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Bethlehem-Fairfield: 1943
... From the yard's opening in 1941 until its last ship, the Atlantic City Victory, slid down its ways in October 1945, the yard delivered more ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/19/2013 - 11:24am -

May 1943. "Bethlehem-Fairfield shipyards, Baltimore. 'Liberty ship' cargo transports." Photo by Arthur Siegel, Office of War Information. View full size. A Sleeping Dragon WakesAs Admiral Yamamoto, who had studied at Harvard and spent many years in the US, put it after Pearl Harbor, "We have awakened a sleeping dragon." This one shipyard at its peak in late 1943, employed 46,700 workers, including 6,000 African-Americans, who worked around the clock. From the yard's opening in 1941 until its last ship, the Atlantic City Victory, slid down its ways in October 1945, the yard delivered more vessels than any other American shipyard, and even managed to establish a world shipbuilding record. Baltimore workers had built 5,187,600 tons of shipping. They had constructed during the duration of the war, 384 Liberty ships, 94 Victories and 30 LSTs. Impressive American mightAny Nazi or Japanese leaders seeing this image of U.S. strength on the job should have shuddered, knowing what American man-power and woman-power could produce at a place such as this. The average Liberty ship could be built in 42 days, but the record was less than five days. They were correctly called "ugly ducklings" and sometimes were places of danger, but Liberty ships literally carried the freight between fighting arenas and were a prime reason we won World War II. Doing the jobI'm afraid we may have now forgotten what photos like this show: how an amazingly complex activity can be planned, organized, carried out, and managed entirely by human beings without computers or computer networks. It was done using paper, pencils, wallboards, typewriters, carbon paper, telephones, radios, regular mail, and teletype machines. Many of the people involved likely did not have a high school education; few had a college degree. They did it with about 20% of the population, those in prime working age and in the best health, gone into the military. And they pretty much did not see it as extraordinary -- though it most, most certainly was. Shipbuilding Assembly Line Baltimore Sun, September 21, 1945. Bethlehem-Fairfield's Great Building Record The Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, whose war work was brought to a close on Wednesday when four Victory ships slid down the ways, has the distinction of having built more ships during the emergency building program than any other shipyard in the world. That ought to correct any possible impression made by the ballyhoo over the shipyards on the West Coast that they and they alone did the job. Bethlehem-Fairfield has won half a dozen pennants, including the Gold Wreath Pennant, highest award of the United States Maritime Commission. And, in addition to the distinction mentioned above, there were other impressive reasons why those awards were merited. Bethlehem-Fairfield started virtually from scratch. There were only four ways on the site when the program began. In short order they were increased to sixteen. Bethlehem-Fairfield converted shipbuilding into an assembly-line process. No sooner was a ship launched than workman stepped forward to lay the keel for another. Building time for Liberty ship was cut from 150 days to nineteen. Bethlehem-Fairfield in its four busy years built and launched a total of 508 ships, of which 384 were Libertys, 94 Victories and 30 landing craft. It delivered 100 Libertys in the time allotted for 50. The 508 ships totaled 5,187,800 tons, or ten per cent of the deadweight tonnage of the American merchant marine built in the emergency period. At its peak Bethlehem-Fairfield employed 46,700 persons, so that the industrial community was a city in itself. How well it built is proved by the fact that not one of its ships ever broke in half when it went to sea, a circumstance not unknown to ships from some other yards. Kaiser Yards in Richmond, CAWhen my father finished his sea duty tour in the Armed Guard he was assigned to San Francisco as an Assistant Port Director. One of his jobs was to inspect and sign for ships built by Kaiser in Richmond California on the Sacramento River. He said that Kaiser produced and he signed for 5 Liberty ships and 2 tankers per week in that one shipyard. (The Gallery, Arthur Siegel, Baltimore, Boats & Bridges, WW2)
Patriotic Pole Sitter: 1929
... during the summer months on the old Steel Pier in the OLD Atlantic City, a pole sitter was a prime attraction, along with the diving horse. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/21/2013 - 7:49pm -

UPDATE: The Library of Congress has given this photo a caption. September 3, 1929. "Maryland youth breaks pole sitting record. William Ruppert, 14-year-old youth of Colgate, Maryland, as he appeared atop the flagpole in the yard of his home yesterday after breaking the pole sitting record of 23 days set by Shipwreck Kelly. Young Ruppert, who started his sitting on August 1, has worn out three pairs of trousers so far. He says he expects to stay up 30 days more. The pole is 18 feet high." Note the light bulb rigged to the seat. View full size. ReminiscedA few years back, there was an article in Reminisce magazine about this guy. It included a recent interview plus additional pictures. Light bulbNot to mention the series string of lamps leading up the pole! I make out five, with possibly a sixth one at the bottom. The rig on the seat is a 'Y' socket for two, with only one present. What kind of circuit IS that? Not enough for them to be 12V lamps in series across 120V; were 24V lamps common in 1929? Steel PierThe "art" of pole sitting continued well into the '50's. I remember, as I'm sure many others do, that during the summer months on the old Steel Pier in the OLD Atlantic City, a pole sitter was a prime attraction, along with the diving horse. There used to be a bank of telephone handsets that allowed people on the ground to talk to the pole sitter, and ask him questions and what not. Food and drink was hoisted up in a basket contraption, and he ( I never remember a female pole sitter) was allowed a bathroom break every so many hours. At night, after the pier was closed to the public for the night, he was supposed to sleep up there for the night, but no one was ever around to verify that. 10 Days in AugustHe must have had good weather. Ten days in August in Baltimore without thunderstorms is a bit unusual. Certainly, if there had been a storm he would have been down in no time, if he were smart. 10 days up thereI guess they could send food up to him, but did he get to come down for bathroom breaks? King For A DayAccording to an August 12, 1929 article in the Baltimore Sun, Jimmy Jones' record only stood for 6 hours before being shattered by Wee Willie Wentworth (12 years). The mayor made a house call to congratulate the latter on his ascension to the throne. Back then we didn't have a Wii, we had to sit on polesEvery time I think we have stupid fads today, I just have to remind myself of pole-sitting. Although, substitute a tree for a pole, and I can name at least one fairly famous latter-day female sitter, Julia Butterfly Hill. I count seven bulbs in series, but there might be one more hidden near the top. They could be 32-volt bulbs, widely used on farms before the REA, and in railroading. What about school?The updated information states that William planned to stay up on the pole for another 30 days. Since this photo is updated to September 3rd, are we to assume young William has dropped out of school, in favor of a career choice that starts out "at the top" and stays there? Series stringIt looks like a common (then) 8-lamp string for Christmas trees, the kind usually fitted with C6 type bulbs. (The Gallery, Harris + Ewing)
Left on White: 1926
... yesterday upon his return from a tour of cities from Atlantic City to St. Louis. Another result of his trip was to change his opinion ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/13/2011 - 12:16pm -

January 5, 1926. Washington, D.C. "Traffic Director Eldridge inspecting new lights." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Synchronous SignalsWashington Post, May 20, 1925. STREET SURVEY MADE TO PLACE SEMAPHORES M.O. Eldridge, director of traffic, and Col. I.C. Moller, his assistant, undertook yesterday a survey of the congested district to determine where to place synchronous light and semaphore signals to regulate traffic automatically. An item of $250,000 will be required in the 1927 budget to install these devices. Washington Post, June 2, 1925. RUDOLPH OPPOSES ELDRIDGE SYSTEM OF SIGNAL TOWERS Question of Whether Lights Shall Be In Center or on Side of Street A synchronized system of light signals on towers to regulate traffic may not decorate Sixteenth street northwest as far out as U street, despite the plans of M.O. Eldridge, director of traffic, backed by the unanimous decision of the traffic council of the District of Columbia, an advisory committee of citizens named last week by the director. Cuno H. Rudolph, chairman of the District board of commissioners, yesterday stated he was opposed to the project. The director of traffic cannot install the signals without approval of the commissioners. Meanwhile, Director Eldridge yesterday advertised for bids. The proposals sought are for unit prices on the different types of towers, since the director does not know how many he can buy with the funds to be available between now and July 1, 1926. The question of whether they will be placed in the middle or at the sides of the street also has not been finally decided. The traffic council was unanimous in its choice of towers in the middle of street intersections, but commissioners Rudolph and Bell oppose such a plan. Notwithstanding this opposition, bids were asked on types for the middle of the street. "There will be much opposition to installation of light signals in Sixteenth street," said Commissioner Rudolph. "I, for one, am opposed to it. As to the placing of the lights, if they are to be installed, both Colonel Bell and myself think it would be a mistake to put them in the middle of the street." Washington Post, June 16, 1925. ELDRIDGE RETURNS FROM WEST WITH NEW TRAFFIC IDEA Changes Opinion as to Signal Type Best Suited for Sixteenth Street. WOULD PLACE LIGHTS AT EACH INTERSECTION. Western Cities Ahead of East In Solving Problems of Motor Control. Installation of a mechanically controlled electric signal light at every street intersection and elimination of crossing policemen is the modern tendency in traffic control, said M. O. Eldridge, traffic director, yesterday upon his return from a tour of cities from Atlantic City to St. Louis. Another result of his trip was to change his opinion with reference to the type of signals appropriate for such boulevard highways as Sixteenth street. Mr. Eldredge, supported by a unanimous vote of the citizens traffic council, before his journey favored signal lights in the center of the street. Opposed by Rudolph. The commissioners opposed the idea and Commissioner Rudolph announced opposition to trying the lights first in Sixteenth street at all. Director Eldridge is now considering the matter anew and has not framed definite recommendations, but he said that what he saw in other cities convinced him that Sixteenth street is not wide enough for lights in the center of street and if he recommends that signals be tried first in Sixteenth street, they will be of the overhanging type, on arms reaching out over the street from posts at the curb. "If they were placed in the middle of a street like Sixteenth street," he said, "reckless drivers would knock them over and in addition they would eliminate one entire traffic lane. In Detroit last week, a motorist ran into the concrete base of a signal light, the base weighing a ton. He overturned it and his machine dashed on and plunged into the basement of a house." West Ahead of East. "The cities of the middle West are far ahead of us in development of signal lights to control traffic. Detroit, for example, is now installing signals that will eliminate 150 traffic policeman and release them for other traffic duty than at street corners. "Syracuse now has no traffic police in sight. There are no horns and there is no noise. When you see the green light you don't feel you are going to hit anyone. You just 'step on it' and go through until stopped by the red light. "I saw an interesting development in Columbus. On a through street there were four traffic lanes, the two at the curbs for slow traffic and the two in the middle for through fast traffic." Washington Post, June 20, 1925. ELECTRIC TRAFFIC SIGNALS ORDERED BY COMMISSIONERS Eldridge Will Recommend Equipping Sixteenth Street LIGHTS WILL BE PLACED ON POSTS AT CORNERS "Stop," "Go" and "Get Ready" Will Show; Turns to Be Made on "Go" Only. Washington's first contract for automatic electric signal lights to control traffic by machinery was let yesterday by the District commissioners to the Crouse-Hinds Company of Syracuse, N.Y. One hundred and one signals were ordered at a cost of $25,000. The commissioners did not pass on the question of where the lights will be installed, but M.O. Eldridge, director of traffic, will recommend that they be placed on Sixteenth street northwest, from Lafayette park to Irving street. Both center lights, mounted on concrete bases, and lamps overhanging from posts at the curbs have been abandoned, and the installation will consist of four posts, with lamps, at each main street intersection, one on each corner, the posts to be 10 feet high. Will Alternate. From Lafayette park to N street they will be placed at each intersection. Beyond that point boulevard stop signs, lit by reflection from approaching vehicles' lights, will be placed at O, Church and Corcoran streets, Riggs place, Swann, Belmont and Caroline streets and Crescent place. Automatic light signals will be installed at all other intersections. Each post will bear red, green and amber lamps. The green light signals "go", the red one "stop" and the amber light flashes between the other two for five seconds to indicate the coming change. North and south traffic will be permitted to proceed for 1 minute and will be stopped for 25 or 30 seconds while east and west traffic enjoys the right-of-way. The regulations for turns will be changed. All turns will be made only on the green signal. Washington Post, July 14, 1925. 2 NEW SYNCHRONIZED TRAFFIC SIGNALS UP Erected to Accustom Autoists To Use; Eldridge's Salary Is Raised to $5,400. Two of the new synchronized electric traffic light signals were erected temporarily yesterday at New York avenue and Eighteenth street northwest by order of Director of Traffic M.O. Eldridge to let motorists and others become accustomed to their appearance. They were not connected with electric wires and were not operated. Mr. Eldridge yesterday received notification that his salary has been ordered increased from $5,200 to $5,400 a year, effective July 1. This occurred as a result of the new efficiency ratings just completed in the District building. Eighteenth street was designated yesterday as the next boulevard highway for which "boulevard stop" signs will be prepared to protect the right-of-way of through traffic. Turn on the white signalWho were those people a while back who were telling us that the real world was always in color? SpikyThat's the spikiest traffic light I've ever seen. That should deter the 100 lb. pigeons. Red means StopWashington Post, January 3, 1926. SIXTEENTH STREET TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO GO IN USE TUESDAY Officials to Test System With Practice Runs Tomorrow Morning. METHOD OF LEFT TURN CHANGED BY BULLETIN All Autos Must Go to Curb and Stop When Fire Alarm Sounds. Final touches are being placed on the Sixteenth street system of electric automatic traffic signal lights. First operation has been delayed again. It was planned to take place tomorrow, but will not occur until Tuesday. The hour has not been named. Meanwhile, traffic officials plan to try out the lights, dashing up and down Sixteenth street tomorrow at 3 a.m., when there is little traffic, in a series of experiments to determine how long to let traffic run in each direction without change of lights. The lights are three colors. Red means stop. Green means go. Amber, in the language of Director of Traffic M.O. Eldridge, means "caution — clear intersection.": "Do not start on amber, wait for green," said a memorandum issued by Eldridge yesterday. The note continues: "Turns are made on green only. In making a left turn, proceed into the intersection and draw up along the right hand crossing in front of standing traffic. Wait in this position until green appears on the left and then complete the turn ahead of the traffic that is now allowed to move." Pedestrians Have Right-of-Way. "In making right turns, motorists should remember that pedestrians moving with the signal have right-of-way at crossing. Red in all directions indicates approach of fire apparatus and motorists should draw toward the curb as quickly as possible. Pedestrians should move with traffic and not cross it." The direction for the left turn is new. Heretofore the instruction has been to turn left only on red signals. The change is in the instruction to proceed into the intersection and stop. When "green appears on the left" red is showing in the direction from which the turn originates. The memorandum does not say what motorists intending left turn shall do if there are more cars waiting to turn than can be accommodated in the intersection "in front of standing traffic." The clearing of the street for fire runs is new, also. It is planned to throw on red lights in all signal lamps when a fire alarm rings that requires an apparatus to travel on Sixteenth street. The red lights will stop all traffic on that street and on all other streets approaching it for four minutes, the intention being to clear streets so the fire engines will have no obstructions to avoid. The police department is planning to assign several policemen to Sixteenth street, six of them at Scott circle, on the first day of operation of the lights, to direct attention of autoists to them. Assistant Director of Traffic I.C. Moller said yesterday that the operation of the lights would necessitate trimming of trees when the foliage comes out in the spring. He said not much trimming would have to be done, as much has already been done in connection with the running of double-deck motorbuses. Confusion and ComedyWashington Post, January 6, 1926. CONFUSION, COMEDY ATTEND BEGINNINGS OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS Many Tie-Ups Follow the Automatic Flashing of Lights on Sixteenth Street. SMOOTHER OPERATION, HOWEVER, IS EXPECTED. The major segment of Washington's synchronized automatic electric light traffic signals in Sixteenth street northwest, from H to U streets, was placed in operation yesterday at 2 o'clock, after many postponements. Confusion, comedy and lack of ceremony characterized the occasion. President Cuno H. Rudolph, of the District board of commissioners, under fire from a battery of cameras and moving picture machines, connected the lights with electric current at a switchbox in Scott circle. Motorists and pedestrians, suddenly confronted with the lights, found themselves unprepared with information as to what to do. Traffic tieups occurred at many intersections, left turns affording the most fruitful source of uncertainty. K.W. Mackall, engineer, and F.W. Clary, publicity manager for the Crouse-Hinds Company of Syracuse, N.Y., the concern that sold the District the lights, expressed themselves as gratified and said that the confusion would be only temporary, until drivers were accustomed to the signals. Mule Flouts Policeman. A practical joker utilized the situation to turn a horse-laugh on Traffic Director M.O. Eldridge's regulation forbidding horse-drawn vehicles to travel in Sixteenth street and three other boulevards. Ensconced in an ancient cabriolet drawn by an equally ancient mule, the jester, who later gave his name as William K. Conway, drove up to Scott circle, while 100 or more persons of prominence were witnessing the proceedings. A policeman stopped the coupe. "Don't you know that horse-drawn vehicles are forbidden on this street?" he demanded, and added, with official scorn, "Read the signs." The passenger leaned out and said: "Officer, I read the sign. This is not a horse-drawn vehicle. It is mule-drawn. Drive on, James." The policeman scratched his head and let the vehicle proceed. Later a police conference was called on this flouting of the law. Assistant Corporation Counsel Ringgold Hart was consulted. What the Courts Hold. "The courts have held," said he, "that mule-drawn and horse-drawn are the same thing." Despite this ruling, however, the mule-drawn equipage drove up and down Sixteenth street for some time unmolested by the policemen. All the District commissioners were among the participants in the turning on of the lights. There were no speeches, music or decorations. Cooperation of the public with traffic regulations was requested by Traffic Director Eldridge in his address, "Stop, Look and Listen," at the Wapiya club luncheon at the University club yesterday. No violations of the new traffic signals on Sixteenth street were taken to traffic court last night. Hard Left TurnThe evolution of the left turn, as reflected in the articles Dave added, is amazing. Each of the earlier variations seems like a prescription for gridlock. But Republican administrations like those in place in the Roaring Twenties never did know how to turn left. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo)
Moxie Kids: 1904
... he built a rolling scenery railway on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City that is said to be the forerunner to Space Mountain in Disneyland. He ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/05/2012 - 1:43pm -

New York circa 1904. "The goat carriages, Coney Island." Similar to this image posted here last year, except this one shows the Moxie sign. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. MoxieAs some have surmised Moxie is a soda. It is still available in New england. It took its name from Lake Moxie in Maine. It tastes something like a cross of Dr. Pepper and root beer. MOXIE was greatI have an advertising sign with Ted Williams endorsing Moxie, if that doesn't prove it's great, I don't know what could. Oh the Joy, the thrill!They just couldn't look any happier to be there! So what was Moxie anyhow, a brand of Castor Oil? ExpressionismSome classic faces in this photo. There is the man (hands on hips) to the far left who is thinking "Darn kids, get them dang goats out of here!" The young Irish Boy, leaning on the left most cart, with his friend, who for the moment is looking elsewhere and NOT at the camera. The two young men who are leaning on the cart in the middle seem to be in charge as they look to be the oldest ones in the bunch. I see that the little girl in the middle cart is still trying to get herself settled as well. The two lads in the cart on the far right are interesting as well One is well behaved and sits looking straight ahead, holding the reigns, while the other one eyes the photographer suspiciously, probably wondering if he is going to take a third picture. Lastly, why are those two women on the far right wearing pizzas on their heads? You want me to wear a tie?Look mister, I work with kids and goats all day. Coney Island Railroad?!Intrigued by "The L.A. Thompson Scenic RY. Co." sign, I did a little checking and found it was s switchback railway invented by LA Marcus Adna Thompson (1848 - 1919). It was the first gravity powered roller coaster in the United States. He built the very successful ride at Coney Island in 1884 based on the Mauch Chunk Switchback in Pennsylvania. In 1887 he built a rolling scenery railway on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City that is said to be the forerunner to Space Mountain in Disneyland. He also sold his patented automatic car coupler invention to railroad car manufacturer George Pullman. "Full of Moxie"Did not know the word moxie came from the name of a soda. Usually heard the word used to describe someone who seemed to have a lot of nerve or as some say "fire and brimstone." (The Gallery, Coney Island, DPC, Kids)
Florida Times-Union: 1904
... would hit Jacksonville and keep right on going. The city's days as a destination were doomed by the relentless push southward of ... than 1921 this building at 136 W. Bay Street became the Atlantic Hotel. An article in The Florida Times-Union was about a character ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/09/2012 - 7:14pm -

Florida circa 1904. "Jacksonville and St. Johns River." Plus the headquarters of the Florida Times-Union newspaper and much transportation-related signage. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Jacksonville got bypassedIt wouldn't be long before all those travelers and freight would hit Jacksonville and keep right on going. The city's days as a destination were doomed by the relentless push southward of Henry Flagler's railroads and hotels. By the time I grew up there in the 1950s, Jacksonville was more or less Atlanta-lite with a beach. Signs of the timesI would have loved to have studied under some of the great sign painters of those times. Does anyone know if anything in this picture still exists? Jacksonville got "urban renewed"The St. Johns River is still there and more or less the same. The docks are gone, and any buildings that remain are unrecognizably altered. There are a few ghost signs visible here and there in downtown Jacksonville. The Florida Times-Union moved outNot later than 1921 this building at 136 W. Bay Street became the Atlantic Hotel. An article in The Florida Times-Union was about a character they referred to as the Human Fly, actually a Mr. Rockett. It reads in part: "Mr. Rockett had assembled a crowd in downtown Jacksonville Jan. 9, 1921, on the premise of scaling the front of the Atlantic Hotel, a three-story building at Bay and Hogan streets." (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, Jacksonville, Railroads)
Clark's Corner: 1937
... Indian River and about 8 miles from Cocoa Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. - Ken] Pop. 120 As described in Florida: A Guide to ... (Federal Writers' Project, 1939): "INDIAN RIVER CITY, 50.9m (19 alt., 120 pop.) formerly called Clark's Corner, consists of a ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/13/2014 - 5:47pm -

January 1937. Brevard County, Florida. "Roadstand near Cocoa." Photo by Arthur Rothstein for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Cocoa Beach!Just wait another thirty years, give or take. A bottle will wash up on the shore, to be discovered by an astronaut on a training exercise. [No bottles will be washing up in Cocoa, which is on the Indian River and about 8 miles from Cocoa Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. - Ken] Pop. 120As described in Florida: A Guide to the Southernmost State (Federal Writers' Project, 1939): "INDIAN RIVER CITY, 50.9m (19 alt., 120 pop.) formerly called Clark's Corner, consists of a few stucco houses, filling stations, and a post office, overlooking the broad reaches of the river. Indian River City is at the junction with State 22 (see Tour 9). South of Indian River City dense growths of palms and pines flank U.S. 1; palmetto thickets and low green shrubbery add to the beauty of the water views." In Color!Corner of (now) SR50 and US1. Postcard from the State Archives of Florida, (Florida Memory). I HAD to look it upa TEMPLE is a bright orange red colored fruit, oval shaped, easy to peel and a cross between an orange and a tangerine, it has lots of seeds and a bitter orange flesh under the skin. TitusvilleThis stand was about 20 minutes away from Cocoa and 30 miles from Cocoa Beach. The corner is in Titusville (I live within walking distance of it). Indian River City was consolidated with Titusville back in the 60's. Today if you look across that river you can see Kennedy Space Center. There is nothing left of the buildings in the post card. It's now a busy intersection with a Walgreens and a gas station. The temple orangeThe temple orange originated in Winter Park Florida, developed by Louis Hakes and named after W. C. Temple, both residents of Winter Park. There's a Temple Drive and Temple Trail in Winter Park, the latter leading into the neighborhood in which I grew up. (The Gallery, Arthur Rothstein, Eateries & Bars, Florida, Stores & Markets)
Ask a Teenager: 1922
... a concert that was taking place in another part of the city, the effect was distinctly spooky. Even men used to transcontinental ... eighteen American amateur stations were heard across the Atlantic in the course of a single night. A Question About Shoes ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/23/2012 - 10:53am -

Washington, D.C., circa 1922. "William Armstrong Perry." A former editor of Boys Life and Scouting magazines, W.A. Perry authored a study called "Radio in Education." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Schooled by RadioIn the Canary Islands, where I live, a local, non-for-profit radio station (Radio ECCA for anyone curious enough) did a great job teaching to write and read, as well as finishing elementary and high school education to adults who never had the opportunity to get an education or were forced to leave school at an early time. It's still in operation, though now its focus has changed. Crystal Radio The radio is a crystal set receiver (not a transmitter), probably a Westinghouse Aeriola Jr. Model RE. Crystal sets, which preceded tube radios, operated without batteries or any other power source. They required a long wire antenna and an earth ground connection to receive AM broadcasts. [What's the mouthpiece for? - Dave] Seizing Music Out of the Air Although a bit optimistic concerning the speed of development, in 1921 Mr. Armstrong Perry accurately predicted the development of cell phones: "The demonstration ventured to prophesy that the day was at hand when by means of a simple pocket apparatus one could call up his home and talk without wire from almost any distance, and there was none dared call him a dreamer! " Washington Post, Dec 18, 1921 News of Boy Scouts At the monthly meeting of the Scoutmasters club, held in Epiphany parish house last Tuesday evening, modern achievements in wireless held the center of the stage. Through the courtesy of Mr Armstrong Perry, the latest apparatus in telephonic communication without the use of wires was demonstrated. When a little equipment, most of which could be carried in a suitcase, was set up in the room, and after slight adjustment began reproducing a concert that was taking place in another part of the city, the effect was distinctly spooky. Even men used to transcontinental telephonic communication were abashed at this exhibition of seizing music out of the air and amplifying it until all in the room could enjoy it; without receivers to their ear, without even the outside wires running high over head, to which the radio operator is accustomed. The demonstration ventured to prophesy that the day was at hand when by means of a simple pocket apparatus one could call up his home and talk without wire from almost any distance, and there was none dared call him a dreamer! So rapid have been the strides in the last few months in radio that no prophecy seems extravagant. Only a few weeks ago eighteen American amateur stations were heard across the Atlantic in the course of a single night. A Question About ShoesLooking at these images, I am always drawn to the shoes. How often these days do you ever see shoes that are this worn? I always wonder how many shoes a typical adult would have had in their wardrobe and how many siblings would wear the same pairs. [Indeed. Feet and shoes seem to hold a certain fascination for the Shorpy commentariat. - Dave] Worn or just poorly maintained?A good cleaning and some polish and those shoes would look a whole lot better. Soles and heels don't look worn, although the angle is not the best. Good question about those shoes.I'm glad to see a photo of William Armstrong PERRY, who is my 1st cousin 3 times removed, here on your website. I'm informed that he was always quite interested in scouting; collecting coins; studying radio communications (fairly new at that time), traveling to the relatively unknown places of the world, and was a writer as well. He married a woman named Lulu MONTANYE who was a writer as well (articles for McCalls amongst others, and a few short stories). She was quite a 'liberated' woman for those times and remained quite interested in many of her husband's endeavors, including his radio hobby. To me, the cut of those shoes, the cut of the hair, the petite hands, make me wonder if this is William's wife, and not a boy interested in radio as the information provided here implies. Do you have more information on who is pictured in the photo? Also, if the photo was taken at William's home, then it would have been either at their home in Addison, New York, or their home in Westport, Connecticut. William Armstrong Perry survived a plane crash and spending 15 days in the Venezuelan Jungle in May 1837. He died on July 5, 1938 at his Westport home of a heart attack. Some say the heart attack was a result of lingering injuries from the plane crash. Lulu lived until 1966. Both are buried near the home of their childhood at Canton, Bradford Co, PA. (Technology, The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Oyster House: 1953
... Another in a series of professional 8x10 pictures taken in Atlantic City in August, 1953 for Better Living Magazine, featuring my in-laws. My ... 
 
Posted by Born Too Late - 06/15/2013 - 12:11pm -

Another in a series of professional 8x10 pictures taken in Atlantic City in August, 1953 for Better Living Magazine, featuring my in-laws. My father-in-law is towards the right in of the line, with my brother-in-law in his arms. My mother-in-law is standing in front of them. My father-in-law was 33 years old at the time. Now he's 93 and still in amazing health. View full size. Still in amazing healthIt has to be the oysters. Well dressed brother-in-law.He is wearing the same outfit he wore as Space Ranger. Pet peeveThis photo illustrates a habit of human queuing that I always found peculiar: Whenever there is a line, it will invariably extend perpendicular to the entryway, cutting across sidewalks or streets until it meets an obstacle. Only then will it alter course. Meanwhile, pedestrians and vehicles come to a halt as they try to find a way around or through it. On a few occasions, I have purposely stood at an angle, to see if the next people in line would join up directly behind me and thus alter its course. They do not, opting to stand at my side, preserving the linearity. Standing in line for OystersWho'd a thunk it. But, Daddy!Nooooo, don't make me eat oysters, Daddy!!! I don't want oysters!!!!! Dock's Oyster HouseStill there, and looking good! Although, I have to say, I prefer their old neon sign: View Larger Map So beautifully turned outThose ladies look so elegant; nothing remarkable for almost any Main Street sixty-odd years ago, happy days! PeeveAnother experiment that works every time is to approach a bank of doors to a store and go out of your direct route to enter. The person behind you instead of choosing the closest door to them will invariably follow you to the door you just opened. Love the pictureHi Born too Late, My great grandfather opened Dock's Oyster House in 1897 and I am now the fourth generation to carry on the tradition. We are currently doing a renovation/expansion of the property and we are bringing back the old neon sign. I would love to hang a large copy of your picture in the dining room. Could you contact me and let me know if that is possible? Thanks Frank Dougherty (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
On the Boardwalk
My grandfather photographed the Atlantic City boardwalk on a family trip, in 1964. View full size. Times have ... that building once stood. The Central pier has one of Atlantic City's many "every thing $.99 cent" stores in it. This photo was taken ... 
 
Posted by adamgilson - 05/15/2015 - 10:55am -

My grandfather photographed the Atlantic City boardwalk on a family trip, in 1964. View full size. Times have changedThis was long before any casinos were built there and even though it was 80 degrees and was more of a beach and amusement center, no adults are wearing shorts, halters, sandals, etc. Once when I was there a few years before (1962) a Miss America contest was going on and people were not quite so covered up. Still, the attire is quite a far cry from those early photos often seen on here with people in full regalia with 3 piece suits, long dresses, hats and hard shoes. Fralinger's taffy still thereThe building to the left of Fralinger's is gone. They have a bunch of vendors parked on the boardwalk where that building once stood. The Central pier has one of Atlantic City's many "every thing $.99 cent" stores in it. This photo was taken about the start of he city's first declines. The second one is right now. Fralinger's make the taffy right in front of you and give out free samples. It's pretty good stuff. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Old Baldy: 1863
... the Florida Keys as welll as Barnegat, NJ; Absecon in Atlantic City and numerous others. He almost single handedly converted to the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/26/2008 - 6:57am -

October 1863. "Culpeper, Virginia. Gen. George G. Meade's horse, Baldy." Wet plate glass negative, photographer unknown. View full size. Old BaldyHere's the interesting, though a bit creepy, story of Old Baldy. Big HorseyUnless the man is unusually short, Baldy looks to be at least 16 hands. Probably chestnut or light brown; a pretty boy. George MeadeAccording to family lore I am somehow related to Gen. Meade. While researching the man it is very interesting to note that he spent the biggest part of his military career building lighthoueses, including the iron skeletoned ones along the Florida Keys as welll as Barnegat, NJ; Absecon in Atlantic City and numerous others. He almost single handedly converted to the expensive but very superior fresnel lenses over his boss who had a financial interest in the other type of lighting! A very interesting and complicated individual. Re: Big HorseyI don't know much about horses but the average height of a U.S. soldier during the War was 5'8", shorter than the average man today. Hell of a HorseAccording to the story of Old Baldy, he was wounded 14 times in as many battles and survived the war and General Meade. Were the army Veterinarians that much better than the MDs? A gunshot or artillery wound in the Civil War usually led to death from infection or amputation or both. His head being mounted on the wall reminds me of the story about the man who graduated as a Veterinarian and then went to Taxidermy school. His office shingle read Veterinarian/Taxidermist -"Either Way- You Get Your Pet Back" Mount BaldyI like the idea that the picture is putting into my head, that Old Baldy is about to undergo some "training," wearing a surcingle and side reins, which would have been used on a lunge line to give the horse exercise without the burden of a rider. It helps them find their own balance and develop back muscles that can atrophy after long hours under a rider. Good to think that his "people" were thinking about that, as sometimes it seems horses were simply tools. (The Gallery, Civil War, Horses)
Merry Christmas: 1913
... all began. Madison Park was the first place in New York City to put up a public Christmas Tree. Great tradition that has spread to ... Felicitations to all Shorpologists on both sides of the Atlantic! From Andrew in Central Scotland. 1913 Color What color ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/24/2013 - 11:47pm -

        One hundred years ago -- yet it seems like just yesterday that we first posted this. New York, December 1913. "Christmas tree, Madison Square." 8x10 glass negative, G.G. Bain Collection. View full size. Happy holidays from Shorpy! Merry ChristmasWishing all friends and followers of Shorpy a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Edmund 100 Years Later And 11 Blocks NorthAt 34th Street and 5th Avenue, the Empire State Building, illuminated by the new LED lighting system, shows off it's Christmas colors. We are also being treated to several Light Shows. Where it all began.Madison Park was the first place in New York City to put up a public Christmas Tree. Great tradition that has spread to pretty much all of the Parks here in Manhattan. Toy CenterWe're looking to the west in this picture. The building in the background is 200 Fifth Avenue, completed just a few years earlier, which is called the "Toy Center" because for decades it was mainly occupied by toy manufacturers and wholesalers. Today it has a more varied tenant mix, though it still hosts a major annual trade show for the toy industry. The Flatiron Building, a favorite on this site, is just out of view on the left. Just behind the photographer would be the Metropolitan Life Tower, which had just become the second-tallest building in the world. It had been the tallest from 1909 until the completion of the Woolworth Building earlier in 1913. An' a Guid New Year!Seasonal Felicitations to all Shorpologists on both sides of the Atlantic! From Andrew in Central Scotland. 1913 ColorWhat color process was used for this - Autochrome? Or was it colorized? [Note the tag above it that says "Colorized Photos." -tterrace] (ShorpyBlog, Christmas, Colorized Photos, G.G. Bain, NYC)
Triple Cola: 1939
... blusun meant the Coca-Cola clock to the right below the Atlantic Ale/Beer neon sign? [Well duh. Thankyou! - Dave] Sold ... When I first moved to Durham in the early 1980s, the city still had a sweet, distinctive aroma of curing tobacco in its downtown ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/20/2019 - 12:45pm -

November 1939. "Lunch stand and tobacco inside entrance to warehouse at end of auction sale. Durham, North Carolina." Medium format acetate negative by Marion Post Wolcott for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Um, erPerhaps blusun meant the Coca-Cola clock to the right below the Atlantic Ale/Beer neon sign? [Well duh. Thankyou! - Dave] Sold AmericanIn the back of my mind I can still hear the chants of F.E.Boone and Speed Riggs selling that fine, that ripe, that mild tobacco. Did you know doctors prefer Luckies 2-1?! Coke-lectableLooking at auctions, the Coca-Cola clock is worth about $6K. Luckies 2 to 1I threw almost a full pack of luckies in the trash in 1974 after an endless coughing spell - a weak later the cough went away and never returned Double Cola ClocksThe Coca Cola clock in the right-hand window reminds us that he who has one clock always knows what time it is. He who has two is never quite sure. Pads of TobaccoI tied many of those bundles of tobacco and knelt in those wooden baskets to pad them up. The baskets are becoming collectors items. I remember well standing in the warehouse to see the auctioneers and buyers pass through and make or break your year. Times long gone in DurhamWhen I first moved to Durham in the early 1980s, the city still had a sweet, distinctive aroma of curing tobacco in its downtown district. Over the years that fragrance disappeared, and many of these warehouse/auction houses have been leveled to make way for high-dollar condominium complexes. Thank you for a reminder of a simpler time. The JukeboxWurlitzer Table Model 61 – 1938. (The Gallery, Eateries & Bars, M.P. Wolcott)
Splinter Alley: 1925
... car) was set by Frank Lockhart on the 1.5 mile 45-degree Atlantic City track, on May 7, 1927, in a Miller 91 rear drive with an average speed of ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/26/2011 - 3:22pm -

July 11, 1925. Another look at the lineup on Laurel Speedway's board track. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Speed-Crazed Drivers Washington Post, Jul 11, 1925 14 Auto Entrants Qualify for Race Today at Laurel De Paolo Leads With and Average of 131.5 Miles for One Lap A wide board track, wrapping 80 acres of ground as a ribbon might encircle an ostrich egg, with a huge grandstand overlooking it all, is ready today to vibrate under the great motor gruel, the inaugural race at the Washington-Baltimore automobile speedway. Never level and in places almost up and down, it is to the arena of sixteen speed-crazed drivers, out on a Roman holiday to entertain the populace and in so doing to lower the world's speed records. Peter de Paolo, plucky aspirant for this year's motor racing fame, made himself and machine a fitting apparition on it yesterday and establishing a strategic place in today's get-away. De Paolo drove his racing Dusenberg around the course at a speed of 131.5 miles an hour, the greatest speed attained in the qualifying rounds. As a result he will have the preferred position at the start with Earl Cooper, who qualified Thursday with a speed of 129.8 miles an hour. ... An inspection of the approach to the track yesterday emphasized the traffic problem. While there is plenty of space to park machines both outside and inside the oval there is only a narrow road leading to it from the highway, a distance of about half a mile. Every effort, however, is to be made to keep traffic moving briskly. Those planning to go to the track in machines, should bear this in mind in arranging their running time. Special trains will be operated over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. They run directly to the track. ... Arrangements have been completed for handling the vast crowd expected to attend the race. Two hundred District national guardsmen, under the command of Capt. P.G. Nevitt, are to cooperate with the Maryland guardsmen, State police and regular soldiers in regulating traffic both inside and outside the bowl. Capt. Nevitt's men are to assemble at the armory. He stated last night that any motorist who will come by, fill his car with as many guardsmen as he can take will be given free parking space at the track. Hard to ImagineIt would be hard to imagine a modern race car going that fast on a wooden track. It must have been a heck of a time keeping the car under control with those narrow tires going over the parallel boards. Incredible. What a thrill it must have been to see. Wow! I love these shots of the old wooden tracks. This track was 1.125 miles in length so I'll bet that the straight speeds were approaching something over 140mph, in 1925! Straight Eight Flatheads, I'll bet. Look! There's no fence separating the grandstand from the track and the infield is wide open. And those cars, I'm sure, were pretty heavy. The danger here is astounding. These guys were truly fearless. Wow, indeedThe Duesies and the Millers had straight-8 DOHC engines with superchargers. No slackers here! Just for the recordWith its 48-degree banked track, Laurel was topped only by the 50-degree track at Fulford-By-The-Sea, near Miami. (Daytona is 31 degrees.) There were 24 board tracks in 13 states built between 1905 and 1926. Most lasted only a handful of years because not much was known then about making the pine boards most tracks used durable enough to withstand the cars' pounding and the weather. There was creosote but it was not acceptable for track surfaces (no traction). I don't have in my files the highest lap speed at Laurel, but the record for the fastest single lap driven on a board track (championship car) was set by Frank Lockhart on the 1.5 mile 45-degree Atlantic City track, on May 7, 1927, in a Miller 91 rear drive with an average speed of 147.229mph. This record was not topped until 1960 at Indianapolis (and not on wood!) with a qualifying speed of 149.056 mph set by Jim Hurtubise. (The Gallery, Baltimore, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Natl Photo, Sports)
Ferry Superior: 1905
... in those days so mostly shuttling walk-on passengers "City of Portsmouth" has walking beam side wheel propulsion. "Superior" must be ... the battleship USS Wisconsin. Ferry You can see the Atlantic Hotel on the left, the unfinished Confederate Monument (No Johnny Reb ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/29/2017 - 3:58pm -

1905. "Waterfront -- Norfolk, Virginia." A going-away view of the ferry Superior. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Tide or splash?One of those brilliant Shorpy photos that rewards extended viewing. Much as I'd love to gaze at the multi-spired cityscape across the river, I can't help staring in awe at the arcing embrace of the ferry slips, the planks of wood in long curves, attached to the log piles. But as a prairie-born lad, I must ask: is the high-water mark from tide or ferry splash? [That's from a paintbrush and some sort of preservative. - Dave] A busy portAn amazing pic in that it shows 4 ferries on a short crossing. Not many cars in those days so mostly shuttling walk-on passengers "City of Portsmouth" has walking beam side wheel propulsion. "Superior" must be some other system of powering the side-wheels No navaids of any kind, just lights. Navigation was probably mostly by range lights on the piers to guide docking Vehicles1905, not too many vehicles around, Ferry is empty but why the seemingly huge access for ... horse carriages? [See below. - Dave] TidesWe're tidal here in Hampton Roads, but not THAT tidal. The actual tide line is the chalky white on the slips. The line is also evident (this time as darkened wood) on the pilings supporting the chain hoist beam post. Some of the churches are still there.This looks to be taken in Porstmouth, looking across the Elizabeth River to Norfolk. In that case, some of the churches shown are obvious, such as Epworth United Methodist Church towards the left of the picture, and the Basillica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, towards the right. Lower down, just a bit to the left of St. Mary's, you can see historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church, known as "the church with a cannonball stuck in the wall" from the War of 1812; it would be the oldest building in the picture. Most of the buildings are gone, but curiously, you can see Maury High School about a third of the way from the left, still in use, but almost a mile and a half off. I suppose that's because Maury is on one of the higher elevations in this part of Norfolk. Missing in what you would see from this point today is, towards the right, Harbor Park, towards the center right Waterside, and towards the left of center, Nauticus and the battleship USS Wisconsin. FerryYou can see the Atlantic Hotel on the left, the unfinished Confederate Monument (No Johnny Reb on top) in the middle. What is that white building about 2 inches to the right of the Atlantic? What a magnificent city! (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC)
National Theatre: 1918
... For reasons unknown, it didn't happen. The play opened in Atlantic City before going to Washington. - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/27/2012 - 3:21pm -

March 1918. The National Theatre on E Street. At right is Shoomaker's, a favorite Shorpy hangout. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. Back to the SpongeDave, I've seen North By Northwest several times but other than the scene in the Plaza Hotel where Kaplan's suit is being delivered to the room or is that what you're referring to. [Not sure I follow the question. Script below. - Dave] Cary Grant at the Ambassador East, on phone to valet: "Room 463. How quickly can you get a suit sponged and pressed? Yes, fast. 20 minutes? Fine." Sponge Again Part 2Ok, but how did you remember such an insignificant piece of dialogue from a 50 year old movie. [I've seen the movie and remembered the line is the best explanation I can give! - Dave] Sponge AgainThanks, you answered my question. My new question is: How did you come up with that answer to a question so obscure, that quickly? You never cease to amaze me. [I Googled the script for "North by Northwest." - Dave] Out With The OldDid the "old" National Theatre burn down? [The National had been "new" for more than 20 years, having been rebuilt following a fire in February 1885. The building in this photo was was torn down in 1923 and replaced with the current structure. This section of E Street is now part of Pennsylvania Avenue. - Dave] WindowsThe one thing that always strikes me is all the open windows in these old large buildings, even in the winter. Today, working in Downtown anywhere, the windows will almost certainly be sealed shut, a consequence of our new ventilation systems. What we have lost is the connectedness to the street. It's like walking into a cocoon. Dairy Lunch"Dairy Lunch" for a restaurant seems so unpalatable. I am wondering if there is some other reason to the name? Did it signify that it was non-kosher because dairy was served there? Or was it the other way around--meaning that there was no meat(only fish) served there? ["Milk bars" and "dairy lunches" were a phenomenon of the 1910s, 20s and 30s, a byproduct of the temperance movement. A lot of these places were bars and pubs before Prohibition. - Dave] Baths?The pole on the sidewalk on the left side of the image appears to say "Baths." Would this be correct? [Yes, if you needed one. - Dave] SpongeThe tailor shop, to the left of National Dairy Lunch, has a sign in its window "Suits Sponged and Pressed." I've never seen or heard that term before. Was it an early form of dry cleaning or an expeditious way of getting the garment clean. [So you've never seen "North by Northwest." - Dave] Shows at the National"The Land of Joy" was a Spanish musical revue that opened on Broadway on Oct. 31, 1917 and closed in January 1918 after 100 performances. "Friendly Enemies" opened in New York on July 22, 1918, and closed in August 1919 after 440 performances--a major hit for 1918. The posters must be announcing an out-of-town tryout. [A January 1918 item in the New York Times has "Friendly Enemies" set for a February opening in New York. For reasons unknown, it didn't happen. The play opened in Atlantic City before going to Washington. - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Performing Arts)
Farm Fresh: 1917
1917. "City Market. Washington, D.C." Our third glimpse of this produce market. ... — Truck crop potatoes are shipped from the Atlantic seaboard points in ventilated barrels holding 2¾ bushels; from ... by weight at so much per bushel. Cabbages from the Atlantic seaboard states south of Baltimore are shipped either in crates or ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/02/2014 - 10:53am -

1917. "City Market. Washington, D.C." Our third glimpse of this produce market. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Unusual barrelsI worked in the wooden barrel industry for 33 years, and have never before seen helically wound staves, nor double walled barrels, such as the slack barrels in the left background! Thanks, Shorpy, for posting this unusual glimpse into the past! Re: Unusual barrelsCould these actually be "bushels"? These were used for holding 32 dry quarts of things such as produce and were a unit of measure in and of themselves. To me, they did not look as sturdy as actual barrels. BushelsThe basket of cucumbers in front of the boy looks like what we called a bushel basket when I was a child in the 60s. The barrels in the back appear to be much larger, holding two or maybe three bushels. They do appear to be made of the same thin slats as the bushel basket. They'd be much lighter than an oak whiskey barrel, but not nearly as sturdy. Still, they'd probably suffice for hauling and storing fruit and vegetables. Open Stave BarrelsThe previous post shows a better view of the barrels and reveals the contents to be potatoes and cabbages. Knowing the crops, I was able to find a bit of contemporaneous information. These types of ventilated barrels were called "slat barrels" or "open stave barrels" and typically transported produce from truck farms to market by railroad. The two photos (I can't find the third) show the same uniformed man and group of women. Is this some sort of inspection? Why are the women in white? Are they from a women's club? a benevolence league? suffragists? the average shopper? and the hats! Farm and Garden Rule-Book, A Manual of Ready Rules and Reference, Eighteenth Edition, 1912. Packages for truck crops (L.C. Corbett) Potatoes. — Truck crop potatoes are shipped from the Atlantic seaboard points in ventilated barrels holding 2¾ bushels; from the Mississippi Valley and Gulf States in sacks holding 190 pounds; from Maine in sacks holding 165 pounds; and from the California and Colorado sections in sacks holding 100 pounds (everything in this region being sold by net weight rather than by bushel). In northern sections of Vermont, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, potatoes are largely sold in bulk by weight at so much per bushel. Cabbages from the Atlantic seaboard states south of Baltimore are shipped either in crates or ventilated barrels holding 2¾ bushels. … Photos below: Figure 57 from Garden Farming by Lee Cleveland Corbett, 1913; Figures 13 and 14 from Farm Inventories by James S. Ball, 1920. Jute, not plasticApparently, one upon a time, there has been a life before and without plastic. Speaking as as an engineer, I like those lightweight barrels with the biased staves. A very elegant solution for a ventilated, light-weight transport packaging. After all, the didn't yet have forklifts to push pallets around. And a barrel rolls all on its own. You do have to pack the contents more carefully, though. Or else you might bruise the produce when doing so. If I had to guess, they might also have been short-time use-and-discard containers. Not something where you would want to use expensive waterproof oak barrels. Addendum: No Great Pacific Garbage Patch with that stuff. Why did we ever change to plastic? (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)
Catalina Interlude: 1915
... exactly the same as the beach babies we've been seeing in Atlantic City and Coney Island. Mail order, perhaps? [Magazines. - Dave] Big ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/10/2018 - 3:23pm -

Catalina Island, California, circa 1915. "Avalon Bay Aquarium wharf and beach." 5x7 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Futuristic House on the HillI am familiar with the Holly House, but this one is new. Anyone have any idea what it is and if it is still there? Stairway to heavenOne wonders if a lot of people's hearts gave out while climbing those endless staircases. A Good TimeSnapping the diver off the high board is a good catch. Perhaps that was the subject of the photo. I've been scuba diving off Catalina and that water tends to be COLD. Was renting swim suits fashionable then? Both men and women seem to be in only one style of suit per gender. United WirelessUp on the hill is the tower of soon to be defunct United Wireless Telegraph Co. Onion DomeWhat is the building near the middle of the photo with the onion dome? West Coast fashionSame as the East Coast fashion. I was curious to see if the women were all wearing black stockings here -- and they are. How miserable that must have been. Interesting that in a world without mass media the styles of bathing suits for men and women are exactly the same as the beach babies we've been seeing in Atlantic City and Coney Island. Mail order, perhaps? [Magazines. - Dave] Big Avalon fire of 1915I'm fairly certain that nearly every structure in this photo burned down just a few years later and were replaced newer buildings; the house with the onion shaped dome is certainly no longer there. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, Swimming)
Carnegie Steel: 1905
... from which you can look directly down upon the part of the city which lies low, near the level of the rivers. On the evening of this dark ... hell with the lid taken off." ― James Parton, (The Atlantic Monthly. January, 1868) (The Gallery, DPC, Factories, Railroads) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/01/2014 - 2:47pm -

Circa 1905. "Carnegie Steel Plant, Homestead, Pennsylvania." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Immigrant experienceWow!, what a photo. My grandfather came to America from Croatia, alone, age 18, in 1914. His first job was unloading steel scrap from gondola train cars, by hand, bound for the furnaces in Pittsburgh. Later he moved up to a job that my father said he would come home from work and his shirt would be burned with little holes from splattering hot metal. The good ol' days. The WaterfrontThis is now a sizable outdoor walk-around mall called The Waterfront with plenty of nice shops, restaurants and distractions. Hell with the lid offThat's how Dickens recorded his impression of Pittsburgh. This scene brought the phrase to mind. MunnhallThis is an area I know as Munnhall, Pa. My grandfather worked for Jones and Laughlin Steel for 45 years. His profession for the company was River Boat Engineer; the old paddle wheel tugs. He retired in 1956. I have a great photo of his boat, the VULCAN, racing other Paddle Wheel tugs on the Monongahela around the 1920's. From the looks of the photo's, these races seemed fairly popular, the banks of the river show onlookers lined for miles to watch the event. A different timeBack when smoke showed progress, jobs, and prosperity. Parton, not Dickens"There is one evening scene in Pittsburgh which no visitor should miss. Owing to the abruptness of the hill behind the town, there is a street along the edge of the bluff, from which you can look directly down upon the part of the city which lies low, near the level of the rivers. On the evening of this dark day, we were conducted to the edge of the abyss, and looked over the iron railing upon the most striking spectacle we ever beheld ... It is an unprofitable business, view-hunting; but if any one would enjoy a spectacle as striking as Niagara, he may do so by simply walking up a long hill to Cliff Street in Pittsburgh, and looking over into — hell with the lid taken off." ― James Parton, (The Atlantic Monthly. January, 1868) (The Gallery, DPC, Factories, Railroads)
Space Ranger: 1953
... a "Boardwalk Parade" is for the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City? It seems to feature a tiara on a cushion. [It was part of the ... 
 
Posted by Born Too Late - 06/08/2013 - 10:28am -

One of a series of professional 8x10 pictures taken in August 1953 for Better Living Magazine, featuring my in-laws. Here's my brother-in-law at age 5. View full size. HeadlampThat is a 1952 Ford parking lamp being used as a headlamp. That noseIt almost looks like it was made from a Studebaker grille. Headlamp III have a question for "bravo tango". Your photos show these lenses were produced by Van Brode, a one-time major supplier of plastic utensils from my father's hometown. Some claim that they were the inventor of the "spork". They have since gone out of business and I'm curious where you obtained the lenses. Were they an aftermarket item since I don't see any Ford logos? If they are aftermarket I find it interesting that Van Brode produced auto items at one time. [I attached the photo, found on an eBay auction. -tterrace] Pleeeeaaaaase may I have a dime?To the right is the horse ride. My all time favorite. My poor mother couldn't get me out of the Woolworth store without me begging for a ride. They had a handsome one with a real leather saddle like the one in the picture. It was right by the bulk candy bins and popcorn popper. How I miss Woolworth. The most awesome ride ever!There is a video of this ride in action here: http://microcarmuseum.com/video/rocketship.html This must have seemed incredible for a kid in 1953! "There she is..."I'm wondering if the partially obscured poster in the window that mentions a "Boardwalk Parade" is for the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City? It seems to feature a tiara on a cushion. [It was part of the 1953 event. -tterrace] Horse rides for a penny...are still available at my favorite King Soopers grocery stores in CO Springs! Alas, they are far too small for me to ride, now that I have all the pennies I want. At the other endIf I recall correctly, the 'exhaust' on these rockets was (or resembled) the taillight lens of a 1953 Ford. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Heavy Metal: 1920
... dry ice. His dry ice pie container was introduced in Atlantic City, N.J. in 1950. ... Steam Power One of the Mythbusters shows ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/04/2012 - 2:43pm -

Circa 1920. "Stove. Standard Engraving Co." Continuing the Shorpy Cavalcade of Iron Age Kitchen Equipment. National Photo glass negative. View full size. Unsafe At Any SpeedWhen I moved into my present home 40 years ago, a stone lined hot water tank was heated by thermo-siphon action from a Lynn kerosene burner in the Union Crawford kitchen range. After a night of water heating, the temperature/pressure relief valve would sometimes blow off steam to the cellar. I don't see a safety valve in this setup. Safety ValveThere would be a safety valve in this professional setup. The need for safety valves on hot water and steam producing arrangements was well known as far back as the 18th century. I have a 1922 Sylphon Heating Specialties catalog from the Fulton Co., and the range of valves, regulators, and thermostats in 1922 was quite staggering. The catalog runs to 144 pages. Scott Gas Range"It Uses all the Heat in the Gas" "It Stores Hot Water While it Cooks" Washington Post Jun 12, 1957 J.G. Scott, Inventor of Appliances J. George Scott, 82, an inventor who had obtained his last patent in April on a three-temperature control refrigerator, died Monday in Hahnemann Hospital, of a heart attack. Mr. Scott, who was an engraver at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing from 1906 to 1913 and from 1941 to 1945, invented the smooth-top gas range while he was president of the Scott Gas Appliance Co. here in the early 1920s. A District native and lifelong resident, he also invented an electric fan for summer and winter which blows hot and cold air. Another invention was the Scott "Dry-I-Cer," a picnic box which keeps food and drinks cold with dry ice. His dry ice pie container was introduced in Atlantic City, N.J. in 1950. ... Steam PowerOne of the Mythbusters shows looked at the risk of exploding water heaters. By disabling the safety valve, they got dramatic explosions, with the internal tank flying hundreds of feet in the air. Very impressive in ultra slow motion, it motivated me to (safely) flush my water heater and check the functioning of the relief valve. (The Gallery, Kitchens etc., Natl Photo)
Young Salts: 1900
... away by a rogue wave. They had them at beaches in Atlantic City (pre-casino days) and also at Long Branch, and most other NJ shore ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/09/2016 - 8:35pm -

The Jersey Shore circa 1900. "Children playing in the surf at Asbury Park." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. There's always onewho wants to get to the top of the greasy pole. That BoatIs a gaff rigged schooner. Vessel in Background is a Two-mast SchoonerThe vessel in the background is a two-mast (or "two-masted") schooner. The identifying feature is that the rear mast is taller than the foremast. (Yawls and Ketches have the larger mast forward.) It is most likely a fishing or coastal freighting schooner, rather than a yacht. Note the large yawlboat being towed behind. John Ruth Post PositionI'm thinking it was no easy feat to reach the top of that post. Can anybody I.D. the boat in the background?Or, what type is it? Ketch? Yawl? Loved those ropesAs a kid in the 1950s, I remember those ropes. Of course, I am sure they were not the same ones as in this picture, but some variation of these "safety ropes" helped many a non-swimmer (like me) enjoy the water without being swept away by a rogue wave. They had them at beaches in Atlantic City (pre-casino days) and also at Long Branch, and most other NJ shore beaches. I'm sure other Shorpyites will recall them. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, Kids, Swimming)
Great-grandfolks
... grandmother, and grandaunt at Garden Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, taken in the late 1910s or early 1920s, with B. F. Keith's ... 
 
Posted by svensk13 - 07/31/2022 - 11:00am -

Great-grandparents, grandmother, and grandaunt at Garden Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, taken in the late 1910s or early 1920s, with B. F. Keith's Theatre in the background. View full size. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Truck Parade: 1919
... on Pennsylvania Avenue. Employed on every line in the city, these cars were "sturdier than most and performed well until the end of ... is the same view taken in April of 2010. The top of the Atlantic Coast Lines building can be seen over trees in the 1919 view and is ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/17/2012 - 10:29pm -

June 28, 1919. "Motor Truck Parade, Pennsylvania Avenue." Held on Motor Transportation Day under the auspices of the Washington Automotive Trade Association. At left we have another appearance on these pages by a Witt-Will conveyance. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. The Metropolitan HotelOur view here is looking east from approximately Seventh Street. On the left is Gilman's drugstore, in the building that formerly housed Mathew Brady's studio. The large white building is the Metropolitan Hotel, profiled here. Streetcar GeekWe streetcar geeks are accustomed to standard, boring three-quarter views of rolling stock. It's a treat to see a candid shot of classic streetcars in everyday use. The Capital Traction Company cars numbered 621-750 were built by the Jewett Car Company of Newark, Ohio and placed service in 1910-12. The last of this type was scrapped in 1947. This model was numerically the largest of any series in the company's inventory and remained in service through World War II. According to LeRoy O. King Jr.'s book "100 Years of Capital Traction," the Jewetts were perceived as "typical" Washington, D.C. streetcars because of their concentration on Pennsylvania Avenue. Employed on every line in the city, these cars were "sturdier than most and performed well until the end of their days." One example survived as a holiday cottage on Maryland's eastern shore until acquired in 1990 by the Seashore Trolley Museum in Maine, where it awaits restoration. Lonely GuyThe only rooftop watcher I could find stands atop the Metropolitan Hotel next to a flagpole. He has a better view of the Capitol than he has of the parade. Motor Transportation Day Washington Post, Jun 28, 1919 Big Parade of Autos Greatest Nation Has Had Fair weather, it is promised by the weather man, will assure more than a success for the motor truck parade today, Motor Transportation day. Promptly at 12:30, the police escort will start up Pennsylvania avenue from the peace monument. At the close of the entry lists last night more than 400 trucks had been nominated for today's parade, the biggest thing of its kind ever held in Washington in the way of an automotive demonstration. There will be trucks of all sizes ranging from the light delivery wagon of only a few hundred pounds capacity to a big 7-ton dump truck which with their load weigh in the neighborhood of 15,000 pounds. In all there will 22 divisions, the entrants being classified according to lines of business in so far as this is possible. there will not only trucks to see but there will be music to listen to. Sightseeing cars will carry the bands. ... What will undoubtedly prove a center of attraction will be two German trucks entered by the motor transport corp, the Audia, a three-ton cargo truck, and the N.A.G., a one-ton chassis with an ambulance body. The two trucks have just reached this country, having been turned over to the American expeditionary forces at the time that they moved into Coblenz, Germany. They arrived in Washington yesterday from Camp Holabird. In addition, this branch of the government service will have a series of floats, one of them a machine shop truck, as used under combat conditions. Gas masks will be donned and the work proceed as it would under actual conditions and bombs will be exploded. Another will represent Uncle Sam getting the kaiser's goat. There will also be a school float, showing how enlisted men can learn a trade. ... (click to enlarge) +91Here is the same view taken in April of 2010. The top of the Atlantic Coast Lines building can be seen over trees in the 1919 view and is the light/dark orange building in the 2010 view. Today, the bottom floor of the building is occupied by the Capital Grille - the best steakhouse in DC. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Streetcars)
Cooley Airship: 1910
... placed upon them. One of the chief features of the "Flower City," as the big craft will be called, is a device for lessening this strain, ... of the United States and Europe. The crossing of the Atlantic is but one of the least daring of these plans, and a direct flight ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/01/2012 - 12:08am -

Rochester, N.Y., ca 1910. "Cooley Airship. The aviator sits in the front to manage the wheel and the engineer sits six feet behind to control the engines." John Cooley's giant kitelike aircraft, of a design dating to the 1890s, was something of an aeronautical dead end. More here as well as here. Bain News Service print of a glass plate now in the Albert R. Stone Negative Collection. View full size. Aerial YachtWhat dreamers … Farm Equipment Dealer, January, 1911. A Gigantic Aeroplane. "In construction at Rochester, N.Y., where since early spring John Cooley and a force of seven mechanics and draftsmen have spent ten, and sometimes twelve, hours a day in hurried but careful labor," says a correspondent in Fly, "is a craft which is confidently expected to revolutionize the navigation of the air, and to relegate existing types into the obscurity of mere playthings for ennui-afflicted men of wealth seeking diversion in its most exciting form. This is the Cooley model, a gigantic aeroplane, nearly 100 feet long. In late September, 1909, the plan of building a monster aeroplane for use as a commercial transportation medium was conceived by Inventor Cooley, who has spent twenty-eight years in the study of aerial navigation, and the backing of several New York capitalists was secured, among them that of Richard Parr, the customs official, who was awarded $100,000 by the United States Government for his services in exposing the sugar frauds. … The greatest difficulty that confronted the builders was the utter lack of existing types from which to draw comparisons and gain ideas. Every detail must be worked out in the brain of the inventor, with no regard for fundamental principles connected with the operation of other types of air-navigating craft, since the Cooley model differs essentially from every known make. To describe it adequately in a limited space is impossible. The general shape of the ship suggests a large yacht, with keel and tailboard, and even a bowsprit, with the similarity ceasing when a front view is obtained. Not an inch of resistance is opposed to the passage of the big man-made bird through the air. All is gradually sloping lines and inclined surfaces, with the plane surface so placed that the passage of air beneath has a tendency to push upward so long as even the slightest velocity is continued. One hundred feet from tip to tip, and less than 15 feet wide across the center, the plane will sustain a weight of 1400 pounds—one pound to every square foot of soaring surface—thus giving a margin of safety of over 500 pounds. Two wide planes extend from the center like the upper planes of an ordinary biplane, with one big plane extending downward like the fin of a fish, and various small planes, or sails, are rigged on the 15-foot pole extending out in front of the main body. A framework of cloth and strengthened ribs encloses a space similar to the hold of a ship, in the sides of which are cut numerous portholes for use of the pilot in guiding the immense machine through the air. All mechanism is controlled from a seat in front of the center line, wires running to every part of the craft and a signalling system connecting the pilot with his engineer, or engineers, as no limit is placed upon the size of the crew carried. Two 40-60-horsepower engines are installed working independently, both engines occupying a space amidships, just behind the engineer's quarters. On each side a driving shaft runs through a hollow wooden conduit to the propellers, which are placed approximately five feet from the ground, without taking into consideration the elevation of the machine when the wheels are installed. A tail tapers gradually from the center body fifteen feet to the rear, and is graduated from the top of the framework, twenty-five feet from the ground, to a sharp point. No detached steering plane is used, the control of the plane depending upon the working of the many small sails which take the place of the usual ailerons. Strengthened bamboo is used throughout, with a special brand of Naiad rubber-covered silk, and the wheels are extra wide because of the immense strain placed upon them. One of the chief features of the "Flower City," as the big craft will be called, is a device for lessening this strain, consisting of a spring just above each axle, with a give of one foot. To say that the model will be a success would be to make an unsupported prediction, but inventors and aviators who have looked over the machine have expressed the hope and belief that it will prove to be the sensation of the aviation world. Models constructed upon the same plans and driven by small motors have flown successfully, and have shown the most important feature—absolute stability in the air. The plans of the promoters sound like a romance of the middle ages, and are quite as hard to realize, calling, as they do, for a complete world tour in the ship, with stops at all the principal cities of the United States and Europe. The crossing of the Atlantic is but one of the least daring of these plans, and a direct flight from Rochester to New York is first on the program. A crew of four men, with Mr. Cooley and supplies to last for a three days' journey, will be placed in the plane on the trial trip, so that, should the idea prove a success, no time need be lost in demonstrating the practicability of the machine to the world. Another "Life Imitiates Art"?I Wonder whether Mr. Cooley had got his idea from reading H. G. Wells' "The War In The Air" (published 1908)? Kite shaped aircraft take a major role in the plot of that novel, and as fixed-wing heavier-than-air aircraft they best lighter-than-air airships. Which was something the experts of the time could not quite bring themselves to agree with. Not yet anyway. After all, the airships did fly somewhat longer and further than those mousetraps. Not even the horrendous losses of the German war airships drove that point home. It took at least one horribly failed airship project for each major power to do that trick. But did it fly?I can't tell from either of the links if this contraption ever got off the ground. Given that Mr. Cooley disappeared towards the end of the project, I can't decide if he was either a visionary or a conman. Either way, it is clear that those days really a great age of invention where daring ideas could be tried. An ungainly beast!I would have loved to see this contraption fly. "The magnificent airship of Rochester and its hangar are said to have been destroyed by a windstorm." http://rocwiki.org/Cooley_Airship Mr. Cooley's Air Ship Sailed Away But the men at the ropes could not manage the vessel. This I would have loved to have seen. The giant airship swooped up in the air while men were unsuccessful in holding her down as she soared to 500 feet and then landed on top of four oaks. A viral You Tube moment. NY Times Article Re: Cooley's AirshipThe NYT article which EvenSteven links to is from 1895 - 15 years before this photo. It refers to a different aircraft - probably either a massive kite or a lighter-than-air balloon. (The Gallery, Aviation, G.G. Bain)
Wish You Were Here (Colorized): 1905
The Jersey Shore, circa 1905. "On the beach, Atlantic City." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. ... 
 
Posted by woodchuck - 07/30/2010 - 12:26pm -

The Jersey Shore, circa 1905. "On the beach, Atlantic City." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. Colorized. View full size. Incredible!Congratulations, great work! Details galore!What a great job! A lot of attention when into all the little details in colorizing this picture! (Colorized Photos)
Tampa Pier: 1900
... The name is also on those out buildings on the left. Atlantic Coast Line bought him out in 1902. Today, what remains of his railroad is part of CSX. The Strawberry capital of Florida, Plant City, was named for him. His greatest architectural contribution to Florida was ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/05/2012 - 1:14pm -

Tampa, Florida, circa 1900. "Tampa pier. The Olivette at her landing." Next stop: Margaritaville. Detroit Publishing Company glass negative. View full size. Plant SystemHenry B. Plant was a turn of the century rail baron, owning railroads throughout Florida and south Georgia. The P in the cross on the mail steamer's smokestack is one of his logos, as are the banners on the rail stock. The name is also on those out buildings on the left. Atlantic Coast Line bought him out in 1902. Today, what remains of his railroad is part of CSX. The Strawberry capital of Florida, Plant City, was named for him. His greatest architectural contribution to Florida was the Tampa Bay Hotel, which stands today as part of the Universtiy of Tampa. Mail Call!The Olivette was one of several U.S. Mail steamships that ran between many Florida ports. They were noted for being quite fast. Where is everybody?There isn't a soul in this photograph. Creepy. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, Florida, Railroads)
Jersey Scouts: 1926
Washington, D.C., 1926. "Atlantic City Boy Scouts on Ellipse." National Photo Company Collection glass negative, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/18/2021 - 10:55pm -

Washington, D.C., 1926. "Atlantic City Boy Scouts on Ellipse." National Photo Company Collection glass negative, Library of Congress. View full size. EaglesI count six Eagle Scouts (maybe seven?) and two Life Scouts. A good group. May Day, 1926Can't be certain if this article refers to same event, but there seem to be many other scouts in the background. Washington Post, May 1, 1926 Scout Movement Aids World Peace, Leader Declares President to Speak at Rally on Ellipse The national council of the Boy Scouts of America yesterday opened its sixteenth annual meeting in the Willard hotel. Lieut Gen. Sir Robert Baden-Powell, "chief scout of the work," was the principal speaker of the day ... Program for Today A scout rally will be held in the afternoon on the Ellipse, under the direction of William C. Wessel, assistant to the national camp director, and Scout Executive Edward D. Shaw, of Washington. The scouts will be addressed by President Coolidge and Sir Robert tonight at a meeting in Memorial Continental Hall. Silver Buffalo awards for distinguished service to boyhood will be presented. (The Gallery, Boy Scouts, D.C., Natl Photo)
Mechanical Treatments: 1938
... at 2308 Douglas, Omaha, NE. (A residential listing. ATlantic 3060, if you wanted to call him). The house number above the ... chiropractic treatment? He moved The 1936 Omaha City Directory lists Henry C. Rominger at 2312 Douglas. In 1939 he is at 2308. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/02/2017 - 9:22am -

November 1938. "Apartment house. Omaha, Nebraska." Medium format negative by John Vachon for the Resettlement Administration. View full size. Creepy and it's SpookyThe Addams Family theme song keeps running through my head. Window Box TreatmentROMINGER, Henry C., of Omaha, NE, died at the age of 95 on November 10, 1951. The 1940 phone book lists H.C. Rominger at 2308 Douglas, Omaha, NE. (A residential listing. ATlantic 3060, if you wanted to call him). The house number above the stairs near the Rominger signs in the Shorpy photo is 2312. The address to the right in the photo appears to be 2310. That would make 2308 the building all the way to the right in the photo, with the lady coming down the stairs. Perhaps 2312 was a corner location with better visibility for signs than 2308. (Google Maps shows this area of Douglas Street to be commercial buildings and parking nowadays, so the street layout probably changed). Could that be Ms. Rominger coming down the stairs of 2308? Could it be a client, if "mechanical adjustments" meant chiropractic treatment? He movedThe 1936 Omaha City Directory lists Henry C. Rominger at 2312 Douglas. In 1939 he is at 2308. If we could enhance the sign on the porch railing beside the steps we might have a better idea of what the mechanical treatments consisted of? ["Physical and mechanical treatments." Terminology was commonly used by osteopaths at the time. -tterrace] Ham Radio Operator?I wonder if a ham radio operator lives there. That looks like an inverted-V antenna on the roof, which is a common antenna used by hams. A tangled web of wiresAt one time, it seems someone had a radio to tune in the world or the local stations anyway. I believe Mr. Mechanical Maintenance should throw a little maintenance time to that aerial. (The Gallery, John Vachon, Omaha)
Tecumseh: 1916
... renamed Tecumseh; and placed in commission at New York City on 6 April 1898, Lt. G. R. Evans in command. Six days after her ... at Norfolk, Charleston, and Key West, she joined the North Atlantic Fleet's blockade of Cuba on 26 April. Thereafter, she made frequent ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/28/2012 - 1:02pm -

September 1916. "U.S.S. Memphis sick brought home by hospital ship Solace." Soldiers and sailors on the government tug Tecumseh at Washington Navy Yard, about a week after the Navy cruiser Memphis was wrecked by a tidal wave off Santo Domingo. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. The Long History of the TecumsehFrom the Navy's historical website: Edward Luckenbach—a tug laid down by J. H. Dialogue & Son at Camden, N.J., and completed in 1896— was acquired by the Navy from L. Luckenbach & Co. in the spring of 1898; renamed Tecumseh; and placed in commission at New York City on 6 April 1898, Lt. G. R. Evans in command. Six days after her commissioning, the tug headed south to join in the war against Spain. After stops at Norfolk, Charleston, and Key West, she joined the North Atlantic Fleet's blockade of Cuba on 26 April. Thereafter, she made frequent shuttles between Key West and the area off Havana. She came close to action only once during her four months of service in Cuban waters. On 5 May, she was nearby when Vicksburg captured the Spanish fishing schooner Oriente in the Gulf of Campeche. The end of hostilities that summer brought the tug north once more. She reached Hampton Roads on 21 August and, after a period of operations between Norfolk and Hampton Roads, she was placed out of commission on 17 September 1898—presumably at Norfolk. Tecumseh was placed back in commission in 1899 and, by 30 June, was assigned to the Washington Navy Yard as a district tug. The nation's capital remained her duty station for over four decades. She made frequent trips up and down the Potomac River, most often between the navy yard and the proving grounds at Indian Head, Md. She also visited Norfolk from time to time. During that period, she was twice out of commission. No decommissioning date for the first period exists, but it must have been brief since the annual reports of the Secretary of the Navy for both 1910 and 1911 indicate that she was active at the Washington Navy Yard. In any case, she was decommissioned on 1 July 1911. Her second decommissioning was probably a result of her sinking which occurred at her wharf in Washington about daybreak on 22 October 1919. In any event, she was decommissioned once again on 1 April 1920. On 17 July 1920, when the Navy adopted its alphanumeric system of hull designations, Tecumseh was designated YT-24. The tug was raised, refitted, and—sometime between July 1921 and January 1922—was placed back in commission at Washington where she served through the 1920's and 1930's. In mid-1940, Tecumseh was reassigned to the 5th Naval District. On 5 October 1942, her name was cancelled so that it could be assigned to YT-273. However, she continued to serve, known only by her hull designation, YT-24. On 15 May 1944, she was redesignated YTM-24. Sometime between 15 April 1945 and 25 January 1946, she was decommissioned and struck from the Navy list. On 22 August 1946, she was transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal. Too happyThese men are the happiest-looking sick people I've ever seen. I'm glad they had a speedy recovery. Lounge chairsThere is a lot to be said for the Navy and its sense of comfort. Take for example the ample Heywood Wakefield rattan chairs on the upper deck, surmounted by a linen fly to keep the sun at bay. Drinks followed by dinner served by Filipino stewards. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, D.C., Harris + Ewing)
Mlles de Mer: 1920s
... picture probably was taken on the west side of town near Atlantic Beach, where there's a boardwalk-less stretch of shoreline. The far ... that area would have been developed back in 1925. City lore has it that circus elephants were used as beasts of burden in the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/02/2014 - 11:13am -

Circa 1920s. "Man building sand castle and two unidentified women. Long Beach, New York." 4x5 nitrate negative by Arnold Genthe. View full size. West SideA boardwalk has run along most of Long Beach's shoreline for the past 100 years. As there's no boardwalk here, the picture probably was taken on the west side of town near Atlantic Beach, where there's a boardwalk-less stretch of shoreline. The far east side of Long Beach also lacks a boardwalk, but I don't believe that area would have been developed back in 1925. City lore has it that circus elephants were used as beasts of burden in the construction of the boardwalk. Alas, that isn't quite true; the developer in charge of construction had some elephants paraded to the worksite, but there's no evidence that the pachyderms did any actual work. New York's zealously turf-protecting construction unions wouldn't have allowed it. Trivia: along with Glen Cove on the North Shore, Long Beach is one of the only two communities on Long Island that's an actual incorporated municipality. All other communities are unincorporated parts of much larger townships. CrystallizeLong Beach's most famous former Citizen is Comedian Billy Crystal. His Broadway Show "700 Sundays" is mostly about his growing up in Long Beach. The City Of Long Beach took a big hit from Hurricane Sandy and Billy played a large part in its rehabilitation. ObliviousEither this guy has very poor peripheral vision or he really just isn't interested in all that pulchritude. (The Gallery, Arnold Genthe, Swimming)
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