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Thursday, December 13, 2012

300 block of East Grace St - Before and After

1975:

2012:

1975 photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

8 comments:

  1. I love the before and after shots...but it makes me sad that almost all of the "afters" seem so deserted.

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    1. I thought the same thing as I posted these, but to be fair, my after shot was taken on a Sunday afternoon. On a weekday there would be a lot more people/cars.

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  2. Thank you for creating this blog...I am fascinated with Richmond's history. Do you have any info on the underground tunnels connecting the various state buildings or MCV buildings?

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    1. Sorry Paul, I don't really know much about them.

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    2. The whole MCV area was heated by a central plant located near the White House of the Confederacy, and I think that is the reason for the steam pipe tunnel. It used to link State buildings in Capitol Square with the old State Library, run under broad street and as far as some of the more northern MCV buildings. State workers routinely "tunnled" over to Chicken's cafe in the Capitol for a cup of coffee on rainy days and never got wet.

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    3. Paul, Those tunnels are super interesting. I am trying to get some info together about them for a post on www.historyreplaystoday.com I think I found a way in. not sure if i am allowed to tell where it is or not.

      As far as the sadness associated with the before and afters, I feel like if that pic was taken 5 years ago it would have been MUCH more sad.

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  3. The good thing is that these few blocks seem to be on the verge of returning back to life

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  4. Always wanted to know about that Top Hat nightclub at the corner, 2nd floor. Can't recall the last time I saw the sign, but at some point in the past 10? years it was taken down. It's difficult to see in the first picture but once I saw it, got me wondering again. Anyone know anything about the club?

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