Circa 1903. "Billy McClain." American entertainer and impresario (1866-1950) who started out in minstrelsy and whose interests eventually came to encompass boxing promotion and motion pictures. 5x7 glass negative (broken off at the top) from the C.M. Bell portrait studio in Washington, D.C. View full size.

From circa 1957 Columbus, Georgia, comes this uncaptioned snap of an accident's aftermath -- a wrinkled '56 Lincoln coupe across from the Motor Mart. 4x5 inch acetate negative from the Shorpy News Photo Archive. View full size.

Circa 1905. "South Union Street -- Burlington, Vermont." A postcard from the days of hitching posts, mounting blocks, streetcar tracks and elm trees, all of which have pretty much vanished from the scene. 8x10 glass negative. View full size.

January 1912. Fall River, Mass. "In this group are some of the youngest workers in Spinning Room of Cornell Mill. The smallest is Jo Benevidos, 5 Merion Street. Other small ones are: John Sousa, 84 Boutwell St.; Anthony Valentin, 203 Pitman St.; Manuel Perry, 124 Everett St.; John Travaresm [Taveresm?], 90 Cash St. The difficulty they had in writing their names was pathetic. When I asked the second hand in charge of the room to let the boys go outside a moment and let me get a snap-shot, he objected, saying they would stay out and not be in shape to work. When they carry dinners, they breathe the close air of the spinning room from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with no let-up." Photo by Lewis Wickes Hine. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1954. "General Accounting Office, G Street N.W. -- International Nickel Co., installation of louvers." 8x10 acetate negative by that impresario of esoteric architectural imagery, Theodor Horydczak. View full size.

Columbus, Georgia, circa 1955, and the youngsters last seen here. The Buick is out of the picture, replaced by a battleship and a cat; clothes and hair have been upgraded. 4x5 negative from the Shorpy News Photo Archive. View full size.

Manhattan circa 1900. "The Bowery, New York." The tracks of the Third Avenue El passing the Bowery Savings Bank. 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size.

Paris, France. circa 1918. "Sample Red Cross rolling kitchen, ready to travel. On exhibition at the Grand Palais." 5x7 glass negative. View full size.

San Francisco, 1925. "Ajax Six sedan at Golden Gate Park Conservatory." The Ajax, manufactured by Nash Motors in Racine, Wisconsin, survived just two model years before expiring in 1926. 5x7 glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size.

Columbus, Georgia, 1951. "Future Marines of America -- Juniors." Signatories of the FMA pledge ("We further, in the interest of worldly peace and humanity, do agree at all times to conduct ourselves in a military manner") include Tommy Tucker, Jerry Tucker, Lasseter Jones and Allen Leroy Osborne. 4x5 acetate negative from the News Photo Archive. View full size.

Circa 1910. "Main Street -- Springfield, Massachusetts." Back when people actually had to go outdoors and walk around. 8x10 inch 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.

From circa 1962 Chicago comes this uncaptioned shot of a tot in a cop car, caught in the literal glare of publicity. Hopefully the past fifty-odd years have made things all better. 4x5 acetate negative from the News Photo Archive. View full size.

October 1907. "Marble Collegiate Church, Fifth Avenue, New York." Just a few minutes before this view was recorded, on what was evidently a busy corner for the Department of Sanitation. 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size.

Circa 1904. "Track straightening near Coal City, Illinois." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.