August 1941. "One end of the Hull-Rust-Mahoning pit, largest open pit iron mine in the world, near Hibbing, Minnesota. The pit is two and a half miles long, three quarters of a mile wide and about four hundred feet deep." Medium format safety negative by John Vachon for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1927. "Cooking demonstration, Washington Gas Light Co." Where no cake is ever half-baked. Or else. View full size.

Circa 1906, Atlantic City bathers peering a century into the future. "Hotel Traymore and Brady's Baths." At left, the domed Marlborough-Blenheim hotel. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

1902. "Hotel Continental -- Atlantic Beach, Florida." Henry Flagler's massive wood-frame hostelry opened in 1901 and burned in 1919. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.

Circa 1904. "Troy Line piers; RMS Baltic at White Star Line piers, New York." At the time, the Baltic was the world's largest ship. Panorama of three 8x10 inch glass negatives, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Washington, D.C. -- news of the Titanic and possible survivors. "After midnight April 17, 1912, and still selling extras, 12th Street near G. There were many of these groups of young newsboys selling very late these nights. Youngest boy in the group is Israel Spril (9 years old), 314 I Street N.W.; Harry Shapiro (11 years old), 95 L Street N.W.; Eugene Butler, 310 (rear) 13th Street N.W. The rest were a little older." Photo and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine. View full size.

St. Paul, Minnesota, circa 1908. "Wabasha Street." The early 20th century was a golden age of signcraft. Gilded wooden letters and 24K gold leaf window treatments were standard. Several classic lettering manuals were published during this time, with graphic styles influenced by Victorian ornament and the Art Nouveau movement. To an ex-sign painter (a profession killed by the computer, alas), Wabasha Street is a candy store. This is how I imagine it looked, a chilly morning in St. Paul one hundred years ago. Keen-eyed Shorpians may notice a couple of small modifications to the original photograph. View full size.

November 1909. Wheaton Glass Works, Millville, N.J. "Day scene in New Jersey Glass House. Boy is Howard ____, 15 years old but has been in the glass works for two years, and has worked some at night." Photo and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine for the National Child Labor Committee. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1922. "Potomac bathing beach." Our second glimpse of these sandy lasses. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, circa 1908. "Canal Street from corner of Monroe." Merchants vying for your trade include The Giant, Idlehour and People's Credit Clothing Co. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Circa 1900. "Baltimore City Hall." Rising behind a web of wires. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Detroit circa 1905. "Children's Day, Belle Isle Park." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Virginia Avenue strollers (and rollers) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, circa 1905. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Atlantic City, New Jersey, circa 1905. "Grand Atlantic Hotel -- Open All Year." Someone grab a ladder and oil that creaky shutter. View full size.

July 1942. "Rupert, Idaho. Former CCC camp now under FSA management. Japanese-American farm workers swimming." Medium format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.