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Cincinnati circa 1907. "Fifth Street north from Race." Golden age of the Painless Dental Parlor and electric-bulb signage. 8x10 glass negative. View full size.
Barbara is correct below, the roof line of the US Custom House and Post Office three blocks away on the left side of the street is a sure giveaway this is looking east along 5th Street from Race. The US Courthouse is still located on the same site, though the building was replaced in 1936. You can also just barely make out some of the trees on Fountain Square, on the right side of the street - Fountain Square has since been expanded and relocated to the right side of 5th Street. Much has changed since this photo was taken.
The Mabley & Carew name survived into the 1980s with other such innovations as full-page newspaper ads, elaborate Christmas performances, Arbor Day commemorations and a sign with 10,000 electric lights.
I wonder what happened to the "Glass and Paints" guys?
The S.H. Knox on the 5&10 sign was Seymour Horace Knox I, who helped found what became Woolworth's 5&10 chain. He also had an interest in the Marine Trust Co., which became Marine Midland Banks and is now owned by HSBC (Hong Kong-Shanghai Banking Co., NOT Happy-Sappy bank Co.)
The family was a big name in Buffalo, NY business (his grandson was the first owner of the Buffalo Sabres) and would live another eight years after this photo was taken.
Someone is doing a brisk business in derby hats. Can't be too far away.
The streetcar trackage in front of the well dressed young bibliophile illustrates why streetcar trackage
a) should be built with welded, not bolted, rail,
b) should not have joints placed side by side, and
c) should have a firm subgrade.
Hitting that sag at anything over 5 mph could just about knock standees off their feet!
This is actually the view looking east along 5th St. from Race St. to Vine St. Derr Bros 5&10 was on 5th just east of Race, Potter's shoes was at 32 34 & 36 5th St., and Mabley & Carew was on the NE corner of 5th and Vine (now Fountain Square). On Google maps today you will see the Netherland Plaza hotel on the right and Macy's on the left.
They got you covered from head to toe.
A great source for those 14k gold neck bolts.
Below is almost the same view from August of 2008 (I positioned myself slightly off when I took the current view).
Carew Tower was built by and named for Joseph Carew. One of the chain's stores was previously on the tower site.
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