January 14, 1939. "National Capital digs out after storm. Nearly five inches of snow blanketed Washington yesterday, followed by sleet. Icy steps made the going to and from the Capitol difficult until workmen arrived this morning and scraped away the menace." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size.

Another mirth-provoking look at the clothing, footwear and vehicle choices of the 70s, just a bit down the street from a similar scene three years earlier. This time, in January 1974, I join my brother and sister-in-law in a pose by their now different green foreign car, a Fiat station wagon. I'll leave it up to the chorus of commenters as to whether the various changes overall represent progress or regression. I'll only say that once again, my sister-in-law is the most stylish. Kodachrome 64 slide from my brother's camera. View full size.

Detroit circa 1905. "The Campus Martius." This middle section of a three-part panorama features City Hall and one of Detroit's celebrated arc-lamp standards, or "moonlight towers" -- appropriately reminiscent of Wells and Verne in a plaza named after Mars. Detroit Publishing Company glass negative. View full size.

Saratoga Springs, New York, circa 1901. "Atrium in the House of Pansa." Replica of an ancient Roman home at the Pompeia, a museum in the upstate New York resort town of Saratoga Springs offering "Illustrations of History and Art." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Back to the sunny South circa 1905. "Carondelet Street, New Orleans." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

New York circa 1905. "Fifth Avenue after a snow storm." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Mississippi circa 1901. "Gate to the Hamilton residence, Bay St. Louis." Mrs. Hamilton, perhaps, showing off her neatly sculpted entryway. View full size.