Hollowell's Esso Station was a Bailey's Crossroad landmark on Leesburg Pike in the 1950's. Compare how it looked then to a street view of the station as it appears today.
Hollowell Esso as it looks today (2013)Hollowell's Esso Station. Leesburg Pike at Bailey's Crossroads 1950's
If you love history, you'll love living in Northern Virginia. Around every corner you'll find American History from the colonial era in Old Town Alexandria to the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. Perhaps the most famous battles in the Civil War were fought in Manassas near the creek called Bull Run. This picture shows Centreville in 1862.
Centreville 1862 just prior to the battle of BULL run.
Spring blooms are just beginning to open but here's a look back at 1980. The image depicts sring tulips and dogwoods on the George Washington Memorial Parkway at Lady Bird Johnson Park in 1980.
1980...Spring tulips and dogwoods on the George Washington Memorial Parkway,
Ronald Reagan National Airport is located off the George Washington Parkway in Northern Virginia along the banks of the Potomac. It's an older airport surrounded by development. Many commuters love National's convenient location, but the shorter runways and surrounding buildings and monuments often mean white-knuckled take-offs and landings. Pilots must fly a narrow path over the Potomac River on approach and when leaving the airport. The must also quickly gain altitude and bank to avoid the Washington Monument and Rosslyn on the way out.
National Airport in 1940 long before anyone dreamed that Reagan would be President.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is located on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria VA. Here's a look at the Torpedo Factory in 1980.
The Torpedo Factory, 1980 on Union Street
The area looks very different today.
Torpedo Factory arts center
Nearby neighborhood
Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria VA
Riverside promenade
Torpedo Factory in Alexandria
Snow at the Torpedo Factory Entrance on Union Street
Ford’s Theatre is a national park dedicated to the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln, a working theatre, historical monument, world-class museum and learning center. In 1861 theatre manager John T. Ford leased out the abandoned First Baptist Church on Tenth Street to create Ford’s Theatre. Over the next few years, the venue became a popular stage for theatrical and musical productions. On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln visited Ford’s for his twelfth time for a performance of Our American Cousin. At this performance, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth; he died the next morning in the Petersen House, a boarding house located across the street. Ford’s Theatre remained closed for more than 100 years.
Ford’s Theatre officially reopened in 1968 as a national historic site and working theatre. It is operated through a public-private partnership between Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Park Service. Through its inspiring theatrical productions, live historic interpretation and engaging education programs, Ford’s Theatre offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in America’s past while revealing meaningful connections to today.
1870s Ford's Theatre
And a picture from today:
Ford's Theatre
The egg roll on the White House lawn has become a local and national tradition. Compare these two images, one from 1929 the other from 2013.
Egg roll on the White House lawn, 2013Egg roll on the White House lawn, 1929
Here's an aerial view of the Reston area before Reston was built. Reston is a planned community in Fairfax County VA. It's located off the Dulles Toll Road not far from the intersection of Rt. 28 and Rt 7.
Reston a looooooooooooooooooog time ago
This aerial photo from 1980 depicts the intersection of Frye Road and Rt 1 (Richmond Highway). It's amazing how much this area has changed. Compare this to a Google satellite image from today.
Frye Rd & Richmond Highway
Does the idea of a rentals in Old Town Alexandria for less than $25 sound too good to be true? We got a list of homes for rent ranging from $8 to $25 per month. As you might expect there is a small catch . . .
The homes were offered for rent by John D. Normoyle in 1910. Prices have gone up just a little since then.
Cost of rentals in Old Town in 1910.
