Author Archives: Dablad1

The U.S. Navy will celebrate it’s 250th anniversary on October 13, 2025. The Naval Academy in Annapolis started 105 years after the Navy was founded, opening in Annapolis in 1845. Many of the buildings comprising today’s campus were built in the early 1900s. The main one is Bancroft Hall. Bancroft Hall Bancroft Hall was built … Continue reading »

Founded in 1649, Annapolis is the capitol of Maryland and home to the U.S. Naval Academy. It is also home to the oldest state house in continuous legislative use. There are numerous other historical buildings in town, some of which can be seen in these photos. The first shows laying brick on Main St. at … Continue reading »

Bathhouse Row consists of eight bathhouses constructed between 1892 and 1923. The first photo is undated. Here are the two bathhouses that are still operating and two that have been re-purposed. Buckstaff This is the only bathhouse that has operated continuously since it was built in 1912. It has 27,000 sq.ft. of space and can … Continue reading »

Hot Springs grew out of the Dunbar-Hunter Exploration that was sent by Thomas Jefferson in 1804 to explore the southern portion of the new Louisiana Purchase. Settlers first came in 1807, and, by the 1830s, cabins and stores had been built. In 1832 the thermal springs and surrounding area were designated a reservation to protect … Continue reading »

The Plaza re-opened in 2008 following a three-year, 450-million-dollar renovation that split the building into 282 guest rooms and 152 condominiums. It also involved extensive renovation in several other areas, i.e.: Grand Ballroom 1907 Lobby 1907 Now the Residents Lobby New Hotel Lobby Palm Court Ca.1907 If you are thinking of staying at the Plaza, … Continue reading »

The Plaza Hotel is located in New York City on 5th Ave. and 59th at the west entrance to Central Park. It opened in 1907 and was named for the nearby Grand Army Plaza. The location is particularly prestigious. Note Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt II’s mansion with the Plaza behind in the 1908 photo. AI Colorized … Continue reading »

Grant Park The 3.5-acre Grant Park was founded in 1890. To form the scenic, gradual slopes, 19,000 cubic feet of dirt were hauled in. The first two photos are undated. Library The Galena Library was built at a cost of $60,000, 25% of which came from Andrew Carnegie. It was dedicated on July 4,1908, as … Continue reading »

Galena is located in the northwest corner of Illinois. It was named for the mineral galena which was the basis for the lead mining economy of the region. In its peak year, local mines produced 85% of the nation’s lead. It became the largest steamboat hub on the Mississippi River north of St. Louis. Galena … Continue reading »

Bisbee Building The Bisbee Building was built in 1909 in downtown Jacksonville, FL. It is ten stories tall and, along with two adjacent buildings, comprises the Laura Street Trio. Abandoned for decades, a 90-million-dollar renovation was proposed for all three structures, but, as of May 10, 2024, the plan had not yet been approved. The … Continue reading »

The world’s first skyscraper was the Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885 in Chicago. It was 12 stories tall and was the first building to use a structural steel frame to bear the weight which allowed for the record height. It was demolished in 1931. Chicago also has two other early skyscrapers. The first is … Continue reading »