New Orleans circa 1937. "Courtyard at 1133-1135 Chartres Street." Young and old, hangin' with the laundry. The head count here is three, the foot count nine. 8x10 acetate negative by Frances Benjamin Johnston. View full size.

April 1974. Columbus, Indiana. "General view of soda fountain area -- Zaharako Bros. Ice Cream Parlor, 329 Washington Street. Family-run ice cream and confectionery business operating since 1900. This parlor was a major social center in Columbus for the first 50 years. Known for its elaborate interior and ice cream still made by the Zaharako family. Mexican onyx soda fountains purchased 1905; extra counter added 1949; store front modernized 1959." 5x7 negative by Jack E. Boucher, Historic American Buildings Survey. View full size.

March 15, 1926. Washington, D.C. "Lady Cathcart, Austin Fairman & George Vivian." Countess Vera Cathcart, playwright-star of the theatrical flop "Ashes of Love," whose visit to America was notable mostly for a scandal involving a champagne-filled bathtub. National Photo glass negative. View full size.

New York circa 1908. "West 23rd Street from Sixth Avenue." Two landmark skyscrapers on view -- the Flatiron Building at right and Metropolitan Life tower going up at left. At No. 62: The Best & Co. "Liliputian Bazaar." View full size.

New York circa 1920. "Caruso family." A portrait made the year before the legendary tenor's untimely death: Enrico Caruso with wife Dorothy Park Benjamin and their infant daughter Gloria, along with the family of his son Rodolfo Caruso. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size.

Detroit circa 1906. "Griswold Street." My favorite detail here: The American Still Alarm auto at lower right. Detroit Publishing glass negative. View full size.

Lower Manhattan circa 1906. "Broad Street and curb market, New York." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.