Washington, D.C., circa 1925. "Semmes Motor Co. -- Hellmann's truck." Back when mayonnaise delivery was a thing. 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1921. "U.S. Capitol, West Front." Senate chamber on the left; House of Representatives on the right. 8x10 glass negative. View full size.

From circa 1955 Columbus, Georgia, comes this uncaptioned snap of two youngsters interacting with an authority figure driving a Buick. Where to, kids? 4x5 inch acetate negative from the Shorpy News Photo Archive. View full size.

June 1925. Washington, D.C. "Takoma News." We need two more girls for the kiddie conga line. National Photo Co. Collection glass negative. View full size.

October 1925. Washington, D.C. "Fire at Drive It Yourself Co. garage." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Red Cross group, Government Hotels." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

July 26, 1919. Washington, D.C. "Bathing beach parade at Tidal Basin." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

        JULY 27 -- While more than 5,000 persons clambered to each other's shoulders and to roofs of nearby buildings to view the Annette Kellermanns at the first annual beach parade at the Tidal Basin yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Audrey O'Connor, 620 Maryland avenue southwest, was proclaimed by the judges as Washington's most beautiful girl in a bathing suit. Mrs. O'Connor wore a blue and orange jumper, blue cap and orange tights. Miss Dot Buckley, 1250 Tenth street northwest, received honorable mention in the contest. Her suit was a creation in red, white and blue.
        First prize in the costume contest was awarded Mrs. Grace Fleishman, 5 Iowa circle, who wore a white silk suit with black and white border and a white silk hat. Miss Muriel Gibbs, costumed as Miss Liberty in stars and stripes, received honorable mention. Silver loving cups were awarded to the winners of both the beauty and the costume contests.
        Following the parade of the score or more of beauties between cheering crowds of bathing beach fans, the former faced half a dozen movie machines and a battery of press cameras. Later one of the winners obligingly did a modified "shimmy dance" for the movie men.

        The Bureau of War Risk Insurance, a World War I agency that over the past century morphed into the Department of Veterans Affairs, which still occupies this building. Plus ça change ...

Washington, D.C., 1923. "War Risk Bureau, Vermont Avenue and I Street N.W." 8x10 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1923. "Union Station." You'll come for the trains but stay for the sculpture. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.

June 1923. Washington, D.C. "Aloha Band at Bureau of Engraving and Printing." Welcoming the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AAONMS) during the Shriners convention, with a portrait of President Warren Harding, noted Mason (who would be dead by August), over the entrance. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1924. "Memorial Continental Hall, 17th Street N.W." National headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1921. "Garfield Hospital." Where Mother and Baby are doing fine. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1924. "Federal American National Bank building, 1315 F Street N.W." National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "George Washington University." Saucepans 101. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1922. "American Forestry Association." Something wicker this way comes. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.