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