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U-Smile Court
U-Smile Court. Kansas City, MO. 1940's? View full size. U Smile, I Smile I ... 39th Street area. Alas, U-Smile Court (which was a kind of motor hotel, not a street of residences) is more than gone. It's obliterated! ... knew ya. U-Smile Motel I remember the U-Smile Motor Lodge on 40 Highway, near Kaufmann Stadium. The building is still there ... 
 
Posted by John.Debold - 09/20/2011 - 8:31pm -

U-Smile Court. Kansas City, MO. 1940's? View full size. U Smile, I SmileI smile at U-Smile because of those fabulous cars. What I can't see from this picture is how the cars got into those little carports. There is no driveway leading to them, or curb cut. There must be a way into those alcoves from the rear. That also explains why all the grilles are facing us. One person backs into a parking spot, not everyone. Not U-Smiling Any MoreWow. I tried to find where this place is now, half expecting it to be some run-down dump in the 39th Street area. Alas, U-Smile Court (which was a kind of motor hotel, not a street of residences) is more than gone. It's obliterated! Even the street it was on (Skiles Avenue at 8100 E 40 Highway) is gone! It looks like they built I-435 right on top of it. The nearest existing road is a trailer park at Smalley Terrace (in the 7900 block of Hwy 40). U-Smile Court, we hardly knew ya. U-Smile MotelI remember the U-Smile Motor Lodge on 40 Highway, near Kaufmann Stadium. The building is still there and is now a Sunset Inn. U-Smile Court was just west of this motel. It was razed in the late 60's when I-435 was built. Another picture of U-SmileI'm not sure that photo is actually of the U-Smile motel. Here's another one from a postcard that looks much different. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Boll Court: 1939
October 1939. "Tourist court in Clarksdale, Mississippi Delta. Everything is named 'cotton boll' in ... Assisting that transformation was Cotton Boll Court, a multiunit motor court just off the southeast corner. ... Remembered by several elderly ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/05/2019 - 8:47am -

October 1939. "Tourist court in Clarksdale, Mississippi Delta. Everything is named 'cotton boll' in the Delta." Medium format acetate negative by Marion Post Wolcott. View full size. Ashes by Now"That new 49/61 intersection became known as 'the crossroads' to the citizens of Clarksdale. ... In the space of four years, the intersection point of two new highways had blossomed into a vibrant neighborhood named for the intersection. Assisting that transformation was Cotton Boll Court, a multiunit motor court just off the southeast corner. ... Remembered by several elderly Clarksdalians as an important fixture at the crossroads, it eventually burned down." -- From "Beyond the Crossroads: The Devil and the Blues Tradition" by Adam Gussow. Today: Cryptic captionI recently came across a snapshot in a family photo album that had the words "cotton ball courts" scribbled on the reverse. Thanks to Shorpy, I now know where Anna "Ma" Zott of Center Line, Michigan stayed overnight during a May 1941 road trip. The Blues CrossroadsFrom misspreservation.com: Cotton Boll Court, Hiways 61 and 49, Clarksdale, Mississippi. Innerspring Mattresses–Tile Bath–Shower over tub–Insulated–Gas Heat–Garages–Telephones. S.H. Kyle, Owner. Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Wilkinson, Managers. Depression classThat is one high-class motel for the Depression-era South. It would have been hard to find one any nicer in the '50s. It seems built to last. Mildly surprised to find out it's been gone for twenty or so years. (The Gallery, M.P. Wolcott)
The Deputy: 1938
... commission to make such choices. Platt won in the superior court, and by 1954 was the longest-serving incumbent in Fairfield County government. Motor Voter November 4, 1938. Just 4 days before election day. Making the ... 
 
Posted by Vintagetvs - 04/01/2016 - 11:02am -

The accompanying paperwork states: "L. Metropoulos, whom Edward A. Platt, of the Town of Sherman, in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, appointed an Honorary Deputy Sheriff on November 4th 1938." It's okay Mr. Platt, I wouldn't have said no to this guy either. View full size. Sheriff PlattEdward A. Platt was first elected Sheriff of Fairfield County in 1934 (on the Republican ticket), and was repeatedly re-elected every four years until his retirement in 1959. That means that he was indeed up for election the week he appointed this gentleman an honorary deputy, and won. Soon after his original win in 1934, Platt replaced a night jailer with his own pick, resulting in litigation about whether the state's veterans' preference act left it to the civil service commission to make such choices. Platt won in the superior court, and by 1954 was the longest-serving incumbent in Fairfield County government. Motor VoterNovember 4, 1938. Just 4 days before election day. Making the owner of a taxi business an Honorary Deputy Sheriff is an effective way for the party (either one) to get out the vote, if you know what I mean. Front Pageare you sure this isn't from the stage production of "Front Page " On Becoming An Honorary DeputyThere are many municipalities that, in return for a political honorarium or public deed, will grant a businessman such a title. The paperworkYouse will make me a Deputy, got it? L. MetropoulosLouis Metropoulos was the owner of the Norwalk Taxi Company in the 1936 Norwalk City Directory. I understand the necessities of the taxi business having cordial relations with the political establishment. But Sherman is 40 miles North of Norwalk. I'll bet that Mr Metropoulos was an Honorary Deputy Sheriff in more than one town in Fairfield County. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
God and Ford: 1924
... its Nebraska Avenue location in the 1930s. The 1905 Ford Motor Co. building on Pennsylvania Avenue was torn down in 1980. ... room for something else. Various municipal and federal court buildings occupy the site today. - Dave] Our God Ford Everybody ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/17/2012 - 10:15pm -

Circa 1924, "Metropolitan Methodist Church, C Street, Washington, D.C." And the Ford building next door. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size. The church, at C Street NW and John Marshall Place, was abandoned and razed after the congregation moved to its Nebraska Avenue location in the 1930s. The 1905 Ford Motor Co. building on Pennsylvania Avenue was torn down in 1980. Metropolitan Methodist ChurchWhy was the church demolished in 1936, it appears to be sound. [To make room for something else. Various municipal and federal court buildings occupy the site today. - Dave] Our God FordEverybody remembers, don't you?, that in "Brave New World" the deity is called "our Ford." Wonderful architectureWhat a beautiful Church building. I shudder to think what it would cost to build in today's money. CameraWhat an awesome picture! Everthing is straight, no distortion, weird perspective or barreling. And that depth of field is breathtaking. Being a glass negative, would I be right in assuming that this was taken on a large format camera with bellows? What's there todayJudging from the viewpoint (facing southwest) and the fact that the site is just west of John Marshall Place, I would say that the Canadian Embassy is what's on the site today. Today the Canadian Embassy siteCorrect - the Canadian Embassy occupies this site today. The view looks southwest from the west corner of the old City Hall building on C Street. John Marshall Place (aka 4th Street) is at lower left, with C Street NW angling right. The Ford Building fronts on Pennsylvania Avenue; the Newseum building today is to the right of the Ford Building location on Penn Ave; it would block the view in this photo of the Smithsonian Castle visible across the Mall. John Marshall Place today has been turned into a park. The church would have been directly across the street from DC Superior Court. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo)
Met Light: 1910
... If they turn you down, next stop is the NY State Supreme Court. The property that it was built on was owned by a NY Congressman who sold ... of those sitting on the park benches: Lighted skyscrapers, motor cars, telephones -- we've reached the apex, things can't get any more ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/18/2012 - 3:39pm -

New York City circa 1910. "Metropolitan Life Insurance Company building at night." Note the 10-minute exposure time as recorded by the clock. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. My favorite parkI spent this sunny afternoon in Madison Square Park, embroidering and watching the installation of the latest MAD. SQ. ART exhibition. It's my favorite NYC park, hands down, any time of year. I must beg to differ with Mr. Mel, though. The domed building with pediment that fronts Madison between 24th and 25th Streets is gone, replaced by a strange art deco stump. The courthouse is on the north side of 25th Street, and its pediment faces 25th Street, not Madison. WowJust plain old, wow. I like the people on the park benches who sat there, unmoving, for a goodly portion of those ten minutes. Must have been a warm night. TimingMy first thought was also; "Oh, a ten minute exposure, how neat." But now I'm wondering why the hour hand isn't also swept a sixth of the way between 7 and 8? And how on earth do you get five people in NYC to sit still for that long? [We see something similar in this 1943 time exposure. The hour hand might have moved in 15- or 30-minute increments. As for the sitters, they have to remain relatively still only long enough to register on the emulsion, not necessarily the entire length of the exposure. - Dave] Whatever happened to"Success Magazine"? New York State of MindThe low domed structure with the columns is the Manhattan Appellate Courthouse, there since 1900 and one of the busiest in the State to this day. If they turn you down, next stop is the NY State Supreme Court. The property that it was built on was owned by a NY Congressman who sold it to the city for $370,000, a phenomenal sum in those days. 2nd LookOur Madison Square Park Tipster is correct the domed structure in this photo is not the Appellate Courthouse. The courthouse is indeed on 25th St and not in this picture. After a more careful look, the domed building is a church. It was the Madison Square Presbyterian Church, a short lived structure built in 1906 and demolished in 1915. I imagine somebody made the Congregation an offer they couldn't refuse. [The church was razed in 1919; Met Life paid $500,000 for the property. Interesting side note: Its predecessor was torn down in 1905 to make way for the main Met Life tower. - Dave] Back to the FutureI love photos like this that make a 100-year-old scene look current. I can imagine the thoughts going through the heads of those sitting on the park benches: Lighted skyscrapers, motor cars, telephones -- we've reached the apex, things can't get any more modern ... can they"? If only they knew. Otherworldly Positively ethereal ... that's the best word for it. Thanks for sharing this. Another instant classic -- these black and white nighttime photos are so beautiful. Gloriously BeautifulThat is the only way I can describe this shot. It makes me think of the book "Time After time". The clarity is STUNNING and the subject top notch. Anyone know who the photographer was? Don't Jump!I can't tell for sure, but is that a man standing in the belvedere at the very top of the building? What a view HE must have had! [That's a bell in the cupola. - Dave] BreathtakingI share the thought of photoscream -- how could those people sitting at the park believe that things could get more modern? Greetings from Argentina, this blog is fantastic! Little-known factThe Met Life tower was built to withstand aerial attack by giant parameciums. Refined datingI agree that the photo is beautiful and evocative. The church certainly lasted more than ten years, and it was only built to replace the church that had been on the site of the Tower. The tall building behind the church is the "north annex" of MetLife, which opened in 1919. The lights indicate that it is already in use, so I would date the photo no earlier than 1919. [Thankew! - Dave] [I think you're mistaken. The Annex replaced the domed church seen in our photo. Demolition of the church commenced in 1919; below is a New York Times article from that year with an artist's sketch showing the finished annex. Which was an extension of the "old annex" -- the mid-rise structure seen in our photo behind the church. So we're going back to 1910. - Dave] That domed buildingThe domed building at 24th & Madison was architect Stanford White's 1906 Madison Square Presbyterian Church, a widely-admired masterpiece that stood less than 10 years before being demolished to make way for the full-block Metropolitan Life North Building, the "strange art deco stump" referenced below. At 100 stories, it was planned as the tallest skyscraper in the world, but was cut off, rather literally, at 32 stories by the stock market crash in 1929. [Not quite. The "stump" replaced the annex that replaced the church, which stood for 13 years. The church was demolished in 1919 to make room for an extension of the "old annex" seen behind it in our photo. The resulting structure, known simply as "the annex," was completed around 1921. The North Building (the "Art Deco stump"), which replaced the annex, was completed in 1932. - Dave] Bat signalThose circle effects almost make it look as if the Police Chief is signaling for help. Sunset Towertterace's comment about how it must have been a warm night got me thinking about what time of year this might have been - for the sky to be dark by 7:20-7:30, it must not have been in the summer. But in order to pinpoint further the time of year, I looked at the lighting conditions in the photo - I believe that the MetLife tower itself is illuminated by the setting sun. There does not appear to be any other light source that would illuminate the building so far up the tower. And the direction is right, as the photographer is situated across the park to the west of the building. According to sunrisesunset.com, sunset was around this time in early April and early September, 1910. Sniper?Is that a person lurking at the very top? [The dark shape in the cupola is a bell -- three tons, bronze. - Dave] My workplaceWhat a great shot. In the mid 1980s I worked in the tapered part at the top, on the floor with the arched windows, but on the opposite side from this picture. We had fantastic views! (The Gallery, DPC, NYC)
D.P.O.: 1902
... custom house, and other governmental functions. Pre Motor-City Not a motor car in sight in the town once referred to in some ... it even had a dark, narrow secret staircase going from the court room to an attic. It was used as a space where juries could deliberate ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/05/2012 - 3:10pm -

Detroit, Michigan, circa 1902. "Post Office." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Multi TaskerNot to underplay the important role of the old Post Office system, but this wonderful rock pile wasn't devoted only to processing mail. It also housed a federal courthouse, custom house, and other governmental functions. Pre Motor-City Not a motor car in sight in the town once referred to in some circles as the "Paris of the North". The City was once a stunningly beautiful urban space. Now it seems that the up-and-coming product from within the city limits will be produce grown on vacant lots. Sharecropping and truck farming may well be the future of the Motor City. Out, Damn'd Spot!By now I've seen enough circa 1900 urban images on Shorpy, I can conjure them at will: Start with some vast public edifice (post office, hotel, library) that looks like a quarried wedding cake iced by an army of Italian stonemasons, throw in a cat's cradle of cables overhead (telephone, telegraph, streetcar wires), season with trolley tracks, then douse liberally with No. 1 and No. 2. Throw in a white-suited street cleaner furiously scrubbing at same. Voila! WowWhat an incredible building! I remember seeing regal buildings like this when I was a child in the early 50's. I'll bet the few that were left by then are all long gone now. Our loss. Love you Shorpy. A real palaceBack when mail service was a vital part of civic, commercial and private life. Postal mail of course not so important now. Elsewhere on ShorpyAnother photo, and more on the building's history: https://www.shorpy.com/node/6838 OverheadThe flag of the U.S. Customs Service. Now THAT'S a Post OfficeIsn't it a shame they don't build Post Offices like that anymore? Today they're more likely to be in a bay of a strip mall. On the other hand, I suppose the 2010 version of this sort of building would be Google Headquarters. OoopsLooks like multiple someones spilled multiple somethings on the street. Seeing doubleWhen I saw this, I was struck by the similarities to many other buildings of the era, and Toronto's old City Hall in particular. The architect for Toronto's building was E. J. Lennox - anyone know if its the same architect who did Detroit's old post office? The Secret StairThis building didn't just house the post office for Detroit, but it was the federal building for the area. Federal courts were inside, and it even had a dark, narrow secret staircase going from the court room to an attic. It was used as a space where juries could deliberate without being harassed by the media. Witnesses could also be ferried up the stairs to the jury secretly. Alas, the building was built at the wrong time. By the time it was completed in 1897, it already needed an expansion. Detroit's population was booming. By 1930 when it was demolished, Detroit's population had increased more than 650% since 1897. Today, the giant Theodore Levin Federal Building sits on that space. You might've heard it in the news as the place where the attempted Christmas plane bomber is being tried. 1897-1931The post office was eventually incorporated into a larger overall "Federal Building" that occupied the entire city block. Then that was torn down in 1931 and replaced by an even bigger Federal Building, with the post office relocating to Fort Street. An elaborate marble courtroom was saved and re-used in the new building, which still stands today. http://buildingsofdetroit.com/places/post Do we see antennas on buildings to the right?Also, DetroitDave, what is that mast on the right of your photo? Thank you. RWG Denver, CO. [Follow the link and find out! The other thing might be a wireless mast. - Dave] Premature demiseHow tragic that a building this glorious and grand only had a lifespan of 33 years. I'm sure most of its builders were still living at the time it came down. How depressing that must have been for them. A Twin in DCThis looks almost exactly like the Old Post Office Building in Washington, DC -- which is still standing thankfully. Must have been a popular design. (The Gallery, Detroit Photos, DPC, Streetcars)
Tennessee Club: 1906
... Best part is that the building still stands at N. Court and Second and is mostly intact (the balconies have been closed in). The ... The six-pole 3 hp (overload capacity 9 hp) electric motor mounted on the rear axle was made by National, and drove through spiral ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/29/2014 - 7:46am -

Memphis circa 1906. "Tennessee Club." Bonus points if you can identify the runabout. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. The obvious comment:My club is my castle? Curved dash Oldsmobile.Built in my home town, Lansing Michigan. A few more manhole covers pleaseOne every 5 feet or so? RunaboutI don't think that it is an Oldsmobile, although it has a tiller like they did. The Olds had an outwardly curving dash, unlike the vertical one on this car. It looks a little like the original Cadillac, but that car had a steering wheel. NoldsmoblieThe dash is similar to an Olds, but not the same. The Curved Dash Oldsmobile also had a transverse leaf front suspension, the car pictured has parallel leaf springs. I don't know what it is, but I hope some else can set us all straight. The Tennessee Club building is fantastic, a wonderful Moorish architectural confection -- please tell me it wasn't torn down in 1952 to make room for a Piggly-Wiggly. Interesting architectureKind of Richardsonian Romanesque with some Moorish and Oriental design elements. Best part is that the building still stands at N. Court and Second and is mostly intact (the balconies have been closed in). The repeating, carved "T" under the dentils is a nice touch for the Tennessee Club. RunaboutI think it's a National Electric. The headlight looks electric, too. It's still there!It is now the The Burch, Porter & Johnson building, a well known Memphis law firm. Compliments To Memphis-For preserving this handsome building. In our sunny San Diego (as well as in most of Southern California) it would likely only be a fond memory by now. 1904 National Electrobile SpecialBruce Lancaster called it right—it's a 1904 Model 105 National Electrobile Special that cost $1,250 new. Without the leather top it would have been a $1,200 Model 100. Automobile Review called it "the most powerful electric two-passenger runabout on the market." National's "new pattern 'C' springs" in front give it away (conventional elliptics in the back). The Piano Box style black body was six and-a-quarter feet long, and two and-a-half feet wide with the two-passenger carmine leather seat hanging over four inches on each side. The running gear (axles, wheels, etc.) and the supports for the top were also finished in carmine. It had a track of 54 inches and 32 x 3 and-a-half inch Continental tires were standard. The six-pole 3 hp (overload capacity 9 hp) electric motor mounted on the rear axle was made by National, and drove through spiral gears that ran in oil inside a dust-proof case. The motor drew its power from a 36 cell Western brand battery that came with a rheostat to charge from any 110 to 125-volt circuit. The car was also equipped with an odometer and a combination volt/ammeter. It had a compression band style brake along with an auxiliary electric hub brake. First gear would top out at 5 mph, while fourth gear was good for 17 mph. Reverse gear was activated by a button in the end of the steering/controller handle. A clearer view of the ad picture of the runabout can be seen here. What a mess!It looks like the inside of the dumpster at a school of architecture. Not a mess!All in the eye of the beholder, I guess: I love this building! Admittedly, it's not exactly following any of the rules for Richardsonian Romanesque, or Moorish Revival,or whatever else might be going on here... but what a treat of architectural mixed metaphors. Provides a valuable counterpoint to the predominant architectural blandness, both then and now. DetailsLove the 'hidden' gutters on the pitched roof portions. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, DPC, Memphis)
Hop In: 1937
... '37 here in my hometown that I see at the post office or court house now and again, owned by a local retired grocer (who owns more than ... the cheap. Thus, it was decided the straight eight Auburn motor would be used in order to save the R and D costs associated with a new ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/06/2012 - 5:39am -

Uncaptioned photo from a batch of 35mm negatives taken by John Vachon in the fall of 1937 in Annapolis, Maryland, and Newport News, Virginia. The car, a Cord convertible, would be worth around a zillion bucks today. View full size. Suped-upAh, the Cord convertible. In "Anybody Can Do Anything," a sequel to "The Egg and I," Betty MacDonald writes about the cream-colored Cord convertible her brother owned, and how the family would go for rides on weekends until they couldn't afford the gas. Then the Cord became part of an intricate series of trades that I think ended up with him acquiring a house. I found this interesting, from Wikipedia: Supercharging was made available on the 1937 812 model. Supercharged 812 models were distinguished from the normally aspirated 812s by the brilliant chrome-plated external exhaust pipes mounted on each side of the hood and grill. With supercharging, horsepower was raised to 170. It was too late to save Cord, but the contraction "Suped" (referring its supercharged engine) lived on in American lexicon as the hot-rodding phrase "Suped-Up." [To be taken with a grain of salt. The expression is "souped up" -- for which Webster's gives an entirely different derivation. - Dave] A Gazillion Equals $75,0001937 Cord 812 Convertible Must be that "new math"It seems that $75K only gets you the original steel body, with all mechanicals replaced with modern equipment. A complete original will go well into 7 figures. There's a nice original yellow '37 here in my hometown that I see at the post office or court house now and again, owned by a local retired grocer (who owns more than 60 cars of similar caliber). Another pricey car I see frequently is a '37 Auburn boattail convertible used as a daily driver by a retired auto dealer. (I'd hate to see his insurance bill). Our smirking driver here is no more attractive than the grocer's daughter whom I dated in high school, with a face too high a price to pay daily for a chance to inherit even that collection. $185kThere is a nicely restored '37 Cord Phaeton currently in Hemmings for $185k. http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/cord/810/1412757.html Thought balloon"That's right, my car is better than yours." Of course,it's not a doozy! Tom Mix had oneA nice supercharged 37 went for 130k at last fall's auction in Hershey. I believe it was a former AACA winner from the 70's, but still a 90+ point car on the CCCA scale. Tom Mix had one of these and it still exists and has been restored. Front Wheel DriveOne of the most important features of this car is the front wheel drive. It is one of the few front wheel drive American cars made before WWII that were produced in any appreciable quantity (1,146 in 1937). The Cord 812s with superchargers are even rarer (less than 200 built over two years). Cost in 1937 was $2,560. Prices today vary depending on condition, originality, presence of a supercharger, provenance, options, etc., but expect to pay $200,000 - $275,000 for a supercharged exampled in very good condition. InsuranceOldFogie wonders below about insurance premiums. One of my colleagues restored Studebakers. I asked him about insurance, and he said it was quite reasonable. The impression I got is that insurance companies figure collectors/restorers are good risks. Can any of you more knowledgeable guys/gals chime in on this? A first and a last.This car was noted for being an early front wheel drive vehicle but it was also one of the last cars to be designed entirely by one man. Gordon Buehrig was the designer's name. He was also responsible for Auburn's boat tail speedster and many other notable design concepts. And blinking headlamps, too.Aside from the front wheel drive, another innovation is the disappearing headlamps. Geo might have a point about insurance for collectors as good risks. I pay $56 a month, full coverage, for a fleet of vintage Jaguars and one vintage Cadillac (no accidents, ever). Most I know pay far more for a single car. But I'm betting insurance on a real classic *driven as a daily driver* would be considerably higher than for one infrequently driven (a point my insurance agent checks annually with odometer readings). Quotes for my insurance varied by a factor of 20. Timeless beauty The 810/812 series Cords replaced the disastrous L29s. Errett Lobban Cord wanted a car bearing his name. Front wheel drive. On the cheap. Thus, it was decided the straight eight Auburn motor would be used in order to save the R and D costs associated with a new engine. The result was that the normal front to rear sequence of engine, transmission and differential was simply reversed in the L29. From the front it became differential, transmission, and the very long straight eight. The car was engineered by the one and only Harry Miller, and design was under the supervision of Auburn chief designer Al Leamy. Industrial designer Brooks Stevens worked up a stunning one off L29. Functionally the cars were a disaster, as the long wheelbase put very little weight over the front drive wheels. Uphill movement, especially in the rain, became hazardous because there was so little traction. The wheels would slip, and frequently ignore any attempt at turning. The model lasted two years, I believe. By the time the beautiful Buehrig ‘coffin nose’ masterpiece came to market, engineered and designed to perfection, it was too late. The depression pretty much did the car and the Auburn, Cord Duesenberg Company in. I understand Cord was in England settled in for the long haul, as the Securities and Exchange folk wanted to talk with him. Buehrig eventually ended up at Ford, where he had a hand in designing the lovely 56 Lincoln Mark II, among other cars. It’s a rare ‘most beautiful cars ever’ list one will see that doesn’t include the Cord 810/812s. They’re timeless. InsuranceCollector Car insurance is pretty reasonably priced (compared to the value of the vehicle). It's generally based upon very limited street usage, with severe limits to the number of miles that the car can be driven. Unfortunately, things like Cords tend to mostly be trailer queens these days, with the majority of their miles put on during tours before or after car shows. (Thus speaketh the car show judge) Old Car InsuranceTo chime in on this subject, most collectable and antique vehicles (25 yrs. old and older) are insured by companies that specialize in this coverage. They agree on a stated value, and limit annual mileage to 2500 miles (this may vary depending on the insurer). This coverage will not allow the vehicle to be a daily driver, just what would be considered normal driving to car shows, swap meets, cruise nights, and the occasional spin around town. Because of these restrictions, the cost of insurance is very reasonable. As OldFogie noted, driving one of these classics "every day" is a different story. You would have to find a mainstream company to agree to a stated value and then pay through the nose, I'm sure! So he was an artistRE: "Buehrig eventually ended up at Ford, where he had a hand in designing the lovely 56 Lincoln Mark II" -- interesting point I did not know. I liked that Lincoln, and only that Lincoln. It seemed rather out in left field compared to Ford's other production. His hand in it explains that anomaly. Stars with CordsThere's a much circulated Internet photo of the happily-married Hollywood stars Joan Blondell & Dick Powell in their Cord convertible, taken about 1937 looking both glamorous & prosperous. Also, cowboy star Tom Mix met his untimely demise speeding through Arizona while driving his Cord convertible in 1940, when an unsecured heavy metal suitcase slammed into the back of his head. TM's restored car survives and was recently featured in an Antique Automobile Club magazine article. Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg FestivalBorn in Motown, having a father that loved autos and then living in South Bend, Indiana from 1970-79 afforded my family the opportunity to visit Auburn during the Labor Day weekend "Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Festival" in its infancy in the early 70s when I was about 10 or 11. My dad's territory (he was a salesman for Belknap Hardware, a Louisville-based hardware wholesaler) was northern Indiana and SW Michigan and had heard through the grapevine about a classic car festival and auction at Auburn High School. We were off! The museum is a wonderful tribute to art deco architecture and for anyone passing through Fort Wayne or with an appreciation for the classics, this is a must see. Though I would highly recommend attending during the Labor Day weekend. Studebaker was but a distant memory for South Bend even in the 70s. We moved back to Detroit in the 80s and visited Auburn during the festival a few times since. It has grown considerably in size and attendance and a few years ago went through tough times with the auctioneer being accused of not paying sellers after their vehicles sold. Auburn is where dad taught his daughter true appreciation for--and identification of--the classics. My favorite is indeed the Auburn Boattail Speedster! Invitation to the pastIt's as if this lady is beckoning us to come back in time and take a ride in this classic car. The chrome is pristine, the paint glows. The leather is soft and supple. The finely tuned engine purrs with restrained power. Take a ride and relish an era before plastics and electronics rob us of the soul of the machine. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, John Vachon)
NYSE: 1903
... example of the harmless emissions of an internal digestion motor. Washington Stepped Here At the far right of the photo is George ... Federal Hall was home to the first Congress, Supreme Court and Executive Branch of the government when New York was the nation's ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/18/2012 - 3:38pm -

Lower Manhattan circa 1903. "New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. 23 Wall StreetAcross Wall Street from tne nearly-finished NYSE was the office of a far greater power - J.P. Morgan himself. Four years later, Morgan would almost singlehandedly rescue the world's economy from the Panic of 1907. The near-disaster would teach Morgan and many others of the need for what would soon become the federal reserve banking system. Old 23 WallThe 23 Wall Street building that stands there now appears to have replaced the one shown in this photo. The view today: Fruit futuresThe guy with the lemonade stand can say he works on Wall Street No anti-pollution system needed.Here in the street, we see an example of the harmless emissions of an internal digestion motor. Washington Stepped HereAt the far right of the photo is George Washington's foot from the statue in front of Federal Hall, where he took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. Now a museum, Federal Hall was home to the first Congress, Supreme Court and Executive Branch of the government when New York was the nation's capital. The Bronze ToeWhose foot is that in lower right corner? Same viewOver a hundred years later, you'd still see almost the exact same view from this spot. Not the case in a lot of places in New York. Market plungeYikes. Just the thought of climbing up or down that ladder gives me the heebie-jeebies! BigfootAnyone know who the foot belongs to on the statue at the right? [George Washington. - Dave] +108Below is the same view from April of 2011. (The Gallery, DPC, NYC)
The Busy Corner: 1906
... car similar to this one at an outdoor museum once. The motor control was fairly easy to understand, but those mechanical brakes were a ... without having first filed an application in district court" Upright bikes Bikes back then were "fixies." They had no braking ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/21/2012 - 4:50pm -

Detroit circa 1906. "Griswold Street at Fort." The comings and goings of a century ago, cross-sectioned and flash-frozen. 8x10 glass negative. View full size. Mr. RumplepantsI have to say I have never seen a suit of clothes quite like this. If this were the 1960s hippy era I might understand, but this seems out of character for the period. Perhaps he is breaking the pants in for a tall friend. [That's a fire hydrant, not rumply pants. - Dave] Bike ridersIt's interesting to see how casual bike owners were in this instance. Bikes are parked all over the place with no worry about locking them up. Love the one in the right foreground that seems to be standing upright without the assistance of a kickstand (although it might be hidden from view). Can't believe the curb is holding it up! Die Volks SparkasseOn the corner, you can see that the Peoples Savings Bank put up a translation in German of its name: "Die Volks Spar Kasse." Presumably to cater for the thriving German community in the Detroit area. Gotta love those streetcars!I drove a trolley car similar to this one at an outdoor museum once. The motor control was fairly easy to understand, but those mechanical brakes were a bear! If you didn't finesse those things you could easily throw all your passengers onto the floor -- and I did! I have a great deal of respect for motormen, past and distant past. Temperance, Industry , EconomyThe People's Savings Bank in Detroit was originally located one block away at the southeast corner of Congress and Griswold. Below is a circa 1878 advertisement for the bank - note the beehive in the ad and also on the corner of the bank's facade in the photo. The bottom line of the ad indicates they were paying "Five Percent Interest"! Use of the spoken and written German language in the USA abruptly disappeared once the United States entered the Great War. In April 1918, my German-born cousin who was an ordained priest had to get a license to preach to his flock of German immigrants in West Point, NE because under Nebraska's Sedition Law, "no alien enemy may act in the capacity of preacher... without having first filed an application in district court" Upright bikesBikes back then were "fixies." They had no braking other than backpedaling! Your pedals stayed where you put them, made it easy to park against the curb. That balancing bikebrought back a few memories, note where the right pedal is, that is holding the bike up, a trick we learned on bikes with no gears. Rumplepants and the fire hydrantThey combine to make the man look not so well dressed. And Today....Pretty sure this view is looking south, towards the Detroit River. Here it is today. Re: Bike RidersThe curb is holding up the bike. Roll the pedal back to rest on the curb and it will stand up. I do it all the time with my bikes none of which have a kick stand. This is a common image in many of the Shorpy photos. The cowcatcheron the streetcar freaks me out --- were the brakes so bad on the car that it was deemed necessary? I wonder how many folks were impaled crossing the street. One-legged urchinsThe "cowcatcher" was indeed necessary, but not because of the brakes. Little boys can move a lot faster than a motorman can reach for a brake lever. One-legged boys were not uncommon in the big cities. Double amputees as well. Al Capp, the celebrated creator of the Li'l Abner comic strip, lost one of his legs to a streetcar when he was a youngster. The only way the builders might have prevented such injuries would have been to install a catcher that went completely around the car, right down to street level. Even then, little boys, being inventive and daring as they are, would have found a way to be mangled. Pedestrian Safety Device. "Cowcatchers" on streetcars were the subject of numerous patent applications. They are intended to reduce injuries by keeping victims from going under the car. And yes, with steel wheels on steel rails, the brakes were that bad. Re: The cowcatcherStreetcar fenders were supposed to fold and scoop up folks that fell in front of the car to keep them from going under. Faked "accidents" were commonplace back then, when traction companies were bleeding edge tech and at least for a while well off. (The Gallery, Detroit Photos, DPC, Streetcars)
This Is Florida: 1955
... Indians, I bugged my parents repeatedly to stay in this motor court when we visited my granddad every year in Orlando. My folks finally ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/27/2019 - 3:30pm -

December 1955. "Motel Wigwam Village, Orlando." Featuring Tile Baths and All the Fish. 35mm Kodachrome from the Look magazine assignment "What Is Florida?" View full size. Conical ConstancyApparently these were all over the place. I wonder if you could collect Wigwam Weward points. Demolished February 14, 1973. You just don't see those anymoreThe free-standing enclosed phone booth, that is. Dad believed in AAA wholeheartedlyAll our family car trips in the 1950s kept us kids with our eyes peeled for the AAA sign on tourist cabins and motels. I wish I was there with you now. It was a sweet simpler time with us turning the pages of our AAA TripTik, Mom navigating and Dad driving our 1953 Plymouth. This postcard looks exactly like one of our stops on the way to Williamsburg, Va. It was our family out in the world -- strange foods, strange soap, coin-operated radios in the motels. George Washington Slept HereWell maybe George Washington didn't, but I did. As a 10-year-old who loved anything cowboys and Indians, I bugged my parents repeatedly to stay in this motor court when we visited my granddad every year in Orlando. My folks finally relented and we stayed there. After a few days of slanted walls, bad wood paneling, and antique crappy hotel furniture, my parents said "Never again," and moved us on to a "name" hotel. Ceci n'est pas un wigwamThose are teepees, not wigwams. The walls are closing inThe Wigwam Motel on Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona is very much alive and well. I stayed in unit number one several years ago. I just wish I had brought my Roy Rogers pajamas to complete the time machine illusion. Long gone -- but the Internet remembersOther cool pictures of this motel (including pictures of it being built) are here. http://orlandomemory.info/places/wigwam-village-motel/ It's interesting Look thought these emblematic of Florida, since the guy who came up with this lived in Kentucky, and franchised the concept. C'mon Carl --at least they're fireproof. Open at the Top"Air Conditioned" Wigwams, or so the sign says! What'll they think of next? InspirationFor the Cozy Cone Motel in Pixar's film "Cars" Cabins and MotelsWhen I was about ten (66 years ago!), when we traveled we never stayed at a motel until my mother went into it to see how clean it was, and if she decided we could stay she always Lysoled the toilet before we used it. (Kodachromes, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Florida, LOOK, Native Americans)
Quartermaster Corps: 1865
... that, e.g. , gate guards should be civilians, but motor pool mechanics should be in uniform. [The tracing of the term ... of the regular troops who had been sent south. Wallace was court-martialed for his effort because his orders had been to defend Baltimore! ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/11/2012 - 10:34pm -

April 1865. "Washington, District of Columbia. Group of Quartermaster Corps employees." I detect a pattern here, and it's checks. Wet plate glass negative. Civil War glass negative collection, Library of Congress. View full size. 3rd from the right, front rowI'm just guessing but he looks like a bit of a scallywag. 1. A scamp; rascal 2. A deceitful and unreliable scoundrel 3. One who is playfully mischievous. There are other definitions of Scallywag but these are the ones I'm going with. Three dozen different peopleEach one of these fellas has a distinctive look and attitude. A few of note: checked vest, a quarter of the way in from the left, in front, who took obvious pains to comb his hair and who poses like Napoleon, with forearm horizontal against chest, hand disappearing into the garment; blurry face beside him, the only one in the bunch to polish his shoes, with his right foot set forward to display the footware; wild-haired cigar chomper in the middle, rear, who has wandered off a pirate ship into the Civil War; and the tallest man, far right, standing at attention, as one should for a photograph. Before there was HalliburtonNo uniformed personnel shown. I wonder how much of the Corps was manned by civilians during the war? Oh, you guys!You guys are a regular laugh riot! C'mon now, knock it off. I mean it! You are breaking me up! Camp FollowersMost military support personnel in that era were civilians, employed by the Army but not considered "soldiers" or entitled to wear uniforms. The Civil War marks a point in the evolution of militaries in that respect. In earlier eras support was provided by "camp followers", people whose only connection with the Army was that they followed it around and were available when the troops needed to buy food or other services -- including things like borrowing money to support further operations. Camp followers were generally disrespected, because the concept of "logistics" hadn't been invented. Armies were expected to steal food and other necessities as they passed through an area. The notion that support should be official and systematic didn't become general until technology started making the camp follower system insufficient. The innovation (like a lot of changes in military structure) traces to the Thirty Years War. Civil War armies had camp followers too, but their function was reduced to something like the modern stereotype, i.e. mostly prostitutes and con men. General Joseph Hooker was known to be particularly solicitous of the camp followers, thus the use of the word for a prostitute -- "Who are those women?" [grin] They're Hooker's." The men in this picture aren't camp followers. They were hired and paid by the Army, or the War Department, to provide logistic support; they just weren't considered "soldiers". After the Civil War the system evolved further, until most support personnel were official, uniformed, integral parts of the Army. By WWII almost all support was integrated, and camp followers disappeared. Recently that trend has reversed, with many support functions provided by civilian contractors, but camp followers as such have not reappeared. They probably won't. Modern armies move too fast for them to keep up. Civil War generals would be mightily puzzled by the notion that, e.g., gate guards should be civilians, but motor pool mechanics should be in uniform. [The tracing of the term "hooker" to General Hooker is suspect, to say the least. There are a number of instances on record of use of the term earlier, for example. - tterrace] Sure -- but the pre-existing meaning made the exchange a joke, a play on the good General's name, and all the funnier because Gen. Hooker really was solicitous of the camp followers, thinking them an important part of the army's support (besides his, umm, personal interest). That turned an obscure usage into a common one. Glaring boldly at the futureI love the lanky fellow over on the middle-ish right. He is just barely fitting into that waistcoat, and he has gone to pains to be friendly and put his arm on the shoulder of his comrade on the left, necessitating that he duck down a bit. One senses he might be used to ducking down, going through doorways and in chatting the ladies. Also I must say the fine head of hair on the well dressed gentleman in the middle front puts a special longing on me. He is a fortunate fellow to have such a good head of hair. He looks honest, hardworking and reliable. And finally, I love the fellow at the far left with the big mustache who glares at the camera with the ultimate scowl, as if to say "A pox upon you people of the future, ogling us and wondering what our lives are like." His scowl is so forthright! Hidden handI believe that Napoleon hand in vest pose is a Freemason gesture. Our Checkered PastSorry about this, but apparently dead men DO wear plaid. Civilians who fought and help save WashingtonThe Quartermaster employees were civilians, but they had been pressed into armed service only 9 months before this photo was taken when Confederate General Jubal Early and perhaps as many as 20,000 troops attacked Washington from the north, having come down through Maryland. Washington was only very lightly defended at the time; most of the Union troops who had been defending the city had been sent south for Grant's siege of Richmond. When Early's forces came down from Hagerstown, Maryland they were held up for a day by Union troops from Baltimore under Gen. Lew Wallace (who later wrote Ben-Hur). Wallace lost the Battle of the Monocacy, just south of Frederick, Maryland, but by delaying Early he managed to give the defenders of Washington time to mobilize the Quartermaster's civilian employees and the "Invalid Corps," who were injured or sick troops recuperating in Washington. Wallace's efforts also gave them time to bring back some of the regular troops who had been sent south. Wallace was court-martialed for his effort because his orders had been to defend Baltimore! Only later was it recognized that he had saved Washington. When Early arrived, the forts defending Washington were lightly defended, but his men were worn out from marching for miles during one of the hottest July periods on record. So he decided to wait until the next day before mounting a major attack on Fort Stevens. The defenders showed up in force over night, and when Early saw them the next morning he gave up mounting a full attack. After a day of skirmishing, his troops withdrew at night. The next morning the Union defenders discovered the Confederates had abandoned the field in front of Fort Stevens, but they mounted only an ineffective effort to keep them from getting away through Montgomery County, Maryland and across the Potomac river into Virginia. In fact, Mary Lincoln complained to the Secretary of War that she and a bunch of women could have done a better job of stopping Early from getting away. Early's attack was the only time a Confederate army entered the District of Columbia during the Civil War and it may have been the only time a sitting American President came under enemy fire. Lincoln went out to Fort Stevens to survey the scene and was narrowly missed by a Confederate sharpshooter, who did hit the person next to Lincoln. At that point someone, by some accounts later Supreme Court Justice Oliver W. Holmes, yelled "Get down, you fool!" at Lincoln. Lincoln got down. There is a soldierThere is a soldier standing fourth from the left. He is wearing an Army issued four-button "sack" or fatigue coat (dark blue in reality), military trousers (sky blue in reality) and is holding a civilian hat (a common habit of US volunteers). He Army issue bootees (or "brogans) are falling apart. This was a common occurrence in the field--sometimes with in six weeks of their being issued. Perhaps he stopped by to get a new pair. By April 1865 the younger men may have realized they were not going to be drafted, or perhaps the older ones may have been discharged veterans. (The Gallery, Civil War, D.C.)
Shady Business: 1920
... stuff. Still available for purchase. It is 1920 and motor vehicles still provide little protection from winter weather. Why is ... ended and was pending for the October 1924 term of the court. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/04/2013 - 8:31pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Hooper & Klesner Building, 12th & H Streets." This block would seem to be Windowshade Central for the nation's capital. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. The Girls from JoylandThe posters in the barber shop window are interesting. Wildroot Cream OilThanks to the superb clarity rendered in most of this site's photos, I saw a sign from my past: Wildroot Cream Oil. My father used it for years and I used it while in High School. Proverbial greasy kid stuff. Still available for purchase. It is 1920 and motor vehicles still provide little protection from winter weather. Why is that? Was the market composed of drivers still used to the horse and buggy? CurtainsHelps explain a line I recently came upon in a 1919 letter written by my grandmother, about a car trip she took ("It started raining and we had to put the curtains down.") Vehicle IDOldsmobile canopy top curtain side express truck and Ford Model T with aftermarket wire wheels and bee hive shock absorbers. Sorry dudewe don't sell sunglasses. Smoke If You LikeIt looks like the girls were around for a while. This is from 1932: Disreputable?Looks like a shady operation to me. One StoogeJoe DeRita, known as the Last Stooge, appears on the bill. Mr. DeRita often performed with his parents and Phyllis DeRita was probably his mother. Wears Like IronThis advertisement includes the fact that "An intelligent child will have no trouble with it..." Side Curtains & Soft Tops"It is 1920 and motor vehicles still provide little protection from winter weather. Why is that? Was the market composed of drivers still used to the horse and buggy?" Closed cars did not come into widespread use until the '30s. They were the usually the most expensive models in the line up through the teens and twenties. Another reason is that safety glass did not come into widespread use until about 1930. Add to that the the difficulty of manufacturing large pieces of sheet metal for the top and open cars remained the most desirable choice. Shade WarsThis photo may be closer to 1924. This reference notes that a war was going on between these two shade shops. The Shade Shop of W. Stokes Sammons, at far right, complained to the Federal Trade Commission that Hooper & Klessner, left, were using the name and style Shade Shop, Hooper & Klessner. The FTC sided with Sammons and ordered Klessner to cease and desist, but Klessner showed "no indication of an intention to comply with the order," and the commission on 13 May 1924 filed for enforcement. The matter was still pending when the fiscal year ended and was pending for the October 1924 term of the court. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)
See Grand Caverns: 1930
... of 501 Twelfth street northwest, will be tried in Police Court next Thursday on charges of using a motor vehicle for advertising purposes and of driving an automobile with view ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/27/2015 - 1:08pm -

Circa 1930. "Vice President Curtis at Capitol with steam car." Which, as evidenced by the news item below, encountered a bit of trouble during its stop in Washington. National Photo Co. Collection glass negative. View full size. Auto Locomotive Leads to Arrest Man to Be Tried for Using Car For Advertising Railroad. The Washington Post -- May 17, 1930         Albert E. Lentz, of 501 Twelfth street northwest, will be tried in Police Court next Thursday on charges of using a motor vehicle for advertising purposes and of driving an automobile with view obstructed.         The latter charge was placed against the man after traffic officials had inspected the vehicle, a locomotive on an automobile chassis, at the Traffic Bureau. The vehicle, which is used to advertise the Norfolk & Western Railway and the Grand Caverns of the Shenandoah Valley, was driven to the Police Court Building and was inspected by Judge Isaac R. Hitt before the case was continued.         Lentz was arrested yesterday morning on Madison Place Northwest by Sergt. Milton D. Smith and Policeman J.R. LeFoe, both of the Traffic Bureau. First Native American Vice PresidentCharles Curtis was the first person with significant acknowledged non-European ancestry to reach either of the two highest offices in the United States government's executive branch. I was not asleep in history and I had never heard this before. Guess they didn't mention it. He served under Herbert Hoover, who Shorpy showed us recently was the first president to regularly invite African-Americans to the White House. This makes me believe more than ever that Hoover's reputation would be much better if it were not for the Depression and the Bonus Army mess. Unobstructed view...... of the car with an obstructed view. Buick-based?http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/tag/locomotive-automobile/ (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo, Railroads)
Modern Motorist: 1908
... mile long Wheeler-Schebler Trophy Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (not yet paved with brick) by more than 10 miles when the race ... winner they sued for the trophy, but the company lost in court. It was not until many years later they they were acknowledged as the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/19/2013 - 6:16pm -

Washington, D.C., or vicinity circa 1908. "Mrs. John E. Harris." At the wheel of a shiny new Jackson. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. Well not *too* shinyA fair bit of mud on the inside of the fender, though I suppose it was unavoidable given the roads of the time. By the way, I suspect that Mrs. Harris wasn't actually driving the car, but just posing for the photographer. None of her clothes are being buffeted by the wind and her posture seems rather contrived. I thought she looked familiar.... Patched Tire?Maybe not so new considering the condition of the tires. Great pic though. Count 'emEach tire/wheel has four "stems" projecting inward. One looks like a standard stem for filling the tire with air. The other three are different from the first, but they look alike. Any idea what they were used for? [They're rim clamps. -Dave] Re: Count 'emThere are five "stem-like" projections on each wheel. One of them (e.g., the one at about 1:00 on the right front wheel) is the air valve stem. The four that are spaced at 90 degrees around the wheel are "staybolts" (or "lugs") that held the tire in the rim. A couple of years after this picture, Firestone introduced the "detachable rim" that obsoleted the staybolt system. Searching for "tire staybolt" should find a Google book with some illustrations that sort of show how they worked. Jackson and the Indianapolis 300The Jackson Car was made in Jackson, Michigan from 1903 - 1923. This appears to be a circa 1908 Model C with a handmade leather Maryland license plate. The next year a standard Jackson car was leading the 300 mile long Wheeler-Schebler Trophy Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (not yet paved with brick) by more than 10 miles when the race was called off because of poor track conditions and a deadly crash. No winner of the race was declared, but Jackson announced their win in at least one ad and showed a picture of the trophy in the ad. They had covered 235 miles (94 laps). Since Jackson was not declared the winner they sued for the trophy, but the company lost in court. It was not until many years later they they were acknowledged as the winner of the race. Only six cars out of 19 were still running when the race was called. One of those six drivers was Roy Harroun who would later go on to win the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. He was also the first person to be presented the Warner-Schebler trophy when he won a 200 mile race at the Speedway the next year. The 7 foot tall trophy was made by Tiffany and valued at $8,000 by its donors. The trophy was only the property of the winning company/driver for a year. When Harry Hartz won the trophy three years in a row, per the deed of gift for trophy, it was permanently awarded to him. He donated it to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum when it opened in 1956. It is still on exhibit there today. A circa 1908 Jackson can be seen in the movie Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962). (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Harris + Ewing)
Small Oil: 1939
... in NYC and fight Texas all the way to the US Supreme Court over a tax matter. They seem too large for this shoestring operation. ... Double Eagle Refinery Co.,” which actually refined used motor oil, is a candidate. “From 1929 until the early 1980s, the Double Eagle ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/02/2018 - 12:17pm -

        UPDATE: Click here for an alternate view. August 1939. "Independent refinery. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma." Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. OSHAQuick, how many safety violations can you find in 30 seconds? Technology unbridled Patch and go! Not an uncommon form of 'engineering as needed' for the time, but this might be the best version I've seen. I had an account here but what happened to it I do not know, so I've been lurking for quite a while; great work by everyone involved. Whoa!No doubt a future EPA Superfund site! Crude OilToday's refineries are highly engineered marvels, but this one gives a whole new meaning to the term "crude" oil. Rube Goldberg would be proud! Possible Company NameThe 1939 Oklahoma City Directory lists two possible independent oil refiners. The first is Sonneborn Brothers. This was a company large enough to have headquarters in NYC and fight Texas all the way to the US Supreme Court over a tax matter. They seem too large for this shoestring operation. The second is the Gold Band Refining Company. Their entry in the city directory lists William E Rees (Pres) and Edgar J Rees (Sec-Treas). They were located a5 1900 E Reno Ave. Double Eagle RefineryJohn J had good instincts to hit the city directory, but Vonderbees has what I consider the better guess. “The 12-acre Double Eagle Refinery Co.,” which actually refined used motor oil, is a candidate. “From 1929 until the early 1980s, the Double Eagle Refinery facility re-refined used motor oils through a process of acidulation and filtration. This process generated about 80,000 gallons of oily sludge per month.” Read all about this lovely place: https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0601029 (The Gallery, Industry & Public Works, OKC, Russell Lee)
Left on White: 1926
... Western Cities Ahead of East In Solving Problems of Motor Control. Installation of a mechanically controlled electric signal ... traffic signals on Sixteenth street were taken to traffic court last night. Hard Left Turn The evolution of the left turn, as ... 
 
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)
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