An update

Some may have noticed that it's been well over a month since my last post. For various reasons, I'm taking a bit of a break. I hope to get back to posting soon...But I wanted to post a quick update, as well as a thank you to everyone who has viewed, commented and contributed over the last 4 and a half years. We're at very close to 300,000 page views, more than I ever could have imagined!

VCU Rams - 1973

Here's a little collage of the VCU Rams from the 1973 Virginia Commonwealth University Cobblestone Yearbook to get you psyched for today's game at 12:15pm against Michigan.

Photos courtesy of VCU Libraries

3416 Semmes Ave - Before and After

Today we have a contribution from a reader named Richard with a great picture of his wife's grandfather's Service Station:

"3416 Semmes Avenue at the triangle where Forest Hill Ave (ne Bainbridge St) and Semmes Ave meet. Currently the location of Coqui Cyclery.

This is my wife's grandfather, James H. Brown, at the first of his four service stations, and an unidentified employee.

Visible in the picture is Patrick Henry School (still in use) and the house at 3313 Semmes Avenue. Also visible in the picture are the power lines for the electric street car that ran on Semmes until 1949."

Here's what the building looks like in 2013:

VCU demolition update - Before and After, Part Deux

Here's an update to the third most viewed post on the site, Five buildings VCU will tear down next month. Those five buildings are long gone, as I posted about in an update entitled: VCU demolition update - Before and After.

Here is what the 1000 block of Floyd Av looks like as of March 2013, the soon to be VCU Academic Learning Commons at 1000 Floyd Ave:

Here are the buildings that used to stand on this block: The Baptist Student Union at 1000-1002 Floyd Ave, built in 1905:

Row houses at 102 (built in 1900), 104 (built in 1900) and 106 (built in 1910) North Linden Street:

109 North Harrison Street - Education Annex, built in 1954:

I-95 James River Bridge - 1958 construction

What better way to follow up yesterday's post, then a shot of the same bridge under construction from 6 years earlier?

Photo courtesy of VDOT

I-95 James River Bridge - Before and After

Here's an angle I'm sure most of us are very familiar with: The view from North I-95 as you cross the James River into downtown Richmond. Below is what it looked like nearly 50 years ago, and just 2 days ago. Interesting that from the 1964 skyline, I only see one constant building. West Hospital is another (for now, more on that in future posts), but it's hidden today.

1964:

2013:

1964 photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

400 Block of East Grace St - Before and After

Here's a shot of West Grace Street downtown from close to 40 years ago, and a modern comparison. Although all these stores are currently empty, there's a lot going on around this stretch of Grace Street these days with 525 at the Berry Burke, Pasture, and the Rappahannock Restaurant just a block or two away. The two main signs in the 1975 shot—Alan Furs and Rooke Dickerson Shoes—Are still there today, just painted over.

1975:

2012:

1975 photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

Fun in the snow at VCU - 1979

In honor of the snowstorm that became rain that became snow again today, here's a great shot of a VCU student "skiing" down Franklin Street in front of Rhoads Hall in 1979.

Photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

Corner of 14th and Canal St - Before and After

I love this old painted sign for the Phillips Lewis Company at the intersection of 14th Street, Canal Street and Cary Street. You can just barely see the faded remnants of it today behind the trees.

1970:

2012:

Top photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

The National - 1929

Here's a great photo from Dementi Studio of The National taken in 1929. At the time, The National was part of Richmond's Theater Row on Broad Street, some of which can be seen here: The Broadway, The Colonial, and in the distance The Orpheum and the Bijou.

Photo courtesy of Dementi Studio

Confederate cannons in Richmond - 1865

I love the two guys in the shot below. I combined two halves of a Civil War era stereograph to create the full image, which can be found just below this close up of two Confederate soldiers:

The full picture:

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

Cab Calloway at The Mosque - 1947

Here's a great ad from the Richmond Afro American - 66 years ago today Cab Calloway played The Mosque (now The Landmark Theater). Tickets were $1.88 to $3.13, including tax! Wish I could have been there...

3008 East Broad St - Before and After

Today we take a look at another success story: 3008 East Broad Street in Church Hill. It looked pretty rough in 1979, thankfully, it was saved.

Here's a quick before and after, scroll down for more detailed pics:

Here's a larger version of the 1979 image:

Here's a larger version of the 2012 image from a slightly different angle (the tree out front blocked too much if I used the '79 angle):

1979 photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

Freeman High School in the snow - 1962

Now here's something you don't see anymore, a Richmond area high school student at school when it's snowing.

Photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

Ella Fitzgerald & Dizzy Gillespie at The Mosque - 1947

On January 15th, 1947 Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie played The Mosque (now The Landmark Theater). 56 years ago today. Tickets were $1.50 and $1.85...amazing.

Shockoe Bottom - Before and After

Today we take a look at what was the Hampton-McCurdy House at 18th and Main St in Shockoe Bottom.

First up, early 1900s:

Here's how this same corner looks today:

Top photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

Second Best Thing You Ever Put Into Your Mouth

Hee's a great ad for The Chicken Box from the October 19-25, 1982 issue of VCU's Commonwealth Times. Looks like this building is now occupied by the Eastern Express. LOVE their tagline...

Ad courtesy of VCU Libraries

150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation signing

Today is the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's official signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Richmond traditionally celebrated Emancipation Day in April, although the dates of celebrations have varied over the years. The picture below was taken on April 3rd, 1905 in downtown Richmond.

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress