is 2100 E Broad, so the picture, taken from the top of the Hill, couldn't tell us much more than the fact that there was a porch, it had corbels and a curved roof. Based on that, we built the porch (using materials salvaged from a porch ripped off and thrown in a dumpster, of course).

The second picture is obviously more recent- it's got motorized vehicles and electrical lines. No date on the back, though.

I've attached a photo taken from roughly the same angle (though not that far up the block) of what the block looked like while we were building that porch a month back. The streetscape is changing dramatically on this block. Two brand new buildings at 2102-2104 E Broad. It was an empty lot for decades.

The church spire has been gone since a long-ago hurricane (in the 30s, or so I've heard)."

First up we have Broad Street at 21st from 1916. This is looking down Broad St from Church Hill, towards downtown Richmond. It's amazing to see this stretch with so many houses and trees:

Next up is roughly the same angle, probably from sometime in the 1920s:

And lastly, the house at 2100 East Broad Street being worked on by Restoration Builders of VA a few months ago:

Thanks once again to Syd for the great pictures and story!

Avail at The Metro - May 1st, 1992

I always get comments when I post stuff from the 90s, but sadly, yes, 1992 is vintage. Here's a video of Avail that my friend shot at The Metro on May 1st, 1992, 20 years ago today. The song is Connection, which would come out on a 7 inch the following year. This was Avail's "last show." If I remember correctly, they got back together in September of '92, when I first saw them.

For the younger Vintage Richmond readers, The Metro (later The Factory) was above what is now currently Empire on the corner of Laurel and Broad. It's been empty for years, which my be a good thing. Many times I remember feeling the floor bounce up and down at a crowded show, not something you want to feel when you're standing on the 2nd floor of a 100 year old wood and brick building. Great club though.