Richmond Skyline from Church Hill - Before and After

Here's a Before and After of a pretty famous view: The skyline of Richmond from the end of East Grace St in Church Hill. First up, 1974. Click the photo below for the high resolution image.

Here's what this view looked like in February of 2011. Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or has the Bank of America building sunk a bit since 1974 (compared to City Hall)? Click the photo below for the high resolution image.

1974 photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

Huguenot Bridge under construction - October 1949

The old Huguenot Bridge was closed for good this past Saturday. Let's take a look at it under construction on October 3rd, 1949. This view is looking North from the Southern end of the bridge.

Click the photo below for the high resolution image.

Photo courtesy of Virginia Dept of Transportation

Ukrop's - 1965

The Italianate Building on the canal walk

Here's some info from Richmond BizSense regarding the development of the old Reynolds Metals buildings on the canal downtown.

First, the owner of The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing will be opening the new 5700 sq ft Casa del Barco in the "Italianate Building." And speaking of that building, The Locks is the name given to 4 of the buildings along the canal that are being transformed into apartments.

Richmond from Libby Hill Park - April 1865

147 years ago. April 1865. Hard to believe that's when this picture was taken.

This should be a familiar shot to Richmonders: Looking West from Libby Hill Park in Church Hill, down Main Street towards downtown. This was taken just at the end of the Civil War, and the burnt district can be seen on the left in the high-rez picture. The state Capitol is on the right in the distance. There's a lot of action going on in the street, although much of it is blurred. A fantastic shot.

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

Richmond Canal Walk - Before and After

Back when the canal walk was being built there was a lot of talk about what a waste of money it was, how no one would ever come, etc etc. Well, I think this Before and After from 1998 and 2012 speaks volumes on the positive transformation of this part of downtown.

Top photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

2200 East Broad Street, Church Hill - Before and after

This has to be one of my favorite pictures that I've come across while doing this blog. This is the side of what I guess was a market at 2200 East Broad St in Church hill, circa 1966. Was this a market back then? Because it's a residence now. The full before and after shot is below. First up is a cropped version, centering on the signs and the two men sitting on the brick wall. LOVE this shot.

Next up is the full before and after version. While I like that this building has survived and looks fantastic today, I have to admit I miss the cool signs on the side of the building.

1966 photo courtesy of VCU Libraries