Even in 1925, folks complained about the toll costs on Boulevard Bridge. | Photos via VCU Libraries Commons
You don’t need a time machine to see what RVA was like a century ago.
We’ve spent the last few (snow) days scouring archives, forums, and newspaper clippings to give you a glimpse into the past. And just as always, Richmond never stops surprising us.
Boulevard Bridge
The new year started with a big bang as this iconic bridge was opened on Jan. 1, 1925. Local reports from that time show it costed $275,000 to build — or roughly $5+ million in today’s economy, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Though some were hesitant about using the bridge initially, within four days of opening, traffic jams already began occurring on it. One man tasked with counting the cars that used the bridge that day said he lost count after 5,000.
Annual Used Book Sale | Thursday, Jan. 16-Monday, Jan. 20 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History & Culture | Free | Visit the museum to drop off your gently used books with proceeds benefiting future education initiatives.
Friday, Jan. 17
Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons | 6:30-7:45 p.m. | Bolling Haxall House | $24 | Step into a candle lit venue where a live band will jump between the catalogs of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons.
Artisan Market | 12-5 p.m. | Strangeways Brewing | Cost of purchase | Sip while you shop local vendors selling home decor, jewelry, vintage threads, and various beauty products.
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April Bingham resigned from her role as director for the Department of Public Utilities, effective immediately. Anthony “Scott” Morris, former engineer + director of water for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, has been tapped as the interim director. (CBS 6)
Weather
Henrico County was struck by two earthquakes on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, according to the US Geological Survey. The first one was a 2.8 magnitude just before 5:30 p.m., and the second one — rated as a 2.3 magnitude — occurred at 2:30 a.m. (ABC 8)
Opening
CAVA, a Mediterranean-style fast-casual restaurant, is opening its first Glen Allen location at 9964 Brooks Rd. on Saturday, Jan. 18. The menu features pre-made pita sandwiches and bowls, or you can fully customize your meal with keto and vegan options available.
Announced
Legendary filmmaker Ken Burns is coming to Altria Theater on March 23 thanks to VPM. Burns will be in conversation with the local media outlet about his new docuseries, “The American Revolution.” Tickets are on sale now.
Biz
Car Pool Car Wash, a local chain, has new owners, but they aren’t new faces around the business. The company was purchased by COO Tyree Brown and CFO Mark Harrison, who bring a collective 47 years of experience to the table. The two are planning changes for the future, such as an app to track busyness. (Richmond BizSense)
Legacy
Dani, the Clydesdale + Hackney mix at Maymont Farm, was humanely euthanized on Tuesday due to age-related complications. Farm staff described the 30-year-old horse as a queen and ambassador that showcased how important the species are to traditional farmwork.
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This is hands-down one of the best of 2025.*
Volunteer
Did you know MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service? Join AmeriCorps this MLK Day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and help your community by volunteering on Monday, Jan. 20. Find volunteer opportunities to serve locally.*
The Buy
The Buy
A pair of 14K gold plated heart hoops. The huggie-sized earrings are hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant. Psst — they’re also the perfect Valentine’s Day accessory.
I’ve never experienced an earthquake in my life, so I did some digging to see what the shake was all about. From my very scientific studies (Wikipedia), it appears the earthquakes Richmond experienced are considered “minor” and more than one million are reported each year.
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