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Nawlins: 1903
... is, as most guessers correctly guessed, Canal Street in New Orleans! 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. ... full size. Who Dat! Very apt posting a pic of old New Orleans here. If my Steelers can't win the Super Bowl this year, then Go ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/19/2012 - 4:32pm -

Circa 1903. The caption for this glass negative has been misplaced -- who will be the first person to identify this city and its famous thoroughfare? UPDATE: And the answer is, as most guessers correctly guessed, Canal Street in New Orleans! 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Who Dat!Very apt posting a pic of old New Orleans here. If my Steelers can't win the Super Bowl this year, then Go Saints! Would it beNew Orleans? I think it is! Anytown, USAis New Orleans. Krower ClueLeonard Krower had a shop at 536-538 Canal Street in New Orleans. NewOrleans. Might it beCanal Street in New Orleans? Found this through google: http://www.neworleanspast.com/ads/id49.html Canal StreetCanal Street, in New Orleans. Personally, I've never been there, but searching for "Leonard Krower" shows he was a prominent jeweler in the city. New Orleans?http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/orleans/bios/p-000002.txt Never been there, don't know if it looks like it or not. Semi-wild guessMain Street in Charlottesville, Virginia. New OrleansS.E. Worms was a retailer and appears in a few court proceedings and in "History of the Jews of Louisiana." By the breadth of the street, I would guess it's Canal. I haven't found an address of Mr Worms' establishment. I do hope he renamed it at some point. "Hey, you like my Worm suit?" doesn't sound all that great. My GuessCanal Street, New Orleans. http://www.neworleanspast.com/ads/id49.html Yes, Canal St in N.O.http://www.hnoc.org/collections/gerpath/gersect5.html "Dalsheimer & Worms Notions & Gents. Furnishing Goods New York/New Orleans (Canal St.). Business form with elaborate letterhead. Acc. No. 1983.3.1." Looks Like...Canal Street, New Orleans Canal Street, New OrleansIt looks like thats Leonard Krower @ 536 Canal Street in New Orleans, LA (ad for them here: http://www.neworleanspast.com/ads/id49.html) Is this New Orleans?Canal Street. New Orleans?Leonard Krower Jewelers building was my clue. Anytown, USA, foundThis looks like New Orleans, LA., at least according to Google. S. E. Worms and Leonard Krower companies were both there in this time frame. New Orleans, LaWhat did I win? New OrleansCanal Street, New Orleans New Orleans!Looks like New Orleans, here's a pic http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt4b69p81d/?order=2&brand=calisphere Where is This?Canal Street, New Orleans Canal St. NOLALooks like Canal Street. A load of cotton seems to be in the middle of the pic. It could be ...Canal Street in New Orleans New OrleansNotions on 76 & 78 Canal Street. 19 streetcars!On Canal Street, New Orleans. Future Saints fansIt looked like a Southern city even before I saw the cotton bales. Most likely Canal Street in New Orleans. NOLA, maybe Krower Wholesale Jewelers (@ left) and the Bucklin Advertising Concern (obscured sign @ right) both appear to have been New Orleans firms. A few - not 100% convincing - Web sources put Krower at 111 Exchange Place (at Canal). My guess?Canal Street, New Orleans. Found this stereo photo from long ago ... http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt4b69p81d/?order=2&brand=calisphere Canal Street, New OrleansA Google search on '"S. E. Worms" notions' turned up this entry from Google Books on the undated (apparently late 1800s) book "New Orleans and the New South": http://books.google.com/books?id=xrY-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA107&lpg=PA107&dq=%22S... The building's 76-78 Canal Street address is helpfully noted right under a charming blue-ink drawing on page 107 of the same building seen here in the photo. And for extra credit, here is a Google Street View of roughly the same address today: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=78+Canal+Street,+New+orleans,+la... Worming That's Canal Street in New Orleans. In the foreground we have 76-78 Canal, the former home of S. Dalsheimer & Co., which was illustrated in "New Orleans and the New South," by Andrew Morrison. Mr. S.E. Worms was the resident partner, and it looks like he took over the business eventually. "The engraving which illustrates this matter hardly does justice to the premises they occupy - premises themselves indicating a house which is conspicuous by reason of the business done by it throughout the trade territory of New Orleans." Some Google-triangulating suggests..Canal Street, Mew Orleans. It could be ...Canal street New Orleans La Identified by the streetcars, cotton bales and Searcy & Pfaff printer business. Future home of the Saints! Who Dat? Saints Alive!We're apparently seeing a scene from Leonard Street in bustling New Orleans. http://books.google.com/books?id=4yrZAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA117&lpg=PA117&dq=%22l... Anyone from Nawlins able to tell us if that street's been renamed? Enjoyable challengeAlthough I've never been to Louisiana, some brief research indicates that this photo is of St. Charles Street in New Orleans. A Google search of Searcy and Pfaff printers (displayed here across a 3rd-story window) led to an incredibly-informative biography of William Pfaff. http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/orleans/bios/p-000002.txt "On November 1, 1889, Mr. Pfaff, then only eighteen years of age, became associated with his brother-in-law, David J. Searcy, in the operation of a little job printing establishment occupying one room on the third floor of a building on St. Charles Street, near Gravier." Could it be? Will some true New Orleans people confirm? I think I knowBy looking at that white building with the rounded corner, about a block from the Orpheus Theater, I would say this was Canal Street in New Orleans. If that building is on Carondelet Street, that's got to be it! H.B Stevens et alA short session of Google-business-name-triangulating suggests it's Canal Street, Mew Orleans. [Funny, you're the second cat to guess Mew Orleans. - Dave] Lovely Canal StreetI believe we are looking at Canal and Camp streets. View Larger Map ShreveportHow about Shreveport, La.? According to Shelden's Jobbing Trade & City Offices (published in 1901), the firm operated at 43 Leonard St. http://books.google.com/books?id=4yrZAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA117&lpg=PA117&dq=%22S... Holy Toledo, I count 19 cable carson Canal Street. Business is good! [The number of cable cars in this photo is zero. These are electric streetcars. - Dave] Sharp ShorpiansShorpsters were once described by our host as "a school of fact-checking piranhas." I saw this pic about an hour after it was posted and there were already 37 guesses and most were correct. Way to go Shorpsters! I'm in awe!All you knowledgeable people impress me! Is that the spire from Saint Louis Cathedral visible behind the building that says H.B. Stevens? Is that fellow posing?Or is the fellow in shirtsleeves and a bowler, standing on the roof of the building behind Dalsheimer's, just getting a breath of air while enjoying the view? I never fail to marvel at the lack of vertigo apparent among some of the folks caught in these frozen moments. The window washers and roof-ridge-walkers couldn't possibly have realized that they were being included in a camera shot at the time the photograph was taken. Were people that much less fearless then? The spireBased on the time (just after 9 a.m.) and the shadow, the camera is pointing almost due west. So that cannot be St. Louis, which is east of this vantage point. Streetcars and SaintsI spent Christmas in New Orleans with the girlfriend, and was surprised to find out that the city has the oldest functioning streetcar system in the country -- when other cities began giving them up in the 1930s, N.O. hung onto its. And ... GEAUX SAINTS! A lifelong dream has been realized. VantageI think this photo was shot from atop the Custom House. It is looking towards the lake. The big building in the middle still stands at Carondelet and Canal. Find the building with the storm shutters, directly to the right of the picture, towards the bottom. It is the oldest building still standing on Canal Street. It is at the downriver, lakebound corner of Canal Street and Decatur Street. It is now a Wendy's or an Arby's. Great Birthday CityThis is one of the world's great party cities. In fact, next Tuesday Kairha and I embark on a 10 day road adventure, ending up in N.O. And I recently found out that on my birthday (Tuesday, week) the entire city has gotten together to organize a huge celebration for me! With parades and everything! What a city! CaryatidsLeonard Krower has a fine set of them holding up the roof. H.B. StevensH.B. Stevens (Est. 1860) merged with Porter's on Baronne Street to become Porter Stevens in the 1970s. It is the oldest men's clothing store in New Orleans. The building in the picture was built in the early 1880s. Here's another view of the same building. http://www.porterstevens.com/ Photo Taken from Stauffer, Eshleman & Co. Wholesale HardwareWe featured this picture as our weekly photo quiz on www.forensicgenealogy.info. Diane Burkett and Arthur Hartwell, a couple of our top Quizmasters, pointed out that the Godchaux tower was close to the photographer, and that there is no break in the awnings to indicate the picture was taken on the river side of the corner of Canal and Dorsiere Sts. Diane found that Godchaux's was then located at 527 Canal (the street has since been renumbered), and that the most likely location for the photographer was from the upper stories or roof of Stauffer, Eshleman & Co., 519 Canal St. This is now the location of the Marriott. Diane consulted the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps to come up with this conclusion. www.forensicgenealogy.info/contest_294_results.html I am from New Orleans, and have featured several NO pictures in my weekly quizzes. A couple have come from Shorpy. To see them, scroll down the answer page (linked above), and look for the box in the right margin near the bottom. Colleen Fitzpatrick Quizmaster General Forensic Genealogy www.forensicgenealogy.info Yes, Canal St New Orleans towards the RiverAs most figured, this is definitely view down Canal Street in New Orleans towards the lake. Several of these buildings still exist. At least one business also still exists: Werlein's Music (they moved to the other side of Canal after this photo was taken (that building now houses the Palace Cafe restaurant), and in the 1980's moved the suburbs. Note that drays are traveling in both directions on the downtown side of the neutral ground, a situation that lasted into the early automobile days. (The Gallery, DPC, Horses, New Orleans, Streetcars)
New Orleans Panorama: 1906
... Algiers Point (at right), steamship Excelsior -- New Orleans riverfront panorama." Made from four 8x10 inch glass negatives. ... in this panorama. (Panoramas, Boats & Bridges, DPC, New Orleans, Railroads) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/12/2024 - 12:42am -

1906. "Mississippi River, Algiers Point (at right), steamship Excelsior -- New Orleans riverfront panorama." Made from four 8x10 inch glass negatives. Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Spooky ol' worldSo very, very much in this photo, but what caught my attention was the lone little torpedo boat out in the middle of the stream. It is as if it feels frail and threatened by the vast civilian surroundings and seeks to protect itself by distancing as much as possible. Can't say as I blame it, having grown up in a small town. He just keeps rolling onBelow, there is a pin marking Jackson Square. This is directly in front of the St. Louis Cathedral, whose tallest spire is visible above the 1906 horizon, at left. Using that as reference, you can see the cotton docks along this stretch of riverbank have been replaced by Woldenberg Park. Also worthy of note -- in 1906 Cafe Du Monde, next to Jackson Square, had been serving their famous chicory coffee and beignets for 44 years. Some things don't need to be replaced. click to embiggen The Crescent City ...so called because of the crescent river bend shown in this panorama. (Panoramas, Boats & Bridges, DPC, New Orleans, Railroads)
Night Rider: 1943
... March 1943. "Truck transportation from Baltimore to New Orleans. Evergreen, Alabama -- refueling a Montgomery-to-Mobile truck at 3 ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/20/2024 - 12:19pm -

March 1943. "Truck transportation from Baltimore to New Orleans. Evergreen, Alabama -- refueling a Montgomery-to-Mobile truck at 3 a.m." Less than a hundred miles to go. Medium format acetate negative by John Vachon for the Office of War Information. View full size. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Gas Stations, John Vachon)
Our Lady of Lourdes: 1914
... was satisfying, however, just to say hello. I met Vinny in New Orleans and we had a beer for the first time in many years. We had gone to ... who had lived there, when I met him for a beer in New Orleans a few years ago, and he almost wept. Some great memories of our ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/13/2022 - 12:33pm -

        A newly restored version of a Shorpy favorite that has collected three pages of comments since it was first posted in 2007 -- The caption for this one just says "Post Office." Thanks to our commenters we now know that the building with the statue is the Our Lady of Lourdes School at 468 W. 143rd Street in New York circa 1914. 8x10 glass negative, Bain News Service. View full size | The school in 2007. Post office?Looks like a Catholic school, actually. This is just a wild-a**ed guess, but St. Jean Baptiste on East 75th? This would coincide with the warehouse cart on the left (sort of). Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic SchoolThis is Our Lady of Lourdes School in New York City on 143rd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Convent Avenue. The school was built in 1913 in Washington Heights, an exclusively white, upper middle-class neighborhood. It was built and equipped at a total cost of one hundred and forty thousand dollars. Besides classrooms for five hundred pupils, the building contained an auditorium with a stage lavishly equipped for theatrical productions, a gymnasium, a roof-top playground, an assembly room for parish organizations, rooms for classes in cooking and sewing, and offices for the school officials. The associated church (Our Lady of Lourdes) is located directly behind the school on the next block, 142nd Street. Yes...Which is the Post Office? The large building in the center must be a Catholic School, what with a saint on the roof and all. As for the location, I have no clue. Post OfficeWhich building is the Post Office? post officeBuilding with street level entrance and flags would be my likely guess. Today...Google Street View. It's always interesting to see NYC in the early years, and how it's changed. Our Lady of LourdesI attended this school for eight years in the 1950s. The lower grades entered by one door and the higher grades used the other. City College frat houses faced the school. Recess was on the street out front. We didn't have any cooking or sewing classes, no classrooms equipped for that. There wasn't any gym. We weren't allowed to go up on the roof and there wasn't an assembly room. We did have a annual spring play using the stage and we had a Christmas concert. There was a way into the church from the back of the school. The nuns that taught there were called Society of the Holy Child. Father Kline was one of the priests and Mother Mary Edward taught there. A good school, good memories. Johnny PumpThat fire hydrant probably was installed in the late 1880s. Was born and bred in NYC and traversed all five boroughs many many times, but NEVER laid eyes on a johnny pump like that. Every boy who ever grew up in "The City" is instinctively drawn to hop over as many hydrants as possible. However that one is a KILLER. Our Lady of LourdesI attended OLL from 1933 to 1941. The lower grades kindergarten to fourth were taught by the Ursuline Order of Sisters. The upper grades fifth to eighth were taught by the Sisters of the Holy Child. The school was funded and guided by the priests of the adjoining OLL Church. We were there to learn,to pray: no play, no library, no lunch room, no outside activities. It was not an easy life for children of poor families during this Great Depression Era. I often cried and asked God to help me through the day, the year. I know I received a very good education but not a happy one. There were nuns I would have died for, however there were many that should not have been allowed to teach children. The Church and school were founded by Monsignor Thomas McMann. There is a bust of the good priest near the entrance to the upper church. In the 1930s we were allowed on the roof for various activities. The term "very stern " comes to mind. The statue is Our Lady of Lourdes, similar to the statue in the grotto in the lower church on 142nd Street. It was removed a few years ago as it decayed and was ready to fall off the roof. Convent AvenueThis photo faces east, and the townhouses in the background are along the east side of Convent Avenue. All of them still stand, most are in superb condition. This is the finest real estate in Harlem; a house across the street sold for $3.89 million about 18 months ago. Here is a listing for a house a few doors down from the ones seen here: http://tinyurl.com/2396kb Note the terraces on two of the buildings -- those are stunning and almost never seen in New York. Does anyone remember anDoes anyone remember an Irish nun by the name of Sister Gerard? She was one of the Ursula ? nuns at the Our Lady of Lourdes in Manhatten. She emigrated about 1910, so am not sure anyone would remember her... Is there a cemetery associated with Our Lady of Lourdes? Upper and Lower ChurchCan you tell me if the Upper and Grotto Church still exists and do they have mass on Saturdays and Sundays? I lived 2 streets away a long time ago and would like to see the old neighborshood. I have never forgotten the Grotto. It's so unique. Would like to share it with my spouse. Or maybe I can speak with someone in the convent. Are the nuns still there? Thank you. Diana Gosciniak Our Lady of LourdesI also went there in the 1950's. The nuns were very dedicated to teaching. Our religion was the major reason they and all of us were there. The grotto was under the main stairs and confession was held downstairs at 4 pm on Saturday. The children's Mass was at 9 am on Sunday, a High Mass in Latin. The doors of the main church came from old St. Patrick's downtown in Little Italy. The sisters made sure that the majority of 8th grade students got into Catholic high school. A lot of the girls went to Cathedral H.S. and the boys went to Cardinal Hayes. The church was around the corner with a connection to the back of the school. The convent was right next door to the church and the rectory was across the street. Once in a while we were invited to go to the convent on a Saturday to see the nuns. The neighborhood was pretty good, all kind of stores that tolerated all of us kids. It was nice going there for eight years. Fond memories. O.L.L. Upper and lower churchYes, the upper church is still active with most Masses in Spanish. The lower church {the Grotto) is not used. However the statue of the Blessed Mother is still on view. The sisters left about 10 years ago. I visited the school and was told the Church no longer had any say in its operation. When did you attend? I was there from 1933 to 1940. J Woods Theatrical productions?Oh, how I wish I had your recall. However, I did attend O.L.L. from 1933 through 1940. Yes, the stage was used - but with limited equipment. I never saw or played on a rooftop playground. There was no gymnasium. The seats in the auditorium were moved to the side for military drilling by boys from grades 5 to 8 once a week. The girls exercised in a nearby room. The children in the lower grades had no physical training. I don't remember an assembly room for any parish organizations. Family members were not encouraged to come to the school except on Graduation Day or if the student had a serious problem that required a meeting with the principal and/or a parish priest. I must say we all received a very good education and were farther ahead in our studies than the Public School kids. Yours truly and in friendship, Jackie Woods OLL NeighborhoodI lived on Amsterdam Ave for 16 years. Where did you live? When did you attend OLL School? The few friends I had from the old days have passed on. I answered your other message; The Nuns left about 15 years ago. You need to have someone open the lower church to visit there. The Blessed Mother's Statue is still located in the Grotto but masses are no longer read there. Regards and in friendship. Jackie Woods Our Lady of Lourdes, 2008I had a chance to stop by West 143rd street and take a snapshot today. The cornerstone is dated 1912. As you can see, every building shown in the "1914" photograph is extant and all are in excellent condition. There is even a fire hydrant in the same location as the fire hydrant shown in the photo. As for changes — there are trees on the block now, and the cornice has been removed from Our Lady of Lourdes, as has the statue of the saint. And, of course, as with all modern photos taken in New York, it is full of automobiles. (Click to enlarge) The reddish sign on the left side of the street, behind the motorcycle, identifies this block as part of the Hamilton Heights Historical District (Hamilton Grange is only a few blocks away). Today was garbage day, so a distracting pile of trash sits in the foreground, sorry about that. Our Lady of LourdesCentral Harlem, did you attend Our Lady of Lourdes? If so what years? Thanks for the picture Jackie Woods Our Lady of LourdesI attended an Episcopalian school. I contributed that photo because of my joy in Harlem history, not any tie to this school in particular. Last weekend, I found a photograph of this block dating to 1908! All the buildings looked the same except for OLL, which was then an empty lot. Perhaps Team Shorpy can enlighten me -- would it be compliant with copyright law for me to scan and post it? [Is there a copyright notice on it? If it was copyrighted before 1923, the copyright has expired. - Dave] Our Lady of LourdesThank you for your latest information, Central Harlem. Where was your school located? Did you live nearby? I'm 80 years old going on 81 and all I have are my memories (mostly fond). And my memory is outstanding. I was hoping to hear from anyone who attended OLL with me. By the way, the folks on Amsterdam Avenue always envied the folks on Convent Avenue, always a beautiful clean street. (Today we would say "upscale.") Three of my children were born in The Lutheran Hospital of Manhattan on 144th off Convent. I had moved to upper Washington Heights by then but my doctor was still working out of there. Thank you and in friendship, Jackie Woods Our Lady of Lourdes, 1909I had a chance to scan the old photo I found of this block. It dates to 1909, not 1908 as I had first said. Every building seen in this photo remains, though some of the lots on the right-hand side of 143rd street were empty in 1909, including the lot that would house Our Lady of Lourdes three years later. Anticipating the interest of Shorpy's crew of automotive experts, I provide a closeup of that car on Amsterdam Avenue, below. Also, a note to Jackie Woods: we're of different generations. It is good to exchange notes here, but I'm sure we've never met. Our Lady of Lourdes SchoolWhat wonderful memories of days past. I attended OLL from 1943 and graduated in 1951. One of five brothers to do so. You may have known my older brothers, Larry, Dick or Bill. We lived in that apartment building at the end of the street on the OLL side. That was the location of Alexander Hamilton's house, Hamilton Grange. When it was built, it forced the move to its present location behind the church. It will be moved again to the SE corner of Convent and 141st Street. You also mentioned Lutheran Hospital. It wasn't so great for our family. My brother Dick was taken there after being hit by a car. While recovering, he contracted rheumatic fever in the hospital and later died at New York Hospital. We also lived at 310 Convent Avenue because my mother's family, the Healys, lived on 141st Street. If you have any other questions, ask away. I'm still in contact with several classmates and between us, we should be able to answer. "Thanks for the Memories" Bob Phillips OLL graduatesHi, Yes, I do remember a Phillips family. The boys or boy were in a higher grade with one of my brothers. As you can see, I had already left OLL when you started there. I am pleased you have good memories of your early years. Unfortunately, mine are mixed. An incident: a bunch of us, about 12 years old at the time, were fooling around and one of the boys fell out of a tree and broke his arm. We carried him to Lutheran Hospital They wouldn't let us in the front door. Told us to take him to Knickerbocker Hospital near 131st Street, and so we did. Today, I ask why no first aid was administered or an ambulance called. However, I have nothing but good words about the hospital in later years. I was sorry to hear about brother RIP Regards and in friendship, Jackie Woods PS My oldest sister, Ellen, class of 1936 Won scholorship to Holy Child Academy My older brother William (Billy), Class of 1937, won a scholarship to Regis High. MemoriesI graduated from OLL in 1973 and it is so wonderful to see a website with the School and the information that it offers. I too wondered about the Masses in the lower church. The grotto was always so beautiful and special. I have lived in Florida since 1986 and hope to make a trip to NYC just to visit the old school. Thanks again for bringing a smile to my face today. God bless. OLL MemoriesHi. I attended OLL from grades K to 5. I have the most beautiful memories of my childhood there. I loved the nuns. I can't believe how time has gone so fast. If anyone remembers me or remembers Sister Mary Owen or Ms. Valentine or the gym instructor George Izquierdo. I am talking about late 1960's, early 70's. Please contact me. Are the sisters still there? I went to visit Sister Mary Owen a couple of years ago. She wasn't wearing her habit any more. Those were good old days. I was so mischievous, always getting into trouble. Oh my God. I had the best early education there, never will I forget. I love history and I love these pictures that were posted up above, everything looks the same. Thanks! My family still lives up in Washington Heights. Our Lady of Lourdes School and ChurchAnd a HI to you, The good sisters left about ten years ago. You can reach the school online, it has a Web site. The school is no longer under the supervision of the Church. If you look over the rest of this page you will see that I have answered a number of postings that may be of interest to you. "Memories are made of this." In friendship, Jackie Woods OLL AlumniHello OLL'ers Head over to the OLL website www.ourladyoflourdesschool.net There's an alumni page where you can send your information and be put on the mailing list. OLLCould not connect with your e-mail: kbarkley@ourladyoflourdesschool.net Would you please check it. When did you attend OLL? I gave my information previously on bottom of page. Look forward to hearing from you. In friendship, Jackie woods To Jackie WoodsI knew Dennis before the war, and graduated OLL in 1937. My sister Marie graduated in 1936 and received a scholarship to Holy Name. Finding your web site after all these years is a small miracle. I'm sorry to say Marie, such a special person, passed away in 1977. Andrew, a 1943 or 44 graduate, died in 2000. I did not marry till 1985, had a daughter in 86. My wife Alice and I celebrated our daughter Colleen's wedding Nov. 24, 2007. I hope this proves I was not as bad as the sisters believed. They wanted so to see me go that they created the first coed class and skipped me from 6th to 8th grade. Yes we marched on the roof, auditorium, basement and in far away competition. I believe we had a West Point officer, but not certain. I just hope that life was as rewarding to all OLL graduates as I. God bless. John Orlando Wideawake80@verizon.net OLL, late 1950s and early 60sDon't know how I found this website, but so glad that I did. I graduated OLL in June 1961. The nuns are my most vivid memories of the school. The spring and Christmas plays that were held each year. Recess outside during lunchtime. Walking to school each day and spending the few pennies we had to buy candy at the store on Amsterdam Avenue, and the bicycle store there where we rented bikes on Saturday afternoons. Going to confession every Saturday down in the grotto. Checking the Legion of Decency list for movie listings. Learning to sing the Mass in Latin for every Sunday High Mass and, most important, the foundation the nuns gave us for our religion that is still strong to this day. A few years ago, we drove from Jersey up to the old place and convent still looked pretty good. Can someone please explain about not being under the archdiocese any longer. Thanks again. Lutheran HospitalI found this link when looking for the Lutheran Hospital. Very interesting information. I am researching my family history and found out this hospital is where my great grandfather passed away. Thinking that there may be additional information on the records, I searched for the hospital but have not been able to find any recent reference to it. Has the Hospital been closed? Can anybody give me some background information? I will certainly appreciate it, Anne [You might try the Archives search box on the New York Times Web site. Lutheran Hospital of Manhattan, at 343 Convent Avenue, merged with Norwegian Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in 1956 to form Our Saviour's Lutheran Hospital at the Norwegian Hospital facility on 46th Street and Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. It's now called Lutheran Medical Center. - Dave] Lutheran HospitalHello Anne, Yes, I know Lutheran Hospital. My three oldest boys were born there: 1951: 1952: 1954. My brother-in-law's father died there c. 1937. When I last passed by the neighborhood, three years ago, I saw that the hospital had been converted to an assisted living facility. The neighborhood is looking great - real upscale. The brownstones that one could buy in the 1930s for a song are now selling for well over a million dollars. In the 1930s they were empty, thanks to the banks that foreclosed during the Depression. As kids we ran through them and at one time had a clubhouse inside one. In friendship, Jackie Woods Lutheran HospitalThanks you both, Dave and Jackie, for your responses. I will follow the advice and hope to be able to pass soon by the neighborhood. Anne OLL MemoriesHi Henry, I too remember Sister Mary Owen, my brother David Mora had her and she was really strict. We keep in touch with George Izquierdo and he is doing great. Sister Rosemarie passed away. I try to stay in touch with O.L.L. It was really a happy time in my childhood and the happy memories will always be a part of my life. Maxine Mora Lutheran Hospital of ManhattanLooking for pictures of the Hospital. I was born in 1940 in the facility and would like to see what it looked like in that era--anyone have a picture? Dad Was an AlumnusHello Jackie, I am curious to see if you know my father, Frank Corrigan, who was born in 1926, which would make him 82 this August. I think he was in the Class of 1941. I am also curious to see if you have any contact or info on Alfred Pereira or his sister Clara Pereira Mercado. Any help would be appreciated. Stephen Corrigan Please email me when you get a chance, stephenjcorrigan@aol.com. Frank CorriganYes, I knew Frank Corrigan, Class of 1940, not 1941, he was closer to my brother Dennis than me, I was a year younger. Didn't Frank have a younger very pretty sister? I last saw Frank c. 1968 in the upper Washington Heights area where many of the families from OLL had moved to from the 140th streets. I knew Pancho Pereira (the name Alfred does not ring a bell) and Clara, his younger sister. His little brother JoJo was killed in Korea. Pancho had a birthmark: strands of very white hair in the front of his head of very black hair. They were wonderful good people. Pancho was good friends with Jackie Koster, whose sister Barbara married Burl Ives in Hollywood and lived happily everafter. In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods eandjwoods50@yahoo.com Vacant Houses in Hamilton HeightsI thought we were the only ones that got into those empty houses. Afternoons we'd go in through a back window to study and do our homework. We didn't break anything, and at our age we always wondered why the houses were vacant. The Depression angle we didn't figure out until later. Tom Calumet and Frank Howe went with me. I understand Frank has died and Tom Calumet left NYC around 1945 to go out west with his parents. I graduated from OLL in 1941, and now live in Hopkins, MN OLL MemoriesI graduated in 1960. There were about 10 of us cousins who graduated between 1955 and 1960. I remember Father Cline, Fr. Malloy, Monsignor Hart, Mother Bonaventure, Mother Dominica and others. Does anyone remember the day the frat boys across the street pushed the dummy out the window during our recess? I can almost taste the corn muffins and egg creams at the soda fountain around the corner on Amsterdam Avenue while "Barbara Ann" played on the jukebox. OLL PhotoI have a great a picture of my Confirmation Day. I'm in full OLL uniform dated c. May 1935. How can I send it to the OLL Shorpy site? Yours truly, Ed Woods [Click the links under "Become a member, contribute photos." - Dave] Frat boys 0, Mother Mary Edward 10I sure do remember that day. Mother Mary Edward marched over and blasted them. Also the candy store around the corner used to sell two-cent pumpkin seeds out of a little red box. Does anyone remember the rumor going around that the Grotto Chapel was haunted? I remember walking home with "Little Star" playing on the transistor radio. The OLL GrottoI remember serving at what was called the Workmen's Mass in the Grotto in the 1930s - 6 o'clock in the morning! I know the Grotto is not used any more (I visited there in December 2007). As to the candy store on the corner of 143rd and Amsterdam, it was a very busy place: candy, pen nibs (no fountain pens), book covers etc. One day the owner came to school and told Sister Casmere, the principal, that we were disorderly and she must tell the students to behave when shopping in his store. Her solution was to tell the entire student body that they were not allowed to shop there. In a day or so, the man was back begging forgiveness and asked to plaese allow the children to return to his store. The kids were his main business. HelloHi Maxine How are you? Thank you for responding to me. It was very nice to hear from you. Sorry to hear about Sister Rosemary, but I don't remember her was she the pricipal of the school. I do remember Mr. Izquierdo he was the gym instructor with another man don't recall his name I believe he became principal of the school later on. Oh! now I remember his name was Mr. White I believe. God trying to recall, it is getting a little difficult now a days but I like it. It brings me back in time. How time have changed it was so innocent back than not like now. Looking back in time, makes me feel like I grew up to fast. How is Mr. Izquierdo doing? How can I contact him? Please let me know. My e-mail address is Je_Ocejo@yahoo.com. I remember he got married back than to a girl name Rocio, I don't know if they are still together but that lady was my father's friend daughter. Who else do you remember. Please get back to me with pictures. I have pictures too. Let me know how can I e-mail them to you. Would you believe that we are talking about almost atleast 35 years ago but I don't forget. God Bless you. Henry OLLBob, Any recollections of my father, Frank Corrigan, Class of 1940? Maybe not yourself but some of your older brothers. Steve Corrigan More OLL MemoriesI graduated in 1937 and was probably a fellow graduate of a brother. I had skipped 7th grade and so did not get to know classmates well. It is possible that the Waters family lived across the alley on the second floor of the building on 142nd Street. We lived on the top floor of the next building on Hamilton Place. In the same building lived Buddy Sweeney and Sal Guizzardi, also a tall blond kid who graduated with me. I believe your mother and my mom, Agnes Orlando, were friends. I believe your mother visited mine in 1952-3 in our new home in Bergenfield, N.J. I remember a sister who must have graduated with me or my sister Marie Orlando in 1936. My brother Andrew graduated 1947. My mother, brother and sister have passed away. I remember Poncho, the Kosta family, the Madigans, Woodses, Rendeans, Glyforces, McCarvils, Walshes, Philipses, Flynns, Duggans, Hooks, Rodriquezes, Craigs, Hugheses, Conways etc. I am sure we had many things in common being OLL graduates at a very special interval of time. I wish you well in your very beautiful state which I have passed through on three occasions. Best wishes and fond memories. John and Alice Orlando OLLLot older than you. Attended OLL from late 1930s to early 40s. Baptized, first Holy Communion and Confirmation (Cardinal Spellman). Lived at 145 and the Drive. Remember principal when I was there, Mother Mary Margaret. First grade teacher was Mother Mary Andrews. Remember playing on roof and being shocked by Mother Mary Andrews jumping rope. Believe there was a Father Dolan around that that time. Only went to through the 3rd grade there and then moved to 75th St and the Blessed Sacrament -- a whole different world, and not as kind or caring. Memories of OldHi Henry. You may not remember me but I also taught gym with George and sometimes Ms. Ortiz. George is with the Department of Education on the East Side. I work for the Bloomberg Administration. Sister Mary Owen has moved to Rye and of course all the nuns are now gone. I left in 1996 but I still miss all of the good times shared during my years there. Memories Are GoodHello, You taught me gym and we also had alot of good times with the High School Club on Friday nights. I have most painful memories of O.L.L the day Msgr. Cahill passed away. I never knew how much a heart could have so much pain and yet go on. My dad died on 4-29-96, Max Mora and I felt the same pain all over again. Do you know where Mother John Fisher has gone ... her name had changed to Sister Maryanne. I would love to hear from you. Maxine Mora Hi HenryMy email address is mmorafredericks@aol.com. I have yours and I am so happy to be in contact with you I graduated in 1973. I went to Cathedral High School. Later moved to Florida. My brothers and sisters are still in NY and I miss so much of it. I look forward to catching up with you. I will write soon. God Bless. Maxine Fellow ClassmateHi Tony, It has been more than 48 years since I last saw you - at our graduation from OLL in 1960. Let me know what you have been up to in the past half century. My e-mail address is kmckenna@clarku.edu. Kevin LTNSMr. White! Not sure if you still come to this site, but on the off chance that you still visit i thought i would write. It's been so long since I've seen or heard from you, not since "Len Fong" closed. For all others that may still come by this site, I graduated in 1983 (possibly 82). Would love to hear from a blast from the past. Please email me at kellyw88@gmail.com John McKennaHi Kevin, Any chance you are related to the McKenna family? John McKenna, Class of 1941 Your name sure rings a bell, however there must be 20 years difference between us. Have a healthy and happy 2009 In friendship, Ed Woods John McKennaHi Ed, I'm afraid that I'm not related to John McKenna. My brothers, Donald and Desmond, graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes in the fifties. I wasn't aware of another McKenna family in the parish when I was at OLL. Happy and healthy 2009 to you as well, Ed. Cheers, Kevin McKenna FamilyThe John McKenna family I knew lived on the northeast corner of Hamilton Place and 141st street. I had other friends and schoolmates in that building. Thinking back, you probably had to be an Irish Catholic to live there. Whatever, I think you had to be an Irish Catholic to attend OLL. I never knew any others at that time, the 1930s. Most fathers worked for the subway and trolley systems or at the milk delivery companies along 125th Street near the river. Those were the days, my friend. Innocence prevailed! In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods The Mc KennasJim McKenna and his younger brother Tommy lived in that house above Grizzardi's grocery. Tom hung around with Marty the Hanger Phipher and the Warriors. Billy Vahey and his brother Eddie who retired as a Lieutenant in the NYPD lived there also. Their mother was still there in the early 80s. You probably knew the Schadack family, who I believe owned Schrafft's or Donald York. I think the building was 644 West 145 St. It was the first apartment house in the city to have a self-service elevator. When we lived there the neighborhood was known as Washington Heights. For some reason it's now referred to as Hamilton Heights. A couple of great web sites -- Forgotten NY and Bridge and Tunnel Club. You can spend hours & hours on Rockaway Beach alone. Lots of good memories! How about the movie theaters -- the Delmar, the RKO Hamilton, the Dorset, the Loews Rio, the Loews 175 (now the Rev. Ikes Church) and all the theaters along 180th Street? Hamilton HeightsNorm, Many thanks for your fine memories of our old neighborhood but there are a few minor corrections I have to make. The first is the name Shadack family. I believe the correct spelling is Shattuck and his address was 676 Riverside Drive on the corner of 145th Street. We lived there and my brother Bill was classmates with Gene Shattuck. No relation to the Schrafft's empire. Secondly, Hamilton Heights was always known as such. Outsiders didn't know where that was so we usually said Washington Heights for simplicity. Washington Heights doesn't really start until 157th Street and is separated from Hamilton Heights by the Audubon plot. The Old NeighborhoodAlex Hamilton lived nearby. There was a very pleasant young man (OLL Class of 1941) named Eugene Shattuck who lived near 145th Street and Riverside Drive. His father was a professor at Manhattan College and his family owned the Schrafft's Restaurants. I fondly recall Eugene having the wonderful hourglass-shaped bottles of hard Schrafft's candy brought to school and distributing one bottle to each of his classmates at Christmas time. Needless to say, the poor Amsterdam Avenue kids were in awe of one who could afford to do such a good deed. You mention the Warriors, I knew the (Gang) but not any of the names mentioned here on Shorpy. In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods P.S. My in-laws the Boyd family lived at 676 Riverside Drive. Les Sr. had a radio repair shop on 145th and Broadway. 676 Riverside DriveI lived at 676 as well. The family's name was Shattuck. In my day, many, many years ago, the elevator had an operator. A sweet man in full uniform. There was a doorman as well. Saw the building years later and was appalled at the change. Then went up to OLL and hardly recognized it. It was the best school I ever went to. Thank you for reminding me of the fun. And yes, of the education I got there. By the way, 676 on the Drive was called the Deerfield. OLL StudentsI am researching my family history and I came upon this great site. In 1930 my grandparents Michael and Marie Murphy were living at 1744 Amsterdam Avenue and later in the 1930s at 115 Hamilton Place. All of the Murphy children attended Our Lady of Lourdes School. They were: Maurice (born 1916) Rita (born 1917/ my Mother) John (born 1918) Theresa (born 1920) Vincent (born 1922) Veronica (born 1925) My mom had such fond memories of her time spent there. Rita Harmon Bianchetto Hi Neighbor!!Hi Rita, I'm a former resident of 676 Riverside. My family lived there from 1940 to 1960 in apartment 4A. Bobby Foy lived next door to us. I think you may have left just after we arrived since I remember the elevator operator. The change to automatic was somtime during or just after WWII. I remember they put up this 10 foot wall with a door to limit access to the building. Fat lot of good that did us as my mother was robbed in broad daylight in the service chamber of our apartment in 1960. That's when my Dad had us pack up and leave for a secure location in the Bronx. Anyway, the apartment was great. We had a balcony looking over 145th Street and the river. My brothers were Larry Jr., Bill and Nick. Bill was a good friend to Gene Shattuck and went to Xavier with him. Nick and I also went there. Larry had a scholarship to All Hallows. Judy, can you tell me your last name and if you knew me. Hope to hear from you. Bob Phillips at bobbyphilly@msn.com Your DadSorry Steve, I graduated in 1947 and my three brothers have died. But the name Corrigan does ring a bell. Probably from my brother Larry who knew just about everyone in OLL. Sorry I couldn't help out but it was great hearing from you. Bob Phillips Andrew.Yes, I remember your brother Andrew. We were in the same class and we used to kid him about his name - Andrew Orlando and how tall he was. What's he doing these days? Bob Phillips Those were the days, my friendsHello Rita, I remember the name Murphy but not the faces. We lived a block south of you at 1704 Amsterdam. My sister Ellen, Class of 1936, and brother Bill, Class of 1937, would have known your family. We had many friends on Hamilton Place, the Koster family for one: Anita, Class of 1936, her younger sister Barbara married Burl Ives, and her other sister Mary Lou married Eddie Byrne (1710 Amsterdam). Ed's sister married Chump Greeny -- killed at Anzio Beach. He must have lived near your family. My brother in law Les Boyd lived in the Deerfield and had an electric appliance store on the corner of 145th and B'way and a sporting goods store on the next block next to the Chinese restaurant. In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods Hello RitaHello Rita, I attended St. Catherine's Academy on 151st between B'way and Amsterdam (It cost my dear old dad $10 a month for what was considered a private school.) I graduated in 1943 in a class of only four girls. I then went to the Sacred Heart of Mary Academy in Inwood (I had to climb the long steps up from B'way every day for four years -- Class of 1947. Most of my relatives went to OLL as did my husband of 59 years, Ed Woods. We are still alive, kicking and fighting and making up every day. In my Class of 1943, one of the girls was Ann Murphy -- any relation? Also a Virginia O'Malley and my best friend, June McAvoy, who keeps in touch with me. June's grandfather was Judge McAvoy, who had died by that time. I loved when my folks took me to McGuire's Bar and Restaurant on B'way and 155th. Oh that Roast Lamb (Irish style) on a Sunday or a holiday. The girls used to go to Nuestra Senora de Esperanza (Our Lady of Hope) next to the museum complex. We were told not to go there for confession, but the Spanish priests were limited in English. Thinking back we had but little to confess at that time. Eddie and I had an apartment on 150th near the Drive for a few years until 1956, then it was off to Long Island to raise our six children. In friendship and love hearing from you, Ed and Jackie Woods The MurphysHi Ed and Jackie, Thanks so very much for your reply. I wish my mom was still with us but she died in 1998, the last of the Murphy kids. My grandfather Mike Murphy worked for the Post Office (a mail carrier working out of the General P.O. at 33rd and 8th). My grandmother Marie Murphy died in 1939 while living at Hamilton Place. Uncle Maurice went to Regis H.S. for several years before leaving to attend All Hallows; John and Vincent then attended All Hallows; my mom, Rita, attended Cathedral; Veronica, I believe, attended St. Vincent, and Theresa died at age 25 in 1944 (not sure of her high school). Mom worked at Woolworth's on 145th Street and Broadway, and after high school at New York Telephone, retiring about 1980. She got married in 1943 and moved to 152nd Street, and we attended St. Catherine of Genoa on W. 153rd. I graduated in 1958. So I know the neighborhood. Peace, Rita Hi Ed and JackieSo Jackie you are a St. Kate's gal like me! My tuition was a dollar a month, so your education was really a private school. You have listed the Academy at 151st Street but I think that it was on 152nd between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. I took my high school entrance exam at SHM so I am sort of familiar with the school -- fireworks were going off during our exam. The end result was I did fine and attended Blessed Sacrament on West 70th, Class of 1962. I last saw the "girls" at a reunion in 2002. My Spanish teacher just celebrated her 70th anniversary as a nun with the Sisters of Charity. I am not familiar with any of the girls names that you mentioned,including Ann Murphy. I do know McQuire's, where I had my first Shirley Temple, Mass at Our Lady of Esperanza, Trinity Cemetery & loved visiting the museums. Do either of you recall Eugenio Pacelli, before he became Pope Pius XII visiting at OLL ? Please tell me about your days on 150th Street near the Drive since I may have been the little skinny blond kid you both passed on the street. Peace, Rita in Northern New Jersy West 150th NYCHello Rita, Yes, we lived at 615 W. 150th from 1950 to 1956. Four of my children were born there (three at Lutheran Hospital and one at Jewish Memorial). We had many friends from school and the neighborhood living nearby. However, by 1956 it was time to move on; many changes in the neighborhood. One of my nearby friends was Juanita Poitier; Sidney was just getting started with his acting career. A real nice couple. Was Father Tracy (Pastor) still there when you attended school? How about Father Brady? He was always telling stories during Mass about his sea time with the Navy. Eddie remembers going to the Woolworths lunch counter (145th and B'way) in the early 1940s just to have an excuse to talk with the girls. He knew many of them from school and the neighborhood. In friendship, Jackie West 152ndHi Jackie and Ed, I lived at 620 West 152nd Street, just a stone's throw from you folks. My sister was born at Jewish Memorial Hospital in March 1952 -- Dr. Sandler from Broadway 150/151st St. delivered. Those were the days of Dave's deli on the corner of 151st & Broadway famous for pastrami on rye and a cold beer for the dads, Rafferty's Bar and Grill on the other side of B'way, Harry's or Pierre's homemade candy and ice cream parlor, Cora's beauty salon where my Nana would get a cold wave and blue tint. And not to be forgotten, Snow & Youman's drug store on B'Way and 151st. I recall the name Fr. Brady but it was Pastor Kane and Fr. Tracy (and his Irish Setter, Rusty) that I recall. I just sent a photo of Fr. Tracy to my classmates. Rita Japanese BazaarWho remembers the Japanese-American bazaar in the brownstones across from the OLL lower grades school during the war? They had the blue star & the gold star pennants hanging in the windows. They also had a store on Amsterdam Avenue near 144th Street and when they sold coffee the lines would go all around the block. How about the punchball games out side the school, or stoop ball? Anyone remember playing basketball and using the bottom rung on the fire escape ladder as a basket? The nearest basketball court was at 148th Street by the river. If you wanted to "take out" a ball from the park, you would leave a shirt as a deposit. I remember shoveling snow off the court in order to play. Unfortunately those days were the last time the country was almost 100% together. Twenty years from now, these will be the "good old days." Your brother AndrewI palled around with Andy & another kid named Eddie McGlynn. As a matter of fact I have a picture of Andy, Buddy Ayres & me at Rye Beach. Buddy went to Bishop Dubois with us. He was from Vinegar Hill. You didn't mention the Wittlingers. They lived on the first floor in your building. Brendan lives in Virginia. I'm still in touch with him, Matty Waters and Les Scantleberry. Pancho Pereria made a career of the Navy. He died several years ago. JoeJoe, one of my closest friends, was killed in Korea. Dave's DeliI haven't had a good hot corned beef sandwich since I last had one at Dave's. His son Milton was running the store in the 1950s after Dave retired to Florida. Dave's used to have a window in the summer that sold potato knishes (5 cents, with mustard) and of course kosher hot dogs. I heard a Clement Moore fan club still meets every Christmas Eve next to Trinity Church Cemetery and recites "The Night Before Christmas." I was born in 1928 at 853 Riverside Drive. When 90 Riverside was built in 1941 and blocked the view of the Hudson, we moved there. Warm regards, Jackie and Ed The old neighborhoodThe Wittlingers (the twins were the same age as my two younger brothers, also twins), Matty Waters, Les Scantleberry, JoJo: All those names I remember, especially Pancho and his family. For the life of me, I cannot understand why your name doesn't ring a bell. You mentioned the Warriors. Did you know Tommy or Willie Taylor, the Conroys, Drago, Jackie Hughes, etc. What years did you attend OLL? I looked up some old friends on the Internet over the past few years -- said hello and then goodbye when their families called to give me the news: Vinny McCarville, Bruce Boyd, Phil Marshall, Eddie O'Brien -- all gone to their maker. They were spread out all over the country. It was satisfying, however, just to say hello. I met Vinny in New Orleans and we had a beer for the first time in many years. We had gone to sea together during WWII and had a lot of memories. You must forgive my spelling etc. My eyesight is on its way out (along with everything else). I will be 82 in a few months but active and still traveling. I have been to six of the seven continents and my wish is to have breakfast at the South Pole. In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods ToppersWas Dave's on B'Way near 140th Street? I sold the Sunday News there for 25 cents during the news strike. It was normally a nickel. We had to go down to the News Building to buy them. Overhead! Who remembers the Sugar Bowl on the corner of 143rd and Broadway? A great hangout for different age groups. How about Toppers Ice Cream parlor on B'Way between 139 & 140th? In the 1940s and early '50s you could go to the Audubon Theater at 168th and B'Way on Sunday for 77 Cents and see three features, 23 cartoons, newsreels and an eight-act stage show with such luminaries as Billy Halop of the Dead End Kids or Lash LaRue or Ferdinand the Bull. Top shelf. They must get at lest a buck fifty for admission today! Tea and Nut StoreHi Norm, My mom (Rita Murphy) mentioned there was an Asian family owned Tea and Nut shop in OLL Parish when she was a child (born 1917). She said her brothers, Maurice and John Murphy, would sometimes play with the owners' son. I am wondering if this could be the same shop. Rita ToppersDave's was on the southwest corner of Broadway and 151st Street, a short trip from my home on 152nd near Riverside Drive. I do recall the Sugar Bowl and maybe was in it once or twice but never hung out there. Topper's is a name I never heard before, as far as ice cream parlors go. Thanks so much for mentioning the name and location. Perhaps before my time (1945 baby) or too far from my home. Many people have mentioned the Audubon Theater to me (165-166th Street) but I have no memory of it at all. I do recall the San Juan Theater that took over the space of the old Audubon. I love hearing about Mom's (Rita Murphy's) old neighborhood. Thanks for sharing. Rita Your Name?No, Dave's Deli was on 151st and Broadway. Yes, Toppers & the Sugar Bowl were popular hangouts, however the Piedmont, the Staghorn and the Chesterfield were more popular later on. I have pictures of the great snowfall of December 27, 1947 taken in front of the above mentioned restaurants with a bunch of the guys posing in the cold. The Audubon Theater became better known when Malcom X was murdered in its ballroom. I saw Milton Berle there in the early 1940s. Actually, the Bluebird and the Washington were also popular as they only cost 10 cents (no heat or air conditioning). Memories, memories, dreams of long ago. Ed and Jackie Woods The OLL ChoirI sang in the OLL choir for about 5 or 6 years and hated it.T he only advantage was that we skipped the last class for practice. The downside was that after attending 9 o'clock Mass we had to sing at the 11 o'clock High Mass, which interfered with our Sunday football game. I played with the Junior Cadets. We had a very good team coached by Joe Romo, who went on to be the trainer for the Oakland A's for many years. I saw him at Yankee Stadium whenever the team played the Yankees at home. Joe died several years ago. Mr. Skyler, the choirmaster, wore a wig that could easily be mistaken for road kill. I used to wonder if he was committing a sin by wearing something on his head in church. After all it was no different then wearing a hat during Mass. Mrs. Daly was a very lovely lady who played the organ and gave piano lessons. She lived down the street from us on 142nd between Broadway and Hamilton Place and had something like 10 kids. My sister Maureen was friends with Theresa and Billie. John was I believe the youngest son. Maureen graduated from Notre Dame de Lourdes on Convent Avenue. My sister Frances was close friends with Helen and Rita Nerney, who lived across the street. Fran died in 2002. ToppersI lived at 635 Riverside Drive. I recall Toppers being near the corner of 141st, next to a Jewish deli. In the summer my dad took my brother Tom and me for ice cream there every evening. Happy memories! Bishop DuboisI graduated 1953 from Bishop Dubois. I believe your brother Ernie was in my class at OLL. I hope he is doing well. Give him my regards. Bill Healy Names from the Old NeighborhoodBrendan & Bernie turned 76 on February 2. Don't ask how I remember things like this. I forgot what I had for breakfast this morning. I'll be 76 August 11, weather permitting. Everyone seems to forget Pinky (Michael) Pereria. You are closer to my late brother Jim's age. Jim hung out with Jimmy and John Bartlett, Donald LaGuardia, Tommy & Willie Taylor (born on the same day a year apart -- Irish twins). Again I don't know why I remember these things. Eddie O'Brien used to go by the name Drawde Neirbo, his name spelled backwards. He was a close friend of Big Jack Hughes. I recall a group of you guys joining the Merchant Marine during the war. The Dragos lived on 141st Street between Hamilton Place and Amsterdam Avenue. The youngest (Joseph?) was in my class. A couple of years ago I went down to the old neighborhood with my sons. Surprisingly, it looks great. Lots of renovations going on. My beautiful wife June is a BIC (Bronx Irish Catholic) from the South Bronx. It's not as great a neighborhood as it used to be, but lots of great people came out of there. I took her away from there, married her 50 plus years ago and got her a decent dental plan and raised five kids in New Jersey. I graduated in 1948. It should have been 1947 but Mother Mary Inez red-shirted me in the 6th grade. Will stay in touch. Norm Brown Norm Brown??Norm, I graduated in 1947 from OLL. I knew a kid (Norman Brown) who lived on 141st between Hamilton and Broadway. I think he had a younger brother. He went to OLL with me, but he did not graduate from OLL. Eddie McGlynn was in my class, and the Wittlingers. I lived at 510 W 140th. Are you that Norman? Bill H. The Summer of '66Hi Jackie and Ed, I never had one of Dave or Milton's corned beef sandwiches but I can say that the pastrami on rye was a thing that dreams are made of. I recall the knishes out the window in the summer and the hot dogs. Thanks so much for taking me back in time. Milton would take the pastrami out of that silver steamer box sharpening his knife, and the rest was heaven on rye. Milton was still behind the counter in the summer of 1966 but after that I can't say. I am sure that "The Night Before Christmas" is still recited next to Clement Moore's grave, in Trinity Cemetery. In my day the Girl Scout Troop that met at the Church of the Intercession would participate in the recitation of the Moore piece. I know that 853 Riverside Drive is on the Upper Drive, since I sat on "The Wall" on summer evenings as a teenager. You said you moved in 1941 to 90 RSD -- did you mean 90 or 890? I am not familiar with the numbering of the "lower" drive where the red house sits (so it was called). I am off in search of a good sandwich. Peace, Rita Stagershorn & ChesterfieldMalcom X was shot in the Audubon Ballroom at the back of the theater, which later became the Teatro San Juan. I saw Abbott and Costello there en Espanol. At 7 years old I was run over by a truck at 142 Street and Broadway, right outside the Staghorn, I managed to live! I would hang from the window outside the Chesterfield, watching football games on TV with Bobby Heller and Herby Gil and Buddy McCarthy. That was a hell of a snowstorm in '47. Remember digging tunnels through the snowbanks? You forgot to mention Larry's, just next to the Sugar Bowl. I would watch "Victory at Sea" there. A couple of years ago I took a walk through the OLL neighborhood and realized that when you are a kid everything you see is at eye level and taken for granted, but as you look up and around from a mature aspect it becomes a whole different world. It is really a beautiful area. 90 Riverside Drive WestHi Rita. I'm positive 853 was on the Lower Drive. When the new building went up next to it around 1941, the address was 90 Riverside Drive West. However, it caused so much confusion with 90 Riverside Drive (downtown) that the address was changed to 159-32 Riverside. The plot originally hosted a small golf course. I also went to the Church of the Intercession with the Girl Scouts. Small world. And the wall -- on a hot summer night, standing room only. Jackie West 140th NYCThe kids I hung around with were in the OLL classes of 1940 and 1941. I had a weekend job in 1941 with Ike's Bike Rental on 141st. He needed someone to identify the kids who rented there (bikes rented for 20 cents an hour -- and that's the truth). We started a Junior Air Raid Wardens group and had a store next to Ike's. Collected paper etc, for the war effort. And you are correct, within three years, when we turned 16, McCarvill, O'Brien, Drago and I joined the merchant marine. Did you know the Kieley family -- lived at 1628 Amsterdam before moving to the lower Bronx: Pauline, Rita, Josephine, Peggy and the two boys Nicky and Jimmy. I loved going to their upstairs apartment for tea, especially when Mrs Kiely made Irish Soda Bread. My wife (then girlfriend) Jackie sponsored Jim Kieley when he became a citizen around 1948. He was from County Waterford, the same as her family. We celebrated our 59th anniversary last week. Regards, Eddie Woods My Brother JimYou probably knew my brother Jim Brown. He too was born in 1928. He died three years ago today. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes, spent a couple of years in the Army and graduated from Fordham University. Jim lived in Wycoff, N.J. He was very successful in business. Amsterdam AvenueThe Denning family (10 kids) lived on Amsterdam Avenue between 141st and 142nd. Hughie had polio and wrote away to FDR for an autograph during the war. As it turned out he was the last person to get one. He was in an iron lung at the time. It was a big deal. Lots of press. One of the boys, Peter Schaefer Denning, was born on the back of a beer truck on the way to the hospital. Hence the name. The Connolly brothers, Eamon and Timmy, lived in the same building. Everyone in the family had red hair. Not unlike Bobby Foy's family. If I recall properly, the father looked like Arthur Godfrey, his mom like Lucille Ball, Bobby like Red Skelton, and they had a red cat plus an Irish setter. It took a lot of guts for a group of 16-year-old kids to join the merchant marine. A belated thanks for your service. My wife makes great Irish soda bread. Is there any other kind? You can give ten women the same ingredients for soda bread and you'll get ten different tasting breads. All great! Especially with a cup of Lynches Irish tea. The season is almost upon us once again. The only Kiely (different spelling) I knew was my NYPD partner Timmy, who was from the South Bronx, Hunts Point. Tim grew up with Colin Powell. Having worked in the South Bronx for 25 years and marrying June Margaret O'Brien, one of six girls from there, I pretty much connect with the people of SOBRO, as the area is now known. Sooner or later everything gets yuppified. How about this web site? Something else! Take care, Norm Mea CulpaHi Jackie, Of course you know 853 RSD is on the Lower Drive but Google Maps does not. "Looks like 800 Block of Upper Drive is even numbers and 800 Block on Lower Drive is odd numbers." I did not locate 159-32 but I did find a 159-34 and 159-00, seems to be the last structure (red brick) on the Lower Drive area that we are speaking of, now a co-op but the year of construction is not listed. I have very fond memories of the folks I spent time with on "our" wall. Peace, Rita Yes, it's Kiely I was in error. For whatever resaon, The Dublin House on 79th off the NE corner of Broadway became a meeting place for many of the kids from the OLL area up until the early 1970s: Eamon Connolly, Tommy Taylor etc. I worked with Tom for a short time before be went on the force and then as a T Man. I have not heard from him in too many years. One of great fellows from the old neighborhood. In friendship, Ed Woods My e-mail: eandjwoods50@Yahoo.com P.S. The Kiely family moved to Crimmons Ave in the Bronx West 159th Street NYCDear Rita, I do enjoy rehashing the old neighborhood and the wonderful memories we can recall. Yes, it is the last buillding on the street and I lived there until 1950, when I married Ed. My uncle George lived there until c. 1981 in a rent controlled apartment, and yes, it did become a co-op. When first opened, the building had four entrances. Later, in the 1980s, it was down to one main entrance on the via-dock for safety reasons. I loved our apartment there, which had a beautiful view of the Hudson and the George Washington Bridge. My friend June, nee McAvoy, lived at 3750 B'way. We were together in school for 12 years at St. Catherine's and Sacred Heart. June lives in Maryland. By the way, my e-mail is eandjwoods50@yahoo.com Jackie Woods The Red HouseDear Jackie & Ed, How lucky you were to have lived in the Red House, especially with the views of the bridge and the river. Growing up I never knew anyone who lived there, so never saw the interior, I'm sure it was lovely. I heard that David Dinkins lived there at some point before he became mayor. Many of my classmates lived in 790 Riverside Drive and I was always so impressed that their apartments had two doors. Our apartment was on the fourth floor of a walkup and across the street from a garage. Funny how I was not really impressed by a doorman but by the two doors. I seem to remember a gas station near your friend June's house...other side of Broadway from the museum, now college. One of my St. Catherine's classmates, last I heard, he was teaching at the college. Was Rexall Drug on the corner of 157th, with the newsstand outside the door, when you lived in the Red House? In my home we seemed to have all of the city newspapers -- morning, afternoon and evening, some selling for 4 cents. To this day I read two papers every day and still long to go out Saturday night to pick up the Sunday paper. Thanks for the email. Peace, Rita Class of 1959I attended O.L.L. from 5th to 8th grade. My 5th grade teacher was Mother Mary Edward, what a wonderful woman, 6th was Mother Mary St. Hugh, 7th Mother Mary Edward and 8th Mother Mary Bernadette. Graduated in 1959. Classes were mxed -- black, white and Latino. Memories are mostly good ones -- Father Kline, Father Malloy, Father Hart. The religious experience most memorable, especially during Lent, novenas on Wednesday afternoon and Stations on Friday after school. Liggets / RexallHello Rita, I loved the lunch/soda counter at Liggetts/Rexalls. for whatever reason, my family used the pharmacy across the street, on the east side of B'way, to have prescriptions filled. The family that owned and operated the newsstand helped us lease our first apartment at 600 W. 157th. Apartments were in short supply in 1950. We lived in the unit formerly rented by the Singer Midgets next to Peaches Browning of Daddy Browning fame. Of course they were long gone when we lived there. My father was very active in the Tioga Democratic Club with the Simonetti family. Do you remember Warner's Cafeteria between 157 & 158th? We visited St. Catherine's Church Christmas week 2007 with our niece who wanted to see where she was baptized in 1953. She is on Mayor Bloomberg's staff. Warm regards, Jackie Woods eandjwoods50@yahoo.com Oh, as the poet said, "To return to yesteryear and our salad days." My brother ErnieBilly, Ernie and I went to Bishop Dubois. Ernie for two years and I for three. We both were bounced in 1951 and transferred to Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. We went there on a Schrafft's scholarship. Our mom waited on tables at Schrafft's in order to send us there. In those days it was pretty much a blue collar school. It wasn't that far removed from being a reform school. VERY STRICT. Today it's much more hoity toity. I'm still in close touch with my old classmates, most of whom have been successful in life. Ernie was a great basketball player, the first to score over 50 points in a game in Bergen County (three times), breaking Sherman White's record. White was an All American but messed up his career in the 1950-51 college season. Ernie went to Fordham on an athletic scholarship. Ernie died in 2002. He was a very special guy, extremely generous and giving. We miss him a lot. He lived a couple of blocks away from me as did most of my siblings. Sad to say, the circle grows smaller. 1959 OLL gradsAre you out there, does any one remember or know of any of the following graduates of O.L.L. -- Starr Martin, Carol Long or her sisters, Carlotta and Tony, Josephine Velez, Melvina (Kinky) Boyd, Chicky Aponte. I went of to Cathedral and the others to various Catholic high schools and lost touch. After finding this site, many memories have come back. Would like to know how old friends are doing. 600 W. 157thHi Jackie, You lived around the corner from the post office. I remember going there once to get a money order and losing Mom's gray umbrella. Your building was by the Grinnell, where a friend's father was the superintendent during the 60s. Liggett/Rexall -- we went to Snow & Youman's for drugs but to Rexall for film, flashbulbs and of course the soda fountain. The last time I was there was April 1965, just before my son was born. I do not recall a Warner's Cafeteria but do remember the famous, and oh so good, Imperial Deli, Lambos Flower Shop, Commander Bar & Grill, Full Moon & McGuire's. I visited St. Catherine's about 1994 and it was like being in a time warp, except for the piano near the altar. The church was just as I remembered when I got married in 1964, only smaller. The school is now public. I am in touch with some of my friends from the Class of 1958. It was nice that your niece was able to visit the church where she was baptized. I never heard of the Tioga Democratic Club or the Simonetti family (the only Simonettis I know are the family whose niece and son are engaged). Jackie, was the pharmacy on the east side of B'way United or perhaps that was a sign for United Cigar? So nice this walk down memory lane. Best to your Eddie. Peace, Rita Memories: dreams of long agoHi Rita, My close friend June's, nee McAvoy, family lived in the Grinnell for many years. Her grandfather was Judge McAvoy. Eddie claims to have an exceptionally good memory but he says he needs to yield to you. You do have a most wonderful recall. However, he is more familiar with the OLL school and church neighborhood. My brother-in-law (much older than Eddie and me) was in the vending machine business: Ace Distributing -- jukeboxes, cigarette machines etc. Eddie worked for him for a few years when we first married and the company had locations in almost every store in the neighborhood (including the Commander). That is a dead business today. How about Pigeon Park? You couldn't sit there. Warm regards, Jackie Woods GrinnellHi Jackie, Do you recall a Doctor James Farley living in the Grinnell? Doctor Farley must have taken care of half of Washington Heights over a period of many years (had an office on 178 St. between Broadway and Ft. Washington Ave.). Ah, Pigeon Park...I remember it well and always tried to circumvent it! All the best. Rita I remember it wellHi Rita, Our family physician was Dr. VanWorth, as an adult I visited Dr. Liebling, who had an office c. 156th. He later moved down to 72nd Street. A wonderful caring man (who made house calls). My son Ed Jr. was 58 years old this week, I have a picture of him when he was 1 sitting on a pony taken on the corner of 155th and B'way. John Orlando's brother married a St Catherine's girl. I don't know her age. Ain't we got fun? Jackie Woods Current resident of the neighborhood (Grinnell)I'd like to invite you to visit www.audubonparkny.com, which is a virtual walking tour of the neighorhood you're discussing. You can "take the walking tour" online or go to the Sitemap/ Index of Images to read about specific buildings and see pictures from many eras. I'm happy to post any pictures (and credit the owners) of the neighborhood that you'd like to share - focusing on the Audubon Park area (155th to 158th, Broadway to the river). www.audubonparkny.com Walking TourThanks so very much for posting the site for the Audubon Park area...I had a delightful walking tour. Down Memory Lane at OLLWhat happened, did we all run out of memories? Who remembers the stickball field comprised of Hamilton Place from 140 to 141st Street. A ball hit over the small roof on 141st was a double and over the roof at 95 Hamilton Place was a homer. After the war the street was so crowded with cars that the games were moved to Convent Avenue in front of CCNY. There was some heavy money bet on these games. Walking TourThanks, Rita, I'm glad you enjoyed the walk! Please come back and visit the site again. I post a Newsletter on the homepage (www.AudubonParkNY.com ) each month highlighting new pages, information, and research, as well as updates on the Historic District project. Matthew The Prairie StateDoes anyone have memories of the Prairie State? It was a WWI battleship moored in the Hudson River at about 135 Street and I believe used for Naval Reserve training. As kids we snuck on board and played basketball on it. The deck (court) had a bow on it which is partially responsible for the replacement parts in my ankle today. How about the "Dust Bowl" at 148 Street next to the river where we played football and baseball? Today it's state of the art, at least compared to what we played on. Now there is grass on the field. Progress! Under the Via DockFar from being a battleship, the Prairie State (also called the Illinois) was an old transport. However, as youngsters we would have been impressed by its size. Pancho and another neighborhood boy whose name I can't recall trained there before being sent to England as frogmen in preparation for the D-Day landing. It was decided that those boys with big chests (big lungs) could do the job best. I can recall Pancho telling me after the war that he had only a few days of Boot Camp. Sports -- we used the oval near City College. Stick ball -- 144th between Amsterdam and B'way. A ball hit to any roof was an out, never a homer. Spaldines was Spaldings were costly in the 1930s. One had to learn to hit as far up the street as possible, over the sewers. That is why the good hitters (one strike only) were called three-sewer hitters. The Prairie State was docked under the Via Dock c. 130th St. Like you, we visited it often. Nearby were the meatpacking/butcher plants. During the 1930s there were two "Hoovervilles" (hobo camps) under the dock. The overhead gave the men some some protection from the elements. I had an uncle who took me fishing off the piers. I felt sorry for the "lost souls." Then one day they were all gone. Hosed away! I used to wonder where they went. In friendship Ed Woods eandjwoods50@yahoo.com PanchoAs you recall, Pancho was short, about 5'8" and maybe 200 lbs. and a very good athlete -- basketball, baseball and could hold his own on a basketball court. I remember speaking to him about the UDT (Underwater Demolition Teams,the precursor to the Navy Seals) and asking him if they were relegated to swimming all the time. He told me they spent most of the time running, running, running to build endurance. As I remember, the Oval was near Convent Avenue. We never used the term two sewers in stickball. That was a Bronx expression. We bought our pink "Spaldeens" at Rutenbergs candy store on Amsterdam Avenue between 140 and 141 Streets for a nickel. He also sold kids twofers, two for a penny loosies, and Bugle Tobacco so you could roll your own or purchase a corncob pipe to puff away. Loosies were two cigarettes for a penny. I understand due to the cost of smokes they are doing that again. We played "swift pitching" in the park at Hamilton Place between 140 and 141 streets. It was comprised of drawing a box (a strike zone) on the the handball court wall and throwing balls and strikes as hard as you could. I'm a little younger then you but I remember the Swift Meat Plant down by the river and the time John Garfield filmed a scene from a movie, Force of Evil, running down the steps toward the river. Somehow he ended up at the red lighthouse under the GW Bridge and discovered his brother's body, played by Thomas Gomez, in the river. As kids during the war we would fish and crag off the docks right near the old Two Six Precinct. I'll never forget the time my younger brother came home with a catfish and an eel and damn near burned the house down trying to cook them. Boy, life was a lot simpler then. Even with a world war raging. Amsterdam AveRutenbergs, address 1628 Amsterdam, I lived in the upstairs bldg for five years. The Rutenbergs lived in an apt in the back of their store. Tommy Smith worked their paper route for many years. Tommy lived in 1626 next to McCarvill. The Conroys (Johnny the Bull) lived in 1630. Eddie O'Brien lived in 1634 over the Rothschild Deli where we could buy Old Dutch beer for 14 cents a quart plus a 5 cent deposit. "It's for my father." The playground around the corner was busy at night after it closed for the day. My recall of loosies is six for five cents in a small paper bag with six wooden matches. You refer to the station house as the "Two Six Precinct." Something tells me you were "on the job." A good family friend, Frank Lynch, became the Captain at 152nd and Amsterdam (The Three Two)? Your e-mail? In friendship, Ed Woods Three Oh PrecinctYes I worked in the South Bronx for 25 years which included 10 years at the Yankee Stadium,ten of the best years of my life. A ring side seat at the world. We played many games there-- Shae, West Point, etc. -- and traveled to Venezuela with the New York Press team. I worked out with players on the DL. Thurman Munson was a good friend as was Catfish Hunter. Lou Pinella and Graig Nettles. We guarded Pope Paul and Pope John Paul II. John Paul II gave off an aura that was indescribable. I was very close to him on three occasions and he made you weak in the knees and start to shake. Believe me it wasn't his celebrity status. Some of the people I knew were Cary Grant who used to look for me when he came to many games. Someday I'll tell you how he saved my marriage. A funny story! Jimmy Cagney came to a few games. Boy was that sad to see Rocky Sullivan, every Irish American kid's hero, all crippled up with arthritis. I finished up in the Bronx Detective Task Force and never looked back. It was a great career if you rolled with the punches. The six for five must have been filter tips.I forgot about the wooden matches. Do you remember the Hooten Bars they sold? One by two inch chocolate candy stuck on wax paper. Nobody seems to remember them. Rutenberg had the greatest malteds. They kept the milk frozen. God! Were they good! The Three Oh Precinct was at 152 Street & Amsterdam Avenue across from St. Catherines Grammar School where I went to kindergarten for a day. Later it became Bishop Dubois H.S., which I attended for three years before getting bounced along with my younger brother. There was a kid by the name of Neally Riorden who may have lived in your building and a kid by the name of Brian Neeson Hannon who died around 1945. I remember going to his wake on Vinegar Hill. Next we should take a trip down Vinegar Hill. My e mail is fuzz408@optonline.net God bless & HAPPY EASTER Rutenberg'sRutenberg's had the greatest milkshakes mainly because they kept the milk semi frozen. They also had Hooten bars, sheets of one by two inch chocolate that sold for a penny each. I've never met anyone from a different neighborhood who heard of them. Yes, I was on the job for 25 years in the South Bronx. Check your personal e mail. The Three Oh was at 152 Street and Amsterdam Avenue. It's now a landmark. The new precinct is on 151st Street of Amsterdam. How about Wings Cigarettes with the photos of WW II planes? The Shamrock Bar was on the corner of 140th Street and Amsterdam. On weekends guys would pick up containers of beer and carry them over to Convent Avenue for refreshments during the stickball games. Take care, Norm PanchoLooking for any info on Pancho Periera. He is my godfather and was best friends with my dad, Frank Corrigan. OLLumnaI went graduated from OLL in 1950. I came across this great site and I am wondering if anyone graduated the same year. I have been trying to get in contact with my fellow classmates and this looked like a great opportunity! The Old ShamrockI visted the 140th Street area a few years ago and took a few pictures. The Shamrock is gone with the wind -- history. I showed a picture of the building (1626 Amsterdam) to Vinnie McCarvill, who had lived there, when I met him for a beer in New Orleans a few years ago, and he almost wept. Some great memories of our Salad Days came to mind. "Oh the nights at the playground on Hamilton Place." It's the place where we came of age. In friendship, Eddie and Jackie ParishesOne thing folks from New Orleans and New York City have in common is that you identified your neighborhood by the parish in which you lived. Agnes GerrityMy mother, Agnes Gerrity, born 1916, and her brothers Thomas and Richard (born c. 1914 and 1920) attended Our Lady of Lourdes until high school. All three have passed away but I'd love to hear if anyone happens to remember them. Like your mother, my mom loved that school and spoke of it often. Anne Collins OLL Confirmation Day 1935I thought former students would enjoy seeing the uniform we wore in Our Lady of Lourdes School Primary Dept (1st to 4th Grade) during the 1930s. KnickersIt was humiliating having to wear knickers. Remember pulling them down to your ankles and thinking "maybe people will think they are pegged pants"? Boy did we ever fool the public! And how about the high starched collars -- I don't think they could have even gotten Freddie Barthomew to wear them. Didn't we replace them with waterboarding? However Ed, they look great on you. Do you still wear them? Old OLL picsDoes any one have some old OLL class photos or just some neighborhood pictures to post here in the comments? I'm sure a lot of Shorpy addicts would appreciate them. OLLi go to school at lourdes now im in the 8th grade and i think its really cool to see people talk about the memories they had about my school before i was even born and i would love to see some kind of picture of the inside of the school like a class picture so i can see what it used to look like [Just wait'll you get to Capitalization and Punctuation. - Dave] Class of 1964I too went to OLL from '57-'64. My parents and I moved to 3495 Broadway at 143rd St. in 1956. I started in the 4th grade with Mother Mary William. The school in those days was no longer a military academy. We wore navy blue uniforms, white shirts and the school tie and the girls wore navy blue jumpers with a white blouse and blue tie. It was very interesting reading about all the students who came before me and where they lived. I always was so curious to find out how this old neighborhood looked like years before we moved in. As you all know, the area changed at some point racially, although when I was at OLL the school was still predominantly white with a handful of Black children. I will always have wonderful memories of my time at OLL. My parents moved out of the area in 1969 and I since been back once to recapture some old memories of my childhood. NostalgiaThe picture that follows is the 1937 graduation class with the girls omitted. Monsignor McMahon built church and school(1901-1913); after 15 years as Curator at St Patrick's Cathedral, constructed 7 years earlier. See church of Our Lady of Lourdes for construction details. At the time of graduation, Fr's Mahoney, Dillon and Brennan resided across from the Church. The Poor Clares home was to right of the church, and secondary had Society of the Holy Name Jesus sisters. School and Church gave us faith and hope and discipline. Our world was the depression years followed by the wars. Our class of 1937 was just in time. The handsome lad below the sergeant stripes is the brother of contributor Ed Woods.Ed,and brothers Bill and Dennis served with distinction. Andy Saraga bottom right was a highly decorated Marines The others served as well. I hope Our Lady of Lourdes provides the inspiration our families sought for us. Nostalgia 1937The 1937 graduation photo is great. It's with both sadness and pride to think that most of these wonderful kids would be defending our country in a very short time in different uniforms.Believe it or not this military training was useful. How about more pictures like this and some candid neighborhood shots. OLL in the NYThttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/nyregion/16priest.htm So interesting: A more recent residentJust want to say that I've read every entry on this post. It is so interesting to read the memories shared by those that lived way before you in the same neighborhood. My mother and I live on 135th Street near Riverside between 66th and 77th, then moved to 138th between Hamilton and Amsterdam. I went to PS 161 and graduated from CCNY. I also have fond memories of my childhood. I used to play basketball in an after school center at Our Lady of Lourdes as a young kid, visited the area a couple of years ago and brought back great pics. Cheers to all Mauricio The Grinnell: Celebrating Its Centennial Those of you who remember The Grinnell (800 Riverside Drive) may be interested to know that the residents have just begun celebrating the building's centennial. We're having a year of events,so this is a great year to visit! Check the website: http://www.thegrinnellat100.com/ for photos, historical news articles, and residents' memories (and contribute your own). Click the calendar tab for a listing of the events between now and July 2011. Matthew Why Grinnel!The hundredth anniversary of a building? Forgotten is the fact that it's also the anniversary of the site building, and all the memories fast fading. I think Ed Woods of all the graduates, always hit the mark. Several others struggled to add something. If someone remembers the names of the sisters and preferably anecdotes please don't deny this information from this site. I personally remember sister Rose from 4th grade 1934. I believe Mother Michael provided my brother Andy's Confirmation name. Others with better memories speak up. Also it wasn't only our generation that owes recognition for all given freely. Christmas at Our Lady of LourdesAt Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the statues in the creche would be replaced by live students. The scene would be repeated the following day at the 9 o'clock Children's Mass and the 11 o'clock High Mass. A live baby would be borrowed to lie in the manger. The girl who posed as the Blessed Mother and the boy who posed as Joseph were the envy of the entire student body. "Oh to return to yesteryear." Happy New YearThank you SHORPY for bringing back to us so many wonderful memories. It has been said pictures are worth a thousand words. Shorpy's pictures, however, are worth so much more -- just can't put a number on them. Thank you and a Happy New Year to the Shorpy Staff. Ed and Jackie Woods [And thank you, Ed and Jackie, for inspiring the hundreds of interesting comments in this thread. - Dave] The OLL neighborhoodIt's nice reading and re-reading your stories about OLL, Hamiliton Place,and seeing the names listed. Many years ago, in my past, I visited the old neighborhood only to find it somewhat depressing, old and in poor shape. One time in particular I had parked my new "rental car" near West 144th street, and was showing my young children some of the places I lived on Amsterdam Ave, Hamilton Place ( 95 and 115 buildings) when two older African Americans came up to us, and said you'd be better not park here." It wasn't said as a threat, but more it's unsafe here, now that the area has changed. I had told them that I used to live here many years ago. I am glad to hear from Norm, that the area has rebounded, and in looking at the prices of the real estate I wish we had stayed here. Keep up the good work. Matt Waters mattminn@aol.com Hi Anon Tipster 1959. I used to date Carlotta Long & visited her lovely home many times. 147 off Convent as I recall. I often wonder in my old age (69) whatever happened to her & how her life turned out. I did graduate from Dubois in 1960, so I'm very familiar w/the sights & places referenced here. So glad I found this site. Tis That Time of YearThank you SHORPY for another year of nostalgic pictures and comments. Brought to us in Black and White and Living Color. Such fond memories of long ago, especially the itchy bathing suits. In the 1920s and up to the early 1940s, when on or near the beach and boardwalk, boys had to wear the coarse wooolen suits with the tops on at all times. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New York to Dave and staff. Ed and Jackie Woods Our Yearly PlaysI graduated in 1960 after 8 memorable years. I remember our yearly plays in the auditorium and all the hard work and practice we put into it. Father Hart was our pastor and I remember our farewell speech to him. My best friend was Lydia Marin and I remember Maria Santory, Joyce Brown, Maria Matos, Alma Mora, Maureen Quirk. If any of you from this class are around, give a shout. Jackie Erick Class of 1964Class of 1964 where are you guys? Write something here you remember. Do you remember me? OLL Class of 1957Here's the names of the boys' teachers from 1949 to 1957. I think I have then all correct. Grade 1, 1949-1950: Mother Mary Theodosia Grade 2, 1950-1951: Sister Mary Macrina Grade 3, 1951-1952: Mother Mary Eulalia Grade 4, 1952-1953: Mother Mary Declan Grade 5, 1953-1954: Mother Mary Edwards Grade 6, 1954-1955: Mother Maria Del Amor Grade 7, 1955-1956: Mother Mary Euphrates Grade 8, 1956-1957: Mother Mary Rosario Eighteen nuns lived in the convent adjacent to the church on 142nd Street: eight boys' teachers, eight girls' teachers, the school principal, known as the Reverend Mother, and the housekeeper. Six priests and the pastor lived in the rectory on the south side of 142nd Street. OLL was also known as Old Ladies' Laundry. I've written down the names of almost all the boys who, at one point or another, were part of the class of 1957. Only 27 graduated in 1957. Many were expelled in 1956 as part of a crackdown on gang membership. Mother Mary Rosario was brought in to preside over a difficult situation, but after the expulsions her job turned out to be not that complicated. I'll post the list of names another time. Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni ReunionHello out there. I am a current parent at Our Lady of Lourdes. As we enter a new decade, OLL would would like to start planning a few reunions. I am looking for some potential organizers to help us reach out and plan events in the new year. Please reach out if you are interested in planning or connect dots. There are many new happenings at the school. We will be launching a new website by the end of the month with an alumni portion. Thank you! Vanessa vdecarbo@ollnyc.org Class of 1971Hi! I graduated in 1971 and our teacher was Sister Patricia. I remember Marlene Taylor, Karen, Miriam, Dina, Elsie, Maria and Robin, Carla, Margaret and Giselle. Our class was an all girl class. I also remember Sister Rebecca, Sister Theresa, Sister Rosemarie (our history teacher). I continued to Cathedral High School but I miss all my dear classmates. Is there anyone out there who enters this site? My email is n.krelios@yahoo.com I would love to hear from someone. Marlene Taylor became a doctor (wonderful!!!). Shorpy Hall of FameIf there were a Shorpy Hall of Fame, this photo would definitely have to be in the inaugural class. I've enjoyed going through the many comments for this photo going back to 2007 even though I have absolutely no connection to the school other than being Catholic. What is equally as awesome is that a look at the location today via Google Maps indicates that, other than a few trees, fire hydrants, automobiles and removal of the statue, everything is basically the same today. Double DutchKllroy is correct about not much having changed, but it looks like even the foreground fire hydrant is in the same place (but a newer model). It looks like the circa 1914 photographer was set-up on the northeast corner of Amsterdam Avenue and 143rd Street. The Google Maps photo was taken travelling northbound on Amsterdam Avenue. So basically both photos are shot from almost the same location; it is interesting how the vintage image makes 143rd Street appear much shorter than in the Google image. I guess it's the result of different formats and lenses. By the way, the buildings at the far end of the T-intersection, on Convent Avenue (mostly blocked by the trees in the Google image), reflect NYC's Dutch heritage [ETA:] as does "Amsterdam" Avenue. (The Gallery, Education, Schools, G.G. Bain, Kids, NYC)
The Woman in the Window: 1943
... Maine Central: The Pine Tree Route T&NO Texas & New Orleans: a subsidiary of the Southern Pacific Railroad Whether it's a ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/16/2024 - 11:25pm -

May 1943. "Beaumont, Texas. Wartime occupational replacement by women in men's traditional jobs. Lady in signal tower who operates block signals for railroad crossing." Medium format acetate negative by John Vachon for the Office of War Information. View full size. Just add window boxesTwo fallen flags -- MEC Maine Central: The Pine Tree Route T&NO Texas & New Orleans: a subsidiary of the Southern Pacific Railroad Whether it's a tower to control trains or highway gates, it is well-built, airy, and in need of some flower boxes to complement this sturdy structure I wonderif the lady managed to get his attention. He seems to be engrossed on his phone? NOT An Easy JobThis is not an easy job. In my young days before I came to the USA, I was a conductor Guard on British Railways (as it was known then). Part of the training was to observe the signalman in the signal box (as they were called back then), and to see how that job functioned. The strength needed to pull those levers was tantamount to doing the job correctly. Kudos to that lady for doing that job. You kids drive me nuts!She's clearly yelling at the brakeman to stay off his dang smartphone while he's working WWII -- Replacing men with women at the railroad crossing.Postwar world -- Replacing both with automatic machinery. Just a Year Too SoonThe film noir "Woman in the Window" premiered in 1944 with an innocent Clark Kent-like Edward G. Robinson becoming involved with a beguiling woman and a murder. Texas Flyer wantedIs there a a ladder hidden behind the signal box, or is that what we're seeing on the leg in the foreground? (If so, it looks rather difficult to climb). But regardless, this appears to be a position where getting to work is the hardest part. [There's also a ladder on top of the signal box. - Dave] Indeed, but I believe she'd have a hard time reaching it. She's leaningOut to get a better look at the shoe store on the other side of the tracks. Never know, there might be a good sale on TRAINers. Casement windowsTrue industrial type with metal lace-like light frame, suitable for the warmer climate, that I am especially fond of. Contemporary architecture with "industrial windows" employed but with frames thick as an elephant's leg is completely missing the point. Daddy! That's MY Daddy!Reminds me of a video I saw where the train engineer (& father) would take the time to lean out & deliberately wave as he passed his home each day. Seeing his delighted toddler son exclaim "Daddy! That's MY Daddy!" while being held in his laughing mother's arms warms the heart. Clear Heads Choose ...A "Happy Blending" (The Gallery, John Vachon, Railroads, WW2)
Illinois Central: 1942
... pushin' Mama, you know they're running late! City of New Orleans "City of New Orleans" is a country folk song written by Steve Goodman (and first ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/31/2024 - 4:09pm -

November 1942. "Chicago, Illinois. Locomotives in an Illinois Central Railroad yard." Medium format acetate negative by Jack Delano for the Office of War Information. View full size. Doobie BrothersWell, The Illinois Central ... and the Southern Central Freight. Gotta keep on pushin' Mama, you know they're running late! City of New Orleans"City of New Orleans" is a country folk song written by Steve Goodman (and first recorded for Goodman's self-titled 1971 album), describing a train ride from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad's "City of New Orleans" in bittersweet and nostalgic terms. (Wikipedia) and made famous by Arlo Guthrie Still RunsAmtrak still runs "City of New Orleans". It still goes thru Kankakee and Memphis. https://www.amtrak.com/city-of-new-orleans-train (The Gallery, Chicago, Jack Delano, Railroads)
Cothouse: 1942
... days' pay. - Dave] 15 cents Free WiFi. New Orleans Cots In about 1960 I stayed at a Cot Dormitory for a few cold ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/18/2024 - 1:39pm -

November 1942. "Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Cot house." The California Dormitory, offering not just "clean cots," but checkers and dominoes. Acetate negative by John Vachon. View full size. SnoringIt may be a good 80 years ago and 5500 miles away, but I can still hear the snoring . 50% PremiumI wonder what extras you got for 15 cents versus the base price of a dime. A blanket? Larger size? Heads Carolina, Tails CaliforniaI wonder how the owners/proprietors of the Largest and Most Modern Cot House in the Southwest settled upon the name "California Dormitory" as opposed to some other state dormitory? And I'd like to see the signage on nearby culinary establishments where the denizens of the Cot House got their three hots. “California” DormitoryIt wasn’t named for the State, but rather after its location - 308 W. California Street in OKC. That part of the street no longer exists. “California” was also the name of that specific style of dorm construction in vogue when built. I don’t know what that was/is. The 15-cent CotMy best guess is that they gave you a second mattress to lay over the first. I don't think a cot mattress was more than an inch thick. BTW the sign in the window refers to E.H. Moore, who was running for Senate. He won, but his health failed him and he did not run for re-election. He died in 1950. Spelling (sigh)"Shower Bath Privilegs" - we signpainters have a proud tradition of phonetic spelling. The workmanship is quite impressive - even some flourishing around "Free" // I wonder if this was for wartime workers needing a place, or if 'Cot House' was just a standard system during the Depression? The California Dormitorywas a style -- huge but cheap to build -- that came into being in the 1930s during New Deal employment programs. In the Adventures of Superman episode "The Ghost Wolf," Clark, Lois and Jimmy spend the night in one of these dorms. The place is so enormous that Lois doesn't think twice about staying in one end while her two colleagues spend the night in the other. 2 in '42?BTW the Cincinnati Enquirer described "2 in '42" as a "mystery symbol." I guess it was a very good mystery, since no one today seems sure about what it meant. I've scouted around a bit, and it may have meant that people should buy two war bonds during the then-current year, 1942. [Two days' pay. - Dave] 15 centsFree WiFi. New Orleans CotsIn about 1960 I stayed at a Cot Dormitory for a few cold nights. The price was either 25 or 50 cents a night, I forget. You raised the head of your bed up and put your shoes under the bedpost so they wouldn't be stolen. I hitchhiked through 37 states in that period, met a lot of good people. 50% PremiumCots were 10 cents, clean cots were 15. (The Gallery, John Vachon, OKC)
The Ham Tree: 1906
New Orleans, 1906. "Arcade of Crescent and Tulane Theatres." At the Tulane, the ... access to Baronne Street. (The Gallery, DPC, Music, New Orleans) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/06/2024 - 6:08pm -

New Orleans, 1906. "Arcade of Crescent and Tulane Theatres." At the Tulane, the blackface team of McIntyre and Heath headline "The Ham Tree," a musical novelty described by one reviewer as "an amplified vaudeville sketch." 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size. W.C. Fieldswas in the original 1905 Broadway show. "Sweethearts in Every Town"At least one song from "The Ham Tree" is available on YouTube, although not performed by McIntyre & Heath: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMPe30V8udo The Ham TreeSounds like a variation on the story of the settlers' scout crawling back to the wagon train, "It wasn't a Bacon Tree like the Indian said; it was a Ham Bush!" Separate, but not unequalBuilt at the same time, by the same company, but no, not for the reason one might think: one was for "popular" entertainment, the other for drama. All you might want to know. The arcade continued on to the left, slightly narrower, giving it a "T-shape" and providing access to Baronne Street. (The Gallery, DPC, Music, New Orleans)
New Orleans: 1935
"New Orleans Negro street," December 1935. View full size. Photograph by ... Looks like the St. Louis Cathedral in the distance. New Orleans 1935 Fence on right would be for the Southern RR and for the ... two-story building is Fump & Manny's Bar, an Uptown New Orleans institution. The wall on the right separates the river, dockhouses ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/07/2011 - 6:09pm -

"New Orleans Negro street," December 1935. View full size. Photograph by Walker Evans. X's at bottom are crop marks. Looks like the St. LouisLooks like the St. Louis Cathedral in the distance. New Orleans 1935Fence on right would be for the Southern RR and for the GM&O Railroads. Street would be Toulouse, maybe. Those houses were still there at the time of the storm in 2005. Tchoupitoulas?Eddie, you may be right. I was thinking it looked like Tchoup, near the Garden District, where all the old docks and warehouses are. St. Ann StreetIf you look at a map of the French Quarter and draw a line behind St. Louis Cathedral, you get St. Ann Street. St. Peter StreetIf that is St. Louis Cathedral, then this, being the "northwestern" (upper in N.O. parlance) side, would be St. Peter Street. St. Peter Street extended far beyond North Rampart until the Treme neighborhood was raped in the construction of Armstrong Park in the early 70s, cutting the street for several blocks. The fenced off area to the right is the Carondelet (or Old Basin) Canal, which was no longer navigable by 1935 and filled in in 1938. BywaterThis couldn't be St. Ann, which has houses on both sides. That wall -- maybe North Peters Street. The only thing I can think of that still looks like that, with a wall where the tracks would be on the other side, would be in Bywater. Homes of that scale are right near the tracks. 4400 block of TchoupitoulasThat two-story building is Fump & Manny's Bar, an Uptown New Orleans institution. The wall on the right separates the river, dockhouses and railroad tracks from this historic shipping supply road. It looks exactly the same today with more trees. TremeThis is the back-of-town Treme section. No wonder this is so hard to recognize for those of us who weren't around in 1935, as the area was soon after radically altered, with the old Carondelet Canal filled in and a good section of the area-- I suspect including where the photo was taken-- demolished to construct the Lafitte and Iberville housing projects (the Lafitte in turn was demolished last year). I can't place the exact street, but St. Ann is certainly no more than a few blocks away. This would have to be somewhere in the 6 blocks between St. Philip Street and Conti Street. The cupola of the Cabildo is seen straight down the street, and the tower of the Jax Brewery is in the far distance just to the right of the rightmost telephone pole. The final clues to a better location are probably the steeples of the 2 churches at left (is the closer one St. Peter Claver or Our Lady of Guadelupe-- or did there used to be another steeple near by in 1935 no longer existant?) and the wall at the right (wall around St. Louis Cemetery 1, St. Louis 2, or did there used to be a similar wall beside the old Canal?). Lafitte Street This is present day Lafitte Street. It is at a slight angle to the street grid, running parallel to the former RR tracks and even more former canal. Those landmarks in the distance are: - Two of the spires of St. Louis Cathedral, the center and the upper; - The cupola of the Cabildo - The cupola of Jax I can see why people would think Tchoupitoulas. There are blocks much like this, including the hip roofs. But those French Quarter landmarks, and the gabled roof beyond the end of the street, are the view from Lafitte. I think its Tchoup, too. For what its worth, I think it's Tchoup too. Near the grocery store. (was Delchamps when I lived there). The building stock is still extant there in places, I believe. (The Gallery, New Orleans, Walker Evans)
New Orleans Orpheum: 1910
New Orleans, 1910. "Orpheum Theatre (St. Charles Theatre), St. Charles Street." ... theaters; today there are fewer than 20, including one in New Orleans--not this one, but its successor opened in 1921. 'Orpheum' ... to GlenJay for clarifying that the current Orpheum in New Orleans (where I attended a concert in the '90s) is not the one in this ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/15/2023 - 1:01pm -

New Orleans, 1910. "Orpheum Theatre (St. Charles Theatre), St. Charles Street." Matinee Daily at 2:15. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Just a guessLeft-handed sign painter. The largest attendeeApril 1910 the Shriners gathered in NOLA for their 36th annual convention. The Secretary of the Navy dispatched the battleship USS Wisconsin to the Crescent City for the amusement of the fez wearing fun seekers. That's clout! And, maybe, a little vaudeville. Final CurtainLike so many theatres of that era, it was torn down in the 1960s. https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/3200 House of Orpheus'Orpheum' is still a recognized name for theaters. It goes back to a vaudeville house in San Francisco in 1886. Later it became part of RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpheum). At its height the Orpheum Circuit had 45 theaters; today there are fewer than 20, including one in New Orleans--not this one, but its successor opened in 1921. 'Orpheum' derives from Orpheus, a mythic figure maybe based on a real person, whose accomplishments included inventing the lyre, founding the Orphic mysteries, descending to the underworld to rescue his wife, seeking the Golden Fleece with Jason and the Argonauts, and dying by (take your choice) suicide in grief, a thunderbolt, or being torn asunder by Maenads. An appropriate name for theaters. Who is the lad?Wonder who the lad is at the top of the Orpheum (building below the fire ladder)? He seems very aware of the photographer. On the PlaybillHere's a look at the playbill, most names are readable! Orpheum 2.0Thanks to GlenJay for clarifying that the current Orpheum in New Orleans (where I attended a concert in the '90s) is not the one in this picture; I didn't think they looked anything alike. The successor theatre was very nice when I was there, and I was happy to read that, even though it took a major hit during Katrina, it has now been restored and reopened. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans)
3rd Int'l Pageant of Pulchritude
... LITTLE ROCK (AR) - Frances McCroskey MILWAUKEE (WI) NEW ORLEANS (LA) - Georgia Payne OKLAHOMA CITY (OK) - Mary Kate Drew SAN ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/07/2011 - 5:40pm -

Third International Pageant of Pulchritude and Ninth Annual Bathing Girl Revue, June 1928. Galveston, Texas. View full size. Proto Emo GirlI think I'm in love with the clad-in-black Miss New Jersey. Meanwhile Miss Nebraska is expressing the love whose name cannot be spoken for Miss Wisconsin. Congratulations to Miss St.Congratulations to Miss St. Louis, 42nd runner-up. Mrs?Shouldn't that be "Mr. France". Oofah! HuhI like how we range from Miss Biloxi to Miss England. I'm surprised we didn't have Miss 22nd Street and Miss Asia, too. By the way, I know standards of beauty have changed, and the women in pageants today are not necessarily more or less attractive, but Miss St. Louis was a beast. I'm sorry, there had to be some corruption in that contest. Miss St. LouisBut look at her body. It's all about the body. NiceMiss Mississippi is fine... Hm.Objectifying women across the centuries! Coincidence??Miss France and her predecessor. Different hats, but that nose ... eerie, huh? Miss St. LouisWhat's the problem with her? Look at her smile... Miss MilwaukeeAll the way ! A beauty any man could fall in love with. Funny that......I was thinking the same about that bloke dressed up as Miss St Louis... SeawallSo they stuck the out-of-town contestants on the beach for the group photo, while the oglers watch from the seawall? Those Galvestonians learned something from that hurricane! Fun, Best Legs, Shock JockMiss California gets my vote, she's looks like alot of fun! Miss Utah has the best legs, and Miss St. Louis is Howard Stern in a bathing suit. PoPI swear Miss Greater New York is winking. Fabulous. Roaring 20's!See the trends move fast near the end of the decade. Some areas chose slimmer gals that appear to better fit the Flapper styles of the times. Many men of the day would see Miss Austin as being horribly sickly, but today she would have the attributes of a runway model! And yes, Miss CA is absolutely adorable, and the St. Louis pageant must have had very few contestants. Miss OhioI think Miss Ohio cornered the Amish vote. Miss Utah is one cute little Mormon pixie, working her flirt something fierce- that girl you could paste into a modern photo and nobody would think twice about it. It's funny how wildly different they all look- a modern contest the girls would all look more or less the same. This photo is a crazy assortment of beauties & cuties, geek girls, dorks, farm girls, prom queens, and linebackers. Awesome! Lots of Fine Choices in Girls Here ...Take a close look at Miss Pennsylvania. She's showing off some ummmmm talents. Not too shabby. And she is the only one with those. But it seems she and Miss Ohio are wanting to trip the light fantastic. So she's likely spoken for, unless a threesome would work. I have to agree, Miss California looks like a good candidate. Also check Miss Colorado, pretty cute looking although zero to concave up topside. But clearly this whole contest is rigged, considering Miss St. Louis and Miss France. Holy cow! Either one would be worth chewing your arm off if you woke up next to them with it stuck underneath. They must have done multiple special couch sessions with a bag over their head and paid a bunch of cash just to get into this line up. What on Miss Spain's forehead? Is that the reset button? 1st Prize to Miss BiloxiShe's quite alluring, but does need to work on her posture. Honorable mentions to Miss San Antonio (very cute), Miss Belgium (best smile), and Miss NY State (quite sexy even by 2009 standards). And I agree, Nebraska's totally putting the moves on Wisconsin. But so would I. Pennsylvania and Ohio must be roommates. Yeah, that's it. Roommates. BZZZT! and the correct answer is...Miss Chicago. hubba... First Runner-UpRaymonde Allain, Miss France 1927, became an actress -- the Internet Movie Database lists her as appearing in 10 films and (in 1974) a television show. She also wrote a book in 1933, "Histoire vraie d'un prix de beaute?" ("True story of a price for beauty"). She married the pianist and composer Alec Siniavine, who composed a love song for her during the Nazi occupation, "Attends moi mon amour." Siniavine also played in a quartet with Django Reinhardt in 1934. [Miss Allain to the New York Times in 1928: "It is certainly great to be beautiful." - Dave] "Galveston Bathing Beauties"The event lasted from 1920 to 1931, when the Morality Police had it shut down for showing too much leg. Miss Chicago took 1st in 1928 and Miss France took 2nd which obviously means ... Miss Missouri was ROBBED!!! Come on, Miss Missouri had the whole package yet she didn't even finish in the top 10?!! Results 1 UNITED STATES - Ella Van Hueson (Miss Chicago) 2 FRANCE - Raymonde Allain 3 ITALY - Livia Marracci 4 COLORADO - Mildred Ellene Golden 5 WEST VIRGINIA - Audrey Reilley 6 CANADA - Irene Hill 7 LUXEMBOURG - Anna Friedrich 8 OHIO - Mary Horlocker 9 SAN ANTONIO (TX) - Anna Debrow 10 TULSA (OK) - Helen Paris Contestants Foreign BELGIUM - Anne Koyaert CANADA - Irene Hill CUBA - Nila Garrido ENGLAND - Nonni Shields FRANCE - Raymonde Allain GERMANY - Hella Hoffman ITALY - Livia Marracci LUXEMBOURG - Anna Friedrich MEXICO - Maria Teresa de Landa SPAIN - Agueda Adorna USA states or regions CALIFORNIA - Geraldine Grimsley COLORADO - Mildred Golden CONNECTICUT - Mary Deano INDIANA - Betty Dumpres IOWA - Ethel Mae Frette KENTUCKY - Vergie H. Hendricks LOUISIANA - Evelyn Smith MINNESOTA - Delores Davitt MISSISSIPPI - Louise Fayard MISSOURI - Margaret Woods NEBRASKA - Bernice Graf NEW JERSEY - Elizabeth K. Smith NEW YORK STATE - Winnifred Watson OHIO - Mary Horlocker PENNSYLVANIA - Anna Dubin UTAH - Eldora Pence WEST VIRGINIA - Audrey Reilley WISCONSIN - Betty Porter USA cities AUSTIN (TX) - Irene Wilson BILOXI (MS) - Fleeta Doyle CHICAGO (IL) - Ella Van Hueson DALLAS (TX) - Hazel Peck FORT WORTH (TX) - Cleo Belle Marshall GREATER NEW YORK (NY) - Isabel Waldner HOUSTON (TX) - Katherine Miller LITTLE ROCK (AR) - Frances McCroskey MILWAUKEE (WI) NEW ORLEANS (LA) - Georgia Payne OKLAHOMA CITY (OK) - Mary Kate Drew SAN ANTONIO (TX) - Anna Debrow ST. LOUIS (MO) - Eunice Gerling TULSA (OK) - Helen Paris http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/universe_1920.htm Now you've got some names to go with the faces. [What was at stake was no less than the title of Miss Universe. Controversy erupted when Miss France, Raymonde Allain, came in second to an American girl. - Dave] Pageant of Pulchritude 2009Seems like the pageant once again is on, after 77 years absence. Found this http://www.houstonpress.com/slideshow/view/13011295 Butter faceis what we would call Miss St. Louis nowadays. Miss Puffsylvania gets my trophy! (The Gallery, Pretty Girls, Swimming)
Newer Orleans: 1890s
1890s. "The French Quarter, New Orleans." Its carbon arc lamps lighting the way to an electrified future. ... picture may have been taken a little after the previous New Orleans picture, "The French Quarter - 1890s". In this photo, the streetcar ... picture top to bottom, side to side, several times; I love New Orleans architecture and I never tire of gazing at that wrought iron lace. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/16/2019 - 11:20am -

1890s. "The French Quarter, New Orleans." Its carbon arc lamps lighting the way to an electrified future. Glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. Creating a Smooth RideThis picture may have been taken a little after the previous New Orleans picture, "The French Quarter - 1890s". In this photo, the streetcar rails are installed. In the previous shot, the ruts for the track have been created, but appears the rails have not yet been put in place. Pitcher of pulchritudeI've studied this picture top to bottom, side to side, several times; I love New Orleans architecture and I never tire of gazing at that wrought iron lace. What keeps me coming back to look at the photo again, though, is not the buildings. It's the two little boys walking, with the older one toting a pitcher. I wish we could know why they were doing that, so long ago, on what was obviously a lovely day. It's a beautiful image. Dauphine at Orleans AvenueThis corner has some very nice wrought iron. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, W.H. Jackson)
Mardi Gras: 1900
"Mardi Gras, New Orleans, the Red Pageant," circa 1900-1910. Detroit Publishing Company ... - he looks skeptical and concerned about the future of New Orleans Kerfuffly There does seem to be a slight kerfuffle around ... Can we get rid of tourist traps already? I wish New Orleans looked like this again, it'd be far less disgusting. Funny that ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/13/2012 - 5:01pm -

"Mardi Gras, New Orleans, the Red Pageant," circa 1900-1910. Detroit Publishing Company glass negative, Library of Congress. View full size. Mob SceneCan anyone tell me why the only woman on the street facing the camera is masked. This is one of the greatest mob scenes photos ever. [Ever been to Mardi Gras? Lots of masks. - Dave] Derby HatsBy the thousands! Great photo Young Barack Obama??Lower right quadrant - he looks skeptical and concerned about the future of New Orleans Kerfuffly There does seem to be a slight kerfuffle around the masked woman. Perhaps the other woman by her side is also wearing a similar mask. They certainly are dressed alike and calling some attention to themselves. There is a uniformed man facing them. Some of those around the two women are looking questioningly at them. What about the woman (closer to the parade) who appears to be wearing a pillowcase over her head? Bon TempsDo they call out "Show us your...ah, um...corsets?" I noticed that every man is in a suit, sporting a hat. Was Mardi Gras a more cultured event back then or is the clothing deceptive? C Bennette Moore , Photographerhttp://www.bergeronstudio.com/cb_moore/cb_moore.html On this site, his ad card lists his studio at 314 Royal, however, this is Canal street, so the billboard is an advert and not a tied to that location. I am seeing more Stetsons on men in this pic than we see in the Northeast at this same time. The bowler was the ball cap of the early 1900s, just about every man wore one. Better times?We hear that alot around here, how things were better back in the day, and this photo is an interesting example for the discussion. Everyone looks well dressed and well behaved, not too drunk or rowdy. Not at all like today's Mardi Gras- all the women are dressed in layers upon layers and there's not a bead to be seen anywhere. (On second thought, maybe these days weren't that great after all!) Eye on the parade?What is the round thing under "GEN'L ARTHUR CIGAR"? It looks like some sort of futuristic parade security camera ... or maybe an eyeball? This is like a bizarre Where's WaldoLots of derby hats, yes, and the occasional Stetson and fedora. But lots of those uniform hats that sit on top of the head -- I think there's quite a police/military presence in the crowd. Very interesting. I wish the floats were clearer. I can't tell if the guy sitting up there is in blackface, or is a real person of Native or African ancestry. It could be either or both, of course. The School of DesignHere is a link to the website for the Krewe of Rex, or as it is more properly known, The School of Design. The history pages and particularly the sections on the traditional design of the floats is fascinating. http://www.rexorganization.com/ If you threw these ladies some beads......It looks like they might take off their hats! Scandalous! Where's the beads?Mardi Gras couldn't have been much fun back then . . . They are all fully dressed and not drinking! Such CivilityWHAT?!? No "show us your....."? Compare this picture with what goes on today. A contrast of mores. Looks kind of like CanalLooks kind of like Canal Street (mostly due to the width of the street and the overhead wires down the center). Plus, there's a St. James Hotel on Magazine St. just off of Canal St. nowadays. But I can't say for sure. Laissez Les Bon Temps RoulezThis picture simply justifies my complete addiction to this wonderful site. Not only is the subject near and dear to my heart, but the clarity of the picture is breathtaking. I can't help but scan the crowd for my great-grandmother Sophie. Mercy me, she might be the one in the mask, God bless her Southern belle soul. The Red PageantThis photo clearly shows Rex, the King of Carnival, so I would guess that someone made a mistake labeling the photo as the "Red" pageant. It would more correctly be labeled "The Rex Pageant" or "The Rex Parade", as the Krewe of Rex would have their pageant (or more correctly, their Ball) after the actual parade. The theme of this year clearly was "In Utopia" and I imagine that Mardi Gras and Krewe of Rex scholars could use that information to put an exact date on this photo. ClassyWow. This is a lot classier than the photos my roommates took when they went to Mardi Gras in college. For one thing, I don't see any... beads. Love the signageI'm just absorbing all the wonderful signage. There are a few typefaces that look surprisingly modern among all the other wacky stuff. I love these kinds of photos because I can really imagine myself walking down the street, past the storefronts, smelling the wood, boot polish, etc. I would really love to be able to spend just an hour back in the late 1890s-early 1900s just to see what an average day was like. Just think......Louis Armstrong was just a kid in this city at this time. Canal At RoyalThis looks like it's a shot of the Northeast (French Quarter) side of Canal Street, at Royal Street. The dark stone building behind the front float and the three buildings next to it (on the right) are all there today. Where the dome more or less is now occupied by the Marriott, I think. View Larger Map Good job VicI could tell it was Canal and therefore thought there was a good chance that some of the buildings remained, but I wasn't as skilled as you in using Google street view. In addition to more conservative dress, the patrons are not all reaching up for beads and trinkets. When I rode in the Baccus parade in 2005, after a couple of hours it almost seemed to me that the float was being attacked by zombies as the entire crowd shuffled forward with arms outstretched! Godchaux'sJust found out that the ornate white building with the dome, in whose spot now stands the rather less inspiring Marriott, is the Godchaux department store building. It is, indeed, the only building between Chartres and Royal that is not still here today, a century later. http://www-sal.cs.uiuc.edu/~friedman/canal/Pic203.htm 1900I would like to go back and see what it was like around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century, also Rob. Nearly all my favorite literature is from that era; even Russian literature. In UtopiaThis was the 1906 Rex Parade (February 27). On first float is Captain Alexander M. Halliday who reigned as Rex that year. Rex BeadsMy guess as to why they aren't reaching for beads is because Rex beads suck. Rex parades are also some of the more, um, calm parades now. I can't imagine that it was any different in the early 1900s. Can we get rid of tourist traps already?I wish New Orleans looked like this again, it'd be far less disgusting. Funny that a lot of people that live around here hate Mardi Gras so much. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans)
A Streetcar Named Clio: 1900
"Royal Street, New Orleans, circa 1900." The sign on the car reads CLIO ST. Who can tell us ... District off of Canal street--the "Main Street" of New Orleans. Royal Street and the rest of the Vieux Carre were heading into a ... that the same as the French Opera House , home of the New Orleans Grand Opera Company ? The French Opera house burned in 1919. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/19/2012 - 4:31pm -

"Royal Street, New Orleans, circa 1900." The sign on the car reads CLIO ST. Who can tell us more? Detroit Publishing Company glass negative. View full size. What the flag meantUntil very recently--oh, say the 1960s or 1970s--the display of that particular flag, before Mardi Gras, in front of someone's home meant that a former King of Carnival (ex-Rex?) lived there. In 1900 or thereabouts, Royal Street was an adjunct to the Central Business District off of Canal street--the "Main Street" of New Orleans. Royal Street and the rest of the Vieux Carre were heading into a period of decline. By World War I, all of the Vieux Carre would be considered a slum, and definitely not yet a tourist attraction. But if the Mardi Gras flag always hung in front of the home of an ex-Rex, why is it here hanging in front of a furniture store? Notice that the flag is attached to the balcony--there have always been apartments on the second floor above the businesses on the first floor, many of the apartments quite luxurious, often the homes of the proprietors of the businesses below. This part of Royal Street has always been associated with furniture stores owned by one family: Mintz, Hurwitz-Mintz, and Mintz & Mintz are three firms I recall. The flag is quite believable at that location. Jewish citizens--such as the Mintzes--were very prominent in the early history of the Rex Organization--and the very first Rex in 1872 was Jewish. (see www.rexorganization.com) Michael StroghoffA little Photoshop help suggests that the poster on the right is for a production of "Michael Stroghoff," perhaps a play based on the 1876 Jules Verne novel (often spelled as "Michael Strogoff"), at the Grand Theatre on Feb. 25. The novel was also made into a film in 1910; could this image be that late? I also see "10-20-30" at the bottom-- ticket prices? [Those would be prices for a theatrical (opera house) production. Example below from 1898. - Dave] A little more digging suggests that Michael Stroghoff was playing at the Grand Opera House, "which once stood on Canal Street." Is that the same as the French Opera House, home of the New Orleans Grand Opera Company? The French Opera house burned in 1919. CrackedThis is the 1000 block of Royal, heading northeast towards Ursulines Avenue. The Scottish Bond brickwork on the building on the right still shows that white crack-repair job running up its left side after 108 years! Nice also to see that those stinky and disgusting gutters are gone. View Larger Map Americana 101This picture, (and the many like it), combined with the informative comments, (and the many like them), make the SHORPY site one of the most fascinating on the internet! The way it taps into the tremendous wealth of regional and historical knowledge is a treasure. I'll say it again, "Thanks, Dave" and thanks to all SHORPIANS! French Opera HouseThe French Opera House was always known as such. It was on Bourbon at Toulouse from 1859 to 1919. I love this photoThe city's gutters, now paved over, are streams of mostly rain and bayou water. When I was a kid, there were still parts of town where the gutters were exposed, and once in a while -- particularly after a heavy rain -- you'd see a crawfish swim by. The street name "Clio" is variously pronounced "KLEE-oh," "KLY-oh," and (humorously) "C. L. ten". The Nine Greek MusesNine New Orleans streets were named after the Greek Muses: Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia and Urania. The locals pronounce the names differently, though. Mel-po-meen instead of Mel-pom-uh-knee, Terp-sih-core instead of Terp-sick-oree, Kal-eee-ope instead of Kuh-lie-oh-pee. The Clio LineThe Clio line was an early streetcar line, one of the first, if not the first, to cross Canal Street. I believe that it became part of the S. Clairborne line. Much more at George Friedman's wonderful New Orleans streetcar site, "Canal Street: A Street Railway Spectacular". http://www.cs.uiuc.edu/homes/friedman/canal/Canal.htm Here's a shot down Royal a few years later: http://www.cs.uiuc.edu/homes/friedman/canal/Pic150.htm Mardi Gras!That's the "Flag of Joy" (Mardi Gras flag) flying from the furniture store on the left. It is green-purple-yellow stripes (here diagonal) with a gold crown in the center. InboundThe car is on Royal Street at Ursulines Avenue, inbound to Canal Street (11 blocks north). Clio Street is another 12 blocks or so north of Canal. There was a car barn in that vicinity. The scene is just like this today sans the cobble/brick street and street car. [Below, the view on Royal just south of Ursulines. One building on the left in the old photo is gone, but everything else looks pretty much the same, even the ironwork. - Dave] View Larger Map Clio CarYou're right about the Mardi Gras flag and, judging on the heavier clothing being worn, it very well could be time for Carnival. This photograph looks down Royal Street into the French Quarter with Canal Street behind the photographer. The streets in the Vieux Carre are very narrow as can be seen here most are one-way. This streetcar is heading toward Canal Street where it will cross into the Central Business District, go up St. Charles Avenue, around Lee Circle, up a few blocks, and then turn onto Clio Street. It probably terminated near the train station and the then undreamt-of Superdome. R.O.S.I love that -- "Shorpians." Count me as an expat in the Republic of Shorpy, forever visiting a foreign place and time. Thanks again for all your efforts on behalf of the Republic. How'd you do that!Thanks, Dave-- Your version of the "enhanced" poster is a lot more legible than mine! Ironwork porchesI would LOVE to find a setup like that for my house. I wonder what something like that would cost these days. Little Sicily1900 was the year that my great-grandfather died. This is photo was taken near their neighborhood at 629 Saint Philip Street. This could have been what the world looked like on his last day on the planet. Note the women in black on the sidewalk (banquette). They could have been on the way to the wake. The chubby one could be my great-grandmother; the others could be daughters. The French Quarter was known as the Sicilian Quarter or Little Sicily at the time. Gramps was "well respected in the Sicilian community," according to his obituary. This photo will be good to keep in my genealogical folder. King of RexIt would appear that Mr. Zamelli was King of Rex at one time. I'm going on the fact that usually the owners of stores in this area lived in very elegant upstairs apartments in the French Quarter. I tried to find a listing of former Kings but couldn't. Is there someone out there better a searching than me? I would love to know of Mr. (and/or Mrs.) Zamelli was connected with Rex. Kathy Clio LineLater part of the S. Clairborne line, its streetcars would take riders into the Central Business District, then into the Lower Garden District. As mentioned by MovieWatcher, it was named for one of the nine muses. Barthelemy Lafon designed the area in 1806-7 as an arts district with the streets leading to a central park. Tivoli Circle is also in this area. In 1877 the city passed an ordinance changing the name to Lee Circle for its giant statute of Robert E. Lee. The General faces due north because one can never turn his back on a Yankee. They will be heardAs an fyi, there are streets for all of the Muses. Lee CircleThanks for the Clio Line info, T Marcell. I visit near Lee Circle regularly and I'd love to see a photo of that area from the same era or earlier, even if it never became a thriving arts district that Lafon had planned. Mystery muckGutters or no, there are still plenty of pools of unidentifiable ooze in the streets. More since Katrina. Not that expensiveYeah, this is 1000 blk of Royal looking towards Esplanade, away from Canal (Canal street, uptown, is actually SW from this location and Esplanade, downriver, NE). I have a friend that has a condo with a balcony on the left side of this block- it ain't cheap, but not outrageous. As far as Zamelli being Rex, I'd say that's highly, highly unlikely, as another commenter indicated, this lower part of the quarter was already known as little Palermo and fast becoming a slum at the time of the photo. The fancy furniture and antique shops were and are in the upper part of the quarter in the 200-500 blocks. There were many wealthy and prominent German Jews who came to New Orleans before the Civil War, but the Sicilians and eastern Jews that arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s had generally not yet made their mark. OTOH, much of the French Quarter property is still owned by descendants of the Sicilian immigrants, and of course it's now quite valuable. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, Streetcars)
Nuovo Orleans: 1906
New Orleans circa 1906. "Italian headquarters, Madison Street." 8x10 inch dry ... at Madame Begue's was Jean-Dominic Castet, who had come to New Orleans from France in 1905. Castet and Philibert Buichet decided to join ... live in a Creole Townhouse on this street. Read "Fabulous New Orleans." He also edited the New Deal guidebook on New Orleans. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/14/2012 - 10:48am -

New Orleans circa 1906. "Italian headquarters, Madison Street." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Begue & TujagueVery cool. The building on the right (Begue's) has been the famous Tujague's restaurant since 1914: Tujague's closest competition always had been Begue's, a few doors up Decatur at the corner of Madison. The proprietor-chef there was the legendary Elizabeth Kettenring Dutreuil Begue, a Bavarian emigrant who had been cooking for the French Market crowd since 1863. In 1906, Madame Begue, died and her restaurant was taken over by her daughter and son-in-law, the Anouilles. One of the employees at Madame Begue's was Jean-Dominic Castet, who had come to New Orleans from France in 1905. Castet and Philibert Buichet decided to join forces, and in 1914 they bought Elizabeth Begue's restaurant from her now-widowed daughter and hung out a new sign reading "Tujague's" (via http://www.tujaguesrestaurant.com/history.html) +102This view is looking down Madison from Decatur (the French Market is directly behind the photographer). Here is the identical view taken in September of 2008 (I couldn't tell if anyone in the 2008 shot was Italian, but the mule did resemble some of my relatives). ImagineSitting in that rockin' chair on the balcony overlookin' Madison. Enjoyin' a nice cold beer (or two), maybe some oysters with hot sauce. My memories of Gretna all come back. No better way to while away a lazy summer day. Very classy Amazing how everyone looks like they are about to go to a black tie event. FlushedWhat's with the opened hydrant? Awash in ...poo. The enlarged photo gives you a good idea what streets which weren't washed on a regular basis looked like. You can imagine THAT on a rainy day and imagine the humid aroma when the sun came out. Smell! What smell?For two years I lived in a post-WWII city that had been reduced to mostly rubble. The canals that ran through it stank of everything man or animal could produce. However, after about two months, I didn't even notice it and, instead, enjoyed watching the reaction of newcomers. I suspect the folks who lived with horses and outhouses every day also got used to the smell. What are those... conical things with the ball on top at the corners? [Bollards! - Dave] Lyle SaxonThe great writer Lyle Saxon used to live in a Creole Townhouse on this street. Read "Fabulous New Orleans." He also edited the New Deal guidebook on New Orleans. Christian MoerleinWhoever was in charge of their distribution was earning their money. Today I have to go to Ohio, or at least northern Kentucky, to get a case of Barbarossa. https://www.shorpy.com/node/1766 Prost! Madison Street postcardHere's the view as it was mass produced as a postcard. Tujague's Restaurant at this location today has their main dining room on the ground floor. Madame Begue's Restaurant at the time of this photo was upstairs. Looking at the streets in the horse era, I better understand why. Cafe du Monde is just up the street. A friend used to live in an apartment just back on Madison Street; she said she enjoyed being able to smell the coffee and begneits from her room in the morning. Street DramasI love these street dramas. The guy on the far right (a veteran of the War Between the States) has probably been in Begue's and is on his way to the market. Behind him is a boy with a hamper -- maybe a picnic lunch? -- in a big hurry. To the boy's right a woman in a white blouse and birds-nest hat is clearly annoyed with the older man at her side (has he been drinking?). On the sidewalk, two small swarthy fellows, one of whom looks vaguely Chinese, are clearly arguing. The fellow without the hat is gesticulating with his right hand to make a point. My favorite, though, is the dandy leaning against the building, taking in all the action. He's wearing a winged collar, a colorful cravat, and a wildly improbable cap. His shoes gleam in the Southern sun. BollardsThe "conical things" are to prevent vehicles, horses, etc. from cutting the corner and having the wheel or hoof drop into the rather large gutter. Anybody who has ever seen a New Orleans downpour understands the need for the large gutters (mini ditches). (The Gallery, DPC, Eateries & Bars, New Orleans)
Old Man River: 1906
... pontoon boat down the Mississippi from Minneapolis to New Orleans stopping at small towns, having lunch, talking to people, fishing ... R. Greenville-Vicksburg 1910-11, winter, New Orleans, excursions 1918-19, Cairo, Ill., excursions ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/02/2012 - 3:19pm -

"Mississippi River Landing." Circa 1906, an exceptionally detailed view of the sternwheeler "Belle of Calhoun" and sidewheeler "Belle of the Bends" taking on cargo. Detroit Publishing Company 8x10 glass negative. View full size. I really like this photo!I can feel the motion, almost hear the sounds, smell the aromas....quite amazing. Gives me a strong hint of the era just over 100 years ago. WoodworkThe amount of woodwork that must have gone into making one of these vessels is amazing. The detail work on the railings comes to mind. Wonder what it would cost today to build one to spec? Lifting BalesI see people lifting that bale, but I don't see anyone toting that barge. Not that I'd know barge-toting when I saw it, though... Belle of CalhounAt 451 gross tons, with 27 staterooms and 60 berths, the Belle could carry 119 passengers including 30 in deck and steerage. She also was certified to carry freight. Old Glory......is looking awfully tired and threadbare on Belle of the Bends. VicksburgThis could be anywhere along the length of the Mississippi River, but something reminds me of Vicksburg. All that's missing from the scene is the I-20/US80 Bridge, the Old Vicksburg Bridge, and the Casino Boats. On second thought I don't miss those at all, this is a better image. Vicksburg & GreenvilleVicksburg & Greenville Packet Co., it says on Belle of the Bends wheel cover. I wonder if that tattered flag held some historical significance, it seems stark in contrast with the shiny bell. There's so much interesting detail in the open fronted wheelhouses alone with their strange shutters and whistles. The Gingerbread BoatThe railings and detail work you see was generally factory made and could be ordered through mail-order catalogs. What made it go out of style was not the hand work needed to make it, it was the hand work needed to keep it painted. That's why you saw a lot of Victorian houses painted one color in later years when originally the trim was painted in a contrasting color (or colors) to the main body of the house. Travel on the riverAt one time I thought it would be nice to take a well equipped pontoon boat down the Mississippi from Minneapolis to New Orleans stopping at small towns, having lunch, talking to people, fishing etc. What stopped me is that it would not be safe. There are to many bad people in America. [Smart move. So many kayakers these days getting waylaid by highwaymen and barge pirates. - Dave] Falstaff BeerNote Falstaff wagon at far right. According to falstaffbrewing.com, it's been made under that brand label since 1899. Fascinating shot, Dave, I feel like I'm right there. *Sigh*Shopped [*Sigh.* Dumb. - Dave] Shopped?The only thing worse than reading someone complain that a particular picture at this site has been Photoshopped is someone complaining that a picture has been Photoshopped without providing an explanation of why they think this is the case. Not that the explanations are true but it's amusing to read their theories. Sort of like the explanations of why the Moon Landing photos are fakes. [We use Photoshop on all of these. These photos don't appear on your screen via magic or telepathy -- you have to have some kind of image editor to get them sized, cropped, adjusted for contrast and changed from tiffs into jpegs. Plus the negatives have to be inverted to get positives. The "Shopped" commenters seem to have vague notions that something fishy is afoot. - Dave] Nimitz Was There ... Where's Halsey?In 1900 an A F Nimitz was Captain. Any genealogists out there who might be able to connect any family lines to Admiral Nimitz of WWII fame? Belle Of The Woods Type: Sidewheel wooden hull packet Size: 210' X 32.6' X 7.4' Power: 18's-8 ft., 3 boilers, each 44" X 28' Launched: 1898, Jeffersonvile, Ind. by the Howard Yard Destroyed; 1919, Oct. dismantled by John F. Klein Area: Ohio R. Greenville-Vicksburg 1910-11, winter, New Orleans, excursions 1918-19, Cairo, Ill., excursions Owners: 1898- Vicksburg And Greenville Packet Company 1910-or so, purchased by Capt Morrissy Captains: 1900, Master, A. F. Nimtz 1901, Pilots, Billy Newbill and Joe Delahunt 1910, Morrissy At one time, Joe Ballard, Vicksburg to Greenville, Miss. Comments: 1909, Sept., 40 mi. below Viskburg, sank and was raised. 1910, Fitler's Landing, 20 mi. below Lake Providence, sank. Raised. 1910, or between 1918-19, renamed LIBERTY 1940, her bell was at Altheimer Plantation near Pine Bluff Ark. 1910, Fitler's Landing, 20 mi. below Lake Providence, sank. Raised. 1910, or between 1918-19, renamed LIBERTY 1940, her bell was at Altheimer Plantation near Pine Bluff Ark. Nimtz, not NimitzIt's listed as Nimtz down in the text. Not Nimitz. "Mark" my words...Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain 8x10 glass neg!Wow, the resolution on a century old glass neg is as good as anything today it appears. Amazing technical expertise. True DaysThis is before my time by 45 years, but my father was old when he had me and saw all of this on the Mississippi. Mark Twain's stories tell much about it. I've been on the Ol' Miss a few times, but now live near the Mekong in SE Asia. I would have liked to have seen it here at that time too. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC)
Old New Orleans: 1906
New Orleans, Louisiana, circa 1906. "Old French courtyard on Royal Street." ... Google Streetview: this is 729, 731 and 733 Royal Street, New Orleans. The cistern is gone, the awful enclosed porch over the tunnel ... Sisters a-courting There's a popular restaurant in New Orleans by the name of the Court of Two Sisters. This isn't it. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/03/2012 - 4:04pm -

New Orleans, Louisiana, circa 1906. "Old French courtyard on Royal Street." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. It's still there.Courtesy of Bing's Bird's Eye View and Google Streetview: this is 729, 731 and 733 Royal Street, New Orleans. The cistern is gone, the awful enclosed porch over the tunnel has been removed and the neighborhood seems to have gone more upscale since 1906 but the building survives in fine shape. Potato patioToo poor to paint, too proud to whitewash? AccretionReminds me a little of how corals build a reef. Sisters a-courtingThere's a popular restaurant in New Orleans by the name of the Court of Two Sisters. This isn't it. Thinking of that name compels me to name this photo the Court of Five Sisters. There's four women to be seen and that water tank is a ... cistern. You can tell it's Frenchby the plumbing. Porch railingOn the upper left. It took me a long time in looking at it to realize why it looked like it was leaning outwards instead of straight up and down. It's the stays, not sure if that's what they're called, that are placed at an angle instead of up and down. Creole TownhouseThe planking on the facade is a late extension. Are those stables on the right? Stella!Sorry, couldn't resist. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans)
Ghosts of New Orleans: 1906
New Orleans circa 1906. "Chartres Street." Furnished Rooms and spectral ... damaged during Hurricane Katrina, but like all things in New Orleans, it too managed to weather the storm. Arched Doors and a ... Street Chartres Street in the French Quarter has New Orleans' highest concentration of surviving Colonial era architecture, but ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/19/2012 - 12:56pm -

New Orleans circa 1906. "Chartres Street." Furnished Rooms and spectral pedestrians. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. VantageThis view is taken from just northeast of St. Louis Street, looking toward Jackson Square. Two major monuments alongside the Square are visible in very foreshortened perspective: first the mansard-roofed Cabildo (Gilberto Guillemard, architect, built 1795-1801; mansard roof added 1847) and then the towers of St. Louis Cathedral (as rebuilt according to the plans of J. N. B. de Pouilly c. 1850). St. Louis CathedralThat's the St. Louis Cathedral in the distance. Built in 1850 as an expansion to the 1789 structure. It was slightly damaged during Hurricane Katrina, but like all things in New Orleans, it too managed to weather the storm. Arched Doors and a Distant ChurchOnly arched doorways and a distant church lets you know that it's the same street today. So much, yet so little has changed. View Larger Map Furnished indeedBit of a crude wrought iron railing design above "Furnished Rooms." Love it. Repurposed doorI like how the door in the archway on the left has been repurposed - quite the patchwork, but secure? Chartres StreetChartres Street in the French Quarter has New Orleans' highest concentration of surviving Colonial era architecture, but the block this photo focuses on is unfortunately not one of those which has remained largely intact. The arch at far left is part of a historic building, the old St. Louis Hotel, opened as a grand hotel in 1835, for a time also known as the Royal Hotel, served as the State Capitol building for a time in the 1870s, and by the time this photo was taken can be seen to have fallen on hard times. By 1914 the owners were sited by the city for the decayed state of the building which was a breeding ground for rats. The following year it was badly damaged by the Great Hurricane of 1915 and subsequently demolished -- except for the set of granite arches on the Chartres Street side including the one seen here. It is now incorporated into the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel building. The rest of the buildings on this side of the block are gone except the last one on the corner, which has lost its wrought iron work. For decades the area between the older buildings was part of the complex of local tv station WDSU; now it's parking garages. The opposite side of this block of Chartres fortunately fared better; I believe all but one are still there. While the "crude wrought iron railing" is gone, since 1950 visitors can see the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum here. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans)
Mr. Magazine: 1908
1908. "Smallest news & post card stand in New Orleans, 103 Royal Street." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit ... show business. Looking at these magazines for sale in 1908 New Orleans sort of reinforces that theory. Gimme the lot! I'd buy the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/14/2012 - 3:46pm -

1908. "Smallest news & post card stand in New Orleans, 103 Royal Street." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Next doorI see cabbages, bananas, oranges, apples, peaches, walnuts, and ... waffles? Re: BlueBookAnother bid for one of each! From Antiques Roadshow archive: APPRAISER: "This is one of the later ones-- there's no date here, I think this was done about 1915, 1916 or 1917.the last copy I was able to track down at auction, sold for more than $2,000, some years ago. GUEST: Wow. APPRAISER: My guess on this is it's worth somewhere between $3,500 and $4,500. GUEST: My goodness. APPRAISER: Not bad for something you picked from the garbage, right? Magazines and NewspapersI'll say what we're all probably thinking: I'll take one of everything on your stand, sir. Hey, there's a magazine for everybody. The Information HighwayBefore the internet was invented. Sagebrush Philosopher"Sagebrush Philosophy" was published by the Wyoming writer Bill Barlow: Shortly after locating at Douglas he began the publication of a little monthly magazine called Sagebrush Philosophy, which soon had a circulation that extended to all parts of the Union. His writings scintillated with wit, philosophy and optimism, and his vocabulary was both extensive and unique. Sagebrush Philosophy was built up on his personality and when his death occurred on October 9, 1910, it was realized that no one could continue the publication of the magazine, so its last number was issued in November following his death. The JewelThis photo has a great example of an Etched - Glue Chipped Glass doorway on the right. I would lay money down and say that the gilded wood letters (on the upper left & above clerk) are most likely manufactured by the Spanjer Bros. This photo would look great in color with all those magazine covers too. Dietz Sign Co.Saw that at the top of the picture. Googled it. Got as far as this page. Dietz Lantern Company. Read through it, you'll see mentions of places and things seen on Shorpy. I will start a-looking. The Big QuestionHow did he get IN there? ThurberesqueShe came naturally by her confused and groundless fears, for her own mother lived the latter years of her life in the horrible suspicion that electricity was dripping invisibly all over the house. It leaked, she contended, out of empty sockets if the wall switch had been left on. She would go around screwing in bulbs, and if they lighted up she would hastily and fearfully turn off the wall switch and go back to her Pearson's or Everybody's, happy in the satisfaction that she had stopped not only a costly but a dangerous leakage. Nothing could ever clear this up for her. -- James Thurber ("The Car We Had to Push") No Business Like ItPublications suspended under the ledge, below the proprietor, are The Dramatic Mirror, Billboard, Variety and Show World. Someone once said that everybody's second business was show business. Looking at these magazines for sale in 1908 New Orleans sort of reinforces that theory. Gimme the lot!I'd buy the whole lot. Can you imagine what all those are worth today? It looks like this may have been a cafe entrance once. June 1908The Saturday Evening Post in the lower right corner was dated 13 June 1908. I did a quick search online and voila, now I have that warm, fuzzy feeling one can get from a successful treasure hunt. Thank you, Shorpy, for the thrill of the hunt. My Order"Hey buddy, I'll take a bunch of bananas, two pineapples, some mixed nuts, five melons and a dozen postcards. By the way, do you have July's edition of The Railroad Man's Magazine?" Ex-PresidentGrover Cleveland--definitely him--has been out of office for nearly ten years. Why is he gracing the cover of the Chicago Tribune? [His uncanny impersonation of William Howard Taft. - Dave] Naughty BitsInteresting to note that on the bottom row is the notorious "Blue Book," the guide to houses of ill repute in Storyville, the area of New Orleans where prostitution was legal until WWI. Just CuriousHow did they close up shop for the night? It looks like this is right on the sidewalk. I can see that some of the display looks like it might swing into the opening where the proprietor is standing but it still looks like there's a lot of effort to open and close for the day. Tag SuggestionCould you also tag this and future images like it with "Postcards"? Images like this that depict the retailing of postcards are incredibly rare and of great importance to we deltiologists. Thank you. Taft of Ohio, Not ClevelandThe Chicago Tribune cover is graced by the future president, William Howard Taft. He was the Republican candidate in 1908. [I think you're right. At first I thought it was Cleveland, who had died on June 24, but this does look more like Taft. Especially the ear. - Dave] Oh yes, we have bananas!Didn't say they were fresh, just said we had them. For everybody, indeedCowboy Bill is surely referring to this. 1908.It took me a while, but here is the evidence. First, "The Railroad Man's Magazine" on the bottom cannot be from 1906, because it wasn't published until October of that year. I then found the cover for Collier's Magazine from June of 1908. Finally, there is an advertisement on the bottom left for the 1908 World Almanac! [I misread the date on the cover of the 10 Cent Story Book last night when I posted this, thinking the 8 was a 6. Thanks to all who set me straight! - Dave] Hardly Naughty The Blue Book Magazine displayed on the bottom row is not the notorious Blue Book guide to "sporting houses." It's a copy of a legit magazine that was published until 1975 featuring fiction by writers like Agatha Christie, Booth Tarkington, and Edgar Rice Burroughs. [This particular magazine, Stageland Blue Book, was a theatrical publication. - Dave] Re: Naughty BitsThe Blue Book would not have been sold openly at a newsstand. It was also very plain in appearance. Sugared SnacksThe stacked, flat items in the case on the far left could be beignets, the Official State Doughnut of Louisana, but more likely are New Orleans-style Pralines. Clean 'em outAccording to my rough count, there are about 100 different postcards on display. Figuring 10 of each at 15 cents per dozen, one could have the entire stock for just over $12. Great magazines, buttucked in among the postcards is a very interesting, small publication: Sagebrush Philosophy. It wasn't the magazine for everybody, but that's what made it so special. MoneyTime travel to this place in order to buy these itmes would be very interesting, just don't forget to first get into your family's coin collection and grab some Barber dimes and quarters, Liberty nickels, and Indian Head pennies. You show this guy dead president coins and bills and he'll have you hauled away by the police. Another ClueChecked one more thing on why that is probably Taft on the Chicago Tribune cover. The Republican convention that nominated him was held in Chicago from June 16 to June 19, 1908 which would coincide with the time frame here. It is interesting, however, that Grover Cleveland died June 24, 1908. Please note that the Tribune was a very Republican leaning newspaper in those days, so it's more likely they would feature the new Republican nominee that the recently departed former Democratic president. Dangerous leakagesWe can laugh at it now, of course, bit it was common during the early years of electricity for people to believe that electrical sockets "leaked electricity" if they didn't have something plugged or screwed in. Many families have stories of people insisting on removing the plugs or bulbs and putting in stoppers at night. People even complained of smelling the electrical "vapours" coming from the sockets. Closing up shopRegarding how they closed up shop at night. The middle section above the hatch flips down. The two shutters on either side close inwards. The magazines below are simply unclipped and taken indoors. Sidewalk CafeLOVE the tile sidewalk sign for the Jewel Cafe. It's the same type that some streets still have that say Rue Royale or Rue Bourbon. Very cool. Then and NowThis photo is featured in the 1996 book "New Orleans - Then and Now." In 1996, there's also a newsstand, just to the right of this one. In addition, I found a vintage postcard (postmarked June 1908) that shows this same newsstand. So it's a postcard of a postcard stand. (I know there's a name for things like this, but my coffee hasn't kicked in yet.) Speaking of post cards within postcardsWonder if any of the pictures featured on those postcards ever appeared on Shorpy? Now there's a heck of a scavenger hunt for you. Politically Incorrect Period HumorLook inside the kiosk to the left of the proprietor and you'll notice section of postcards devoted to those comical darkies and their antics. Very popular at the time, and very collectible now despite (or perhaps because of?) the transgressive stigma of racism. Now I understandI always wondered why they called it the Kelley Blue Book. Now I get it. It lets you know how the car dealer is going to #@$% you on the value of your car. Learn something every day on Shorpy. Cornucopia--The younger man on the right has the look of one not to be trifled with; --The cafe doors are almost identical to the doors on the front of Antoine's Restaurant; --I wonder who the ball player is on the front page of the Sporting News. Walter Johnson? Ty Cobb? Honus Wagner? --Among the many old framed articles and pictures on the walls of the main dining room at Antoine's there is a lengthy one about W.H. Taft and his eating exploits at the restaurant during a trip to New Orleans. Marvelling at his stature as a "trencherman," the writer tells that Taft had a great love of boiled shrimp but didn't like to have to peel them. Taft claimed there was no serving of boiled shrimp so large he couldn't finish it. In an attempt to test this claim, Jules Alciatore (the proprietor at the time) had 50 pounds of shrimp delivered the morning before Taft was to dine there. They boiled them and he and his staff peeled them all, yielding a seving bowl with 7 1/2 lbs. of shrimp meat. According to the article, Taft finished them all but was so surfeited that he could barely speak afterwards! --The items in the case look too big, flat, and uniform to be either beignets or pralines, but I'm not sure what else they would have been. They certainly do look like waffles, which would have kept all day in the case I suppose. About that ArgosyIt's the July 1908 edition. What fun hunting this stuff up! Cover BoyWhile the individual covers of Sporting News are not readily available, issues of Sporting Life can be easily found. The photo shows the June 13, 1908 issue of Sporting Life with Edward Siever of the Detroit Tigers on the cover. Five days after this was published Siever played his last major league baseball game although he played another two years in the minors. Less than a year earlier he had been in the 1907 World Series. A copy of the front of this issue of Sporting Life, along with the caption that goes with Siever's photo, is shown below. Note that most sources state he was born in Kansas in 1875 (not Illinois in 1878). He died in 1920 while coming home from his job as an inspector for the City of Detroit. "EDWARD SIEVER. Pitcher of the Detroit American League Club. Edward Siever, the noted south-paw pitcher for the Detroit American Club, was born April 2, 1878, at Lewistown, Ill. Siever was originally a locomotive fireman of the Grand Trunk. He made his professional debut with the London Club, of the Canadian League, in 1899, which, largely owing to Siever's fine pitching, won the championship. He was sold to the Detroit Club the following year, and sported the Tigers' stripes continually until the Fall of 1903, when he was transferred to the St. Louis Club. After a season with the Browns he was transferred for 1905 to the Minneapolis Club, with which he did such fine work that St. Louis re-drafted him for 1906. During that season he was sold to the Detroit Club for which he has played since. In the 1907 season he very materially helped Hughey Jennings' Tigers to bring to Detroit a championship pennant for the first time in twenty years." Jewel CafeThe Jewel Cafe, at 131 Royal Street, was listed in the program for the 5th Annual Sugar Bowl Classic in January of 1929 as a sponsor:         Jewel Cafe ... 131 Royal Street; Oysters 45 cents per half dozen; First time in the history of New Orleans, Oysters a la Rockefeller are prepared before your eyes. This deep mystery of the culinary arts is now almost within the price range of raw oysters. Louisiana's choicest cultivated oysters, served in all styles at our counters and tables; open all night. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, Stores & Markets)
Paree the Flying Cat: 1910
... you believe. Later that year Moisant died in a crash near New Orleans. View full size. George Grantham Bain Collection. The New Orleans airport… …for a long time was named “Moisant Field” ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/06/2009 - 1:23pm -

In 1910, on the first airplane flight across the English Channel to carry a passenger, American aviator John Moisant flew from Paris to London accompanied by both his mechanic and his cat, named either Mademoiselle Fifi or Paree, depending on which newspaper you believe. Later that year Moisant died in a crash near New Orleans. View full size. George Grantham Bain Collection. The New Orleans airport……for a long time was named “Moisant Field” (it’s now Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport). The IATA airport code is still MSY (which apparently stood for Moisant Stock Yards). Mademoiselle FifiI wonder what happened to her when he died. I hope she was taken care of. What a sweet looking kitty. [I was wondering if maybe this photo was taken at the funeral. It looks like mourning crape on the basket. - Dave] KittyOr maybe named Spark Plug. (The Gallery, Aviation, Cats, G.G. Bain)
Mardi Gras: 1906
New Orleans circa 1906. "The Rex pageant, Mardi Gras." Laissez les bons temps ... "Show me your ankles" made me L O L! WMKC New Orleans @History_Fan: Yes, I did notice MKC, but had no idea what it ... Orleaniean who photographed many many great photographs of New Orleans. [The photographer was an employee of the Detroit Publishing ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/02/2018 - 9:27pm -

New Orleans circa 1906. "The Rex pageant, Mardi Gras." Laissez les bons temps rouler! Panorama of two 8x10 glass plates, Detroit Publishing. View full size. Fallout Shelter"The building at the left edge appears to be the designated fallout shelter, though I wonder why that was necessary circa 1907. You might say I am Curie-ous about that." Did you notice the letters under the symbol, MKC? That stands for Mystic Krewe of Comus, the last Krewe to ride on Mardi Gras night. When the courts of Comus And Rex meet at midnight, Mardi Gras is officially over. Trading PlacesIt appears that the people stand in the street and watch the parade go down each sidewalk. Strangest parade I ever saw. HatsI want the hat concession. No way, no howThere is no way in Hades you could entice me to sit in or stand under those balcony. I have a hard time believing, with all the balcony disasters of late, that that would ever be approved these days! Bon temps sans beads.None of the women are wearing beads! Mardi Gras is better now. The way to get beads and dubloons in 1907"Show us your ankles!!" Throw me something, mister!Regarding kirkbrewer's hilarious comment, "Show us your ankles," with a woman's footwear of the day, she would probably have to show a bit of calf to get some beads. Those lace-up "high tops" of that era must have been murder to get on and off! Old Maison BlancheAnother view of the lovely turreted department store, although not at Mardi Gras: LaughterFrom most of the photos we see of the early 20th century, we might get the impression that people then were rather a stoic bunch. The woman in the white hat in the foreground (left of center) of this photo, frozen forever with her expression of honest laughter, is a refreshing departure. Safety FirstI like how they use those 2x6 braces to hold up the buildings to support all those extra people. Looks really safe. Modern Google street viewIt seems the photographer was right about at Bourbon and Canal Streets. The taller white building on the right is what replaced the Maison Blanche building in 1908 and is now the Ritz-Carlton. The red building on the left side of the street with the bay windows seems to have survived since 1907 though. View Larger Map Viewing standsThose "balconies" are viewing stands; they still have them today, but are made from steel scaffolding. They are completely independent of the buildings. Also, this is Canal Street. It has an incredibly wide neutral ground (medians to you non-natives); it's large due to the many networks of street car tracks. They DID have throws back then, but the doubloons (which were likely wooden) & the beads were hand strung from China and were EXPENSIVE. You'd be very lucky to catch one of anything. The sign hanging in the middle of the street reads "French Opera," so this would lead me to assume it was at Bourbon St. since the Old French Opera House was on Bourbon at Toulouse and burned down in 1919. It is the site of present-day The Inn On Bourbon. The only tell-tale sign that the Opera House was there is the indent on the sidewalk where the carriages would pull up on the corner to drop off their passengers. "Show me your ankles" made me L O L! WMKC New Orleans@History_Fan: Yes, I did notice MKC, but had no idea what it stood for. Your explanation probably explains fanhead's comment about two parades down the sides and the people watching from the middle. Picture must have been taken before midnight. ;-) Is the photographer known?If not, my guess would be Alexander Alison. He was a New Orleaniean who photographed many many great photographs of New Orleans. [The photographer was an employee of the Detroit Publishing Co.; this photo is from their archive, which was donated to the Library of Congress. - tterrace] Meet me at the paradeI'll be wearing a derby. And why not?I am so looking forward to seeing a version of this appear in the 'Colorized Photos' section. Just the thing for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Packed in Like SardinesThe number of people in the Mardi Gras photo is scary. If there were an emergency, how would ANYONE be able to get help in there? There were obviously few restrictions in those days as far as safety was concerned. A Curious Notion of UtopiaThe parade theme sign "IN UTOPIA" identifies this as the 1906 Rex parade. The float and costume designs were by Bror Anders Wikstrom, an immigrant from Sweden to the Crescent City who produced some of the finest Mardi Gras designs of the late 19th and early 20th century. Attached is a depiction of one of the floats in this parade, "Where Submarines are Used as Autos". Yes, the "red building" with bay windows on the left is still there, it's the Macheca Building from 1901. Even more significant is the shorter white building just this side of it; that is the Boston Club building, constructed in 1844, housing the exclusive private club connected to Rex. The Rex parade is still a beautiful highlight of Mardi Gras. I caught it yesterday, though Uptown on Napoleon Avenue rather than on Canal Street. My photo shows "The Butterfly King" float. Ankles, that's a good one.Today, we have the same floats, riders' costumes, and buildings. But the crowds! This Canal Street crowd is larger than most of today's, but they are quite nattily dressed and extremely well-behaved by today's standards. Granted some of today's Uptown and Endymion Mid-City crowds are as large, but not on Canal, not to mention the sloppy dress and unruly behavior. Many more men than women on the neutral ground - it's a bowler forest. Also almost no children - I can only find a couple of small children in their parents' arms. Rex parade no longer loops around to be on both sides of the Canal Street neutral ground, but several other parades do. Today, the Canal Street neutral ground is mostly blocked off for emergency responders. If you ride on the sidewalk (right) side today (parades now run the wrong way on Canal), you gotta unload most of your throws before hitting Canal. Before movies and TV, just the spectacle of the floats, costumes, and crowds was enough to draw massive crowds without requiring a constant barrage of throws. (Panoramas, DPC, New Orleans)
Old New Orleans: 1910
Circa 1910. "New Orleans and the Mississippi River from Grunewald." A bird's eye view of ... traveling moments for me today. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, Stores & Markets, Streetcars) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/13/2012 - 7:25pm -

Circa 1910. "New Orleans and the Mississippi River from Grunewald." A bird's eye view of Canal Street from the Grunewald Hotel. Merchants here include Godchaux's music store as well as the big Godchaux's department store farther down the street, D.H. Holmes Co., B. Cohn Dry Goods, Marks Isaacs Co. and a One-Cent Vaudeville theater. And if all this shopping has made you thirsty: Drink Chattanooga Beer. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. BleachersI've seen another photo here some time ago that I think was taken in front of those bleachers. I believe they are exactly for watching Mardi Gras parades. Also, is St. Louis cathedral behind the Hotel Monteleone? I see Jax Brewery (if that's what is was at the time of this photo) and the market, so it seems the cathedral should be right behind that hotel. Looks like bleachersOn the colonnade in front of Hart Pianos and the business next door. That would be a great spot for watching Mardi Gras parades. What is it?On the roof peak of the D.H. Holmes building on the left, there is a very unusual item - it appears to be half hoops of wood likely with lightbulbs on them - and some extra related material. One would guess that it is an attention getting device but not really advertising anything in particular and I cant imagine what item it might represent. [It's a crown. - Dave] The crownThe building all decked out in lights with the crown in place. ChimneysI love those old brick factory chimneys. Even something as industrial and rudimentary had some style. Transform > SkewNo need to add the Shorpy watermark to this photo, it was already on the building! Luzianne Coffee with chicory Family owned and operated since 1902. That makes that company just six years old at the time of this wonderful glimpse of the past. I lived near Shreveport Louisiana, for a time, and the Chicory coffee from this company was a staple of many people I knew. I never developed a taste for it myself though. Classic and great signage though for that fledgling company of 1910, though for sure. One of many wonderful time traveling moments for me today. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, Stores & Markets, Streetcars)
Old Orleans: 1890
New Orleans circa 1880s-1890s. "Street in the French Quarter." Take care not to ... moving to New York City Nikola Tesla spent some time in New Orleans considering a career in architecture. When Marie Laveux took a ... is "sidewalk hydrologists." (The Gallery, DPC, Kids, New Orleans, W.H. Jackson) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/16/2014 - 11:49am -

New Orleans circa 1880s-1890s. "Street in the French Quarter." Take care not to trip on the guttersnipes. 5x7 glass negative by William Henry Jackson. Attribution based on Catalogue of the W.H. Jackson Views (1898). View full size. Gravity-defying porchI'm still trying to figure out how that thin delicate cantilever thing manages to stay up all while taking the load of the porch columns , railings, and roof above. RE: Gravity-defying porchI agree. There appears to be a metal support of some kind on the farside under the porch but the same is missing on the nearside. [The porch is cantilevered on five metal beams that could extend far into the house. - Dave] Prior to moving to New York CityNikola Tesla spent some time in New Orleans considering a career in architecture. When Marie Laveux took a stroll, just as an urchin pointed a stick at a raingutter, he thought of alternating current. And the rest is history. I'll Have You Know!The proper title for those lads is "sidewalk hydrologists." (The Gallery, DPC, Kids, New Orleans, W.H. Jackson)
Confederate Veterans: 1917
... in City Special Trains Bring Gray Hosts From as Far as New Orleans. More than 1,500 Confederate veterans, representing a ... it came others from Augusta, Ga.; Newberry S.C., and New Orleans. At noon several special excursion trains, each carrying an ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/11/2011 - 9:00pm -

The Gray and the gray. "Confederate veteran reunion, Washington, 1917." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. The last soldierThe last Union veteran to die was in 1947 in Minnesota. Life Magazine had a write up on this. There is one veteran from WW1 now living. It is in the newspapers as I write. He is 108 and lives in Pennsylvania. [The Wikipedia article on last surviving veterans, which is never an exact science. The most we can usually say is that someone is thought to be the last survivor of a particular war. That article has the last two Union vets dying in 1953 and 1956. - Dave] Johnny Reb in his 60'sThis was an eye opener for me as to just how long ago the Civil War took place. These guys were teenagers when it happened and here they are they are in their 60s in 1917. A cool and timely picture. Convention Center MarketBuilt in 1874, the city’s first convention center extended the length of Fifth Street between K and L Streets, and was known as the Northern Liberty Market. It was an immense single room 324 feet long, 126 feet wide and 84 feet high at the center. The architecturally significant structure featured a curved roof and was supported, without any interior columns, by a series of enormous iron and steel trusses. 1893 A second floor was added to form a large auditorium, with seating for 5,000. The building was renamed the Convention Center and popularly known as the Convention Hall. The facility operated there for 50 years, hosting revival meetings, fairs, auto shows, roller-skating, bowling and a variety of amusement and sporting events. 1930 By the early 1930s, Center Market – the city's largest building – was located at Pennsylvania Avenue and Seventh Street. It was later demolished for the government's Federal Triangle construction project. Many of that market's vendors moved a half-mile north to the Convention Center building, which was renamed New Center Market. News Travels SlowlyLooks like the Gillette Safety Razor was slow to take hold in the South. Great image!I'm guessing that this group from Nashville had ridden with Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest based on the flag they carry. I bet they all could tell stories to keep you going for days if anyone would listen. Commander at the front looks like he takes his position very seriously. Old DixieDying (slowly) for their cause. StubblyI must say, Confederate vets knew how to rock the facial hair. UniformsObviously these men are better dressed than they ever had been during their war when the Confederate uniforms were nominally gray, and later "butternut" but sometimes ended up being whatever you could find or even scrounge off of dead bodies. I wonder how many of our images of Confederate soldiers and how they dressed come from seeing images like this and the studio portraits that the young men going off to war had taken rather than the reality of the field. Yes they all look oldYes they all look old, but what does that say about me? I can remember when the last Confederate (in fact the last Civil War) veteran died, sometime in the 1950s, and the reason that it is in my memory bank is that it happened near where I lived at the time (Baytown, Texas) and the high school band from Robert E. Lee High School (Go Ganders!) played at the funeral. I would later attend REL. And apparently, things going the way they are, I will live to see the last WWI veteran die. A Mighty Host of Gray1917 marked the 27th annual Confederate reunion and the first to gather outside of the Confederate States. I've extracted only a few of the many newspaper articles of the time, and in just this small sample, there are inconsistencies regarding the age of the youngest. [Upon Stanton Square's blue fingers, I hereby bestow the Purple Heart. - Dave] 1,500 Veterans in City Special Trains Bring Gray Hosts From as Far as New Orleans. More than 1,500 Confederate veterans, representing a majority of 22 States that are to send delegates to the annual Confederate reunion that opens here tomorrow, were registered at headquarters yesterday. In addition incoming trains from the South brought Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy and thousands of others whose sympathies are Southern. Col. Robert N. Harper, after hearing reports from John Dolph and others of the registration committee lat night again expressed the opinion that the total number of visitors, including delegates, will reach the 75,000 mark before the first day of the reunion is over. From an early hour yesterday shifts of volunteers were busy constantly registering the veterans at the Union Station, where scenes similar to those that characterized the inauguration preliminaries prevailed. An extra force of policemen was on duty at the station handling the crowds and seeing to the necessary enforcement of rules. As early as 6 a.m. the "vets," many wearing the suits of gray that will be conspicuous here during the week, began to arrive. Many were intent on attending the memorial exercises at Arlington and to obtain a glimpse of President Wilson. The first excursion train to pull into the station was the "Tom Green Special," from the cotton belt, bringing veterans from Memphis, Texarkana, Pine Bluff and the vicinity. Closely following it came others from Augusta, Ga.; Newberry S.C., and New Orleans. At noon several special excursion trains, each carrying an average of 300 veterans and others, arrived. In the afternoon, the Elliott Tour Special brought large delegations from Birmingham and Atlanta. H.F. Cary, chairman of the transportation committee, said yesterday that at least 38 specials from every point in the South would reach Washington before Wednesday. It is conservatively estimated that of the 40,000 survivors at least 5,000 will attend this year's reunion. ... Veterans were taken either to their hotels or to the "tented city" not far distant from the station. Last night, close to 200 of the visitors slept under canvas. The majority were fatigued after long journeys and expressed a preference to "stick close to quarters" rather than see the sights as some suggested. More than 500 were quartered in a large red brick structure at the corner of New Jersey and C street northwest. Arriving there they were assigned to rooms. Meals were served under a large canvas tent close by. Washington Post, Jun 4, 1917 Sidelights of Confederate Reunion About a half hundred veterans responded to the sounding of the dinner gong at the tented city yesterday and enjoyed the first meal served "under canvas." The menu consisting of vegetable soup, fresh pork, prime ribs of beef, new potatoes, green peas, stewed tomatoes, assorted pies, iced tea, coffee and bread and butter, was a sample of the generous treatment the "boys" can expect during their stay in camp. ... When some one had the audacity to inquire of A.B. Rowland, of Fulton Ky., one of the party at the tented city, as to his age he answered, "I'm one of the kids. I'm only 72." As a matter of fact, the youngest Confederate veteran is 69. Washington Post, Jun 4, 1917 Dixie's Sons Own City Washington surrendered yesterday to a mighty host of gray - without a struggle. White-haired and gray-coated veterans owned the city. Streets and avenues were a dense gray mass from early morning until late at night. Hotel lobbies were crowded to the doors. Public parks, the Capitol, government buildings and nearby places of historic interest were given over ungrudgingly to the venerable guests from Dixie. Bands played familiar airs, fife and drum corps beat age-old battle marches and buglers sounded the reveille and taps. ... The Tented City on the Union Station plaza was the mecca last night for veterans and sightseers from all parts of the District. The large mess hall was the busiest place in Washington from 4 p.m. yesterday until 8 o'clock last night. Nearly 15,000 meal tickets had been issued to veterans since Monday morning. Camp fire meetings were held last night in every nook and corner of the plaza. War time stories were "swapped" and Southern songs filled the air with melody. Officials of the registration booth at Union Station said last night that between 15,00 and 20,000 veterans had arrived in Washington since Sunday morning. Washington Post, Jun 6, 1917 Sidelights of Confederate Reunion Editor C.A. Ricks, of the Courier, Huntington, Tex., who was born February 28, 1851, claims to be the youngest Confederate at the reunion. He enlisted August 1, 1863 in Courier battery at Shreveport, La. ... The Georgia delegation greeted the President with a shower of peanuts, while the ladies literally bombarded the stand with flowers. Washington Post, Jun 8, 1917 Third Veteran Wins Bride at Reunion The third Confederate veteran to take unto himself a wife while attending the recent reunion is Dr. John A. Pollock, 71, of Kingston, N.C. His bride is Miss Lula L. Aldridge, 50, of the same city. ... Dr. Pollock also is the next to the oldest of the three "vets" who are going South with brides. The oldest was Frank H. Raum, of Richmond, Va., who was one of Mosby's men. He is 73. The "vet" who got the youngest bride is James A. Thomas, 63, of Atlanta, Ga. He married Miss Elizabeth Roberts, only 25. Washington Post, Jun 10, 1917 ObservationsNotice Santa Claus on the left has a peg leg. As for facial hair, if you look at silent movies of the period they usually have old geezers shown with similar whiskers. I think this stereotype was based on truth, that the oldsters kept the style from their youthful days. There are only about 11 confirmed WW1 vets still living, as listed on Wiki. All of the Central Powers guys are gone. Only 2 remain who actually spent time in the trenches. MedalistsSeveral of the veterans, including the officer in the frock coat, are wearing the Southern Cross of Honor. These were given by the United Daughters of the Confederacy starting in 1900 to Confederate army and navy vets. The Confederate States of America did not issue any medals. And the last Civil War widowI read the article below a few years ago. The Shorpy photo brought it to mind. "Civil War widow, final link to old Confederacy, dies" The cantankerous 81-year-old man struck up a few conversations with the 21-year-old neighbor and a marriage of convenience was born. They were married in a civil ceremony at the courthouse in Andalusia on Dec. 10, 1927, and 10 months later had a son, William. The story actually gets better but I'll leave it to everyone to read the whole thing. It still amazes me that so much history walks among us. Whenever I get the opportunity to talk to a WWII veteran I grab it because they are fast disappearing also. Oldest Confederate WidowThere may still be a couple of Confederate widows among us but it's their choice to remain in anonymity. Maude Hopkins was the last one publicly known. She died Aug. 17 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maudie_Hopkins Why did young girls marry veterans old enough to be their grandfathers? The pension was attractive in Depression days. BeardI think the guy on the far left bought his beard at the Acme Novelty Shop so he could join this Facial Hair Club for Men reunion WW2 VetsI saw on Fox News on Veterans Day that there are about 2.1 million veterans of WWII left. About 900 die every day. Actually, the United Confederate Veterans were organized locally into camps and drew from veterans living in the area. They took their names from famous officers, units and the like. The label on the flag here is more likely the name of the camp from Nashville. Southern Cross of HonorThe UDC awards a Cross of Military Service to any veteran of WWII or Vietnam upon application. The only additional requirement for the award is that in addition to proof of their own service, he or she provide proof of direct lineage to a soldier similar to one of the men shown in this fine picture. These crosses are beautifully made pieces and serve to establish a remarkable lineage to the present day. Many, if not most, of the men shown in this picture had grandfathers or great grandfathers who were soldiers of the American Revolution--and many of their fathers served in the War of 1812. Shades of GrayI've colourised this picture at https://www.shorpy.com/node/11187 if anyone's interested. (The Gallery, Civil War, D.C., Natl Photo)
Carrier at New Orleans: 1910
... 1910. "Southern Pacific R.R. transfer boat Carrier at New Orleans." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. ... the car. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, New Orleans, Railroads) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/24/2012 - 1:40pm -

Circa 1910. "Southern Pacific R.R. transfer boat Carrier at New Orleans." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Ice, continuedMr K: Hatches could definitely be for loading purposes as well. Later reefers had ice hatches in the roof for quick loading at online icing stations, but as these are early ones I could see it. Would certainly be difficult getting ice up those ladders, especially when cars were coupled together. As for the whistle-looking thing, my guess is it's the air reservoir release valve to drain the car's braking system. These days the release is on the side of the car toward one end. Ice Ice Baby!Lost World: I might echo your comment about the hatches. Could they be used to LOAD ice into the ends of the cars as well as for venting? Sure, I know that iced cars had the hoppers at each end for the ice but these look a little different. Also, on the left boxcar, did you notice what looks like a peanut whistle near the brake wheel? Could just be a vent, too. ML&TNote the "ML&T" insignia on the side of the vessel - for Morgan's Louisiana & Texas RR, a Southern Pacific operating subsidiary. For many years, railroads operating in Texas were required to be incorporated there, giving rise to a number of these subsidiary companies. Love the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient boxcar! Transfered by the Kingfish.The Carrier worked near Canal street for many years until the completion of the Huey Long bridge put her out of a job in 1936. Built in 1892 at Newburgh, New York, she was sold to interests in Mexico after 1936. Hatches?I pride myself on my railroad knowledge. However, I have no idea what those hatches are on the ends of the boxcars. All I can think is that these were early ice refrigerated cars for produce, which had ice bunkers at each end. The hatches would be opened to allow ventilation to circulate the cold air throughout the car, as on later cars which had vents on the ends. If someone has a better explanation I would love to hear it. Lumber doorsThe doors on the box car ends are known as lumber doors. Lumber was loaded one stick at a time. This is well before fork lift trucks and lumber stacked on open bulkhead flat cars. Retaining ValveThe "peanut" looking thing next to the handbrake is probably the "retaining valve," which was used in mountain territory to help control the train downgrade by retaining a portion of the air in the brake cylinder on the car, while the air brakes were released on the train to allow charging of the reservoirs. It was the days before pressure-maintaining-equipped automatic brake valves, so once the brakes were set on the train, brake pipe leakage would continue to add to the braking effort, causing the cars to brake harder and harder. A way had to be found to release and recharge the brakes on the car, while still retaining at least some braking effort, and then they could be set again. It took a lot of skill to handle those old trains down steep and long grades! Converted carsIn the early days of railroading, there was a type of car commonly called a "combination" car. These boxcars, also called ventilated cars, were designed for carrying fruit. As originally built the cars had a special double door on the side, and doors on the end as we see here. Over time, as early refer cars came into use, and started pushing the ventilated cars out of service. (Early ice bunkered refer cars hit the tracks in 1870, but were widely used by 1890-1900.) This presented a problem for railroads. They had a number of surplus ventilated cars left over and nothing to do with them. So the railroads converted them into regular boxcars with solid side doors. The end doors were kept and used for situations where the railroad needed to transport grain or flour, or any loose item other than coal or stone. (This was before the covered hopper existed and all bulk items were unloaded by hand.) As for lumber? Typically lumber was carried on 28 to 40 foot long flatcars with wooden stakes in the side. Boxcars with lumber doorsAccording to the ORER, both these cars were built as straight boxcars, not ventilated cars. Clare is correct, those are lumber doors. Rough, unfinished lumber was carried on flatcars, but machined or finished lumber was carried in boxcars. When bulk grain was carried in boxcars it was loaded through the side doors once "grain doors" were installed. These were timber (later cardboard) sheets that were fitted across the inside of the door opening to prevent the grain from spilling out of the sliding doors, and to limit the depth of the lading to avoid overloading the car. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, New Orleans, Railroads)
Bathing Beauties 1928
... of Helen Paris. Twofer! A Miss Louisiana AND a Miss New Orleans? What the heck, double the chances of bring back a trophy, girls. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/16/2013 - 6:52pm -

Third International Pageant of Pulchritude and Ninth Annual Bathing Girl Revue, June 1928. Galveston, Texas. View full size. INCREDIBLE!!!WOW! You can only find 3 or 4 "nice" girls in the pictures, maybe the problem is the hair and the clothes.... Hahahaht the Miss from my country (Spain) is very funny, but Miss Mexico ... :( Theyre gorgeous!Call me pervert but these gals look great to me. More 'real' and sexy than todays beauty queens. Perhaps its because the photo reflects a greater variety of looks and shapes than you'd get in modern beauty contests. And yeah yeah this is just one step on the way of the evolution in notions of western aesthetic ideals... the gals and the photographer are not naive in what theyre doing but the effect charms my jaded eye. My faves are: california, utah, little rock, ny state...i fancy them all. hurrah for beauty, variety, character, hair and life. Charlie wowlook at that, real women have actually entered beauty contests. Go figure. 1928looks like pennsylvania may be a little cold-lol Miss Minnesota is a man!Miss Minnesota is a man! I think they're all amazing.I think they're all amazing. If we had women like that in today's age as role models, the female population would be a hellva lot healthier! Fantastic!! IndianaApparently Miss Indiana figured if the writing on her SASH was big enough, people wouldn't notice how big she is... LOOKThese women are beautiful!!! Obviously men liked this kind of woman because there are more men than women watching from the crowds behind the posing women. I do feel that the backdrop for the picture could have bee something more attractive than a wall. Miss Indiana is on two partsMiss Indiana is on two parts of the photo that aren't spliced correctly which makes her look "big". MBMiss Utah is stunning. Cities, States and Countries.Notice that some women represent cities ("Miss Biloxi" "Miss Tulsa" "Miss Chicago" etc), some represent States ("Miss Kentucky" "Miss Iowa" etc), while others represent whole countries. I guess Pageants of this nature were very informal in those days. Fittingly, Miss California looks like the woman on the Sunmaid Raisins box. Condition of PhotoThe Wall is the Galveston Seawall which was constructed following the 1900 storm. This is obviously a short rotation camera which causes the wall to appear to be curve. I am stating the obvious here, but the girls were actually lined up in a U formation with the cameras rotating around them. It is odd to me that the photo is subdivided. Early camera of this type sometimes used individual plates but they would have been wider for each plate. I would guess that the photo was cut up into individual segments and then reassembled here. I like the Texas girls best: my hometown: Miss Houston (5th from left) and you can't beat the pulchritude being displayed by Miss San Anontio. (10th from left). Nice 'tude Miss Alamo City! [The wall does appear to be curved. - Dave] Can't we blend them a bit?I spent some time getting rid of the lines and it was difficult but they're gone. Some of the girls went through some changes also. I love this photo and had fun just playing with it. Hometown GirlMiss Tulsa! (9th from right in the leopard print suit) Here's more: Miss Helen Paris of Tulsa, pictured here, won 10th place in the competition, finishing right after Miss San Antonio. Although she wasn’t able to claim the title, Miss Tulsa did receive another honorable distinction. The first airmail route in Tulsa flew from Tulsa to Ponca City, and the name of the plane was the Miss Tulsa, named in honor of Helen Paris. Twofer!A Miss Louisiana AND a Miss New Orleans? What the heck, double the chances of bring back a trophy, girls. And I find all these bathing beauties absolutely stunning. (The Gallery, Pretty Girls)
Canal Street: 1910
Canal Street in New Orleans circa 1910. Large building is the Maison Blanche department store. ... America Banner draped across the street refers to? [New Orleans! - Dave] Who needs to drive? I see no fewer than 16 ... photo - taken the same time my grandfather lived in New Orleans. I couldn't help wondering if he was among the busy pedestrians. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/08/2012 - 2:02pm -

Canal Street in New Orleans circa 1910. Large building is the Maison Blanche department store. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Canal and CarondeletThis photo was taken near the intersection of Canal and Carondelet. All the buildings on the far side of the street are still there, although the left side is considerably different. Fascinating stuff. Glad-U-KumNow this is one happening street! Love the signs over the street. Can anyone ID the car heading our way? Almost looks like it's a "Glide" or "Slide" (whatever that is). So, that's where I went wrong.Just thinking how different my life would be if I had some of those smart clothes. Glide pathWonder why the Glide car is the only conveyance visible not powered by horse or electricity? Surely Noo Orleenz had lots of cars by 1910. Also, anybody hoping to end it all by jumping off the roof of that fantastically ornate building on the right might spend some anxious moments volleying up and down on the jungle of wiring covering much of the street. Maybe grab onto a handy gargoyle after six or seven bounces, with second thoughts about departing the Big Easy so soon. Didn't Little Orphan Anniequote "Leapin' Lazards" ? K&BI just wanted to comment that the drug store on the bottom left - Katz and Besthoff - became a big local chain called K&B that was like a Walgreens or CVS. It went out of business so time in the early nineties I think. There corporate office had a substantial art collection that I believe is now part of the Odgen Museum of Southern Art and the sculpture garden in City Park. I could have some of these details confused. Anybody know what the Winter Capital of America Banner draped across the street refers to? [New Orleans! - Dave] Who needs to drive?I see no fewer than 16 streetcars in this photo! Talk about mass transit! "A Confederacy of Dunces"In the opening scene of John Kennedy Toole's novel, Ignatius J. Reilly stands (many years later) in front of the D.H. Holmes across the way. Smart Clothes!Ooooh I need some because I've been feeling like a dummy lately. :P I am so happy to see so many ladies! Normally all the ladies are MIA in Shorpy photos (already drinking afternoon tea or working?) Oh all the outfits and dresses!! *drool* Everything from fancier day/walking outfits to typical white blouse & black skirt combo for the new working generation. And did anyone else notice the huge umbrella on a pedestal in the middle of the street? There for a rainy day? This is beautiful!Try putting *this* in a movie today, even with CGI. I can about hear the chatter of voices, the hoofbeats, the bells on the streetcars -- I count at least a dozen streetcars just in this short stretch of street! Little girl, in the dark dress at the far left, where's your mother? You shouldn't be out here all by yourself. (Thinking about it, that little girl was just about born with the century.) Why is there an umbrella on a stand in the middle of the street? Through my Grandfather's EyesWhat a wonderful photo - taken the same time my grandfather lived in New Orleans. I couldn't help wondering if he was among the busy pedestrians. Regarding WINTER CAPITAL sign - the South has always been a popular destination for the well-to-do Northern crowds in the winter - we call them Snow-Birds. I'm sure that New Orleans with its excellent railway and boat connections was one of the most popular destinations. FascinatingThere is so much going on in this picture, you could lose hours poring over it. Strange to think that all these people going about their daily business are no longer with us. Katz & BestoffI also love the shot of Katz and Bestoff. This would have been their flagship store, established in 1905, although this year, 1910, a second store opened across the street at 837 Canal. K&B grew to 177 stores across the deep south, before being sold in 1997 to Rite Aid. Anyone in New Orleans still refers to K&B purple, as this started in 1908, when the owners bought a bulk lot of unwanted purple paper, and used it for wrapping, etc. Part of the K&B jingle, "Look at almost any corner, and, what do you see? A big, purple sign that says, friendly K&B!" This is Beautiful, IndeedYup, sixteen streetcars, which, while being pedantic but wishing to throw out a bit of cocktail party trivia, I would offer do not have bells, but have gongs. Suspect the umbrella was to shade a streetcar dispatcher or perhaps a traffic cop. It looks like high noon, so it's probably not too effective just now. Or the shadee is in to lunch! Santa & Mr. BingleIn the early 1950s our parents would take us to Maison Blanche for photos with Santa and his buddy Mr. Bingle. MB had a really good Santa and almost 60 years later I can still remember the visits. The smellsHave been trying to conjure up the smell of this place. Horses, rickety gasoline engines, wafts of ozone, what else is there? Must have been pretty unique, especially in those New Orleans summers. 24 hour drug store at the right. Everything old is new again. And mailbox technology has not changed at all. Forget the umbrellaI wanna know what the closed cart (not a wagon, they have four wheels) parked in the middle of the street is. [One way or another, something to do with horses. Watering then (note the dipper) or cleaning up after. - Dave] Adler's TimeAdler's is a multi-generational family business selling jewelry and gifts. The store and its beautiful sidewalk clock are still there today. A Fez-tive timeThe "GLAD=U=KUM" banner is for the Shriners' 36th Imperial Council Session in New Orleans April 12, 1910. Here is a souvenir of the occasion. Williams' PharmacyThe four-story building was owned and run by Captain Williams who was a Civil War veteran. My great uncle, Adolph Kaczoroski was his manager for 30 years from 1895 to 1924. The building's soda fountain was especially popular. Luzianne Coffee"Luzianne" a dialectical play on Louisianian? [Since 1902. - tterrace] Then and nowThe clock on a post here is in front of Adler's Jewelry Store. At the time of this picture, the location at 722 Canal Street must have been only recently opened. The original location (1898) was in the first block of Royal Street, but after a fire in about 1904, the business spent a few years at 810 Canal Street before moving to its present location where it still operates today. I think of everything you can see in this picture, Adler's is the only business this old New Orleans scene that you can still visit today and is still operated by the Adler family. In fact, the Adler family owns both the original K&B location, mentioned above in another comment (today a FootLocker,) and the Williams Pharmacy building (soon to be a pharmacy again with a historic renovation that will be done by Walgreens.) The clock was moved from the pole to the awning of the store in the 1920's and both are still there today. The awning also has remarkable historic detail with a fleur de lis motif that is hard to see in the picture here, but is definitely there. Amazing Picture!!! K & B DrugsstoreI remember this oh so familiar drug store. And the undeniably K & B purple. Only those from this great city know the shade of K & B purple. Williams Pharmacy My 2nd great-grandfather, John Morin, was a druggist at Williams Pharmacy from about 1900-1913 when he died of a heart attack in the pharmacy. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, Stores & Markets, Streetcars)
Orleans Street: 1890
Circa 1890. "Street in New Orleans near Cathedral of St. Louis." 5x7 inch glass negative by William ... ... High Noon. French Quarter This area of New Orleans is such a time capsule! It has hardly changed at all. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, W.H. Jackson) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/18/2019 - 12:48pm -

Circa 1890. "Street in New Orleans near Cathedral of St. Louis." 5x7 inch glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. Getting the lay of the landInteresting that Mr. Jackson didn't call out the name of the street in his caption. Maybe to prevent confusion? Since the Cathedral faces the Mississippi across (Andrew) Jackson Square, you are seeing the back of it. The street that dead-ends behind the Cathedral is Orleans Street. [As reflected by the title of this post! - Dave] Sorry Dave, perhaps it was the absence of a pun-less title that threw me off. :^) And the clock strikes ...High Noon. French QuarterThis area of New Orleans is such a time capsule! It has hardly changed at all. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, W.H. Jackson)
Sun Coffee Shop: 1935
December 1935. "New Orleans, downtown street." North Front at Canal. Nitrate negative by Walker ... casino is located. The City That Never Sleeps New Orleans looks to be one well-caffeinated town! Luzianne I actually ... blocking our view of the menu board. Also, wonder when New Orleans got the tri-color traffic signals. All gone The city of my ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/19/2012 - 4:35pm -

December 1935. "New Orleans, downtown street." North Front at Canal. Nitrate negative by Walker Evans for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Untrustworthy LaundryAnother wonderful Shorpy picture packed with detail! I'm curious about the laundry sign in the centre of the the picture; they are advertising that they are "Not in the trust." Can anyone shed light on what this phrase refers to? [It means the business is not part of a price-fixing cartel. - Dave] French DripNot to be confused with French Press. The French Drip coffee maker consists of a pot from which you serve and the top part which contains the coffee grounds. Pour the hot water into the top portion and allow the water to drop through the grounds infusing the flavour into the water. continue to add water until the desired amount of coffee is made. Similar to the way that most coffee makers today operate, but when you realize that in the day most coffee was either percolated or served out of those big urns you can see why they advertised the more labour intensive (but better tasting) process. Chinese LaundryChinese Laundries were ubiquitous in most cities. There was one in our neighbourhood when I was a kid but it closed in the very late 60s. The building is still there but I doubt that the people who live in the remodelled and upscale building know its history. I can still remember the tubs sitting outside the building at the back that was the actual wash-house, also turned into a pied-a-terre. The photo was taken before its latest refurb. Bohn Ford still thereOne of the Fords in the foreground has "BOHN" on the spare tire cover. Bohn Ford (now Don Bohn Ford) is still there, located on the West Bank in Harvey. In the '70s they were Dick Bohn Ford (no snide remarks, please). Also, it looks to me like the sign for the cross street is Canal. Today that's where the Harrah's casino is located. The City That Never SleepsNew Orleans looks to be one well-caffeinated town! LuzianneI actually drink Luzianne coffee, but I didn't know the brand was that old. Getting your message acrossThe lengths they've gone to, extending so many signs closer to the street and car traffic, it seems. I imagine the first business to extend their sign outwards by about 10-15 feet caused the many others to do the same. Looks like the Oriental Laundry is ahead right now. Dang!`Wish that pedestrian wasn't blocking our view of the menu board. Also, wonder when New Orleans got the tri-color traffic signals. All goneThe city of my birth and it probably didn't look much different in 1948 when I made my appearance. Canal Street and North Front don't meet up today; Saks Fifth Avenue is on this corner and Harrah's Casino is across the street. At 921 Canal St was the wonderful New Orleans department store Maison Blanche where we would go for photos with Santa and his sidekick Mr Bingle. Today it's the Ritz Carlton. I have to find one of our Santa photos. Arthur Brisbane was one of the most important newspapermen of the early 20th century and worked for Hearst, but would die a year after this photo was taken. The Daily States would disappear by 1962 in a newspaper merger. BangAnd how often today do you see a huge "FIREWORKS" sign? [Well, if you live down South ... - Dave] Barq's has biteBarq's Root Beer on the chalk sidewalk sign, didn't know Barq's was that old. Signs on signs.Interesting in that some of the poles carrying the advertising signs have smaller signs advertising the fact that they maintain the signs! Jax Beer signNot to mention the more picturesque neon Regal Beer sign. Jax and Barq'sI find it interesting that the tradition of being able to get a beer anywhere in New Orleans stretches back as far as anyone can remember, which is very much uncommon in the rest of the South. Does anyone else see the partially hidden Jax Beer sign? I also like that the Barq's Root Beer logo hasn't changed in 75 years, in those days Barq's was a Southern Mississippi and South Louisiana beverage with the Biloxi, New Orleans, and Baton Rogue bottlers each having slightly different syrup formulas. Sadly, I'm too young to have experienced the old Third Coast. Very exoticWhat, I wonder, is "French Drip Coffee"? French DripCoffee made in a two-part pot. The bottom has a spout and handle and it is capped with a small pot with a lid.... You put the coffee in the top pot and and boiling water is poured over the grounds. They then drop down into the bottom pot. It is/was the favoured coffee in Louisiana. Pots were hard to get for a long time but the popularity is again on the upswing and there are pots again being made. Here is a poem about making the coffee... http://frenchdrip.com/_wsn/page3.html Popular Among the PoorOftentimes in the South of antiquity, and I suppose the process was developed during the Civil War as a result of the Union blockade, a substitute for coffee was chicory. A brew from it would be syrupy, bitter, and quite strong, but sometimes ya gotta do what'cha gotta do. Chicory coffee is still popular today in some areas of the South. I Love This SiteThanks for this wonderful photo. I grew up in Metairie, 20 mins from New Orleans - but really I'm from that sweet old city New Orleans. This photo along with the others on this site are inspiring me to do a painting. Thank you so much! Re: "Oriental" LaundryIn 1959-60 I lived in New Orleans, on St. Charles street, between Canal and Lee Circle, maybe 6-7 blocks from the Sun Coffee Shop corner shown above. My then employment required white dress shirts. One block down St. Charles and across the street from me was what I called a Chinese laundry. I would leave my shirts and get them back wrapped in a brown paper package tied with white string. In the 1990s I saw the play "Driving Miss Daisy." I was astounded to see, as a prop, laundry returned in brown paper tied with white string. Until then I'd never realized that was probably a common practice. I lived about two blocks toward Lee Circle from the Liberty Theatre. https://www.shorpy.com/node/5786 The Liberty and another theatre close by were still open when I was there. The Dream FactoryThe above New Orleans "Sun Coffee Shop" photo is shown in "Hollywood: The Dream Factory" (TV 1972). It's meant to show a scene of the 1930s depression. It immediately follows a "Hollywood Party" with women dancing, literally, on tables. It's at 2:35+ in this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83cqJPwlvQA === Happy New Year, Shorpy, Dave, and all! Chinese Hand LaundriesMy Father the Laundryman, always complained about the Chinese Hand Laundries in NYC. He once said to me that he was convinced that Chinese Government subsidized those businesses so they were able to undercut the pricing of the regular (White) owned shops. They really weren't his competition because they couldn't afford the rents on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The reason they could do it so cheaply was, simply that the overhead was much lower. Their shops were in mainly in less affluent residential areas. The usually lived in or above the store and employed no help. The entire family worked, the husband marked the incoming wash, with those indelible ink characters, used to identify the customer, found usually on the inside of the article to be laundered. The pair after laundering the clothes then ironed them. The children did other tasks including pick up and delivery. All meals were taken on the premises. They never got rich but the children all went to the public school and many continued to High School. I think most of us are familiar with the 3rd generation and their accomplishments in this country. (The Gallery, Eateries & Bars, New Orleans, Walker Evans)
Five and Ten: 1921
... If someone has other links to classic/traditional Jazz (New Orleans/Chicago/N.Y. but not Ragtime) please post. Thanks. Red Hot Jazz ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/12/2011 - 10:35am -

Washington, D.C., circa 1921. "Whistle Bottling Works. Woolworth window." An elaborate dime-store window display for Whistle orange soda, "the food drink." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. We miss you, Woolworth'sWoolworth's was part of America's 20th century memories. Who over 50 hasn't bought housewares, pens, books, toys or records at Woolworth's? I still have happy memories going shopping downtown with my mother, and stopping for lunch at the Woolworth's luncheonette. It was (along with the drug store) one of the few places where we ever "ate out." I've got your "food drink"Try dunking a graham cracker in a cup of hot coffee. Quartz for a dime?What is that in the other display window? It almost looks like rocks on display cards. [Jewelry, maybe. Dime-onds. - Dave] ReflectionThere appears to be a reflection of someone, possibly the photographer, under the Whistle sign to the right of the door and also to the far left of the picture. He appears to be wearing large headphones. Why the headphones? Could it be someone inside the store? Did Woolworth's have a record department where people could listen to records? [Those are reflections of the mannequin in the window. He's wearing a radio headset. - Dave] The Big Woolworth'sThe Woolworth's on Hemming Park in downtown Jacksonville Florida was the "Big" Woolworth. Two floors. Upstairs was the candy department with the caramel corn, and downstairs was the toy department with Corgi cars, balsa wood gliders, and bins and bins of rubber lizards, snake, and bugs! Woolworth'sMy dad, who was killed in France in 1944, started at Woolworth's as a window dresser in 1938, and worked his way up to manager. As a kid I sometimes heard my Mother singing It was a lucky April shower, It was a most convenient storm. I found a Million Dollar Baby In the five-and-ten cent store. Thanks again for all the great pics, Dave. eBayThere's a fortune in memorabilia in that window. Battery AcidBattery acid and orange food coloring were the ingredients making up Whistle, at least according to smart schoolkids in St. Louis when I was growing up in the late 40s and 50s. It was drink of choice when consuming White Castle hamburgers! Cincy Caramel CornThe Woolworth store in downtown Cincinnati had one loooong counter at the entrance of the store dedicated to the making of caramel corn. You could smell it all the way down the street. The aroma was heavenly and so very enticing. They left their door open to traffic, which came in droves. Warm butter + popping corn = Woolworth caramel corn. We pleaded to go downtown just for the warm caramel corn. 5 & 10 againWho of us who have some age will ever forget the "five and dime" or "the dime store." Woolworth was of course the biggie, but there were the Ben Franklin stores, G.C. Murphy, and SS Kresge (now Kmart) among them -- some with soda fountains, some not. And 10 for a penny candy. Five and TenWhen I hear "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," I wonder if people under 30 or even 35 know what the term "five and ten" refers to. Take a look at the five and ten Glistening once again With candy canes ... UK WoolworthsAll of the remaining UK "Woolies" are to be closed in the coming months, victims of the times. No thanksWhen I want a food drink, I hoist a pint of Guinness. The 5 & 10I remember Woolworth's and its "5 and 10 cent" motto. Today it would more likely be "5 and 10 DOLLAR" store! :( Hey!Is that a folded dollar bill lying right by the door? You could get 20 Whistles with that. Where's Woolworth's?Any ideas as to where this store was? At the far lower right of the photo is a small sign for the store next door that says "Bee Hive Store 906." 906 was probably the address, but what street? [906 Seventh Street N.W. - Dave] The Five and DimeMany also referred to these popular stores as Five and Dimes. As I learned this term after moving away for college I believe it is another example of colorful regionalized language. [The region there was pretty much the entire United States, once upon a time. Five and Dime might be more generational than geographic. - Dave] Oasis on a rainy dayMy earliest memories of the old five-and-dimes include the smell of old wood -- wooden floors, bins, and counters -- and the buttery warmth of incandescent lights. Woolworth'sOur local Woolworth's in upstate NY was turning a great profit into the '90's, but had to close down when the rest of the chain did. The building is a library now. "Who cares if I drink my lunch? It's the Food Drink!" Grilled cheese & tomatoGrilled cheese & tomato sandwich at the Woolworth's counter - a great delicacy in my mind. More seriously, while we're talking Woolworth's lunch counters, the one in the Smithsonian recalls a bit of bravery in recent American history. MemoriesThat lunch counter In Michigan City, Indiana. Oh yeah. Hot turkey sandwich plates with green gravy. Pistachio, I'd guess. First JobMy first job was sweeping floors at the Woolworth in Hollywood at Hollywood & Vermont (Barnsdall Park) in Dec 1975. I later worked in the kitchen and out on the floor straightening and stocking shelves. I loved the hot dogs from the luncheonette. They had buns that were all attached and when you pulled them apart the sides were uncrusted. They would brown the sides of the buns in butter (ala a grilled cheese sandwich). Delicious! 5-10-15The expression was everywhere. In Longueuil, Quebec, near Montreal, where I used to live in the 50s, we had a Jazzar store, part of a small chain whose signs read "5-10-15." We used to say that we were going to the "cinq-dix-quinze." Were there 5-10-15 stores in the States? (Now, springing up everywhere are the Dollarama stores where everything is. .. a dollar.) WhistleFounded in 1916, Vess Beverage still makes a Whistle brand soda. The company is now owned by Cott. Charles Leiper Grigg invented the flavor. Yesterday 50 years agoWhen I saw this picture this morning the first thing I thought was Oh, how I wish I could walk through those doors one more time! They just don't make stores like that anymore. The smells of wood, of the soda fountain, the candy to be had for a penny a piece, the 10 cent toys. I'm so glad I have those experiences to remember. Kresge KristmasI have memories of going to the Kresge's near our house at Christmas time. I "rode" my bicycle through sloppy snow to choose treasures for Mom, Dad and my sister. I retrieved the glorious pink with white daisies Kleenex box cover and cup I bought on that trip from Mom's last year when we closed out her house. The matching johnny mop holder is lost. I'm happy she got 40 years of use out of them. I also went there with Dad to use the tube tester to ascertain which TV or radio tubes needed to be replaced. Holy crow, am I getting old. Cunningham DrugsWe always thought Cunningham Drugs was an upscale Woolworth's because they had their name tiled in at the front entrance. To this day, when I walk into an old building that used to house a drugstore or five-and-dime, I look for the tiled name. In old towns, I find the names quite often. It's always a little treat (probably also indicates a lifetime lack of big treats). I Found A Million Dollar BabyRob's bittersweet memory of the song, which captured the homey American love affair with five-and-dimes, sent me looking for a recording. This was one of the most popular songs of 1931 and thereafter, and was introduced on Broadway in May, 1931 by Fanny Brice, in the musical revue "Billy Rose's Crazy Quilt." Those who have Real Player on their computers can hear the best-selling 1931 recording of the song (Fred Waring's Orchestra, with vocals by Clare Hanlon and the "Three Girlfriends") at http://www.jazz-on-line.com/a/rama/VIC53080-2.ram Those without this player can find several 1931 recordings of it by visiting http://www.jazz-on-line.com/pageinterrogation.php and entering I Found A Million Dollar Baby on the page's search engine. All That JazzThanks Anonymous Tipster for the link to jazz online. That's really appreciated. If someone has other links to classic/traditional Jazz (New Orleans/Chicago/N.Y. but not Ragtime) please post. Thanks. Red Hot Jazz (history of jazz before 1930) is one of my favorites. I was also glad I found Jazzology. Merry Christmas to you all. The Dime StoreI was born in 1973, but my mom and dad always referred to the Ben Franklin store as the dime store. Nosey Little GirlI would always head for the pet department, candy, and toy sections. The candy counter had a real person who gave me what I wanted without a bar code. I always reported any animals that appeared sick, or dead, to the nearest clerk on duty. Heaven help them if they didn't remove the dead fish right away ! I would tell my mother. I miss dime stores very much. I won't go into Wal Mart. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)
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