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Ladies Who Lance: 1930
... garden of the Mayflower Hotel. Entries closed Thursday night and the following were named to compete for the individual championship ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/26/2013 - 4:36pm -

April 16, 1930. "These Washington society girls will compete for fencing title of the District of Columbia at the Mayflower Hotel this week. Left to right: Elizabeth Bunting, judge; Priscilla Holcombe; Maj. Walter E. Blunt, referee; Margaret Montgomery; and Lillian Shuman, judge." Harris & Ewing. View full size. Righty fencing lefty?Looks like they had Priscilla Holcombe switch weapon hands so her face could be seen by the camera. Hence her awkward stance. Either that or Margaret Montgomery is just a way better fencer than Priscilla. Priscilla Was a Lefty@bubrahucuze: Nah, Pricilla is a lefty fencer. Note the gloved left hand (and ungloved right hand). Also note her tunic buttons on her right side. If it buttoned on the left, she'd be in danger, literally. Priscilla's awkward stance is probably due to the optical illusion caused by her being closer to the camera than her "opponent". The camera is not perpendicular to the fencers' plane. Note their feet in relation to the playground pavement gridlines. I'd say you're right (pun intended) about Margaret being a better fencer, IF Priscilla doesn't hike-up her skirt like Margaret did. Awfully hard to lunge with a below-the-knee skirt binding you up! But seriously, some believe lefty fencers have a slight edge over righty fencers due to the righty/lefty percentage of fencers. Similar to lefty batters having an edge on righty pitchers (supposedly), etc. And who do we have here?Looks like they are getting 'photo bombed' by the young lad at the top of the slide. The best partis the kid atop the slide expressing "whatever." The greatest phys-ed class I ever had was fencing in college. I only wish I could afford membership in the Minnesota Sword Club about a mile from home. Anyone for street fencing? Is MargaretMontgomery wearing a nifty pair of Red Ball Jets? Tourney Prep Washington Post, March 23, 1930. 13 Fencers Qualify For Tourney Here Thirteen fencers, eight women and five men, have qualified for the fencing tournament which will be held April 18 and 19 in the Italian garden of the Mayflower Hotel. Entries closed Thursday night and the following were named to compete for the individual championship for the District: Women, Miss Christine Ekengren, Miss Dudley Breckinridge, Miss Marjorie Montgomery, Miss Priscilla Holcombe, Miss Elizabeth Bunting, Miss Mildred English, Miss Adeline Furness, and Miss Francesca Underwood; men, Senor Paul Vianello, Senor Margin Arostegui, Capt. Frank B. Hayne, Lieut. Helmer W. Lystad, and Lieut. T.J. Sands. Washington Post, May 22, 1931. Fencing Captain Miss Priscilla Holcombe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Holcombe, has been elected to membership in the Foil, the women's honorary fencing club of Cornell University, which she is captain of the freshmen's fencing team, according to word received here. Miss Holcombe is well known in local fencing circles, having captained the senior fencing team at Holton-Arms, where she was graduated last year. (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Sports)
The White Menace: 1939
... today showed us a view of these same steps during the night of Feb 5/6, 2010, with go carts and snowmobiles driving up the almost ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/17/2012 - 10:29pm -

January 14, 1939. "National Capital digs out after storm. Nearly five inches of snow blanketed Washington yesterday, followed by sleet. Icy steps made the going to and from the Capitol difficult until workmen arrived this morning and scraped away the menace." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. And nowWashington is digging out from a 20-inch snowfall. Fourth-greatest on the record books. Paralyzing, but not approaching the 29 inches of the 1922 "Knickerbocker storm." AppropriateHaving a bit of bother at this moment with the white stuff, eh what Dave? And the News from todayshowed us a view of these same steps during the night of Feb 5/6, 2010, with go carts and snowmobiles driving up the almost invisible steps after they were covered by close to two feet of snow dumped by (so far) the snowstorm of the century. What a sight, both then, and now! UpdatedHere's an updated visual. As little a 1/4" causes mass dementiaHere in Northwest Washington DC it's known as "White Death From Sky." The natives celebrate its irregular appearance by suspending all vehicular etiquette and buying large quantities of bread and milk. (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing)
Gone Visiting: 1939
... are so numerous that it's almost impossible to drive at night during the rutting season. I don't want to start a political argument, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/09/2012 - 12:35pm -

July 1939. "Sons of Negro tenant farmer go visiting on a Saturday afternoon." Granville County, North Carolina. View full size. Medium-format nitrate negative by Dorothea Lange for the Farm Security Administration. compositiona ridiculously beautiful composition. the story this pictures tells is marvelous! I rememberIf you had a pair of mules, you couldn't ride just one because they would be stubborn and act up if you tried to ride off without their mate. That is why I suspect there are two mules in this picture. And you could get awfully sore "you know where" from riding these things too unless you had a saddle or blanket or something for a cushion. That sure is some hardscrabble land to try to make a farm out of too...I wonder what types of crops they farmed. Rocks in a RowThe intentional placement of those rocks in a row suggests they were intended to mark some kind of boundary, but of what? I've seen photos of military bases where rocks would be arranged along the walkways to the barracks. Some were even whitewashed. And rocks were often used to outline flower beds. Whatever the reason, it demonstrates some pride of place on the part of the tenant farmer. Type of cropsMost likely they grew tobacco. That's the only real cash crop that was grown in the region. Too far north for cotton and soy beans and peanuts came later. For the record, it's actually very good farm land in that area. The picture give a bad impression. I used to work in Granville Co. You wouldn't recognize the place now. Most of the farmland has gone wild and the deer are so numerous that it's almost impossible to drive at night during the rutting season. I don't want to start a political argument, but I have to scratch my head when I hear how we're "destroying the environment". You couldn't prove it by Granville Co, or much of rural North Carolina for that matter. Stunning.Stunning. (The Gallery, Horses, Landscapes, Rural America)
Raised on Radio: 1942
... My brother and I listened to our favorite programs every night after supper. And the screen was limited only by the size of our own ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/09/2018 - 11:08am -

Spring 1942. Provincetown, Massachusetts. "Family of a Portuguese dory fisher­man." Photo by John Collier for the Office of War Information. View full size. Bigger ScreenMy brother and I listened to our favorite programs every night after supper. And the screen was limited only by the size of our own imaginations. In many ways I really liked radio better than TV! I'm sure that folks today, especially kids, would never understand that sentiment! You were right, Maria -- We should have got a bigger screen. At Last! An Answer to a Persistent Question!I have often asked my father something like this: "What did you look at while you were listening to the radio in the olden days?" He usually says, "We looked at the radio." Quod erat demonstrandum! OG CartoonsShhh -- I think I hear Plankton trying to steal the Krusty Krab secret formula again! Will SpongeBob stop him in time?? The pictures are better!!Reminds me of the two children being questioned by a news reporter at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The kids had just viewed a television for the first time. The reporter asked the kids “Well you have now seen television, which do you like better, television or radio?” One of the kids says “Radio!” The perplexed reporter asked “Why’s that?” The kid says “The pictures are better!” I wonder what the same kids would think about 4K TV today? The radio in this photo appears to be a 1935 RCA Model 117. I was listening to...Hop Harrigan, Lone ranger, The Shadow, Buster Brown and others. Denver, Colorado didn't get TV until 1952. As a high school senior, I installed TV antennas that summer For Joslin's Dry Goods store. (The Gallery, John Collier, Kids)
Engauged: 1942
... furnace. No more shovelling, or banking the fire for the night. [They did during the war. - Dave] Oil to coal furnace ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/09/2014 - 5:59pm -

September 1942. "Washington, D.C. Conversion of the Shoreham Hotel furnace from oil to coal burning system." Crank it, boys, and let's see what this thing'll do. Photo by Howard Liberman for the Office of War Information. View full size. WartimeOil to coal would seem to be a step back in terms of efficiency. Was this a wartime requirement? I say Tomato ... what do you say?Dave, quite apart from the picture itself, I was somewhat intrigued by your choice of title, "Engauged." On this side of the pond, a gauge is a gauge. In almost all U.S. usage,I have seen it spelled as "gage." Yet you used "gauge." When is a gauge a gage, (other than a greengage)? [Standard spelling for the word in America is "gauge." The use of "gage" as a variant spelling (at least among people with college educations) is much less prevalent, probably about equal in popularity with the misspelled variant "guage." - Dave] Nobody went back to coal from oilMy dad was thrilled to get an oil furnace. No more shovelling, or banking the fire for the night. [They did during the war. - Dave] Oil to coal furnaceFrom The Harvard Crimson October 29, 1942: "In order to save the precious war fuel the University is undertaking a mass conversion from oil furnaces to coal consuming burners. Although the change is not yet complete practically all of the heating units will be made over by November 1. When the change is made, Harvard will be saving oil at a rate of 87,000 barrels (3,654,000 gallons) a year for the war effort." Also, this ad from the September 20, 1942 Brooklyn Eagle: Cellar CockpitAdd a turn and bank indicator and you have the instrument panel of the "Spirit of St. Louis." GaugesBack then, gauges didn't need units on the faces! That was for sissies! Everybody just knew what they meant. (Technology, The Gallery, D.C., Howard Liberman)
Disneyland: The Dark Side (1963)
... Restaurant), Skull Rock was particularly creepy-cool at night, when I took this time-exposure Ektachrome in 1963. Alas, the ship, ... 
 
Posted by tterrace - 10/30/2011 - 2:14pm -

In my last two shots, we saw the bright, sunny, carefree, Happiest Place on Earth Disneyland. Who knew there was also the dark, horrific, bloodcurdling Disneyland? Well, not tterrace. Skull Rock Lagoon was perfectly designed to stimulate the "Wow, cool!" gland in the 17-year-old me. (Translation for today's ears: "Awesome!") Added in 1961 to provide a new backdrop for Captain Hook's splendiferous Pirate Ship (which housed the Chicken of the Sea Restaurant), Skull Rock was particularly creepy-cool at night, when I took this time-exposure Ektachrome in 1963. Alas, the ship, lagoon and Skull Rock were all removed and in 1983 the Dumbo Flying Elephant ride took the spot. View full size. Daylight Dark SideI have this in daylight on Kodachrome from 1981. Sorry to learn it has gone. It Lives OnGone from Disneyland, but Skull Rock lives on at Disneyland Paris, bigger and better than the original. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, Halloween, tterrapix)
Now Highering: 1912
... Fire Alarm Box. This lamp will have a red glass shade. At night, one could immediately locate the nearest fire alarm box by looking for a ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/16/2019 - 8:44pm -

New York circa 1912. "Broadway, looking north from Cortlandt Street and Maiden Lane." Our second look in recent weeks at the Woolworth Building in the final stages of construction. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative. View full size. Mourning jewelry window signAs anyone who every watched "Antiques Roadshow" or has done any research into old jewelry knows, it used to be a common practice to mourn one's dear departed with "remembrance" jewelry to keep in mind the loved ones who are no longer with us. Some people were in mourning for years and others, like Queen Victoria, mourned her late husband Albert for the remainder of her long life. Lots of this jewelry has black stones or black metal and some of it even incorporated locks of hair of the deceased. Some of it was exquisite and very expensive and is in museums it is so valuable, and some not so much. I had never seen it advertised in other Shorpy pictures though, so this is a first for me. "The Tubes"Pole sign, "Hudson Tunnels" - The Hudson and Manhattan Railway Tunnels - Known locally as "The Tubes"; service began between Lower Manhattan and Jersey City, July 19, 1909. Known today as the PATH System by the younger folk, but still the Tubes to me. What, pray tell... is that statute on top of one of the buildings. [Appropriately enough, it's atop the Walkover Building. -tterrace] Cable railwayMany people will know of the cable cars of San Francisco, this picture shows a similar system in New York. The Broadway cable railway opened in 1893 and ran Battery Place from Whitehall Street to Broadway - Broadway to Seventh Avenue - Seventh Avenue to 59th Street. The motive power was provided by a continuous steel cable running in a slot under the street between the rails. The central powerhouse was at Houston and Broadway. [Those slots are for access to underground electrical conduits. The last of Manhattan's cable-powered lines had been converted to electricity by 1901. -tterrace] street lightWhat is the smaller light (?) just behind the street light across Maiden Lane? Conduit CleaningThe rectangular panels located between the streetcars' running rails and the centered slot rails were to allow access to the electrical conduit whenever necessary to clear the conduits accumulation of the abundant brown debris seen on the surface of the street. PurportedlyWoolworth could see the completed building from his summer home, Winfield Hall, in Glen Cove on the North Shore of Long Island. Just for comparison, The Woolworth Building started construction in 1910, and Winfield Hall was rebuilt (after a rather suspect fire) in 1916; the skyscraper cost an estimated $13.5M to build, while the rebuilt Winfield Hall racked up an impressive price-tag in excess of $11M -- including a $2M marble staircase. Fire Alarm Box LightIn response to the post by Jmarksr: The smaller light beyond the streetlight marks the location of a Fire Alarm Box. This lamp will have a red glass shade. At night, one could immediately locate the nearest fire alarm box by looking for a red lamp. In my youth, the globes in some towns & cities were red, and in others the globes were orange. I don't know why. (Some towns also had green lamps on police call boxes.) The early fire alarm boxes were "Telegraph" boxes which used an ultra-reliable spring-wound clockwork mechanism to tap out the code of the fire box on a dedicated telegraph line to the Fire Dept., where it was recorded as punch marks on a moving paper tape. (Later, some cities converted to an actual telephone system.) The telegraph system was powered from lead-acid batteries at the Fire Dept. It would function even during a power failure, as the batteries could support the system for many days. (The Gallery, DPC, NYC, Streetcars)
Modern Motorist: 1908
... Jackson can be seen in the movie Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962). (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Harris + Ewing) ... 
 
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)
Detroit tourism, 1930s
... architect Frank E. Kirby, they were built to provide "night boat" overnight service, transporting up to 1,500 passengers between ... 
 
Posted by bhappel - 09/28/2009 - 11:09am -

Two passenger boats sit on the Detroit River near downtown Detroit, MI. They likely traveled across Lake Erie between Detroit and Buffalo, NY. The Guardian building is seen flying the American flag on its roof. View full size. Re: Greater BuffaloThanks Jimmy. I did some more searching and found some pictures of the Greater Buffalo from its heyday and as a training carrier. http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2005/greater_buffalo/greater_buf... "In 1924, the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company launched the 2 largest Great Lakes side-wheeled excursion steamers ever, the Greater Buffalo and the Greater Detroit. Designed by renowned marine architect Frank E. Kirby, they were built to provide "night boat" overnight service, transporting up to 1,500 passengers between Buffalo and Detroit." Greater BuffaloThe boat on the right appears to the S.S. Greater Buffalo, a sidewheel excursion boat that was converted to a small aircraft carrier during W.W.II and based in Chicago for pilot training. It was renamed the U.S.S. Sable. Late to the PartyNew to Shorpy's site, but saw you were talking about these ships. My grandfather, George J. Kolowich was the last Chairman of D&C Navigation, and my father worked for the company in the late 40's. I possess the bronze dedication plaque for the GREATER BUFFALO, which also is inscribed to reflect its requisitioning by the US Navy in 1942 as the U.S.S. SABLE, which operated off Chicago alongside the U.S.S. Wolverine (formerly the Sea&Bee) as aircraft pilot training carriers during WW2. Collecting all I can find about the GREATER BUFFALO and her sister ship, the GREATER DETROIT. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Hipsters: 1969
Ready for a night out (can't remember where), Barb and I (Dave) sport the latest in 1969 ... in your shoe? If you were in Atascadero in 1969, your night out was at the feed store. Like it! Definitely a bit of a Beatle ... 
 
Posted by Westcoaster - 05/07/2010 - 7:36am -

Ready for a night out (can't remember where), Barb and I (Dave) sport the latest in 1969 attire and hairstyles. In spite of rumors, these were NOT the good ol' days, but they were a lot of fun for two kids who didn't know much about life yet. Photo was taken in Atascadero, CA by my sister. View full size. Is that a hay seed in your shoe?If you were in Atascadero in 1969, your night out was at the feed store. Like it!Definitely a bit of a Beatle look going on there Dave! Coolness This photo captures the look of the era perfectly. I was only 13 at the time of the photo but I think I had a jacket similar to yours. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Do Not Disturb: 1939
... with his father from Houston to Edinburg, Texas." Good night, John-Boy. Medium-format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/15/2013 - 2:12pm -

February 1939. "White migrant boy asleep in car. He came with his father from Houston to Edinburg, Texas." Good night, John-Boy. Medium-format nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Resettlement Administration. View full size. Long trip now, even longer thenA drive from Houston to Edinburg is still a pretty good haul nowadays, even with a 4 lane highway nearly all the way down. I can only imagine how long it would have taken in 1939, on 2 lane roads in an underpowered car. No wonder the kid is tired. Check the quiltMade from old suits. My Mother made my baby quilt of old baseball uniforms in the Depression on the prairies; I donated it to a museum depicting the 30's Depression in Western Canada. It is one of the items most commented on. Not a second thoughtI bet that worrying about things like dust mites never crossed minds in those days. Big CarBad roads, no doubt, but this was not an underpowered car--shabby, no doubt--once a fine automobile. Probably a seven-passenger sedan, and with the rear-seat cushions and jump seats removed, there's a lot of acreage back there. The openable rear-side window with wood framing, arm rest, and pull cord for a roll-up shade all point to a fancy car. Not so different looking than this '31 Cadillac. The lack of wood visible in the rear-body structure, however, leans more toward Chrysler. The broken window crank is reminiscent of both makes. I have that quilt!I have that quilt! It looks exactly like my 'hobo quilt' that I picked up at a Salvation Army Thrift Store in Morgantown West Virginia. I paid $2 for it about 10 years ago. Yes, it's made of old suits and it is the warmest blanket I own! There Is Something AboutThe peaceful innocence of sleep. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Russell Lee)
Mom and M1: An Khe, 1969
... stationed in An Khe Feb 1969 - May 1969. I remember one night when the VC were inside the perimeter and tossing "satchel charges" in ... 
 
Posted by BorisDaBastid - 11/01/2009 - 2:14pm -

My mother in Vietnam, 1969. Her hospital was on alert for one reason or another, and she decided to have a picture taken with a soldier's M1 carbine. As a nurse, she of course didn't have her own personal weapon. View full size. A brave galYhere were plenty of women that served in Vietnam, in capacities such as this nurse. They put themselves in danger too, some of them were killed over there. We were so youngThis photo of your mother is powerful. It penetrates 40 years of life and memories and what might have been. Your mom was a year or two older than me in 1969, after all, she graduated nursing school, but we had the look of babies. Did this all really happen? Did we really go to that place? And now when I buy shirts I find little tags telling me Made in Vietnam and sometimes I cry. God Bless Herand all Vietnam vets who won all the battles fighting the good fight. An Khe 1969I served with the 1st Cav (AM) and was stationed in An Khe Feb 1969 - May 1969. I remember one night when the VC were inside the perimeter and tossing "satchel charges" in the base hospital and MP areas. Don't remember much else about An Khe. I moved to Bien Hoa in June and came back home in February, 1970. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
War Work: 1943
... because there was a war on. There were plenty of small night clubs and dance joints, though…my mom remembers lots of dances and card ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/04/2016 - 1:27pm -

May 1943. Arlington, Va. "Idaho Hall, Arlington Farms, a residence for women working in government for the duration of the war." Medium format nitrate negative by Esther Bubley for the Office of War Information. View full size. perfect picture for Mothers Day!That could have been my mom, too….except she came to Washington from North Dakota, worked at the Interior Department for the Grazing Service (now the BLM), and lived in a boarding house on R Street NW. She made Washington sound like the hub of the universe at that time, full of bright young people who came from all over the country to help out (and get decent jobs) with all the new agencies set up to end the Depression, and later, to step in when the men got sent off to war. My mom got sent out west to do payroll for the Grazing Service in Pocatello and Salt Lake City, making sure forest-fire fighters got paid; she ran into a lot of what she used to call 'guff' from the Western roughnecks because only men had ever had that job before. She said Salt Lake City was so dirty, she had to have 2 work dresses to alternate because she could only wear a dress once in the filthy air before it needed washing. During the war, office workers in Washington regularly worked overtime during the week, and worked on Saturdays for free, because there was a war on. There were plenty of small night clubs and dance joints, though…my mom remembers lots of dances and card parties at the boarding house too. Then she met my dad (who was 4-F) and that's how I came to be typing up this comment! Reminds Me of my MotherMy mother was from Ohio but moved to Washington, D.C. during the war to work at the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the forerunner of the FAA. In fact she met my father, who was at Walter Reed Hospital recovering from war injuries, in 1943. This lady is not my mother but she does resemble her with the glasses. Don't know where my mother lived in D.C. during this time period. Dumbo and his magic featherNice photo! My eye was immediately drawn to the cute sketch of Dumbo on the wall- because I love elephants! Disney's film Dumbo came out in 1941 and I believe it was quite popular. My children loved watching it over and over- I can probably still sing all the songs! In the movie, Timothy Mouse gave Dumbo a feather when he was up in the tree, saying it was "magic" so Dumbo wouldn't be afraid to fly-and he found he could fly! Later in the circus act, he loses the feather, but finds out he can fly without it! The RingI am curious about that ring on her finger and the "Book" she is reading. The ring looks like a class ring, and the book looks like a hard back Bible. [Only if Bibles have SHAKESPEARE on the back cover. - Dave] Thanks Dave. Eyesight not what it used to be, even up close :>) [BAXADO] Ok, thanks for the update on the ring. Re: ring It's hard to be sure, but it looks like a Phi Gamma Delta fraternity ring, presumably from a fiancé. (The Gallery, D.C., Esther Bubley, WW2)
Anytown, USA: 1941
... -- it's dinnertime. Boys!! Radial Wave Shade By night this house would have been illuminated by a clear incandescent light ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/20/2020 - 5:07pm -

August 1941. "House in Elgin, Illinois." The residence at 282 Anystreet. Medium format acetate negative by John Vachon for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. ShinyThat house is so bright and clean, the neighbors must've felt like their own house needed a new paint job. The grubbier house looks cozier, though. Ward!!!Call Wally and the Beaver -- it's dinnertime. Boys!! Radial Wave ShadeBy night this house would have been illuminated by a clear incandescent light bulb, likely 200 watts back then. This light fixture is supported by a span wire, and it appears that it could be lowered for servicing by a cable/pulley system from a nearby pole. This was common in the days of carbon arc streetlights, which needed frequent servicing. The wavy deflector was known as a radial wave shade. AnglesWas this once a church? IdyllicAlmost perfect. A beautiful home with a beautiful yard on a beautiful street. It's so ... American. Carpenter GothicIt just needs the people from Grant Wood's painting. (The Gallery, John Vachon, Small Towns)
A Double Shot: 1909
... buy me out so I kin go home.' He sells every afternoon and night. Extra late Saturday. At it again at 6 A.M. Sunday." Photo by Lewis ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/21/2019 - 12:27pm -

March 1909. Hartford, Connecticut. "9:30 P.M. A common case of 'team work.' Smaller boy (Joseph Bishop) goes into saloon and sells his last papers. Then comes out and his brother gives him more. Joseph said, 'Drunks are me best customers. I sell more'n me brudder does. Dey buy me out so I kin go home.' He sells every afternoon and night. Extra late Saturday. At it again at 6 A.M. Sunday." Photo by Lewis Wickes Hine for the National Child Labor Committee. View full size. El BartA popular American dry gin at the time: https://distilling.com/distillermagazine/come-fly-with-me-or-the-story-o... Later in lifeThey both went into politics. More on the Bishop boysThe 1910 census revealed that Joseph’s unnamed brother in the picture was Meyer (some records spell it Myer). According to the census and the Hartford city directories, Curry’s Café was owned by John J. Curry, 34 at the time of the photograph, and married with no children. 184 State StreetAccording to historian Joe Manning: "Curry’s Café was owned by John J. Curry, 34 at the time of the photograph, and married with no children. He was born in Ireland and entered the US through Ellis Island in 1901. The café (called a saloon in the directory) was located in downtown Hartford at 184 State Street, an area which was totally redeveloped in the 1960s to accommodate Constitution Plaza, a large office and retail center." The Bishop BoysThis is Joe Manning, of the Lewis Hine Project. I tracked down the story of these boys seven years ago. I interviewed the niece of Joseph Bishop, the boy on the left. See it here. https://morningsonmaplestreet.com/2015/01/01/joseph-meyer-bishop/ Tricks of the tradeBeing a newpaper boy does teach you the be resourceful. When I was 14 or so I had a paper route delivering the York Dispatch in South York, Pa. One of the streets I delivered on marked the edge of the city, and was the main east-west corridor to the affluent neighborhoods, as well as the access to the York Hospital. I always used to do that street last because not infrequently someone driving by would see me with my papers and try to buy one. I always said I couldn't sell for the face price (I think it was a nickel), and I generally got ten cents, and occasionally a quarter. Of course at the end of my route I was a paper or two short, so I would go down to the pharmacy and buy the necessary papers at five cents each, making a clear profit of five cents. An extra 10 or 15 cents was gold in those days. (The Gallery, Kids, Lewis Hine)
Personal Transportation: 1921
... minor differences (hers did not come with the canopy nor night travel options) but the suspension, chassis and such are identical. Nor ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/24/2012 - 8:49pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1921. "Brodt horse." A fine-looking rig, ready for courting or calling. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. The good old days.Around the turn of the 20th century, every prosperous farmer kept a rig and horse like this for going to church. Some of the finest harness races of the day occurred between apparently disinterested farmers on their way to church. Brodt Horse Washington Post, May 5, 1912. Charles L. Brodt Will Breed Coach Horses at Historic “Maplewood.” One of the finest country estates in Virginia, known as Maplewood, situated on the new turnpike between Washington and Fairfax Courthouse, about 10 miles from the White House, was sold during the past week to Charles. L. Brodt, a capitalist of New York and Paris, who expects to live there most of the time after making extensive improvements on the property. … The new owner expects to breed coach horses on the estate, and will bring a large number of prize winning animals to this country from France during the coming summer. ZOMG (=Golly!)My wife has the same runabout! A couple of minor differences (hers did not come with the canopy nor night travel options) but the suspension, chassis and such are identical. Nor does she have such a nifty skimmer. Bought it at an auction about 12 years ago, restored it herself (I notice the box and seat support have been rebuilt completely), and drives it around the neighborhood pulled by her standardbred. She is returning from a short trip tomorrow and I'm sure she would love to add something about its history here for us. The buggy driverIs a dead ringer for Doc Durant from "Hell on Wheels." Promised Follow-UpFrom my wife: "This is a classic runabout, which was both ubiquitous and considered the “Corvette” of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Tens of thousands were built by all kinds of buggy makers. Mine, probably circa 1895, is Amish built...simple, sturdy design that some hundred years later is still giving excellent service with a minimal amount of upkeep (paint jobs, regreasing hubs & fifth wheel). A true classic...and in this picture it's pulled by a hefty Standardbred who looks like he could give a good account of himself in a whirlwind ride home from church!" (The Gallery, D.C., Horses, Natl Photo)
Dark or Light?
... mother however perpetuated the tradition of St. Nicholas night, Dec. 12, where we were to leave a small plate on the floor by our bed to ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/08/2011 - 9:09pm -

Two Thanksgiving maskers circa 1911. View full size. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. Dark or LightNever ever knew such a tradition existed, interesting. And I like that you are not afraid in this politically correct world to let these photographs and history just speak for themselves, good or bad. MaskersI wonder if this is related to the tradition of mummery. The masks!Those masks are absolutely terrifying! Much scarier than anything we have for Halloween nowadays! SoulingI wonder if this tradition is related to "souling" in England. Kids went house to house asking for soul cakes. Remember the Peter, Paul and Mary song -- "an apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry, anything good to make us all merry." I was born in the Midwest in 1950 and never heard of this tradition. My mother however perpetuated the tradition of St. Nicholas night, Dec. 12, where we were to leave a small plate on the floor by our bed to find an orange, gum and candy the next morning. I never understood why! Wonder how many other odds-and-ends traditions are lurking out there in America. (The Gallery, G.G. Bain, Kids, Thanksgiving)
Bird Balls: 1957
... In the case of these birds, they are kept awake half the night with all the traffic, and have nowhere to go and nothing to do in those ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/22/2013 - 3:48pm -

August 13, 1957. "Tamarack Lodge, Greenfield Park, New York. Lobby to cages." Another defunct Catskills resort. Gottscho-Schleisner photo. View full size. Bird brain...ed arsonist charged, and lots of other Tamarack links here. A strange and unhappy endAfter years of abandonment, it looked like the old Tamarack Lodge would get a new lease on life after an investor bought the property with the intent of renovating it. Last summer, according to police, the investor started to burn some debris near the property, the fire ended up going out of control, and you can figure out the rest of the story. [Gosh. I hope he had millions of dollars' worth of insurance. Purchased shortly before the fire. - Dave] Looking backHere they are again, this time taken from the opposite side of the room. Glad those days are gone.We know now that it extremely cruel to decorate a business with live animals. In the case of these birds, they are kept awake half the night with all the traffic, and have nowhere to go and nothing to do in those horribly small cages. Another thing we learned 20 years ago is that you never keep parrots in round cages. That's why you rarely see them anymore. Real or stuffed?Were those birds real? If so, those cages strike me as cruel (way too small for those birds), and impractical to boot. Well, the greens below might have made good use of the guano. But imagine having to clean the lower half of those cages. Yuck! Avian exoticaShowy birds were the thing of the era. The Fauncy Destination restaurant near our house when I was a little kid was a place called the Peter Pan, which was among other things famed for the peacocks which roamed the grounds. On the other hand, you don't even need to smell the formaldehyde and vinyl chloride to know that all those plants are of the finest plastic. [Some of these may be real; Tamarack Lodge had its own greenhouse. - Dave] Maybe so, but those Strelitzia flowers aren't: I have one myself, and the leaves alone are a foot long and stand two feet above the pot. Even a philodendron would be hard pressed to grow in that cavern. (The Gallery, Gottscho-Schleisner)
Snappy Lunch: 1940
... looks as though it had more than its share of Saturday night bar fights. Nothing exceptional Just regular meals. What, you ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/15/2018 - 1:38pm -

June 1940. "Main street of Mogollon, New Mexico. Second largest gold section in the state." Photo by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Admin. View full size. Feeling hungry?My favorite Spaghetti Western, "My Name Is Nobody," filmed several scenes in Mogollon. One side story of the film was an abandoned gold mine that sprang back to life (albeit with stolen gold). One final point made by Henry Fonda's character: "When you're up to your nose in s**t, keep your mouth shut!" Mogollon TodayThe general store has been rebuilt, and the Snappy Lunch building is still there. Holland's General StoreIt seems Mogollon counted more than one General Store: Saturday nightsHiggins & Higgins looks as though it had more than its share of Saturday night bar fights. Nothing exceptionalJust regular meals. What, you think you're somebody special? An American Pastime: Target PracticeI wonder if that is brand new Texaco sign leaning against the railing, set to replace the bullet-riddled one currently in play. (The Gallery, Eateries & Bars, Gas Stations, Russell Lee, Small Towns)
Good Eats: 1937
... his wife sitting at home waiting for him to return from a night of drinking with buddies. It's called "The Peacemaker." 312 Conti ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/26/2014 - 12:41pm -

1937. "Restaurant in Mobile, Alabama." Welcome to the Wooden Shoe, where you can order your eggs "dressed up" (but not too loudly, because it's a "Quiet Zone"). Photo by Arthur Rothstein, Resettlement Administration. View full size. Could be in New Orleans….In New Orleans a husband would take a To-Go oyster Poor Boy (or loaf, which was bigger) to his wife sitting at home waiting for him to return from a night of drinking with buddies. It's called "The Peacemaker." 312 Conti StreetI believe this is 312 Conti Street at Claiborne, behind the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The building was still there as recently as 1967, but now the entire block is a park. Oyster loaves used to be a common item on restaurant menus throughout the South. Gone, probably due to the rising cost of oysters and changing tastes. "Dressing" a sandwich would probably mean lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. DressedWhen I ordered a ham sandwich in Burras, Louisiana (elevation 0') the young lady asked "Would you like that dressed?" Without a clue what she meant, I said sure. It turned out to be coleslaw on an awesome ham sandwich. FadedApparently the former home of Shaw Electric Co. according to the faded sign above the doors which looks like it was repainted at least once. The car parked around the corner appears to be a 1935 or 1936 Chevrolet Master Deluxe, but not enough is visible to tell if it is a 4-door Sedan or (2-door) Coach. These models, with an external spare tire but without an integral trunk, were declining in popularity; however, it was not until 1939 that they were finally phased out of production early in the model year. We called them "po-boys." My parents were married at the Basilica in 1966, the Catholic church seen behind this building. My late maternal grandparents, Mobile natives, were familiar with this establishment according to my mother. She remembers my grandfather raving about their oyster loafs (we called them po-boys). I'm going to have to go back and look at their wedding photos taken outside of the church and see if there's another angle of this building before it was torn down for a park. In any event I love this site and just wish there was more activity here than reading posts from years past. I feel like I'm in a time machine viewing a time machine, lol. (The Gallery, Arthur Rothstein, Eateries & Bars, Mobile)
Light Cleaning: 1943
... used to prevent a wayward Japanese eye from seeing it at night! Also, this guy was an "electrician" on a steam engine, besides the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/18/2012 - 3:12pm -

March 1943. "Needles, Calif. Electrician B. Fitzgerald cleaning the headlight of a locomotive at the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe yard. All engines operating west of Needles are equipped with hooded headlights in accordance with the blackout regulations." Photo by Jack Delano, Office of War Information. View full size. AfterthoughtsUsed primarily on West Coast locomotives, it was used to prevent a wayward Japanese eye from seeing it at night! Also, this guy was an "electrician" on a steam engine, besides the headlight, and markers (if equipped) and the steam-driven generator, what else did he fix? ? Love the photos of old timers and trains, together in a photo. It's a bit different today oddly enough...when the hair turns white, you retire (e.g., not many OLD TIMERS in any profession for that matter, but especially in RR'ing). Other Electrical?Lights in the cab, gauge lights, and possibly Cab Signals or Automatic Train Stop also need electricity on a steam locomotive. He'll get busierWhen the war is over, railroads will continue their mad dash to replace the steam locomotive with diesels and diesels need electricans, which will make them busier than ever and other trades, such as boilermakers, no longer needed. 3891 in 1933Original pic available here. A "Santa Fe" locomotiveThis 3891 locomotive is classed as a SANTA FE 2-10-2 type first used by AT&SF in 1903, it had 85,486 lbs of tractive effort, you convert it to horsepower. (The Gallery, Jack Delano, Railroads)
Double Bill: 1926
... letting the world know about it. She opened last Thursday night in a new play on Broadway, “It's a Wow,” in which cast also ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/03/2013 - 9:41am -

April 23, 1926. Washington, D.C. "Miss Dorothy Tierney with porcupine." The stage actress and prickly understudy. National Photo Co. View full size. Wild ThingWith a smile on her lips and "Get this thing away from me" in her eyes. Hedging her BetsThat looks like a hedgehog to me. The Little Ingenue Washington Post, April 17, 1927. Dot Tierney On The Way Dorothy Tierney, the little ingenue of the National Theater Players, is coming back to Washington for the third season of that troupe. Just how she will manage to get away in time for rehearsals for the opening here May 9 is a problem Dorothy seems to have solved without letting the world know about it. She opened last Thursday night in a new play on Broadway, “It's a Wow,” in which cast also appeared Kathryn Givney, second lead of the Nationalites. Between engagements this winter—there have been two—Miss Tierney fortified her flair for interior decoration by attending art school for six weeks. Her first training in this direction was gained in Baltimore girls' school and fortified the last two summer seasons here by her job as art director of the Players. Miss Tierney is probably the busiest of all the National cast, for when she isn't rehearsing or acting, she is scurrying about the shops for the properties that transform a rather bare stage into an alluring living room, a library or drab lodging. Further there is the daily levy of one hour of her time by the requirements of voice and piano study. The opening play for the summer season will be the farce, “Laff That Off.” Re: Wild Thing"With a smile on her lips and "Get this thing away from me" in her eyes." LOL! But the 'thing' is obviously a tribble. (The Gallery, Animals, Natl Photo)
Las Vegas Club: 1951
... On a road trip in 1977 I stopped in Las Vegas for one night. I don't gamble, but the neon signs were spectacular and the people ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/01/2021 - 5:49pm -

From 1951 and Don Cox comes our second nighttime glimpse of the Las Vegas Club, "The House of Jack Pots." 35mm Kodachrome transparency. View full size. Neon was kingWhat else can one say. Keeping all that functioning was a very good contract to have. Fremont Street 1977On a road trip in 1977 I stopped in Las Vegas for one night. I don't gamble, but the neon signs were spectacular and the people watching entertaining. Here is a Kodachrome slide I took of the rest of Fremont street, with part of the Las Vegas Club sign on the far left. NeonIt really needs to be a thing again. Can't beat NeonI thought the last installment of the Las Vegas Club neon was impressive, but this view of the vertical version outdoes even that! There's something real about Neon and actual light globes that today's LED lighting simply just misses the mark. I agree with the comment about high maintenance. Neon can last a long time, but the complexities of the signage of the Vegas strip of that era must have been huge. Not only the massive amounts of hand blown tubing, each with a particular 'noble gas' eg argon, xenon, neon - each gas produces a different colour under electric current. But think about the enormity of the control switching making it all work. In that era it would have been all electro-mechanical relays and micro switches attached to motorized spinning wheel switching etc. Fascinating to see in action both in the control rooms and on the street. (The Gallery, Kodachromes, Don Cox)
Left Hanging: 1939
... hang some wash out on the line." "At ten o'clock at night??" Virgil Ignoble labor produces a purification of the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/03/2018 - 1:16pm -

January 1939. "Clean clothes. Carrier Mills, Saline County, Illinois." Photo by Arthur Rothstein for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Clean coalNaturally, the proximity of all that anthracite had no effect on the ultimate appearance of that wet laundry. Dual Purpose outhouse and clothesline holderI like the path worn in the dust to necessary room. Used frequently, I see. Cold quick trip in the Illinois winter I imagine. Brrr! Hung out to dryIn spite of obvious hard times, someone is working hard to provide clean clothes for the family. Hope things got better for them. Dual purposeAlso handy for folks who are shy about using the facilities. "I'll just hang some wash out on the line." "At ten o'clock at night??" VirgilIgnoble labor produces a purification of the neighborhood. Eclectic collection of rusty ol NYC hopper carsA CCC&STL "Big Four" lettered hopper car along with NYC 134671, an offset side hopper with early style shallow "clamshell" center doors. An eclectic collection of workaday New York Central Railroad coal haulers. Neat stuff from the days of yore when even rusty old train cars had character. (The Gallery, Arthur Rothstein, Mining, Railroads)
Halloween Hobo: 1957
... the type of stuff we would assemble to wear on Halloween night, mostly from the castoffs of our dads and grandfathers (which doesn't say ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/30/2013 - 12:21pm -

Baltimore, Oct. 31, 1957. "Carol Lee, Ray Steward, Howard H." A seasonal scene from the Janet & Kermy Kodachromes. Happy Halloween! View full size. Hobos, bums and runawaysAs a kid, this is the type of stuff we would assemble to wear on Halloween night, mostly from the castoffs of our dads and grandfathers (which doesn't say much for their taste in clothing) and the three occupations listed in my comment title were the most common getups for most middle-class, small-town youngsters out trick or treating. In fact, we often would wait until "after supper" to even decide what we were going to wear and then just go with it. We'd wear masks that obscured our vision so we couldn't see well and giant grandpa shoes that were falling off our feet, making us trip, and yes, we usually did hurt ourselves falling off a curb or coming down porch steps in the dark. Currently my grandkids have planned for weeks exactly how they will dress and Mom ordered elaborate "theater quality" costumes for them that would be suitable for use in stage productions. Standards have changed over the generations, but I believe we had just as much fun, or even more, than the lavishly attired, pre-planned extravaganzas seen today which are very imaginative and clever, but ours were free. Happy Halloween to all. I rememberThose kraft paper trick-or-treat bags. Drag it on the ground like that, kid, & your Halloween will be a disaster. Howard H.Has the hands of a working man, including part of his middle finger missing on the right hand. Burnt Cork Or An Old MopAs OTY mentioned there was a time when the costume was a lot cheaper than the amount of goodies collected. My older sister was in charge of my get up each year and it was always either a hobo or a girl. Some burnt cork rubbed on the face plus an old flannel shirt, holey jeans, a railroad engineer's cap and a bandana filled with newspaper tied to a stick would suffice for the hobo. The hobo would only take a few minutes to put together but when I was to be a girl and she a hobo there was much more time involved and I learned at a very early age why girls take longer to get dressed than guys. She would painstakingly paint my face with rouge, lipstick, eyebrow liner and mascara. Next she would go through her old clothes to find a training bra plus skirt and blouse that would complete the picture. With a clean dry mop plopped on my head or a silk kerchief tied under my chin I would sally forth to see what I could gather Back then guys who dressed as girls were not subjected to homophobic slurs and the parents would not fret that this would change the gender identification of their sons dressed as their daughters. I grew up a heterosexual male with fond memories of my sister and those magical Halloween nights of the 50's (Baltimore, Halloween, Kermy Kodachromes)
Maison Blanche: 1910
... know any more about this? Are there any shots of it at night? If so (and if I'm right) - it must have been the wonder of the day! ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/19/2012 - 1:01pm -

New Orleans in 1910. "Maison Blanche, Canal Street." Continuing our tour of Crescent City retailers. 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size. Shop at M.B.This was the second Maison Blanche store building at the same location at the downtown lake corner of Canal and Dauphine Streets, completed in 1909. Photo dates from between the completion of the Audubon Building (the lower high-rise to the left) in 1910 and the construction of the Krauss Store building in the empty space between them in 1913. New Orleans seems to have kept its old business district department stores longer than many U.S. cities, so I have fond memories of shopping Maison Blanche -- though I wound up purchasing more at it's lower-priced competition, Krauss's, over on Basin Street, the last of the old Canal Street department stores to fold in 1997. However regulars knew that if you came to Canal Street by car you could still get your free parking validated on the 3rd floor at M.B. even if you didn't make a purchase. The department store occupied the bottom 5 floors of the building. Above was office space -- into the 1980s, still with old direct-current elevators. The store was bought by Dillards and briefly closed down in 1984, then reopened only occupying 3 floors for a few more years. The Maison Blanche building now houses the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. "Buffalo Dental Parlors"Must have used really big chairs and spit sinks. Matrix Sign?I'm really intrigued by what appears to be a matrix sign above Kaufmans. A count of the "pixels" seems to indicate 10 smaller matrices, each of 25 x 20 bulbs, making a total of no less than 5,000 bulbs! Obviously this is far too old to use any sort of digital technology, but I'd have thought a matrix of that size would have been pretty unmanageable with even electro-mechanical switching. Unless it's just a panel of thousands of small bulbs to make a bright rectangle (can't see the point in that) my best guess is it must have relied on something like punched paper tape running though a whole bank of 5,000 microswitches or something. Does anyone know any more about this? Are there any shots of it at night? If so (and if I'm right) - it must have been the wonder of the day! (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, Stores & Markets, Streetcars)
Meats and Groceries: 1905
... The visit was usually reserved until the last full night and I can still remember the flounder I had my first trip. The Steel ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/24/2011 - 1:24pm -

Continuing our visit to Atlantic City, New Jersey, circa 1905. "Atlantic Avenue West." 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Kuehnle's Hotel Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, 1910. Louis Kuehnle was born January 6, 1827, at Hacmusheim, in the principality of Baden, Germany, and died August 7, 1885, at Egg Harbor, New Jersey. In his native country he received the training requisite for a first class chef, and came to America in 1849, obtaining employment at some of the leading hotels and restaurants of the country. While in Washington, D. C., he had the honor of presiding as chef at the hotel where President Buchanan boarded. In 1858 he opened the New York Hotel at Egg Harbor, being connected with same until his death. January 9, 1875, he purchased and opened Kuehnle's Hotel, at Atlantic City, New Jersey, placing same under the management of his son, Louis K. He was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens at Egg Harbor, who several times elected him to the office of mayor; he was also a member of the city council and the school board. He married, in 1852, Katherine Werdrann, of Germany, and they had three sons— George, Louis and Henry. "Poultry! Game! Butter! Eggs!"...all produced in the nearby farms of the Garden State. They were brought in daily by horse-cart, as well as grain, garden truck, milk, pork, firewood, even barrel staves! New Jersey was called the "Garden State" because it was the backyard vegetable garden, chicken coop, pig sty, timber patch and cow pasture for New York City, Philadelphia, and the sandy shore resort-towns. As Benjamin Franklin, a man who knew it well, said, New Jersey is like "a beer barrel, tapped at both ends, with all the live beer running into Philadelphia and New York." (It was also the brewer, hard cider as well as beer.) All those McMansions presently in New Jersey, and their accompanying highways? They were all built on those former tomato fields, potato fields, corn fields, fruit orchards and cow pastures, after the Second World War and the Interstate Highway Act. Most developments have one lone farmhouse standing by the access road, often with large chicken coops still standing behind them, the palimpsest of New Jersey's agricultural heritage. If transportation costs ever get so high that it's no longer worth it to truck in vegetables from California and Mexico, and not sensible to drive to work from 5000-square-foot houses 100 miles from the place of employment, New Jersey will turn its residential zoning back into farmland. There's going to be a lot of money waiting for someone who develops a way to remove toxic chemicals and metals from poisoned reclaimed farmland. Yes - New Jersey born, New Jersey bred, New Jersey proud! That's me! Jitneys on Pacific AvenueI remember Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Avenue as being the two main streets in the Atlantic City of the 1950's. Pacific Avenue had small buses called jitneys that held about 12 people. They ran practically bumper to bumper so they were very handy. The fare was 10 cents unless you wanted to go past the end of the line to Hackney's Seafood Restaurant (10 cents extra) or Captain Starnes Restaurant (15 cents extra.) The last I heard, the jitneys are still in service. My main memory of Atlantic Avenue was going to the movies on a rainy summer vacation day in 1957 and seeing William Holden in "The Bridge on the River Kwai." Captain Starnes, Pat Boone The Captain's was always a highlight of our Atlantic City vacation. The visit was usually reserved until the last full night and I can still remember the flounder I had my first trip. The Steel Pier along with its Deep Sea Diver Bell, Diving Horses, comedy divers, first run movies and name entertainers was the first full day must. I remember seeing Gary Cooper's High Noon then after the movie Pat Boone came out to sing Ain't That A Shame and Lucille but to my fine tuned R&R ear they were poor imitations of Fats Domino's and Little Richard's versions. A daily highlight was eating at a cafeteria where I was allowed to pick my meal and the only admonishment was one I heard later in life at Great Lakes NTC, "Take all you want but eat all you take." It was always a day of adventure from the rental bicycle Boardwalk ride to being allowed to eat salt water taffy just before bedtime at the Saint James Hotel. On another note, I love those swinging doors on Kuehnle's Hotel Bar. Kuehnle’s hotel was the hub of Republican politics in Atlantic City and the place where important political decisions were made. (The Gallery, Atlantic City, DPC, Stores & Markets, Streetcars)
I Can See Right Through You: 1936
... "Me and Cindy Lou went parking at passion point last night, and everything was going great, and all of a sudden she says I'm a ... 
 
Posted by Ken - 09/07/2011 - 10:08pm -

"Young fellows in front of pool hall," in Jackson, Ohio. Photo by Theodor Jung, 1936. View full size. shades40 years ago his shades would be "groovy" Rocky Horror Picture ShowThey look like Extra "Transylvanians" From the RHPS. The glasses are spot on for the role. :D True Confessions"Me and Cindy Lou went parking at passion point last night, and everything was going great, and all of a sudden she says I'm a hermaphrodite! What's that mean Bobby?" shadesI'm telling you, Jack.......... white is definitely not your color. (The Gallery, Theodor Jung)
Rural Pacification: 1941
... the pacifiers. Ha! Next thought, does Dave lay awake at night thinking up these witty wisdoms or do they just come naturally? In ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/04/2018 - 12:28am -

May 1941. "Farm worker with his wife and their twin babies at the FSA migratory labor camp mobile unit. Wilder, Idaho." Medium format acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Semi digitalBoy they look young, with a very nice hand-me-down pram. Looks like our young mother is missing a digit. Farming accident? [You are mistaken (see below). Fingers bend! - Dave] Gave me a chuckleSeeing Dave's comment "pacification" I couldn't see the connection of parents and a baby carriage to pacification, then I saw the pacifiers. Ha! Next thought, does Dave lay awake at night thinking up these witty wisdoms or do they just come naturally? In either case, thanks for the extra enjoyment. [Rural Pacification comes from the Vietnam War. - Dave] The happy familyDad seems a little overwhelmed, or maybe unsure about being photographed, but Momma's expression of pride and love is unmistakable. I hope they prospered. Maybe later, Dad will get to enjoy a Grain Belt beer. That SmirkThe smirk on Mom's face and her hand nudging the squinting twin into facing the camera make me laugh. Parents never change and neither do babies! Side BuckleThe way the fella is wearing his belt is interesting. You'd see more of that style of wearing the belt with the greasers/rockabilly guys in a few years from when this photo taken. [Actually the side buckle was a staple of 1930s men's fashion. - Dave] The wearing of the buckleI wore my belt buckle off to one side in the '60s. I didn't want to scratch the paint on the fender of my car when working on it, which was a constant thing. (The Gallery, Agriculture, Kids, Russell Lee)
New York Giant: 1908
... the point of absurdity. You *worked* in the area, and at night it was a ghost town. Things most definitely have changed. Happy Meal ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/06/2013 - 10:03am -

New York circa 1908. "The Singer Building." Shortly after its completion. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Man on a LedgeI love looking at these big building and finding a man on a ledge cleaning windows. This time it looks to be the 7th floor at the right side. So it goesIn the 70s, the New York city fathers saw the error of their ways and replaced this striking, beautiful building with a brown Modernist rectangle. Howard Roark would be pleased, at least. (Trivia: the Singer Building was at the time the tallest building ever demolished.) Obligatory rooftop laddersTwo, at least, on the ornate setback deck. Still hold the recordIt still holds the dubious record as the tallest building ever intentionally demolished (I presume there's no need to explain the "intentionally" part). As unfortunate as its demolition may be in retrospect, it was not at all surprising at the time. The floors in the tower section were very small in terms of square footage, wholly inadequate for 1960's-style offices. Today the obvious solution would be to convert the Singer Building into very expensive apartments. Forty-five years ago, however, the idea of living in lower Manhattan would have struck almost everyone as strange to the point of absurdity. You *worked* in the area, and at night it was a ghost town. Things most definitely have changed. Happy MealBentwood chairs, specifically the Vienna Cafe chair #14 was produced for "mass consumption" beginning in 1859. According to Carroll M Gantz' Design Chronicles, there were more than 50 million Vienna Cafe chairs produced by 1859 and the company had 52 European factories by 1900. So, it might be safe to say that in 1908 this type of dining chair was fairly typical. Looks like this family is prepared for a happy meal quite unlike the happy meals of today! (The Gallery, DPC, NYC)
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