Willow Lawn Shopping Center - 1960s

Today we take another look at Willow Lawn Shopping Center. The first two images below are from the out of print book "Richmond: Her Triumphs, Tragedies & Growth." I'll be posting more from this book in the future.

The first picture seems to be from the late 1950s judging by the cars. The aerial shot is probably from 1966, because the accompanying text mentions Willow Lawn's 10th anniversary, and because the Markel Building is there. I LOVE the original Willow Lawn sign, anyone know when it was replaced?

The third picture is an architectural drawing of what Willow Lawn will look like next year, after the enclosed mall that was added in 1986 is torn down.

Click the photos below for the larger images.

Top two photos from the book Richmond: Her Triumphs, Tragedies & Growth

Broad Street - 1905

Today I give you another great shot of Broad Street from the early 20th century. Today's image is taken from roughly the same area (and maybe on the same day?) as the picture in this post. Except that instead of looking South, here we're looking East towards Church Hill. Note "Old" City Hall on the right in the distance.

There's so much going on in this picture that I split the most interesting scenes up into five different images. Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

Dave Matthews Band at William & Mary Hall - 1993

Not quite Richmond, but pretty close: Eighteen years ago today little known Dave Matthews Band opened up for Toad the Wet Sprocket at William & Mary Hall in Williamsburg. The ad below comes from the March 18, 1993 issue of the University of Richmond's newspaper The Collegian.

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

View of the burned district and the Capitol across the Canal Basin - 1865

Another Civil War era photo to commemorate the (almost) 150th anniversary of the beginning of the war. This picture was taken sometime between April and June of 1865 looking across the old canal basin.

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

Avail at The Flood Zone - 1995

It wouldn't be a blog about Richmond without mentioning the great Avail. So today we take a trip back 16 years for an Avail, Screw 32 and Glazeride show at The Flood Zone in Shockoe Bottom from April 7th, 1995.

1809-1811 East Grace Street - 1974 and today

Today we take a look at another before and after shot that has a happy ending. 1809 and 1811 East Grace St were looking pretty rough in September of 1974. I'm sure a lot of houses that were in similar shape are long gone.

1974.

Here are the houses 36 years later in 2011.

Top photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

VCU Rams - 1979

The VCU Rams have a big game coming up tomorrow, their first ever Final Four game. What better way to get psyched than this great shot of the Rams playing William and Mary from the 1979 VCU application booklet?