Kodachrome taken by my dad in New Orleans in February 1956. View full size.

March 25, 1937. "Close-up of front elevation -- old William Henderson store (Miller's Ferry Post Office), State Road 28, Canton Bend near Camden, Wilcox County, Alabama. Built 1858." The perfect place to start your trip. Photo by Alex Bush for the Historic American Buildings Survey. View full size.

1923. Washington, D.C. "Marathon dancers." One contestant seen earlier here. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Circa 1906. "State National Guard Armory, Worcester, Mass." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

"1932 or 1933. No caption -- dancers in ballroom." The Shorpy Research Department has determined this to be the Washington Arts Club's annual Bal Boheme, specifically the "Castles in the Air" costume ball held Feb. 6, 1933, at the Willard Hotel. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size.

April 1961. "Sunbathing with the latest swimming pool equipment, including a lounge chair with floating beverage holders and game table attachments." From photos by Bob Sandberg for the Look magazine assignment "For Women Only -- Pool Life." Tell your kids about how back in the day people couldn't play cards or smoke in the pool, and all you're likely to get is a blank stare. View full size.

August 1942. "Vultee Aircraft Co., Nashville. Using an electric drill on a fuselage in a sub-assembly section." Another boy putting an airplane together during WW2. Photo by Jack Delano for the Office of War Information. View full size.

        Named for George Henry Thomas, Civil War general and, from his perch on the plinth, observer of countless traffic-circle fender-benders.

Thomas Circle and Luther Place Memorial Church in Washington, D.C., circa 1906. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

August 1942. "Nashville, Tennessee. Vultee Aircraft Company. Drilling holes for rivets in a fuselage on a sub-assembly line." In other words, doing prep work for Rosie. Photo by Jack Delano for the Office of War Information. View full size.

Somewhere around Los Angeles circa 1958. "Aluminum Group furniture (chairs, ottomans, tables) designed by Charles Eames for Herman Miller Inc." Large format negative from the Office of Charles and Ray Eames. View full size.

1937. "Mrs. Mary McLean, Skyline Farms, Alabama." 35mm nitrate negative by Ben Shahn for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.

The Jersey shore circa 1905. "On the beach at Ross' pavilion, Ocean Grove, N.J." Short of tuxes and ballgowns, it's hard to imagine being any more dressed up at the beach. (And cheer up, guy in the middle -- your problems are over by now.) 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

September 1939. "Abandoned factory, Minneapolis, Minnesota." 35mm nitrate negative by John Vachon for the Resettlement Administration. View full size.

July 1942. Florence, Alabama (vicinity). "Boy Scout camp swimming class." 35mm negative by Jack Delano, Office of War Information. View full size.

Circa 1905. "Euclid Avenue, Cleveland." Our title is a callout to Mme. K. Peal, dealer in HUMAN HAIR GOODS: POMPADOURS, SWITCHES, WIGS. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.