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Thompson Street: 1912
February 1912. "Rear view of tenement, 134½ Thompson Street, New York City. Makers of ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/15/2012 - 8:31am -

February 1912. "Rear view of tenement, 134½ Thompson Street, New York City. Makers of artificial flowers live and work here." Photograph and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine. View full size. Tough ChildrenNow that's the ghetto. ghetto?The back streets in China are like that now. 134 Thompson StreetHere it is now (light building in the middle of the photo, looks like they painted over the bricks). Someone go down that alley with a camera and send us a picture! DistressingThis photo is distressing. When I see the oh-so-ugly physical conditions the children live within, it makes my heart heavy. So much for the "good ol' days." However, at the same time, when I look at the two boys I can't help but feel a camaraderie between them, and I'm surprised (and elated) to note that the younger boy appears to be reading a book. If that's true, at least he has another world to escape into. 134½ ThompsonI live at 124 Thompson Street and am a local history junkie. What a find! Currently 134 is home to a pet food store and a men's clothing store called Sean. I might just have to show them this picture! Still on the hunt for a decent photo of my place - I live on the ground floor of what used to be a bakery (if the stories are right). Circular object?What is that large circular object underneath the right-most 2nd floor window? It looks like the bottom of a metal trashcan, but that doesn't seem right! [Washtub. - Dave] Thompson Street - NYCI currently live at 68 Thompson Street, and I was so excited to come across this photograph of the old 'hood! I am always looking for old photos of SoHo, and especially Thompson Street. I would love to know who lived in my building way back in the day. When I moved in (1981), there wasn't even a phone line connected to my apartment because the previous tenants (who had lived here for decades) never saw the need for a telephone. If these old buildings could talk ... Thanks for sharing! Same thing different people. I work real estate in the area and I have to say that many buildings still look a lot like this, the difference is the people that actually live in there now, not many families or factories. lots of trash and darkness on the back face of the buildings. Thompson St.I was born and raised at 79. We used to have parties on the roof top. I used to roller skate down the ramp of the tunnel garage. Inquiry re: 87 ThompsonThis pic is great. My all-time favorite. My grandmother grew up at 87 Thompson. She was 4 when this pic was taken. I visit the block often. 87 is now Vesuvio Playground. Anyone have pics of 87 Thompson before it was a park, or any other pics of that block? Or around the corner on Sullivan Street? Again, great pic. Thanks for making it available. 75 Thompson streetHello, One of my Ancestor (named Domenico Di Camillo) went to live in 75 Thompson street in 1906. He was 29 and he was from italy. He going to live in his brotherinlaw home in 75 Thompson streeet in 1906. In Ellis Island documents there are all of these informations. I am looking for further information. I would like to know if he had sons or daughters. Who knows! Maybe I could find some information. Thank you. Bye. (The Gallery, Lewis Hine, NYC)
Looking Toward Liberty: 1912
Poughkeepsie, New York, circa 1912. "Main Street looking toward Liberty." A few years after our previous ... But, but, but ... he CAN'T be talking on his cell phone in 1912. [Back when cellphones were invisible. - Dave] Boaters and ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/15/2012 - 2:38pm -

Poughkeepsie, New York, circa 1912. "Main Street looking toward Liberty." A few years after our previous visit, things have been spruced up a bit. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. An interesting conceptDoctor Foote the dentist! Notice the time travelerBut, but, but ... he CAN'T be talking on his cell phone in 1912. [Back when cellphones were invisible. - Dave] Boaters and BowlersOh, to be back in the age of hats. LightingThe arc lights of old have been supplanted with incandescent ones. The lighting must have been much less harsh as a result. Dr. Foote If only he had gone into chiropody rather than dentistry. Imagine the brilliant career he could have had! Riding against trafficMany years ago I was taught to ride my bicycle against traffic. This was the late 1940s and the instructor was a crusty old Boy Scoutmaster. I've never heard that advice again. I note in this image that the bikers are riding in the far outside of the lanes and against traffic. Of course this may just be an artifact of this photo. Or, in fact, in the days of horses and street cars it was the safest way to go. Looks more likePookeepsie. I think I found itI was a bit obsessed with this one because it seems many of these gorgeous buildings are still standing. The brown tower in the street view seems to be the former location of Elting's children's clothiers. The "1872" building across the street seems to be getting renovated. Way to go Poughkeepsie! View Larger Map GhostsBesides the man who's not talking into his invisible cell phone, did anyone catch the woman on the bottom left who is surprised to witness the reflection of a man who is not on the street near her? He certainly isn't inside the building. And that glass is flat. [He's right behind her on the sidewalk. She wouldn't be able to see his reflection. - Dave] Pookeepsie: and it's still funny!Back in the old Vaudeville circuit days there was a list of towns known to every comic that by simply mentioning on stage would make the audience howl. Why? No on knew, but it worked! Poughkeepsie was one. Dave says: "spruced up", which is true enough. But fast forward to the sixties and the genius-bar running the city decided to draw business back into the downtown area from the outlying shopping centers by paving over Main Street into a pedestrian walkway with ugly cast concrete planters and benches cast willy-nilly along the way to add to the luxurious ambience of what was a total mess. This led to the complete demise of downtown business and the stores large and small fell like dominoes. I have been back there recently and the "Main Mall" has been removed and, credit where it's due, things are looking pretty good. However, don't let me get close to starting on the east-west "Arterial Highway": built on the cheap using city streets and ruining perfectly good neighborhoods. Dental teasingFoote in mouth. Cell enlargementHow did you get such a smooth enlargement? I couldn't achieve this with CS5. [I used the original image, which is about four times the size of the hi-res image posted here. - Dave] When was the last timethat you saw a person with a suit on riding a bike. (The Gallery, DPC, Stores & Markets)
Slice of Life: 1912
August 1912. Another picture of little Annie Fedele, 22 Horace Street, Somerville, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/08/2011 - 6:32pm -

August 1912. Another picture of little Annie Fedele, 22 Horace Street, Somerville, Massachusetts, doing piecework, which usually entailed putting the finishing touches (buttons, or collar and waistband trim) on a mostly completed article of clothing. The garment manufacturers paid a few cents for each piece that was done. View full size. Photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine. CleanlinessI'm just curious as to why the home is not clean. In a previous picture, it shows her in the kitchen which needed to be cleaned. My grandparents came from Europe, were extremely poor, but did keep their home and children clean. I'm sure water was available to this family. Any thoughts? [Why do you say the kitchen needs to be cleaned? It is clean. It's a wood plank floor. - Dave] Wow, A Real Optical Illusion!I had to stare at this photo for about two minutes before I was finally able to make out the head of a girl looking downwards. With the help of the cracks in the print, you've got to admit that at a cursory glance, there is a resemblance to the head of a giant schnauzer, looking directly into the camera, especially when not blown to its full size. This really gets one thinking about all the different variables that famous picture of the Loch Ness monster might possibly be. I have seen plenty ofI have seen plenty of pictures of that time and what is the norm then is not the norm now. I have seen whole towns in Ohio where there seem to be no grass, trash everywhere in the city's pictures, but 100 years later, it's lush, green and no trash. I think that this house is the norm. And anyone can tell that is a woman in the window. That Doggie In The Window.If this image had ever been used as the cover of a rock album in the 70s, there would've been endless debate as to the symbolism of the giant schnauzer in the window that appears to be wearing a straitjacket. Is that to prevent it from chasing the cat? The fact that it's the only blurry object in the photo would indicate that it was attempting to jump out of the window or something. It's a girl leaning out the window. ("Giant schnauzer in a straitjacket"?? Hmm.) - Dave dirty kitchen?The caption says she is crocheting underwear in a dirty kitchen. [True. But that's Lewis Hine. Always trying spin a little propaganda on the situation. - Dave] Wow, A Real Optical Illusion 2.0"the head of a giant schnauzer"? You'd better lay off that weed for a while. You're starting to see things. "Ma Fedele Viola"Thanks, Mike, for sharing the info. about our grandmother, Annie Fedele Viola. When my great-parents emigrated from Italy, they lived @ 22 Horace Street for 2 years, moved to Linden St., Somerville Ave., then in 1918 purchased a large Victorian "family" home that was a temporary, CLEAN haven open to extended family and friends who had also recently emigrated from Italy. In our nuclear family, "Ma and Pa" lived above us on the second floor. My mom,(Annie's daughter)still lives in our family home on Bonner Ave. WHen Annie's grandchildren (I'm he eldest) and her 6 great-grandsons visit "Ma's" house, the memories of our grandmother ares still re-kindled in a way that could not be adequately expressed! So, the "American Dream" was a reality for them and I am proud of those photographs by Lewis Wickes Hine! And...oh.. by the way... if I may reiterate my brother Mike's words... Annie taught me how to crochet in her IMMACULATE, FASTIDIOUSLY, CLEAN kitchen!!!!! Clean KitchenAnnie Fedele was also my grandmother and like Mike, we were fortunate to have one of our relatives tell us about these pictures. All the memories of her came flooding back and to have pictures of her at this age, as a young child, is a found treasure. Best of all, the pictures were printed out for our mother,(her daughter). She is thrilled and can't believe these pictures existed. She knew immediately everyone in the pictures and all about where our grandmother lived for a short time before moving. (And yes, as Mike stated, our grandmother, her parents and siblings WERE fastidiously clean!) Thanks Dave! Nancy Clean KitchenAnnie Fedele was my grandmother and I was fortunate enough to have had one of my relatives tell me about the existence of this picture. Fabulous! Thanks to Dave for getting these. (and oh by the way, my grandmother, as well as all her brothers and sisters seen in this picture, were fastidiously clean). Mike Annie FedeleThank you, Mike for sharing the info. about our grandmother, Annie Fedele! Having used Lewis Wickes Hine's photos with my 3rd grade students (Lowell Mill girls, breaker boys, doffers etc.), I can't tell you how over-whelmed I was to see that my grandmother was actually one of Mr. Hine's subjects. I plan on using those photos with my students as a vehicle in making history come alive for them as well as a tribute to the most loving, hard-working and dedicated mother and grandmother one could ever be proud to call "Ma." Yes, she was born @ 22 Horace Street and in 1918, moved to Bonner Ave. in Somerville where her daughter(my Mom)still resides in the Fedele-Viola home!It was "Annie" who taught me how to crochet and my pink/ black afghan is a vivid reminder of sitting in Ma's IMMACULATE kitchen! Mike's grandmotherMike I envy you having a picture of your grandmother at this age. :) House is still thereThe back of 22 Horace Street today: same three-part layout, but the entrance is enclosed. Your Somerville pictures and stories wantedI had found the Lewis Hine photos of Horace and Ward Streets a few years back and was thrilled to know some of the Fedele Family. As Preservation Planner for the City, finding this photo with comments by the family is invaluable. We need the stories our immigrant ancestors told and the pictures don't need to be by famous photographers to tell them. Please write and scan as much as you can and share them with us all. [Link? E-mail address? - Dave] (The Gallery, Cats, Kids, Lewis Hine)
Good Clean Fun: 1912
Circa 1912. "Neighborhood House, pool room." Another look at this Washington, D.C., ... show up right from the beginning of the 48 star flag in 1912. After 1916, pretty much everyone switched to the even rows with the ... flags with staggered rows are somewhat rare and are early (1912-1916 or thereabouts). Supersize me. What else do they ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/27/2012 - 5:06pm -

Circa 1912. "Neighborhood House, pool room." Another look at this Washington, D.C., settlement house. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. Playgrounds, Gymnasiums & Baths Washington Post, Oct 24, 1906 Help Neighborhood House Social Settlement in Southwest Applies for Incorporation Charles F. Weller, General Secretary of the Associated Charities, his wife, Mrs. Eugenia Winston Weller, and John B. Sieman, jr., yesterday filed with the recorder of deeds articles of incorporation of Neighborhood House the object of which is to carry on active social settlement work. The corporation is to be perpetual, and its scope will include the conduct of social clubs and classes, educational and industrial work, and the maintenance of playgrounds, gymnasiums and baths. It is proposed to hold summer outings, and to investigate industrial conditions and social problems and promote individual, neighborhood, and municipal improvement. The institution and maintenance of philanthropic enterprises and the development of volunteer personal service in such work is to be part of the plan of the corporation. Fourteen trustees are to manage the affairs of the institution for the first year. Neighborhood house is located at 456 N street southwest, where it has been for the past five years. Articles of incorporation were filed several months ago, but, on account of some technical defect in the papers, it was decided to reincorporate. Mr. Sieman said last night neighborhood house has been incorporated because the enterprise may some time be left property, and it is desired to have a legally constituted body to take title. The Music ManWhere Is Harold Hill When You Need Him? Trouble in River CityThis all looks so nice and progressive. But I seem to recall pool was once a decadent activity a la Meredith Willson. 45 + 13Using my superpower for spotting trivia, the flag suspended from the ceiling is one that was in use from 1896 to 1908, after Utah was admitted to the union. There were four more changes to the flag between 1908 and 1960 as five more US territories were recognised as states. Any more and you're going to need a bigger flag. [That's a 48-star flag in our photo. - Dave] MagazineCan anyone tell what magazine the boy on the couch is reading? QuestionThere's a cross on a shield hanging above the piano. Does anyone know what the letter "k" signifies? Special KWhat's the K on the plaque above the piano represent? 48-star flag?No, that's not a 48-star flag. A 48-star flag has six rows of eight stars. This flag has staggered rows, not aligned rows. (A 50-star flag also has staggered rows). Hilcat [Count the stars. Six rows of 8 makes 48. - Dave] Prior to 1916 there was no official flag design. From the flag website nava.org: Q: I have two different 48 state flags. One has 48 staggered stars and the other has eight equal rows across with six rows down. Were there two different 48 state flags ever made? - Marla A: Prior to 1916, there were no official specifications for US flags. Indeed these two variants show up right from the beginning of the 48 star flag in 1912. After 1916, pretty much everyone switched to the even rows with the stars one over the other like the second one you mention. 48 star flags with staggered rows are somewhat rare and are early (1912-1916 or thereabouts). Supersize me.What else do they suspend from those ceiling hooks? The pool table? Club Pennants The pennants on the wall represent the names of clubs at Neighborhood House. The following article concerning the Spring Festival at the house talks of dances and skits put on by the clubs. Of special note is the "Pleasure Club Girls," a rather saucy name for a club of 14 to 16 year-olds. Washington Post, Apr 27, 1913 Eleventh Spring Festival at Neighborhood House ... The Golden Rule Club and the Merry Makers' Club, of girls a little older, give a masque of the children of fairyland and a May-pole dance by English shepherdesses. In the evening the boys hold the stage, the True Americans and White Eagles giving a Robin Hood play, and the Progress and Young Builders clubs offering a minstrel show. On Friday afternoon and Aztec and Bluemont clubs and several girls' clubs give the various May-day ceremonials of other countries. in the evening is another play, given by the Pleasure Club Girls, of 14 to 16 years old. This is "The Play of Merrymount," a May-day tale of gypsies and Puritans in 1626, written by Miss Constance McKay, and it is followed by scenes from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by two young men's and young women's clubs, the Wyvern Girls Society and the Keystone Boys Club, the last feature of that day being Morris dances by the Olympia Boys' Club. The last event of the festival is a version of "Hansel and Gretel," dramatized by Mrs. Eugenia Paul Jefferson, and acted by the Neighborhood Peace Club. Mrs. Eugenia Paul JeffersonMrs. Jefferson was the daughter-in-law of the great American comedian Joseph Jefferson (1829-1905), famous for his portrayals of Rip Van Winkle. She was also the author of "Intimate Recollections of Joseph Jefferson," published by Dodd, Mead in 1909. Pool RoomI shot many a game of pool in this place back in the late 30's and 40's. The pool room was located upstairs over the gym in the alley back of the Neighborhood House. You entered through the gym, straight through to the back, and up the stairs. Things changed a little from 1912 to the 30's and 40's because I don't ever remember seeing anyone wearing nice suits like those kids are. Anyway, great memories. Thanks. (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Kids, Sports)
For the Ladies: 1912
Washington, D.C., circa 1912. "National Safe Deposit Savings & Trust Co., 15th St. & New York ... 48-star flags. That flag was officially adopted on July 4, 1912, although there were 48-star flags as early as 1910 due to anticipatory ... I count 48 stars, which means this photo could not predate 1912. A moment in time 3:35:30 pm to be precise. I love seeing these ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/01/2014 - 9:58am -

Washington, D.C., circa 1912. "National Safe Deposit Savings & Trust Co., 15th St. & New York Avenue." Note the PUBLIC TOILET FOR WOMEN, possibly for a parade. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Not 1905Those flags on the right are all 48-star flags. That flag was officially adopted on July 4, 1912, although there were 48-star flags as early as 1910 due to anticipatory fever. [You are right. Date updated. And on the left, 45-star flags. - Dave] That's a strangely modern fontfor 1905. 48 starsI count 48 stars, which means this photo could not predate 1912. A moment in time3:35:30 pm to be precise. I love seeing these Roman numeral public clocks in Shorpy's historical pictures; it gives a sense of time and place. With most public time being shown now in digital I miss this type of time piece; also much easier to see the time when your passing it in a fast carriage. Surprisingly little has changedView Larger Map Now a Sun Trust BankAnd very much still there turrets, clock and all. Behind the cameramanBehind the cameraman is the block that has the White House. I know I stood there and took the same photo back in 2010. NS&TWhen we came to Washington in 1979, it was still NS&T--National Savings and Trust. I opened an account there because it was the only bank that I could get direct deposit of my law firm salary (that is because one of the partners was an owner of the bank.) It was later Crestar and is now SunTrust. I still have the account 35 years later. Designed by James H. WindrimThis building was designed by Philadelphia architect James H. Windrim in 1887, one of a very small group of buildings he did for DC clients. Although he served as supervising architect of the Treasury from 1889 to 1891, he is best known as the designer of the fantastic (and fantastical) Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. +103Below is the same view from May of 2015. (The Gallery, D.C., Patriotic)
Anthony's Wireless Airship: 1912
... Wireless Airship." A small powered blimp used in 1912 to demonstrate remote control of aircraft by wireless telegraphy. ... Airship Fantastic and to think this was done in 1912, these two gentlemen were way ahead of their time in concieving this. ... based aeronaut Remote control not that unusual by 1912. Radio control of a model airship had been demonstrated in England in ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/04/2012 - 2:17pm -

"Anthony's Wireless Airship." A small powered blimp used in 1912 to demonstrate remote control of aircraft by wireless telegraphy. ("Professor Anthony has exhibited a method of airship control of his own by wireless. He and Leo Stephens recently gave an exhibition of starting, controlling, turning and stopping an airship by wireless which was quite a long distance from the station which controlled its action.") View full size. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. telegram to mechanical pilot:TAKEOFF STOP TURN LEFT STOP GO FORWARD STOP WAIT I DIDNT MEAN TO REALLY STOP I JUST DO THAT TO END SENTENCES STOP NO THAT ONE DIDNT COUNT EITHER STOP GAHHH JUST COME BACK HERE WE NEED TO FIGURE THIS OUT BETTER STOP AirshipFantastic and to think this was done in 1912, these two gentlemen were way ahead of their time in concieving this. early ufosYou have to wonder if this or something like it was responsible for at least some of the mystery airship sightings which were so common around the turn of the century. It's funny how it seems like we've come so far, yet a lot of what we have today was actually possible back then, just not common. Airships I agree.I recently read a book that claimed the same thing. It even gave a list of names of inventors involved in building and flying the Airships in 1896 and 1897. Ground based aeronautRemote control not that unusual by 1912. Radio control of a model airship had been demonstrated in England in 1909/1910. From a keyboard not unlike a typewriter! Delightful article from July 1910, reprinted in new Zealand. A lot more detailed than you usually got in those days. The description of sparks is delicious. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GRA19100701.2.9 (The Gallery, G.G. Bain, Zeppelins & Blimps)
Baby Dresses: 1912
Detroit circa 1912. "Elliott, Taylor & Woolfenden -- north aisle." 8x10 inch dry plate ... Clearly the former choice was still very much evident in 1912 unlike today. I find it interesting too that the baby dresses are ... washer with modern detergents, that was not an option in 1912. Most women were probably still boiling their whites clean (that still ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/08/2012 - 12:25pm -

Detroit circa 1912. "Elliott, Taylor & Woolfenden -- north aisle." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Sew at home or buy?Clearly the former choice was still very much evident in 1912 unlike today. I find it interesting too that the baby dresses are seemingly all white (HARD to clean!) and yet the saleswomen are dressed all in black and more than little dour looking (complete with some matching hairdos). Not exactly the gals I would consult for cheery baby wear (and I wonder what the woman sitting down is pulling on?) My last observation is that those dainty looking cribs are pretty darn flimsy looking (I sure wouldnt want to put my baby in one!) Heebie JeebiesThose baby mannequins give me the full-on willies! Knowing that late at night long after the store has closed the eyes begin to blink and the heads turn.***shutter*** [That's what the cameraman said.] I find it oddI find it odd that the customers are wearing hats yet the employees and relatives of Chuckie (with outstretched arms ready to choke you) are not. [Hat etiquette dictated that gentlemen and ladies were to remain hatted in public places, including retail establishments, but that the staff were to be bareheaded. The rules for dolls and mannequins tended to be more liberal.] Rules of HeadgearNever uncover in a Synagogue or while in uniform, bearing arms. Boil those whites clean!Unlike today where we throw clothes in the washer with modern detergents, that was not an option in 1912. Most women were probably still boiling their whites clean (that still gets most clothes cleaner than in a washing machine!). Since frequent washing faded many cotton dyes even faster than now, white infant clothing was the best option. Even when laundry technology improved, white for infant wear remained long past the original reason for it. Housewives took pride in having snowy white linens and infant clothes. As for the colors the shop clerks are wearing, they may actually be wearing a variety of colors. It is a black and white photograph after all. That said, many large stores had rules about what their clerks wore which often included a limited range of colors (black, dark blue, etc.) so they are probably wearing very 'sedate' colors. Speaking of color, I would love to know what colors all that fabric in the next department were! Glenna Jo Christen (signed in under my husband's account ;-)) Are you being served?In a comprable sized store these days you would be lucky to find one Shop Assistant. All Those Lights!I know some stores in the early 20th century stayed open until midnight. Do you think that's why they needed all those lights? Seems excessive with all those large windows. [Except for those far in the back away from the windows, none of the lights are on.] How Did These Ladies Survive? Those poor ladies had to get by with such small purses? There just seems to be just enough room for the Acme Extra Large Hatpin, smelling salts and a handkerchief. (The Gallery, Detroit Photos, Stores & Markets)
West Street Story: 1912
New York circa 1912. "West Street north from the Battery." An amazing view of the Hudson River ... that The Whitehall Building was where this magnificent 1912 photo was taken. First, 39 Whitehall Street, was the building where I, and ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/18/2012 - 7:01pm -

New York circa 1912. "West Street north from the Battery." An amazing view of the Hudson River piers from the foot of Manhattan centered by the West Street Building, which sustained grave damage a decade ago when the south tower of the World Trade Center collapsed; to east is the massive Hudson Terminal, and faintly visible through the haze is the Metropolitan Life tower. Note the ant-like profusion of horse wagons along West Street. This 8x10 glass negative was exposed from the Whitehall Building annex just south of today's Battery Park City and World Financial Center. The view up West Street and 11th Avenue is continued here at the Chelsea Piers. Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Best of the BestThis photo will become my "forever" all time favorite. It evokes history at so many levels. Amazingly, the two bridges that cross West Street are in extreme close proximity to those that connected the World Trade Center to The World Financial Center at Battery Park City. Actually the northern one looks like it is in exactly the same place! All I can do is stare and marvel at this gem that we are lucky enough to view. Thanks Dave/Shorpy West Street BuildingIt is absolutely incredible to see the West Street Building standing in so isolated a position - yet it is barely a quarter-mile away from Broadway! Such were the contours of real estate values in Lower Manhattan a century ago. The West Street Building (1906-1907) was designed by Cass Gilbert; as his first "Gothic" skyscraper, it became the model for his more famous Woolworth Building of 1911-1913. It is believed that Frank W. Woolworth chose Gilbert as his architect largely because he liked what he saw on West Street. !!Anazing. [Jawohl. - Dave] Whitehall StreetA few personal things come to mind when I read that The Whitehall Building was where this magnificent 1912 photo was taken. First, 39 Whitehall Street, was the building where I, and probably a million others were inducted into the US Army. The date I was there, October 8, 1956 and another momentous event was happening at the World Series in Yankee Stadium, Don Larsen pitched a perfect game. Fast forward to 1995 and my wife and I are at the Whitehall Building looking at the Whitehall Club as a venue for my youngest daughter's wedding. The club occupied the entire top floor of the building with unobstructed views in all 4 directions. The views of the city, the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty were just amazing. We didn't use that setting, because on a Saturday night, that part of town is usually deserted. A REAL SeaportThis is wonderful evidence that, indeed, NY was once a great seaport. Look at all the piers with so much activity! Fall River Line Steamers?The two large steamboats appear to be Fall River Line steamers. Up until 1937, the night boats of the Fall River Line were the preferred way to travel between NYC and Boston. A "boat train" met the boat in Fall River, MA early each morning. Can anyone identify these steamboats? The far one seems to me to be the "Commonwealth". (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, NYC)
Burro Drawer: 1912
Washington, D.C., or vicinity ca. 1912. "U.S. Army burro and cart." (The caption on the negative sleeve actually ... French beasts is doing working for the U.S. Army in 1912 is a real mystery. The Poitou was brought over to the US to crossbreed ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/13/2011 - 11:49am -

Washington, D.C., or vicinity ca. 1912. "U.S. Army burro and cart." (The caption on the negative sleeve actually says "U.S. Army goat and cart" but I will go out on a limb and say that the fellow on the left is no goat.) View full size. Wagons ho, but kinda slowThis photo gives new meaning to the term army draft. Government IssueThat cart looks rather makeshift for the Army. I guess this was before huge defense contracts and $1000 toilet seats. The burro seems well equipped for winter temperatures. Who has it worse?The donkey is looking semi-miserable, but has a long thick coat against the cold. But Mr. Donkey Cart driver had to have had sore legs/butt from sitting astride the edge of the cart like that. How on earth does one get assigned to this duty!? How does a guy get out of this chicken outfit?....is what the look on his face seems to be saying. I'd be requesting a transfer too. Fort MyerI'd guess Fort Myer in Virginia. The duplexes look like officers' quarters. The Original Tote GoatThose carts were originally called "tote goats." Easy to assemble, they were used worldwide. Burros were low maintenance and are still a common means of transportation in places like Africa and Mexico. The Tote Goat trail bikes got their name from these sure-footed ancestors. Leggings!The soldier is wearing exactly the same kind of leggings we wore as navy recruits in 1962. Come to think of it - they look identical - thanks to recycling? Little GTOMaybe he got caught with the post commander's wife, daughter or son. Just thinking. Be all that you can be!The photo reminds me of a Bill Mauldin cartoon drawn during the invasion of Italy. His bone-tired soldiers Willie and Joe are working on a muddy hillside in a driving rain, building a log pathway to a latrine. One of them looks disgusted and the other says, "Quit your complaining! You're learning a trade!" Furry donkey with a bad haircutThere's only one type of donkey that could look that ugly - the "Baudet du Poitou" from France. Today there only about 200 or so purebreds left, and at one time they were close to extinction, with only 44 known to exist. What one of these truly strange French beasts is doing working for the U.S. Army in 1912 is a real mystery. The Poitou was brought over to the US to crossbreed with other breeds of donkeys (maybe after a few beers, perhaps) to develop the American Mammoth donkey. It is a goatThis was a recently declassified, pre-Great War, covert operation to smuggle goats behind enemy lines by disguising them as donkeys. Taft was a clever man. Amazing!It never ceases to amaze me how can such a small animal be strong enough to pull a cart, its contents, the man sitting on it, plus its harness. Someone mentioned they felt sorry for the soldier. I feel sorry for the burrito too. Amazing Indeed!You shouldn't fell too sorry for the burrito. That's how the burro keeps his strength up. [Fun fact: "Burrito," the diminutive of "burro," means "little burro." - Dave] (The Gallery, Animals, D.C., Natl Photo)
Atlantic City Forever: 1912
... could stay in Atlantic City forever." A Kodak moment circa 1912 at the New Jersey resort. 5x7 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/25/2011 - 11:08am -

"I could stay in Atlantic City forever." A Kodak moment circa 1912 at the New Jersey resort. 5x7 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Atlantic CityI work in Atlantic City - It's a shame they tore down the lovely Victorian buildings. I bet those folks are sitting in front of the Marlborough-Blenhiem, the most ornate of the old hotels. Da Yellow KidIsn't that Da Yellow Kid to the left of the photographer, face partially obscured by the drape/hood/cape (whatever it is called) of the camera? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Yellow_Kid No Time Like the PastIn the late 60's until the mid 70's I worked with a photographer who specialized primarily in postcards. He would photograph the clouds if it took all night for them to move into the position he wanted. He would use a view camera only like the one above. That was the best I have ever seen. No matter what is said there are no times like old times. RagtimeThis shot made me flash on a scene from the movie Ragtime. The family in the movie takes a trip to a very similar looking beach resort, and I think the date of the photo is very close to the era portrayed in the movie. Can't remember if the movie ever specifies a location. I See Coneheads ... Oh. That's someone's coat draped over a railing. Doy. Never mind! Whoa.Nice girl on that ass. Had to say it. Love The Photo!My husband and I were born and brought up in Ventnor, right next to Atlantic City on Absecon Island and we went "uptown" often. This is a wonderful piece of nostalgia, although by our day, bikinis had taken the place of the ladies' modest attire. Great picture! The AssThe ass looks none too thrilled to be there but a job's a job I guess. Conehead!Could we get a close up of the blond headed fellow in the center of the picture with apparently the Mohawk or Conehead hair. Was this in style during this time period, or is this an artifact in the picture of some kind? [How long have you been seeing Coneheads? - Dave] Sweet ShadesIt's funny, I don't think of the early 1900s as being a time of sunglasses, but the woman with the hat and skirt is clearly sporting some cool shades. Who knew? (The Gallery, Atlantic City, DPC, Sports)
Story Circle: 1912
Washington, D.C., circa 1912. "Neighborhood House meeting room." One of five "Neighborhood House" ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/09/2012 - 11:04pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1912. "Neighborhood House meeting room." One of five "Neighborhood House" photos. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. The Boy in the HallwayWas he late, and too shy to come in and join the circle? All the chairs appear to be taken. I can relate to that kid. Neighborhood HouseNeighborhood House, which opened as a settlement house at 470 N St. NW, was founded in 1901 by Charles and Eugenia Weller. The Washington socialite Alice Pike Barney was a major benefactor. Today it's known as the Barney Neighborhood House, with headquarters at 5656 3rd St NE. Metal piñataWhat is the thing hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room? Then versus nowTry getting that many 5 year olds to behave that well today. Good luck! Human popsicles This was the daily game of musical chairs. 33 children, but only 32 chairs in the circle. Notice the horn of the Victrola on the upper left, and the loser in the rear hallway? If the kids are good, the adults will turn on the heat later in the day. If the kids are bad, the adults will pull the chain on whatever that object is, that is hanging from the ceiling, in the middle of the circle. Large thingy at the ceilingWhat, pray tell, is the large thingy suspended from the ceiling at the top center of the image? Two degrees of ShorpyationIn 1909, Neighborhood House's founders, Charles and Eugenia Weller, wrote "Neglected Neighbors: Stories of Life in the Alleys, Tenements, and Shanties of the National Capital" The book is illustrated with dozens of photos, most of which are credited "Photo by Hine." Lewis W. Hine, no doubt. Babies It's Cold OutsideThey all seem to be dressed for the outdoors. Didn't they heat the meeting room? Also, the boy hiding in the shadow of the archway, pointing an accusing finger at someone. He eventually went to work for Department of Justice identifying Anarchists and Bolsheviks. Gas HeaterI think the mystery unit in the ceiling is an open-flame gas heater. Notice that the sconces and chandelier look like they are gas fixtures fitted with mantles (a non-combustible gauze that increases the luminosity of a gas flame). There is also an absence of wall switches, outlets, or electrical equipment. The ceiling unit looks like it has four gas jets, which probably cant inwards towards the steel shell. Heating the steel this way increases the amount of heat available to warm the room. The shell shape also probably helps create a draft to circulate the hot air. There are no soot marks because of the clean-burning nature of gas. There are radiators, so this would be used to take the chill of the room, not a primary source of heat. When finished, the unit could be turned off from floor level by pulling the chain and closing a valve in the down pipe. Also notice the phonograph horn at the far left. Being a nursery, this unit may be a donation or a hand-me-down because by 1910, the classic horn phonograph was going out of style. The “talking machine novelty” had worn off and the market was asking for record players that looked like furniture, not laboratory equipment. Thing on the ceiling.I'm going to say it's a gas light or heater. The little nozzles on the lower edge look like they would emit the gas, and the chain could be pulled to adjust the height of the flame. Or it's a large fly catcher. Re: The Boy In The HallwayPoor kid. Whatever happenned, it looks like he was probably scarred by it for a good portion of his adolescence. "Theatricals in the Alcove"I think Anonymous is right: The metal device hanging from the ceiling is stage lighting. I saw the curtain on the left but could not imagine what it was for. But the curtain put together with the phonograph (also on the left) suggests this room did double duty as an auditorium for school plays, just like today. But still, with all that gas burning to light the stage, it must have gotten awful hot in there. Remember discipline?As a previous commenter noticed, you would NEVER get this many little ladies and gentlemen to sit still and behave in this manner today. From the age of 2 or 3, these kids today are perpetual motion whining machines. If they are not kick-boxing, playing "air" soccer, practicing karate or hanging upside down from the nearest structure, they are arguing with their guardians or annoying a companion. I am totally against anything resembling child abuse, but there was a time when very young children could be controlled in a civilized manner and life ran much more smoothly. These kids may be somewhat uncomfortable, but they are tolerant, patient and obeying the rules and all of them look like little adults. Yes, I know we do not want to stifle their creativity or forbid them from expressing themselves, but this picture really points out a major difference in the past century of raising kids and the results. Gas FloodlightThe meeting room has not yet been converted to electric lighting and all of the fixtures seen are gas. The strange sheet metal ceiling fixture appears to be an open-faced four-jet gas floodlight, perhaps installed for theatricals in the alcove. The jets are the little tube tips spaced along the bottom rim of the sheet metal reflector. The chain suspended behind it is actually one of a pair that dangled from the ends of the control rod on the gas valve in the ceiling tube. The front chain is missing, and the valve is in its closed position. To light the thing, one would pull the (missing) chain to open the gas, and ignite the jets with a long lamplighter's wick. To extinguish it, one would close the valve by pulling the extant rear chain. HeadgearI find the variety of hats, from baby bonnet to an "old lady hat", quite fascinating. Almost as much as that thingy hanging from the ceiling. Hurry up with the other prints, Dave. Maybe one of them will reveal the secret of the mystery box. How cute!What an assortment of hats, coats, high button shoes, tights and coats! All of the children seem to be clean and well-dressed for the weather. I just love having a glimpse of a moment in time like this. thanks! Craftsman Meeting Room and MottoThe meeting room is a fine example of the Craftsman style of interior design, which was very fashionable in 1901 when the Neighborhood House was built. The key Craftsman style feature seen here is the combination of tall and simple panel-and-frame wainscoting capped by plate rails, with plain, off-white plaster, probably amber colored. The division of the ceiling by simple boxed beams is also a typical feature of the Craftsman style, as is the choice of unvarnished clear redwood (imported from the Pacific Northwest). The raw wood panels between the archways on the back wall are painted in a pseudo-medieval style with a coat of arms and a motto by Elbert Hubbard: "Do Your Work as Well as You Can and be Kind." Hubbard was the founder and reigning philosopher of Roycroft, a Craftsman cooperative community in East Aurora, New York. Beginning around 1900, this motto was one of several by Hubbard that was sold by the Roycrofters as a decorative wall plaque in a fumed oak frame. Roycroft Hall BenchWhoops! While preparing my previous post on the Craftsman style, I was so busy squinting at the Elbert Hubbard motto that I failed to notice that the motto is painted on the back boards of a high-back hall bench, not on the wainscoting of the room. The bench was probably made by the Roycrofters furniture workshop, but my copies of their catalogs (reprints) are across town, so I can't verify that. No benches quite like it are currently posted online, and it was probably a pretty scarce form. Does anyone else in the Shorpy Patrol have the catalogs? (The Gallery, D.C., Education, Schools, Harris + Ewing, Kids)
Our Lady of Lourdes: 1914
... street and take a snapshot today. The cornerstone is dated 1912. As you can see, every building shown in the "1914" photograph ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/13/2022 - 12:33pm -

        A newly restored version of a Shorpy favorite that has collected three pages of comments since it was first posted in 2007 -- The caption for this one just says "Post Office." Thanks to our commenters we now know that the building with the statue is the Our Lady of Lourdes School at 468 W. 143rd Street in New York circa 1914. 8x10 glass negative, Bain News Service. View full size | The school in 2007. Post office?Looks like a Catholic school, actually. This is just a wild-a**ed guess, but St. Jean Baptiste on East 75th? This would coincide with the warehouse cart on the left (sort of). Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic SchoolThis is Our Lady of Lourdes School in New York City on 143rd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Convent Avenue. The school was built in 1913 in Washington Heights, an exclusively white, upper middle-class neighborhood. It was built and equipped at a total cost of one hundred and forty thousand dollars. Besides classrooms for five hundred pupils, the building contained an auditorium with a stage lavishly equipped for theatrical productions, a gymnasium, a roof-top playground, an assembly room for parish organizations, rooms for classes in cooking and sewing, and offices for the school officials. The associated church (Our Lady of Lourdes) is located directly behind the school on the next block, 142nd Street. Yes...Which is the Post Office? The large building in the center must be a Catholic School, what with a saint on the roof and all. As for the location, I have no clue. Post OfficeWhich building is the Post Office? post officeBuilding with street level entrance and flags would be my likely guess. Today...Google Street View. It's always interesting to see NYC in the early years, and how it's changed. Our Lady of LourdesI attended this school for eight years in the 1950s. The lower grades entered by one door and the higher grades used the other. City College frat houses faced the school. Recess was on the street out front. We didn't have any cooking or sewing classes, no classrooms equipped for that. There wasn't any gym. We weren't allowed to go up on the roof and there wasn't an assembly room. We did have a annual spring play using the stage and we had a Christmas concert. There was a way into the church from the back of the school. The nuns that taught there were called Society of the Holy Child. Father Kline was one of the priests and Mother Mary Edward taught there. A good school, good memories. Johnny PumpThat fire hydrant probably was installed in the late 1880s. Was born and bred in NYC and traversed all five boroughs many many times, but NEVER laid eyes on a johnny pump like that. Every boy who ever grew up in "The City" is instinctively drawn to hop over as many hydrants as possible. However that one is a KILLER. Our Lady of LourdesI attended OLL from 1933 to 1941. The lower grades kindergarten to fourth were taught by the Ursuline Order of Sisters. The upper grades fifth to eighth were taught by the Sisters of the Holy Child. The school was funded and guided by the priests of the adjoining OLL Church. We were there to learn,to pray: no play, no library, no lunch room, no outside activities. It was not an easy life for children of poor families during this Great Depression Era. I often cried and asked God to help me through the day, the year. I know I received a very good education but not a happy one. There were nuns I would have died for, however there were many that should not have been allowed to teach children. The Church and school were founded by Monsignor Thomas McMann. There is a bust of the good priest near the entrance to the upper church. In the 1930s we were allowed on the roof for various activities. The term "very stern " comes to mind. The statue is Our Lady of Lourdes, similar to the statue in the grotto in the lower church on 142nd Street. It was removed a few years ago as it decayed and was ready to fall off the roof. Convent AvenueThis photo faces east, and the townhouses in the background are along the east side of Convent Avenue. All of them still stand, most are in superb condition. This is the finest real estate in Harlem; a house across the street sold for $3.89 million about 18 months ago. Here is a listing for a house a few doors down from the ones seen here: http://tinyurl.com/2396kb Note the terraces on two of the buildings -- those are stunning and almost never seen in New York. Does anyone remember anDoes anyone remember an Irish nun by the name of Sister Gerard? She was one of the Ursula ? nuns at the Our Lady of Lourdes in Manhatten. She emigrated about 1910, so am not sure anyone would remember her... Is there a cemetery associated with Our Lady of Lourdes? Upper and Lower ChurchCan you tell me if the Upper and Grotto Church still exists and do they have mass on Saturdays and Sundays? I lived 2 streets away a long time ago and would like to see the old neighborshood. I have never forgotten the Grotto. It's so unique. Would like to share it with my spouse. Or maybe I can speak with someone in the convent. Are the nuns still there? Thank you. Diana Gosciniak Our Lady of LourdesI also went there in the 1950's. The nuns were very dedicated to teaching. Our religion was the major reason they and all of us were there. The grotto was under the main stairs and confession was held downstairs at 4 pm on Saturday. The children's Mass was at 9 am on Sunday, a High Mass in Latin. The doors of the main church came from old St. Patrick's downtown in Little Italy. The sisters made sure that the majority of 8th grade students got into Catholic high school. A lot of the girls went to Cathedral H.S. and the boys went to Cardinal Hayes. The church was around the corner with a connection to the back of the school. The convent was right next door to the church and the rectory was across the street. Once in a while we were invited to go to the convent on a Saturday to see the nuns. The neighborhood was pretty good, all kind of stores that tolerated all of us kids. It was nice going there for eight years. Fond memories. O.L.L. Upper and lower churchYes, the upper church is still active with most Masses in Spanish. The lower church {the Grotto) is not used. However the statue of the Blessed Mother is still on view. The sisters left about 10 years ago. I visited the school and was told the Church no longer had any say in its operation. When did you attend? I was there from 1933 to 1940. J Woods Theatrical productions?Oh, how I wish I had your recall. However, I did attend O.L.L. from 1933 through 1940. Yes, the stage was used - but with limited equipment. I never saw or played on a rooftop playground. There was no gymnasium. The seats in the auditorium were moved to the side for military drilling by boys from grades 5 to 8 once a week. The girls exercised in a nearby room. The children in the lower grades had no physical training. I don't remember an assembly room for any parish organizations. Family members were not encouraged to come to the school except on Graduation Day or if the student had a serious problem that required a meeting with the principal and/or a parish priest. I must say we all received a very good education and were farther ahead in our studies than the Public School kids. Yours truly and in friendship, Jackie Woods OLL NeighborhoodI lived on Amsterdam Ave for 16 years. Where did you live? When did you attend OLL School? The few friends I had from the old days have passed on. I answered your other message; The Nuns left about 15 years ago. You need to have someone open the lower church to visit there. The Blessed Mother's Statue is still located in the Grotto but masses are no longer read there. Regards and in friendship. Jackie Woods Our Lady of Lourdes, 2008I had a chance to stop by West 143rd street and take a snapshot today. The cornerstone is dated 1912. As you can see, every building shown in the "1914" photograph is extant and all are in excellent condition. There is even a fire hydrant in the same location as the fire hydrant shown in the photo. As for changes — there are trees on the block now, and the cornice has been removed from Our Lady of Lourdes, as has the statue of the saint. And, of course, as with all modern photos taken in New York, it is full of automobiles. (Click to enlarge) The reddish sign on the left side of the street, behind the motorcycle, identifies this block as part of the Hamilton Heights Historical District (Hamilton Grange is only a few blocks away). Today was garbage day, so a distracting pile of trash sits in the foreground, sorry about that. Our Lady of LourdesCentral Harlem, did you attend Our Lady of Lourdes? If so what years? Thanks for the picture Jackie Woods Our Lady of LourdesI attended an Episcopalian school. I contributed that photo because of my joy in Harlem history, not any tie to this school in particular. Last weekend, I found a photograph of this block dating to 1908! All the buildings looked the same except for OLL, which was then an empty lot. Perhaps Team Shorpy can enlighten me -- would it be compliant with copyright law for me to scan and post it? [Is there a copyright notice on it? If it was copyrighted before 1923, the copyright has expired. - Dave] Our Lady of LourdesThank you for your latest information, Central Harlem. Where was your school located? Did you live nearby? I'm 80 years old going on 81 and all I have are my memories (mostly fond). And my memory is outstanding. I was hoping to hear from anyone who attended OLL with me. By the way, the folks on Amsterdam Avenue always envied the folks on Convent Avenue, always a beautiful clean street. (Today we would say "upscale.") Three of my children were born in The Lutheran Hospital of Manhattan on 144th off Convent. I had moved to upper Washington Heights by then but my doctor was still working out of there. Thank you and in friendship, Jackie Woods Our Lady of Lourdes, 1909I had a chance to scan the old photo I found of this block. It dates to 1909, not 1908 as I had first said. Every building seen in this photo remains, though some of the lots on the right-hand side of 143rd street were empty in 1909, including the lot that would house Our Lady of Lourdes three years later. Anticipating the interest of Shorpy's crew of automotive experts, I provide a closeup of that car on Amsterdam Avenue, below. Also, a note to Jackie Woods: we're of different generations. It is good to exchange notes here, but I'm sure we've never met. Our Lady of Lourdes SchoolWhat wonderful memories of days past. I attended OLL from 1943 and graduated in 1951. One of five brothers to do so. You may have known my older brothers, Larry, Dick or Bill. We lived in that apartment building at the end of the street on the OLL side. That was the location of Alexander Hamilton's house, Hamilton Grange. When it was built, it forced the move to its present location behind the church. It will be moved again to the SE corner of Convent and 141st Street. You also mentioned Lutheran Hospital. It wasn't so great for our family. My brother Dick was taken there after being hit by a car. While recovering, he contracted rheumatic fever in the hospital and later died at New York Hospital. We also lived at 310 Convent Avenue because my mother's family, the Healys, lived on 141st Street. If you have any other questions, ask away. I'm still in contact with several classmates and between us, we should be able to answer. "Thanks for the Memories" Bob Phillips OLL graduatesHi, Yes, I do remember a Phillips family. The boys or boy were in a higher grade with one of my brothers. As you can see, I had already left OLL when you started there. I am pleased you have good memories of your early years. Unfortunately, mine are mixed. An incident: a bunch of us, about 12 years old at the time, were fooling around and one of the boys fell out of a tree and broke his arm. We carried him to Lutheran Hospital They wouldn't let us in the front door. Told us to take him to Knickerbocker Hospital near 131st Street, and so we did. Today, I ask why no first aid was administered or an ambulance called. However, I have nothing but good words about the hospital in later years. I was sorry to hear about brother RIP Regards and in friendship, Jackie Woods PS My oldest sister, Ellen, class of 1936 Won scholorship to Holy Child Academy My older brother William (Billy), Class of 1937, won a scholarship to Regis High. MemoriesI graduated from OLL in 1973 and it is so wonderful to see a website with the School and the information that it offers. I too wondered about the Masses in the lower church. The grotto was always so beautiful and special. I have lived in Florida since 1986 and hope to make a trip to NYC just to visit the old school. Thanks again for bringing a smile to my face today. God bless. OLL MemoriesHi. I attended OLL from grades K to 5. I have the most beautiful memories of my childhood there. I loved the nuns. I can't believe how time has gone so fast. If anyone remembers me or remembers Sister Mary Owen or Ms. Valentine or the gym instructor George Izquierdo. I am talking about late 1960's, early 70's. Please contact me. Are the sisters still there? I went to visit Sister Mary Owen a couple of years ago. She wasn't wearing her habit any more. Those were good old days. I was so mischievous, always getting into trouble. Oh my God. I had the best early education there, never will I forget. I love history and I love these pictures that were posted up above, everything looks the same. Thanks! My family still lives up in Washington Heights. Our Lady of Lourdes School and ChurchAnd a HI to you, The good sisters left about ten years ago. You can reach the school online, it has a Web site. The school is no longer under the supervision of the Church. If you look over the rest of this page you will see that I have answered a number of postings that may be of interest to you. "Memories are made of this." In friendship, Jackie Woods OLL AlumniHello OLL'ers Head over to the OLL website www.ourladyoflourdesschool.net There's an alumni page where you can send your information and be put on the mailing list. OLLCould not connect with your e-mail: kbarkley@ourladyoflourdesschool.net Would you please check it. When did you attend OLL? I gave my information previously on bottom of page. Look forward to hearing from you. In friendship, Jackie woods To Jackie WoodsI knew Dennis before the war, and graduated OLL in 1937. My sister Marie graduated in 1936 and received a scholarship to Holy Name. Finding your web site after all these years is a small miracle. I'm sorry to say Marie, such a special person, passed away in 1977. Andrew, a 1943 or 44 graduate, died in 2000. I did not marry till 1985, had a daughter in 86. My wife Alice and I celebrated our daughter Colleen's wedding Nov. 24, 2007. I hope this proves I was not as bad as the sisters believed. They wanted so to see me go that they created the first coed class and skipped me from 6th to 8th grade. Yes we marched on the roof, auditorium, basement and in far away competition. I believe we had a West Point officer, but not certain. I just hope that life was as rewarding to all OLL graduates as I. God bless. John Orlando Wideawake80@verizon.net OLL, late 1950s and early 60sDon't know how I found this website, but so glad that I did. I graduated OLL in June 1961. The nuns are my most vivid memories of the school. The spring and Christmas plays that were held each year. Recess outside during lunchtime. Walking to school each day and spending the few pennies we had to buy candy at the store on Amsterdam Avenue, and the bicycle store there where we rented bikes on Saturday afternoons. Going to confession every Saturday down in the grotto. Checking the Legion of Decency list for movie listings. Learning to sing the Mass in Latin for every Sunday High Mass and, most important, the foundation the nuns gave us for our religion that is still strong to this day. A few years ago, we drove from Jersey up to the old place and convent still looked pretty good. Can someone please explain about not being under the archdiocese any longer. Thanks again. Lutheran HospitalI found this link when looking for the Lutheran Hospital. Very interesting information. I am researching my family history and found out this hospital is where my great grandfather passed away. Thinking that there may be additional information on the records, I searched for the hospital but have not been able to find any recent reference to it. Has the Hospital been closed? Can anybody give me some background information? I will certainly appreciate it, Anne [You might try the Archives search box on the New York Times Web site. Lutheran Hospital of Manhattan, at 343 Convent Avenue, merged with Norwegian Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in 1956 to form Our Saviour's Lutheran Hospital at the Norwegian Hospital facility on 46th Street and Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. It's now called Lutheran Medical Center. - Dave] Lutheran HospitalHello Anne, Yes, I know Lutheran Hospital. My three oldest boys were born there: 1951: 1952: 1954. My brother-in-law's father died there c. 1937. When I last passed by the neighborhood, three years ago, I saw that the hospital had been converted to an assisted living facility. The neighborhood is looking great - real upscale. The brownstones that one could buy in the 1930s for a song are now selling for well over a million dollars. In the 1930s they were empty, thanks to the banks that foreclosed during the Depression. As kids we ran through them and at one time had a clubhouse inside one. In friendship, Jackie Woods Lutheran HospitalThanks you both, Dave and Jackie, for your responses. I will follow the advice and hope to be able to pass soon by the neighborhood. Anne OLL MemoriesHi Henry, I too remember Sister Mary Owen, my brother David Mora had her and she was really strict. We keep in touch with George Izquierdo and he is doing great. Sister Rosemarie passed away. I try to stay in touch with O.L.L. It was really a happy time in my childhood and the happy memories will always be a part of my life. Maxine Mora Lutheran Hospital of ManhattanLooking for pictures of the Hospital. I was born in 1940 in the facility and would like to see what it looked like in that era--anyone have a picture? Dad Was an AlumnusHello Jackie, I am curious to see if you know my father, Frank Corrigan, who was born in 1926, which would make him 82 this August. I think he was in the Class of 1941. I am also curious to see if you have any contact or info on Alfred Pereira or his sister Clara Pereira Mercado. Any help would be appreciated. Stephen Corrigan Please email me when you get a chance, stephenjcorrigan@aol.com. Frank CorriganYes, I knew Frank Corrigan, Class of 1940, not 1941, he was closer to my brother Dennis than me, I was a year younger. Didn't Frank have a younger very pretty sister? I last saw Frank c. 1968 in the upper Washington Heights area where many of the families from OLL had moved to from the 140th streets. I knew Pancho Pereira (the name Alfred does not ring a bell) and Clara, his younger sister. His little brother JoJo was killed in Korea. Pancho had a birthmark: strands of very white hair in the front of his head of very black hair. They were wonderful good people. Pancho was good friends with Jackie Koster, whose sister Barbara married Burl Ives in Hollywood and lived happily everafter. In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods eandjwoods50@yahoo.com Vacant Houses in Hamilton HeightsI thought we were the only ones that got into those empty houses. Afternoons we'd go in through a back window to study and do our homework. We didn't break anything, and at our age we always wondered why the houses were vacant. The Depression angle we didn't figure out until later. Tom Calumet and Frank Howe went with me. I understand Frank has died and Tom Calumet left NYC around 1945 to go out west with his parents. I graduated from OLL in 1941, and now live in Hopkins, MN OLL MemoriesI graduated in 1960. There were about 10 of us cousins who graduated between 1955 and 1960. I remember Father Cline, Fr. Malloy, Monsignor Hart, Mother Bonaventure, Mother Dominica and others. Does anyone remember the day the frat boys across the street pushed the dummy out the window during our recess? I can almost taste the corn muffins and egg creams at the soda fountain around the corner on Amsterdam Avenue while "Barbara Ann" played on the jukebox. OLL PhotoI have a great a picture of my Confirmation Day. I'm in full OLL uniform dated c. May 1935. How can I send it to the OLL Shorpy site? Yours truly, Ed Woods [Click the links under "Become a member, contribute photos." - Dave] Frat boys 0, Mother Mary Edward 10I sure do remember that day. Mother Mary Edward marched over and blasted them. Also the candy store around the corner used to sell two-cent pumpkin seeds out of a little red box. Does anyone remember the rumor going around that the Grotto Chapel was haunted? I remember walking home with "Little Star" playing on the transistor radio. The OLL GrottoI remember serving at what was called the Workmen's Mass in the Grotto in the 1930s - 6 o'clock in the morning! I know the Grotto is not used any more (I visited there in December 2007). As to the candy store on the corner of 143rd and Amsterdam, it was a very busy place: candy, pen nibs (no fountain pens), book covers etc. One day the owner came to school and told Sister Casmere, the principal, that we were disorderly and she must tell the students to behave when shopping in his store. Her solution was to tell the entire student body that they were not allowed to shop there. In a day or so, the man was back begging forgiveness and asked to plaese allow the children to return to his store. The kids were his main business. HelloHi Maxine How are you? Thank you for responding to me. It was very nice to hear from you. Sorry to hear about Sister Rosemary, but I don't remember her was she the pricipal of the school. I do remember Mr. Izquierdo he was the gym instructor with another man don't recall his name I believe he became principal of the school later on. Oh! now I remember his name was Mr. White I believe. God trying to recall, it is getting a little difficult now a days but I like it. It brings me back in time. How time have changed it was so innocent back than not like now. Looking back in time, makes me feel like I grew up to fast. How is Mr. Izquierdo doing? How can I contact him? Please let me know. My e-mail address is Je_Ocejo@yahoo.com. I remember he got married back than to a girl name Rocio, I don't know if they are still together but that lady was my father's friend daughter. Who else do you remember. Please get back to me with pictures. I have pictures too. Let me know how can I e-mail them to you. Would you believe that we are talking about almost atleast 35 years ago but I don't forget. God Bless you. Henry OLLBob, Any recollections of my father, Frank Corrigan, Class of 1940? Maybe not yourself but some of your older brothers. Steve Corrigan More OLL MemoriesI graduated in 1937 and was probably a fellow graduate of a brother. I had skipped 7th grade and so did not get to know classmates well. It is possible that the Waters family lived across the alley on the second floor of the building on 142nd Street. We lived on the top floor of the next building on Hamilton Place. In the same building lived Buddy Sweeney and Sal Guizzardi, also a tall blond kid who graduated with me. I believe your mother and my mom, Agnes Orlando, were friends. I believe your mother visited mine in 1952-3 in our new home in Bergenfield, N.J. I remember a sister who must have graduated with me or my sister Marie Orlando in 1936. My brother Andrew graduated 1947. My mother, brother and sister have passed away. I remember Poncho, the Kosta family, the Madigans, Woodses, Rendeans, Glyforces, McCarvils, Walshes, Philipses, Flynns, Duggans, Hooks, Rodriquezes, Craigs, Hugheses, Conways etc. I am sure we had many things in common being OLL graduates at a very special interval of time. I wish you well in your very beautiful state which I have passed through on three occasions. Best wishes and fond memories. John and Alice Orlando OLLLot older than you. Attended OLL from late 1930s to early 40s. Baptized, first Holy Communion and Confirmation (Cardinal Spellman). Lived at 145 and the Drive. Remember principal when I was there, Mother Mary Margaret. First grade teacher was Mother Mary Andrews. Remember playing on roof and being shocked by Mother Mary Andrews jumping rope. Believe there was a Father Dolan around that that time. Only went to through the 3rd grade there and then moved to 75th St and the Blessed Sacrament -- a whole different world, and not as kind or caring. Memories of OldHi Henry. You may not remember me but I also taught gym with George and sometimes Ms. Ortiz. George is with the Department of Education on the East Side. I work for the Bloomberg Administration. Sister Mary Owen has moved to Rye and of course all the nuns are now gone. I left in 1996 but I still miss all of the good times shared during my years there. Memories Are GoodHello, You taught me gym and we also had alot of good times with the High School Club on Friday nights. I have most painful memories of O.L.L the day Msgr. Cahill passed away. I never knew how much a heart could have so much pain and yet go on. My dad died on 4-29-96, Max Mora and I felt the same pain all over again. Do you know where Mother John Fisher has gone ... her name had changed to Sister Maryanne. I would love to hear from you. Maxine Mora Hi HenryMy email address is mmorafredericks@aol.com. I have yours and I am so happy to be in contact with you I graduated in 1973. I went to Cathedral High School. Later moved to Florida. My brothers and sisters are still in NY and I miss so much of it. I look forward to catching up with you. I will write soon. God Bless. Maxine Fellow ClassmateHi Tony, It has been more than 48 years since I last saw you - at our graduation from OLL in 1960. Let me know what you have been up to in the past half century. My e-mail address is kmckenna@clarku.edu. Kevin LTNSMr. White! Not sure if you still come to this site, but on the off chance that you still visit i thought i would write. It's been so long since I've seen or heard from you, not since "Len Fong" closed. For all others that may still come by this site, I graduated in 1983 (possibly 82). Would love to hear from a blast from the past. Please email me at kellyw88@gmail.com John McKennaHi Kevin, Any chance you are related to the McKenna family? John McKenna, Class of 1941 Your name sure rings a bell, however there must be 20 years difference between us. Have a healthy and happy 2009 In friendship, Ed Woods John McKennaHi Ed, I'm afraid that I'm not related to John McKenna. My brothers, Donald and Desmond, graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes in the fifties. I wasn't aware of another McKenna family in the parish when I was at OLL. Happy and healthy 2009 to you as well, Ed. Cheers, Kevin McKenna FamilyThe John McKenna family I knew lived on the northeast corner of Hamilton Place and 141st street. I had other friends and schoolmates in that building. Thinking back, you probably had to be an Irish Catholic to live there. Whatever, I think you had to be an Irish Catholic to attend OLL. I never knew any others at that time, the 1930s. Most fathers worked for the subway and trolley systems or at the milk delivery companies along 125th Street near the river. Those were the days, my friend. Innocence prevailed! In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods The Mc KennasJim McKenna and his younger brother Tommy lived in that house above Grizzardi's grocery. Tom hung around with Marty the Hanger Phipher and the Warriors. Billy Vahey and his brother Eddie who retired as a Lieutenant in the NYPD lived there also. Their mother was still there in the early 80s. You probably knew the Schadack family, who I believe owned Schrafft's or Donald York. I think the building was 644 West 145 St. It was the first apartment house in the city to have a self-service elevator. When we lived there the neighborhood was known as Washington Heights. For some reason it's now referred to as Hamilton Heights. A couple of great web sites -- Forgotten NY and Bridge and Tunnel Club. You can spend hours & hours on Rockaway Beach alone. Lots of good memories! How about the movie theaters -- the Delmar, the RKO Hamilton, the Dorset, the Loews Rio, the Loews 175 (now the Rev. Ikes Church) and all the theaters along 180th Street? Hamilton HeightsNorm, Many thanks for your fine memories of our old neighborhood but there are a few minor corrections I have to make. The first is the name Shadack family. I believe the correct spelling is Shattuck and his address was 676 Riverside Drive on the corner of 145th Street. We lived there and my brother Bill was classmates with Gene Shattuck. No relation to the Schrafft's empire. Secondly, Hamilton Heights was always known as such. Outsiders didn't know where that was so we usually said Washington Heights for simplicity. Washington Heights doesn't really start until 157th Street and is separated from Hamilton Heights by the Audubon plot. The Old NeighborhoodAlex Hamilton lived nearby. There was a very pleasant young man (OLL Class of 1941) named Eugene Shattuck who lived near 145th Street and Riverside Drive. His father was a professor at Manhattan College and his family owned the Schrafft's Restaurants. I fondly recall Eugene having the wonderful hourglass-shaped bottles of hard Schrafft's candy brought to school and distributing one bottle to each of his classmates at Christmas time. Needless to say, the poor Amsterdam Avenue kids were in awe of one who could afford to do such a good deed. You mention the Warriors, I knew the (Gang) but not any of the names mentioned here on Shorpy. In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods P.S. My in-laws the Boyd family lived at 676 Riverside Drive. Les Sr. had a radio repair shop on 145th and Broadway. 676 Riverside DriveI lived at 676 as well. The family's name was Shattuck. In my day, many, many years ago, the elevator had an operator. A sweet man in full uniform. There was a doorman as well. Saw the building years later and was appalled at the change. Then went up to OLL and hardly recognized it. It was the best school I ever went to. Thank you for reminding me of the fun. And yes, of the education I got there. By the way, 676 on the Drive was called the Deerfield. OLL StudentsI am researching my family history and I came upon this great site. In 1930 my grandparents Michael and Marie Murphy were living at 1744 Amsterdam Avenue and later in the 1930s at 115 Hamilton Place. All of the Murphy children attended Our Lady of Lourdes School. They were: Maurice (born 1916) Rita (born 1917/ my Mother) John (born 1918) Theresa (born 1920) Vincent (born 1922) Veronica (born 1925) My mom had such fond memories of her time spent there. Rita Harmon Bianchetto Hi Neighbor!!Hi Rita, I'm a former resident of 676 Riverside. My family lived there from 1940 to 1960 in apartment 4A. Bobby Foy lived next door to us. I think you may have left just after we arrived since I remember the elevator operator. The change to automatic was somtime during or just after WWII. I remember they put up this 10 foot wall with a door to limit access to the building. Fat lot of good that did us as my mother was robbed in broad daylight in the service chamber of our apartment in 1960. That's when my Dad had us pack up and leave for a secure location in the Bronx. Anyway, the apartment was great. We had a balcony looking over 145th Street and the river. My brothers were Larry Jr., Bill and Nick. Bill was a good friend to Gene Shattuck and went to Xavier with him. Nick and I also went there. Larry had a scholarship to All Hallows. Judy, can you tell me your last name and if you knew me. Hope to hear from you. Bob Phillips at bobbyphilly@msn.com Your DadSorry Steve, I graduated in 1947 and my three brothers have died. But the name Corrigan does ring a bell. Probably from my brother Larry who knew just about everyone in OLL. Sorry I couldn't help out but it was great hearing from you. Bob Phillips Andrew.Yes, I remember your brother Andrew. We were in the same class and we used to kid him about his name - Andrew Orlando and how tall he was. What's he doing these days? Bob Phillips Those were the days, my friendsHello Rita, I remember the name Murphy but not the faces. We lived a block south of you at 1704 Amsterdam. My sister Ellen, Class of 1936, and brother Bill, Class of 1937, would have known your family. We had many friends on Hamilton Place, the Koster family for one: Anita, Class of 1936, her younger sister Barbara married Burl Ives, and her other sister Mary Lou married Eddie Byrne (1710 Amsterdam). Ed's sister married Chump Greeny -- killed at Anzio Beach. He must have lived near your family. My brother in law Les Boyd lived in the Deerfield and had an electric appliance store on the corner of 145th and B'way and a sporting goods store on the next block next to the Chinese restaurant. In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods Hello RitaHello Rita, I attended St. Catherine's Academy on 151st between B'way and Amsterdam (It cost my dear old dad $10 a month for what was considered a private school.) I graduated in 1943 in a class of only four girls. I then went to the Sacred Heart of Mary Academy in Inwood (I had to climb the long steps up from B'way every day for four years -- Class of 1947. Most of my relatives went to OLL as did my husband of 59 years, Ed Woods. We are still alive, kicking and fighting and making up every day. In my Class of 1943, one of the girls was Ann Murphy -- any relation? Also a Virginia O'Malley and my best friend, June McAvoy, who keeps in touch with me. June's grandfather was Judge McAvoy, who had died by that time. I loved when my folks took me to McGuire's Bar and Restaurant on B'way and 155th. Oh that Roast Lamb (Irish style) on a Sunday or a holiday. The girls used to go to Nuestra Senora de Esperanza (Our Lady of Hope) next to the museum complex. We were told not to go there for confession, but the Spanish priests were limited in English. Thinking back we had but little to confess at that time. Eddie and I had an apartment on 150th near the Drive for a few years until 1956, then it was off to Long Island to raise our six children. In friendship and love hearing from you, Ed and Jackie Woods The MurphysHi Ed and Jackie, Thanks so very much for your reply. I wish my mom was still with us but she died in 1998, the last of the Murphy kids. My grandfather Mike Murphy worked for the Post Office (a mail carrier working out of the General P.O. at 33rd and 8th). My grandmother Marie Murphy died in 1939 while living at Hamilton Place. Uncle Maurice went to Regis H.S. for several years before leaving to attend All Hallows; John and Vincent then attended All Hallows; my mom, Rita, attended Cathedral; Veronica, I believe, attended St. Vincent, and Theresa died at age 25 in 1944 (not sure of her high school). Mom worked at Woolworth's on 145th Street and Broadway, and after high school at New York Telephone, retiring about 1980. She got married in 1943 and moved to 152nd Street, and we attended St. Catherine of Genoa on W. 153rd. I graduated in 1958. So I know the neighborhood. Peace, Rita Hi Ed and JackieSo Jackie you are a St. Kate's gal like me! My tuition was a dollar a month, so your education was really a private school. You have listed the Academy at 151st Street but I think that it was on 152nd between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. I took my high school entrance exam at SHM so I am sort of familiar with the school -- fireworks were going off during our exam. The end result was I did fine and attended Blessed Sacrament on West 70th, Class of 1962. I last saw the "girls" at a reunion in 2002. My Spanish teacher just celebrated her 70th anniversary as a nun with the Sisters of Charity. I am not familiar with any of the girls names that you mentioned,including Ann Murphy. I do know McQuire's, where I had my first Shirley Temple, Mass at Our Lady of Esperanza, Trinity Cemetery & loved visiting the museums. Do either of you recall Eugenio Pacelli, before he became Pope Pius XII visiting at OLL ? Please tell me about your days on 150th Street near the Drive since I may have been the little skinny blond kid you both passed on the street. Peace, Rita in Northern New Jersy West 150th NYCHello Rita, Yes, we lived at 615 W. 150th from 1950 to 1956. Four of my children were born there (three at Lutheran Hospital and one at Jewish Memorial). We had many friends from school and the neighborhood living nearby. However, by 1956 it was time to move on; many changes in the neighborhood. One of my nearby friends was Juanita Poitier; Sidney was just getting started with his acting career. A real nice couple. Was Father Tracy (Pastor) still there when you attended school? How about Father Brady? He was always telling stories during Mass about his sea time with the Navy. Eddie remembers going to the Woolworths lunch counter (145th and B'way) in the early 1940s just to have an excuse to talk with the girls. He knew many of them from school and the neighborhood. In friendship, Jackie West 152ndHi Jackie and Ed, I lived at 620 West 152nd Street, just a stone's throw from you folks. My sister was born at Jewish Memorial Hospital in March 1952 -- Dr. Sandler from Broadway 150/151st St. delivered. Those were the days of Dave's deli on the corner of 151st & Broadway famous for pastrami on rye and a cold beer for the dads, Rafferty's Bar and Grill on the other side of B'way, Harry's or Pierre's homemade candy and ice cream parlor, Cora's beauty salon where my Nana would get a cold wave and blue tint. And not to be forgotten, Snow & Youman's drug store on B'Way and 151st. I recall the name Fr. Brady but it was Pastor Kane and Fr. Tracy (and his Irish Setter, Rusty) that I recall. I just sent a photo of Fr. Tracy to my classmates. Rita Japanese BazaarWho remembers the Japanese-American bazaar in the brownstones across from the OLL lower grades school during the war? They had the blue star & the gold star pennants hanging in the windows. They also had a store on Amsterdam Avenue near 144th Street and when they sold coffee the lines would go all around the block. How about the punchball games out side the school, or stoop ball? Anyone remember playing basketball and using the bottom rung on the fire escape ladder as a basket? The nearest basketball court was at 148th Street by the river. If you wanted to "take out" a ball from the park, you would leave a shirt as a deposit. I remember shoveling snow off the court in order to play. Unfortunately those days were the last time the country was almost 100% together. Twenty years from now, these will be the "good old days." Your brother AndrewI palled around with Andy & another kid named Eddie McGlynn. As a matter of fact I have a picture of Andy, Buddy Ayres & me at Rye Beach. Buddy went to Bishop Dubois with us. He was from Vinegar Hill. You didn't mention the Wittlingers. They lived on the first floor in your building. Brendan lives in Virginia. I'm still in touch with him, Matty Waters and Les Scantleberry. Pancho Pereria made a career of the Navy. He died several years ago. JoeJoe, one of my closest friends, was killed in Korea. Dave's DeliI haven't had a good hot corned beef sandwich since I last had one at Dave's. His son Milton was running the store in the 1950s after Dave retired to Florida. Dave's used to have a window in the summer that sold potato knishes (5 cents, with mustard) and of course kosher hot dogs. I heard a Clement Moore fan club still meets every Christmas Eve next to Trinity Church Cemetery and recites "The Night Before Christmas." I was born in 1928 at 853 Riverside Drive. When 90 Riverside was built in 1941 and blocked the view of the Hudson, we moved there. Warm regards, Jackie and Ed The old neighborhoodThe Wittlingers (the twins were the same age as my two younger brothers, also twins), Matty Waters, Les Scantleberry, JoJo: All those names I remember, especially Pancho and his family. For the life of me, I cannot understand why your name doesn't ring a bell. You mentioned the Warriors. Did you know Tommy or Willie Taylor, the Conroys, Drago, Jackie Hughes, etc. What years did you attend OLL? I looked up some old friends on the Internet over the past few years -- said hello and then goodbye when their families called to give me the news: Vinny McCarville, Bruce Boyd, Phil Marshall, Eddie O'Brien -- all gone to their maker. They were spread out all over the country. It was satisfying, however, just to say hello. I met Vinny in New Orleans and we had a beer for the first time in many years. We had gone to sea together during WWII and had a lot of memories. You must forgive my spelling etc. My eyesight is on its way out (along with everything else). I will be 82 in a few months but active and still traveling. I have been to six of the seven continents and my wish is to have breakfast at the South Pole. In friendship, Ed and Jackie Woods ToppersWas Dave's on B'Way near 140th Street? I sold the Sunday News there for 25 cents during the news strike. It was normally a nickel. We had to go down to the News Building to buy them. Overhead! Who remembers the Sugar Bowl on the corner of 143rd and Broadway? A great hangout for different age groups. How about Toppers Ice Cream parlor on B'Way between 139 & 140th? In the 1940s and early '50s you could go to the Audubon Theater at 168th and B'Way on Sunday for 77 Cents and see three features, 23 cartoons, newsreels and an eight-act stage show with such luminaries as Billy Halop of the Dead End Kids or Lash LaRue or Ferdinand the Bull. Top shelf. They must get at lest a buck fifty for admission today! Tea and Nut StoreHi Norm, My mom (Rita Murphy) mentioned there was an Asian family owned Tea and Nut shop in OLL Parish when she was a child (born 1917). She said her brothers, Maurice and John Murphy, would sometimes play with the owners' son. I am wondering if this could be the same shop. Rita ToppersDave's was on the southwest corner of Broadway and 151st Street, a short trip from my home on 152nd near Riverside Drive. I do recall the Sugar Bowl and maybe was in it once or twice but never hung out there. Topper's is a name I never heard before, as far as ice cream parlors go. Thanks so much for mentioning the name and location. Perhaps before my time (1945 baby) or too far from my home. Many people have mentioned the Audubon Theater to me (165-166th Street) but I have no memory of it at all. I do recall the San Juan Theater that took over the space of the old Audubon. I love hearing about Mom's (Rita Murphy's) old neighborhood. Thanks for sharing. Rita Your Name?No, Dave's Deli was on 151st and Broadway. Yes, Toppers & the Sugar Bowl were popular hangouts, however the Piedmont, the Staghorn and the Chesterfield were more popular later on. I have pictures of the great snowfall of December 27, 1947 taken in front of the above mentioned restaurants with a bunch of the guys posing in the cold. The Audubon Theater became better known when Malcom X was murdered in its ballroom. I saw Milton Berle there in the early 1940s. Actually, the Bluebird and the Washington were also popular as they only cost 10 cents (no heat or air conditioning). Memories, memories, dreams of long ago. Ed and Jackie Woods The OLL ChoirI sang in the OLL choir for about 5 or 6 years and hated it.T he only advantage was that we skipped the last class for practice. The downside was that after attending 9 o'clock Mass we had to sing at the 11 o'clock High Mass, which interfered with our Sunday football game. I played with the Junior Cadets. We had a very good team coached by Joe Romo, who went on to be the trainer for the Oakland A's for many years. I saw him at Yankee Stadium whenever the team played the Yankees at home. Joe died several years ago. Mr. Skyler, the choirmaster, wore a wig that could easily be mistaken for road kill. I used to wonder if he was committing a sin by wearing something on his head in church. After all it was no different then wearing a hat during Mass. Mrs. Daly was a very lovely lady who played the organ and gave piano lessons. She lived down the street from us on 142nd between Broadway and Hamilton Place and had something like 10 kids. My sister Maureen was friends with Theresa and Billie. John was I believe the youngest son. Maureen graduated from Notre Dame de Lourdes on Convent Avenue. My sister Frances was close friends with Helen and Rita Nerney, who lived across the street. Fran died in 2002. ToppersI lived at 635 Riverside Drive. I recall Toppers being near the corner of 141st, next to a Jewish deli. In the summer my dad took my brother Tom and me for ice cream there every evening. Happy memories! Bishop DuboisI graduated 1953 from Bishop Dubois. I believe your brother Ernie was in my class at OLL. I hope he is doing well. Give him my regards. Bill Healy Names from the Old NeighborhoodBrendan & Bernie turned 76 on February 2. Don't ask how I remember things like this. I forgot what I had for breakfast this morning. I'll be 76 August 11, weather permitting. Everyone seems to forget Pinky (Michael) Pereria. You are closer to my late brother Jim's age. Jim hung out with Jimmy and John Bartlett, Donald LaGuardia, Tommy & Willie Taylor (born on the same day a year apart -- Irish twins). Again I don't know why I remember these things. Eddie O'Brien used to go by the name Drawde Neirbo, his name spelled backwards. He was a close friend of Big Jack Hughes. I recall a group of you guys joining the Merchant Marine during the war. The Dragos lived on 141st Street between Hamilton Place and Amsterdam Avenue. The youngest (Joseph?) was in my class. A couple of years ago I went down to the old neighborhood with my sons. Surprisingly, it looks great. Lots of renovations going on. My beautiful wife June is a BIC (Bronx Irish Catholic) from the South Bronx. It's not as great a neighborhood as it used to be, but lots of great people came out of there. I took her away from there, married her 50 plus years ago and got her a decent dental plan and raised five kids in New Jersey. I graduated in 1948. It should have been 1947 but Mother Mary Inez red-shirted me in the 6th grade. Will stay in touch. Norm Brown Norm Brown??Norm, I graduated in 1947 from OLL. I knew a kid (Norman Brown) who lived on 141st between Hamilton and Broadway. I think he had a younger brother. He went to OLL with me, but he did not graduate from OLL. Eddie McGlynn was in my class, and the Wittlingers. I lived at 510 W 140th. Are you that Norman? Bill H. The Summer of '66Hi Jackie and Ed, I never had one of Dave or Milton's corned beef sandwiches but I can say that the pastrami on rye was a thing that dreams are made of. I recall the knishes out the window in the summer and the hot dogs. Thanks so much for taking me back in time. Milton would take the pastrami out of that silver steamer box sharpening his knife, and the rest was heaven on rye. Milton was still behind the counter in the summer of 1966 but after that I can't say. I am sure that "The Night Before Christmas" is still recited next to Clement Moore's grave, in Trinity Cemetery. In my day the Girl Scout Troop that met at the Church of the Intercession would participate in the recitation of the Moore piece. I know that 853 Riverside Drive is on the Upper Drive, since I sat on "The Wall" on summer evenings as a teenager. You said you moved in 1941 to 90 RSD -- did you mean 90 or 890? I am not familiar with the numbering of the "lower" drive where the red house sits (so it was called). I am off in search of a good sandwich. Peace, Rita Stagershorn & ChesterfieldMalcom X was shot in the Audubon Ballroom at the back of the theater, which later became the Teatro San Juan. I saw Abbott and Costello there en Espanol. At 7 years old I was run over by a truck at 142 Street and Broadway, right outside the Staghorn, I managed to live! I would hang from the window outside the Chesterfield, watching football games on TV with Bobby Heller and Herby Gil and Buddy McCarthy. That was a hell of a snowstorm in '47. Remember digging tunnels through the snowbanks? You forgot to mention Larry's, just next to the Sugar Bowl. I would watch "Victory at Sea" there. A couple of years ago I took a walk through the OLL neighborhood and realized that when you are a kid everything you see is at eye level and taken for granted, but as you look up and around from a mature aspect it becomes a whole different world. It is really a beautiful area. 90 Riverside Drive WestHi Rita. I'm positive 853 was on the Lower Drive. When the new building went up next to it around 1941, the address was 90 Riverside Drive West. However, it caused so much confusion with 90 Riverside Drive (downtown) that the address was changed to 159-32 Riverside. The plot originally hosted a small golf course. I also went to the Church of the Intercession with the Girl Scouts. Small world. And the wall -- on a hot summer night, standing room only. Jackie West 140th NYCThe kids I hung around with were in the OLL classes of 1940 and 1941. I had a weekend job in 1941 with Ike's Bike Rental on 141st. He needed someone to identify the kids who rented there (bikes rented for 20 cents an hour -- and that's the truth). We started a Junior Air Raid Wardens group and had a store next to Ike's. Collected paper etc, for the war effort. And you are correct, within three years, when we turned 16, McCarvill, O'Brien, Drago and I joined the merchant marine. Did you know the Kieley family -- lived at 1628 Amsterdam before moving to the lower Bronx: Pauline, Rita, Josephine, Peggy and the two boys Nicky and Jimmy. I loved going to their upstairs apartment for tea, especially when Mrs Kiely made Irish Soda Bread. My wife (then girlfriend) Jackie sponsored Jim Kieley when he became a citizen around 1948. He was from County Waterford, the same as her family. We celebrated our 59th anniversary last week. Regards, Eddie Woods My Brother JimYou probably knew my brother Jim Brown. He too was born in 1928. He died three years ago today. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes, spent a couple of years in the Army and graduated from Fordham University. Jim lived in Wycoff, N.J. He was very successful in business. Amsterdam AvenueThe Denning family (10 kids) lived on Amsterdam Avenue between 141st and 142nd. Hughie had polio and wrote away to FDR for an autograph during the war. As it turned out he was the last person to get one. He was in an iron lung at the time. It was a big deal. Lots of press. One of the boys, Peter Schaefer Denning, was born on the back of a beer truck on the way to the hospital. Hence the name. The Connolly brothers, Eamon and Timmy, lived in the same building. Everyone in the family had red hair. Not unlike Bobby Foy's family. If I recall properly, the father looked like Arthur Godfrey, his mom like Lucille Ball, Bobby like Red Skelton, and they had a red cat plus an Irish setter. It took a lot of guts for a group of 16-year-old kids to join the merchant marine. A belated thanks for your service. My wife makes great Irish soda bread. Is there any other kind? You can give ten women the same ingredients for soda bread and you'll get ten different tasting breads. All great! Especially with a cup of Lynches Irish tea. The season is almost upon us once again. The only Kiely (different spelling) I knew was my NYPD partner Timmy, who was from the South Bronx, Hunts Point. Tim grew up with Colin Powell. Having worked in the South Bronx for 25 years and marrying June Margaret O'Brien, one of six girls from there, I pretty much connect with the people of SOBRO, as the area is now known. Sooner or later everything gets yuppified. How about this web site? Something else! Take care, Norm Mea CulpaHi Jackie, Of course you know 853 RSD is on the Lower Drive but Google Maps does not. "Looks like 800 Block of Upper Drive is even numbers and 800 Block on Lower Drive is odd numbers." I did not locate 159-32 but I did find a 159-34 and 159-00, seems to be the last structure (red brick) on the Lower Drive area that we are speaking of, now a co-op but the year of construction is not listed. I have very fond memories of the folks I spent time with on "our" wall. Peace, Rita Yes, it's Kiely I was in error. For whatever resaon, The Dublin House on 79th off the NE corner of Broadway became a meeting place for many of the kids from the OLL area up until the early 1970s: Eamon Connolly, Tommy Taylor etc. I worked with Tom for a short time before be went on the force and then as a T Man. I have not heard from him in too many years. One of great fellows from the old neighborhood. In friendship, Ed Woods My e-mail: eandjwoods50@Yahoo.com P.S. The Kiely family moved to Crimmons Ave in the Bronx West 159th Street NYCDear Rita, I do enjoy rehashing the old neighborhood and the wonderful memories we can recall. Yes, it is the last buillding on the street and I lived there until 1950, when I married Ed. My uncle George lived there until c. 1981 in a rent controlled apartment, and yes, it did become a co-op. When first opened, the building had four entrances. Later, in the 1980s, it was down to one main entrance on the via-dock for safety reasons. I loved our apartment there, which had a beautiful view of the Hudson and the George Washington Bridge. My friend June, nee McAvoy, lived at 3750 B'way. We were together in school for 12 years at St. Catherine's and Sacred Heart. June lives in Maryland. By the way, my e-mail is eandjwoods50@yahoo.com Jackie Woods The Red HouseDear Jackie & Ed, How lucky you were to have lived in the Red House, especially with the views of the bridge and the river. Growing up I never knew anyone who lived there, so never saw the interior, I'm sure it was lovely. I heard that David Dinkins lived there at some point before he became mayor. Many of my classmates lived in 790 Riverside Drive and I was always so impressed that their apartments had two doors. Our apartment was on the fourth floor of a walkup and across the street from a garage. Funny how I was not really impressed by a doorman but by the two doors. I seem to remember a gas station near your friend June's house...other side of Broadway from the museum, now college. One of my St. Catherine's classmates, last I heard, he was teaching at the college. Was Rexall Drug on the corner of 157th, with the newsstand outside the door, when you lived in the Red House? In my home we seemed to have all of the city newspapers -- morning, afternoon and evening, some selling for 4 cents. To this day I read two papers every day and still long to go out Saturday night to pick up the Sunday paper. Thanks for the email. Peace, Rita Class of 1959I attended O.L.L. from 5th to 8th grade. My 5th grade teacher was Mother Mary Edward, what a wonderful woman, 6th was Mother Mary St. Hugh, 7th Mother Mary Edward and 8th Mother Mary Bernadette. Graduated in 1959. Classes were mxed -- black, white and Latino. Memories are mostly good ones -- Father Kline, Father Malloy, Father Hart. The religious experience most memorable, especially during Lent, novenas on Wednesday afternoon and Stations on Friday after school. Liggets / RexallHello Rita, I loved the lunch/soda counter at Liggetts/Rexalls. for whatever reason, my family used the pharmacy across the street, on the east side of B'way, to have prescriptions filled. The family that owned and operated the newsstand helped us lease our first apartment at 600 W. 157th. Apartments were in short supply in 1950. We lived in the unit formerly rented by the Singer Midgets next to Peaches Browning of Daddy Browning fame. Of course they were long gone when we lived there. My father was very active in the Tioga Democratic Club with the Simonetti family. Do you remember Warner's Cafeteria between 157 & 158th? We visited St. Catherine's Church Christmas week 2007 with our niece who wanted to see where she was baptized in 1953. She is on Mayor Bloomberg's staff. Warm regards, Jackie Woods eandjwoods50@yahoo.com Oh, as the poet said, "To return to yesteryear and our salad days." My brother ErnieBilly, Ernie and I went to Bishop Dubois. Ernie for two years and I for three. We both were bounced in 1951 and transferred to Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. We went there on a Schrafft's scholarship. Our mom waited on tables at Schrafft's in order to send us there. In those days it was pretty much a blue collar school. It wasn't that far removed from being a reform school. VERY STRICT. Today it's much more hoity toity. I'm still in close touch with my old classmates, most of whom have been successful in life. Ernie was a great basketball player, the first to score over 50 points in a game in Bergen County (three times), breaking Sherman White's record. White was an All American but messed up his career in the 1950-51 college season. Ernie went to Fordham on an athletic scholarship. Ernie died in 2002. He was a very special guy, extremely generous and giving. We miss him a lot. He lived a couple of blocks away from me as did most of my siblings. Sad to say, the circle grows smaller. 1959 OLL gradsAre you out there, does any one remember or know of any of the following graduates of O.L.L. -- Starr Martin, Carol Long or her sisters, Carlotta and Tony, Josephine Velez, Melvina (Kinky) Boyd, Chicky Aponte. I went of to Cathedral and the others to various Catholic high schools and lost touch. After finding this site, many memories have come back. Would like to know how old friends are doing. 600 W. 157thHi Jackie, You lived around the corner from the post office. I remember going there once to get a money order and losing Mom's gray umbrella. Your building was by the Grinnell, where a friend's father was the superintendent during the 60s. Liggett/Rexall -- we went to Snow & Youman's for drugs but to Rexall for film, flashbulbs and of course the soda fountain. The last time I was there was April 1965, just before my son was born. I do not recall a Warner's Cafeteria but do remember the famous, and oh so good, Imperial Deli, Lambos Flower Shop, Commander Bar & Grill, Full Moon & McGuire's. I visited St. Catherine's about 1994 and it was like being in a time warp, except for the piano near the altar. The church was just as I remembered when I got married in 1964, only smaller. The school is now public. I am in touch with some of my friends from the Class of 1958. It was nice that your niece was able to visit the church where she was baptized. I never heard of the Tioga Democratic Club or the Simonetti family (the only Simonettis I know are the family whose niece and son are engaged). Jackie, was the pharmacy on the east side of B'way United or perhaps that was a sign for United Cigar? So nice this walk down memory lane. Best to your Eddie. Peace, Rita Memories: dreams of long agoHi Rita, My close friend June's, nee McAvoy, family lived in the Grinnell for many years. Her grandfather was Judge McAvoy. Eddie claims to have an exceptionally good memory but he says he needs to yield to you. You do have a most wonderful recall. However, he is more familiar with the OLL school and church neighborhood. My brother-in-law (much older than Eddie and me) was in the vending machine business: Ace Distributing -- jukeboxes, cigarette machines etc. Eddie worked for him for a few years when we first married and the company had locations in almost every store in the neighborhood (including the Commander). That is a dead business today. How about Pigeon Park? You couldn't sit there. Warm regards, Jackie Woods GrinnellHi Jackie, Do you recall a Doctor James Farley living in the Grinnell? Doctor Farley must have taken care of half of Washington Heights over a period of many years (had an office on 178 St. between Broadway and Ft. Washington Ave.). Ah, Pigeon Park...I remember it well and always tried to circumvent it! All the best. Rita I remember it wellHi Rita, Our family physician was Dr. VanWorth, as an adult I visited Dr. Liebling, who had an office c. 156th. He later moved down to 72nd Street. A wonderful caring man (who made house calls). My son Ed Jr. was 58 years old this week, I have a picture of him when he was 1 sitting on a pony taken on the corner of 155th and B'way. John Orlando's brother married a St Catherine's girl. I don't know her age. Ain't we got fun? Jackie Woods Current resident of the neighborhood (Grinnell)I'd like to invite you to visit www.audubonparkny.com, which is a virtual walking tour of the neighorhood you're discussing. You can "take the walking tour" online or go to the Sitemap/ Index of Images to read about specific buildings and see pictures from many eras. I'm happy to post any pictures (and credit the owners) of the neighborhood that you'd like to share - focusing on the Audubon Park area (155th to 158th, Broadway to the river). www.audubonparkny.com Walking TourThanks so very much for posting the site for the Audubon Park area...I had a delightful walking tour. Down Memory Lane at OLLWhat happened, did we all run out of memories? Who remembers the stickball field comprised of Hamilton Place from 140 to 141st Street. A ball hit over the small roof on 141st was a double and over the roof at 95 Hamilton Place was a homer. After the war the street was so crowded with cars that the games were moved to Convent Avenue in front of CCNY. There was some heavy money bet on these games. Walking TourThanks, Rita, I'm glad you enjoyed the walk! Please come back and visit the site again. I post a Newsletter on the homepage (www.AudubonParkNY.com ) each month highlighting new pages, information, and research, as well as updates on the Historic District project. Matthew The Prairie StateDoes anyone have memories of the Prairie State? It was a WWI battleship moored in the Hudson River at about 135 Street and I believe used for Naval Reserve training. As kids we snuck on board and played basketball on it. The deck (court) had a bow on it which is partially responsible for the replacement parts in my ankle today. How about the "Dust Bowl" at 148 Street next to the river where we played football and baseball? Today it's state of the art, at least compared to what we played on. Now there is grass on the field. Progress! Under the Via DockFar from being a battleship, the Prairie State (also called the Illinois) was an old transport. However, as youngsters we would have been impressed by its size. Pancho and another neighborhood boy whose name I can't recall trained there before being sent to England as frogmen in preparation for the D-Day landing. It was decided that those boys with big chests (big lungs) could do the job best. I can recall Pancho telling me after the war that he had only a few days of Boot Camp. Sports -- we used the oval near City College. Stick ball -- 144th between Amsterdam and B'way. A ball hit to any roof was an out, never a homer. Spaldines was Spaldings were costly in the 1930s. One had to learn to hit as far up the street as possible, over the sewers. That is why the good hitters (one strike only) were called three-sewer hitters. The Prairie State was docked under the Via Dock c. 130th St. Like you, we visited it often. Nearby were the meatpacking/butcher plants. During the 1930s there were two "Hoovervilles" (hobo camps) under the dock. The overhead gave the men some some protection from the elements. I had an uncle who took me fishing off the piers. I felt sorry for the "lost souls." Then one day they were all gone. Hosed away! I used to wonder where they went. In friendship Ed Woods eandjwoods50@yahoo.com PanchoAs you recall, Pancho was short, about 5'8" and maybe 200 lbs. and a very good athlete -- basketball, baseball and could hold his own on a basketball court. I remember speaking to him about the UDT (Underwater Demolition Teams,the precursor to the Navy Seals) and asking him if they were relegated to swimming all the time. He told me they spent most of the time running, running, running to build endurance. As I remember, the Oval was near Convent Avenue. We never used the term two sewers in stickball. That was a Bronx expression. We bought our pink "Spaldeens" at Rutenbergs candy store on Amsterdam Avenue between 140 and 141 Streets for a nickel. He also sold kids twofers, two for a penny loosies, and Bugle Tobacco so you could roll your own or purchase a corncob pipe to puff away. Loosies were two cigarettes for a penny. I understand due to the cost of smokes they are doing that again. We played "swift pitching" in the park at Hamilton Place between 140 and 141 streets. It was comprised of drawing a box (a strike zone) on the the handball court wall and throwing balls and strikes as hard as you could. I'm a little younger then you but I remember the Swift Meat Plant down by the river and the time John Garfield filmed a scene from a movie, Force of Evil, running down the steps toward the river. Somehow he ended up at the red lighthouse under the GW Bridge and discovered his brother's body, played by Thomas Gomez, in the river. As kids during the war we would fish and crag off the docks right near the old Two Six Precinct. I'll never forget the time my younger brother came home with a catfish and an eel and damn near burned the house down trying to cook them. Boy, life was a lot simpler then. Even with a world war raging. Amsterdam AveRutenbergs, address 1628 Amsterdam, I lived in the upstairs bldg for five years. The Rutenbergs lived in an apt in the back of their store. Tommy Smith worked their paper route for many years. Tommy lived in 1626 next to McCarvill. The Conroys (Johnny the Bull) lived in 1630. Eddie O'Brien lived in 1634 over the Rothschild Deli where we could buy Old Dutch beer for 14 cents a quart plus a 5 cent deposit. "It's for my father." The playground around the corner was busy at night after it closed for the day. My recall of loosies is six for five cents in a small paper bag with six wooden matches. You refer to the station house as the "Two Six Precinct." Something tells me you were "on the job." A good family friend, Frank Lynch, became the Captain at 152nd and Amsterdam (The Three Two)? Your e-mail? In friendship, Ed Woods Three Oh PrecinctYes I worked in the South Bronx for 25 years which included 10 years at the Yankee Stadium,ten of the best years of my life. A ring side seat at the world. We played many games there-- Shae, West Point, etc. -- and traveled to Venezuela with the New York Press team. I worked out with players on the DL. Thurman Munson was a good friend as was Catfish Hunter. Lou Pinella and Graig Nettles. We guarded Pope Paul and Pope John Paul II. John Paul II gave off an aura that was indescribable. I was very close to him on three occasions and he made you weak in the knees and start to shake. Believe me it wasn't his celebrity status. Some of the people I knew were Cary Grant who used to look for me when he came to many games. Someday I'll tell you how he saved my marriage. A funny story! Jimmy Cagney came to a few games. Boy was that sad to see Rocky Sullivan, every Irish American kid's hero, all crippled up with arthritis. I finished up in the Bronx Detective Task Force and never looked back. It was a great career if you rolled with the punches. The six for five must have been filter tips.I forgot about the wooden matches. Do you remember the Hooten Bars they sold? One by two inch chocolate candy stuck on wax paper. Nobody seems to remember them. Rutenberg had the greatest malteds. They kept the milk frozen. God! Were they good! The Three Oh Precinct was at 152 Street & Amsterdam Avenue across from St. Catherines Grammar School where I went to kindergarten for a day. Later it became Bishop Dubois H.S., which I attended for three years before getting bounced along with my younger brother. There was a kid by the name of Neally Riorden who may have lived in your building and a kid by the name of Brian Neeson Hannon who died around 1945. I remember going to his wake on Vinegar Hill. Next we should take a trip down Vinegar Hill. My e mail is fuzz408@optonline.net God bless & HAPPY EASTER Rutenberg'sRutenberg's had the greatest milkshakes mainly because they kept the milk semi frozen. They also had Hooten bars, sheets of one by two inch chocolate that sold for a penny each. I've never met anyone from a different neighborhood who heard of them. Yes, I was on the job for 25 years in the South Bronx. Check your personal e mail. The Three Oh was at 152 Street and Amsterdam Avenue. It's now a landmark. The new precinct is on 151st Street of Amsterdam. How about Wings Cigarettes with the photos of WW II planes? The Shamrock Bar was on the corner of 140th Street and Amsterdam. On weekends guys would pick up containers of beer and carry them over to Convent Avenue for refreshments during the stickball games. Take care, Norm PanchoLooking for any info on Pancho Periera. He is my godfather and was best friends with my dad, Frank Corrigan. OLLumnaI went graduated from OLL in 1950. I came across this great site and I am wondering if anyone graduated the same year. I have been trying to get in contact with my fellow classmates and this looked like a great opportunity! The Old ShamrockI visted the 140th Street area a few years ago and took a few pictures. The Shamrock is gone with the wind -- history. I showed a picture of the building (1626 Amsterdam) to Vinnie McCarvill, who had lived there, when I met him for a beer in New Orleans a few years ago, and he almost wept. Some great memories of our Salad Days came to mind. "Oh the nights at the playground on Hamilton Place." It's the place where we came of age. In friendship, Eddie and Jackie ParishesOne thing folks from New Orleans and New York City have in common is that you identified your neighborhood by the parish in which you lived. Agnes GerrityMy mother, Agnes Gerrity, born 1916, and her brothers Thomas and Richard (born c. 1914 and 1920) attended Our Lady of Lourdes until high school. All three have passed away but I'd love to hear if anyone happens to remember them. Like your mother, my mom loved that school and spoke of it often. Anne Collins OLL Confirmation Day 1935I thought former students would enjoy seeing the uniform we wore in Our Lady of Lourdes School Primary Dept (1st to 4th Grade) during the 1930s. KnickersIt was humiliating having to wear knickers. Remember pulling them down to your ankles and thinking "maybe people will think they are pegged pants"? Boy did we ever fool the public! And how about the high starched collars -- I don't think they could have even gotten Freddie Barthomew to wear them. Didn't we replace them with waterboarding? However Ed, they look great on you. Do you still wear them? Old OLL picsDoes any one have some old OLL class photos or just some neighborhood pictures to post here in the comments? I'm sure a lot of Shorpy addicts would appreciate them. OLLi go to school at lourdes now im in the 8th grade and i think its really cool to see people talk about the memories they had about my school before i was even born and i would love to see some kind of picture of the inside of the school like a class picture so i can see what it used to look like [Just wait'll you get to Capitalization and Punctuation. - Dave] Class of 1964I too went to OLL from '57-'64. My parents and I moved to 3495 Broadway at 143rd St. in 1956. I started in the 4th grade with Mother Mary William. The school in those days was no longer a military academy. We wore navy blue uniforms, white shirts and the school tie and the girls wore navy blue jumpers with a white blouse and blue tie. It was very interesting reading about all the students who came before me and where they lived. I always was so curious to find out how this old neighborhood looked like years before we moved in. As you all know, the area changed at some point racially, although when I was at OLL the school was still predominantly white with a handful of Black children. I will always have wonderful memories of my time at OLL. My parents moved out of the area in 1969 and I since been back once to recapture some old memories of my childhood. NostalgiaThe picture that follows is the 1937 graduation class with the girls omitted. Monsignor McMahon built church and school(1901-1913); after 15 years as Curator at St Patrick's Cathedral, constructed 7 years earlier. See church of Our Lady of Lourdes for construction details. At the time of graduation, Fr's Mahoney, Dillon and Brennan resided across from the Church. The Poor Clares home was to right of the church, and secondary had Society of the Holy Name Jesus sisters. School and Church gave us faith and hope and discipline. Our world was the depression years followed by the wars. Our class of 1937 was just in time. The handsome lad below the sergeant stripes is the brother of contributor Ed Woods.Ed,and brothers Bill and Dennis served with distinction. Andy Saraga bottom right was a highly decorated Marines The others served as well. I hope Our Lady of Lourdes provides the inspiration our families sought for us. Nostalgia 1937The 1937 graduation photo is great. It's with both sadness and pride to think that most of these wonderful kids would be defending our country in a very short time in different uniforms.Believe it or not this military training was useful. How about more pictures like this and some candid neighborhood shots. OLL in the NYThttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/nyregion/16priest.htm So interesting: A more recent residentJust want to say that I've read every entry on this post. It is so interesting to read the memories shared by those that lived way before you in the same neighborhood. My mother and I live on 135th Street near Riverside between 66th and 77th, then moved to 138th between Hamilton and Amsterdam. I went to PS 161 and graduated from CCNY. I also have fond memories of my childhood. I used to play basketball in an after school center at Our Lady of Lourdes as a young kid, visited the area a couple of years ago and brought back great pics. Cheers to all Mauricio The Grinnell: Celebrating Its Centennial Those of you who remember The Grinnell (800 Riverside Drive) may be interested to know that the residents have just begun celebrating the building's centennial. We're having a year of events,so this is a great year to visit! Check the website: http://www.thegrinnellat100.com/ for photos, historical news articles, and residents' memories (and contribute your own). Click the calendar tab for a listing of the events between now and July 2011. Matthew Why Grinnel!The hundredth anniversary of a building? Forgotten is the fact that it's also the anniversary of the site building, and all the memories fast fading. I think Ed Woods of all the graduates, always hit the mark. Several others struggled to add something. If someone remembers the names of the sisters and preferably anecdotes please don't deny this information from this site. I personally remember sister Rose from 4th grade 1934. I believe Mother Michael provided my brother Andy's Confirmation name. Others with better memories speak up. Also it wasn't only our generation that owes recognition for all given freely. Christmas at Our Lady of LourdesAt Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the statues in the creche would be replaced by live students. The scene would be repeated the following day at the 9 o'clock Children's Mass and the 11 o'clock High Mass. A live baby would be borrowed to lie in the manger. The girl who posed as the Blessed Mother and the boy who posed as Joseph were the envy of the entire student body. "Oh to return to yesteryear." Happy New YearThank you SHORPY for bringing back to us so many wonderful memories. It has been said pictures are worth a thousand words. Shorpy's pictures, however, are worth so much more -- just can't put a number on them. Thank you and a Happy New Year to the Shorpy Staff. Ed and Jackie Woods [And thank you, Ed and Jackie, for inspiring the hundreds of interesting comments in this thread. - Dave] The OLL neighborhoodIt's nice reading and re-reading your stories about OLL, Hamiliton Place,and seeing the names listed. Many years ago, in my past, I visited the old neighborhood only to find it somewhat depressing, old and in poor shape. One time in particular I had parked my new "rental car" near West 144th street, and was showing my young children some of the places I lived on Amsterdam Ave, Hamilton Place ( 95 and 115 buildings) when two older African Americans came up to us, and said you'd be better not park here." It wasn't said as a threat, but more it's unsafe here, now that the area has changed. I had told them that I used to live here many years ago. I am glad to hear from Norm, that the area has rebounded, and in looking at the prices of the real estate I wish we had stayed here. Keep up the good work. Matt Waters mattminn@aol.com Hi Anon Tipster 1959. I used to date Carlotta Long & visited her lovely home many times. 147 off Convent as I recall. I often wonder in my old age (69) whatever happened to her & how her life turned out. I did graduate from Dubois in 1960, so I'm very familiar w/the sights & places referenced here. So glad I found this site. Tis That Time of YearThank you SHORPY for another year of nostalgic pictures and comments. Brought to us in Black and White and Living Color. Such fond memories of long ago, especially the itchy bathing suits. In the 1920s and up to the early 1940s, when on or near the beach and boardwalk, boys had to wear the coarse wooolen suits with the tops on at all times. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New York to Dave and staff. Ed and Jackie Woods Our Yearly PlaysI graduated in 1960 after 8 memorable years. I remember our yearly plays in the auditorium and all the hard work and practice we put into it. Father Hart was our pastor and I remember our farewell speech to him. My best friend was Lydia Marin and I remember Maria Santory, Joyce Brown, Maria Matos, Alma Mora, Maureen Quirk. If any of you from this class are around, give a shout. Jackie Erick Class of 1964Class of 1964 where are you guys? Write something here you remember. Do you remember me? OLL Class of 1957Here's the names of the boys' teachers from 1949 to 1957. I think I have then all correct. Grade 1, 1949-1950: Mother Mary Theodosia Grade 2, 1950-1951: Sister Mary Macrina Grade 3, 1951-1952: Mother Mary Eulalia Grade 4, 1952-1953: Mother Mary Declan Grade 5, 1953-1954: Mother Mary Edwards Grade 6, 1954-1955: Mother Maria Del Amor Grade 7, 1955-1956: Mother Mary Euphrates Grade 8, 1956-1957: Mother Mary Rosario Eighteen nuns lived in the convent adjacent to the church on 142nd Street: eight boys' teachers, eight girls' teachers, the school principal, known as the Reverend Mother, and the housekeeper. Six priests and the pastor lived in the rectory on the south side of 142nd Street. OLL was also known as Old Ladies' Laundry. I've written down the names of almost all the boys who, at one point or another, were part of the class of 1957. Only 27 graduated in 1957. Many were expelled in 1956 as part of a crackdown on gang membership. Mother Mary Rosario was brought in to preside over a difficult situation, but after the expulsions her job turned out to be not that complicated. I'll post the list of names another time. Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni ReunionHello out there. I am a current parent at Our Lady of Lourdes. As we enter a new decade, OLL would would like to start planning a few reunions. I am looking for some potential organizers to help us reach out and plan events in the new year. Please reach out if you are interested in planning or connect dots. There are many new happenings at the school. We will be launching a new website by the end of the month with an alumni portion. Thank you! Vanessa vdecarbo@ollnyc.org Class of 1971Hi! I graduated in 1971 and our teacher was Sister Patricia. I remember Marlene Taylor, Karen, Miriam, Dina, Elsie, Maria and Robin, Carla, Margaret and Giselle. Our class was an all girl class. I also remember Sister Rebecca, Sister Theresa, Sister Rosemarie (our history teacher). I continued to Cathedral High School but I miss all my dear classmates. Is there anyone out there who enters this site? My email is n.krelios@yahoo.com I would love to hear from someone. Marlene Taylor became a doctor (wonderful!!!). Shorpy Hall of FameIf there were a Shorpy Hall of Fame, this photo would definitely have to be in the inaugural class. I've enjoyed going through the many comments for this photo going back to 2007 even though I have absolutely no connection to the school other than being Catholic. What is equally as awesome is that a look at the location today via Google Maps indicates that, other than a few trees, fire hydrants, automobiles and removal of the statue, everything is basically the same today. Double DutchKllroy is correct about not much having changed, but it looks like even the foreground fire hydrant is in the same place (but a newer model). It looks like the circa 1914 photographer was set-up on the northeast corner of Amsterdam Avenue and 143rd Street. The Google Maps photo was taken travelling northbound on Amsterdam Avenue. So basically both photos are shot from almost the same location; it is interesting how the vintage image makes 143rd Street appear much shorter than in the Google image. I guess it's the result of different formats and lenses. By the way, the buildings at the far end of the T-intersection, on Convent Avenue (mostly blocked by the trees in the Google image), reflect NYC's Dutch heritage [ETA:] as does "Amsterdam" Avenue. (The Gallery, Education, Schools, G.G. Bain, Kids, NYC)
Ladies and Germs: 1912
1912. "Dr. George Stiles. Bacteriologist at George Washington University who ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/23/2012 - 3:30pm -

1912. "Dr. George Stiles. Bacteriologist at George Washington University who was supposed to have discovered a TB germ." Harris & Ewing. View full size. Hot Chick in the LabIf I was Dr. George, no TB germs would have been discovered. I'd have been way too distracted discovering the wiles and charms of the Microscope Hottie. All Together NowMy bonnie had Tu-ber-cu-losis My bonnie has only one lung. My bonnie can cough up raw oysters, and roll them around on her tongue. Bring back, Bring back, Bring back my bonnie TB, TB ... You guys are so fun.You guys are so fun. Charmingly insane, but fun. What *I* want is not Dr. Great Thoughts, but his lab coat. Why aren't they cute like that anymore!? The good doctorI'm thinking that the good doctor bats for the other team. Check out his stylin' Asian-inspired lab coat with the frogs! Anyone Looks GreatWith a Gibson Girl hairdo. I wonder?The expression on the good doctor's face seems to say "Did I leave the oven on at home?" Genius at WorkNo wonder distinguished bacteriologists remain unsung heroes! Here we have the scene of a genius at work with his two dedicated assistants at his side, and all we can think of are wandering eyes and office romps. I'm shocked! (By the way, Dr. Stiles is not chopped liver, himself.) Office 1907Oh, the hot, torrid office romances that must have erupted between those three! Big DifferenceHere's the big difference between a distinguished bacteriologist like Dr. Stiles and myself: I would have been staring at the young Miss on our left, taking in that cute little pose she is in, while he is thinking Great Thoughts that will lead to Progress for All Mankind. Come, come Sir...How can you even think of such a thing?! The lady is a married woman dammit! Meanwhile...The pretty but less striking bespectacled Petri sorter - Jan to the microscope operator's Marcia - is gazing longingly at Dr. Stiles's sternly handsome, chiseled features. Her heart flutters at his coquettish display of an inch's worth of arm hair. "I wish I was that Ticonderoga #2!" Second verse...My bonnie leaned over the gas tank, The height of its contents to see. I lighted a match to assist her, Oh bring back my bonnie to me. Bring back, Bring back, Bring back my bonnie TB, TB... More BonnieMy Bonnie peered through her thick glasses, I thought I was her cup of tea, Her gaze was for Microscope Lasses, She loved only them and not me. Bring back, bring back.... My research suff'r'd much from my bawlin', My unreturned love caused such pain, Tuberculin germs were my callin', So I shot quite a few in her vein. Bring back, oh bring back.... Dr. StilesIt's thanks to Dr. Stiles and his capable assistants that we can eat raw oysters without worrying (too much) about typhoid. Now that's "progress for all mankind"! Stiles, Dr. George Whitfield, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Chemistry. Orangeburgh, N.Y., June 14, 77. B.S, Okla. Col, 00 ; M.D, George Washington, 05, Ph.D, 09. Asst. bacteriologist, Okla. Col, 00-01 ; bacteriologist, bur. animal indust, U. 8. Dept. Agr, 01- 05, bacter. chemist, bur. chem, 05- Asst. bacter, George Washington, 05-06. Mem. Int. Tuberculosis Cong, Washington, 08. M.A.A; Chem. Soc; Pub. Health Ass; hon. mem. D. C. Med. Soe. Bacteriological chemistry ; preventive medicine; shellfish contamination from sewage; influenza; food bacteriology. — Food bacteriology. -- "American Men of Science" New York, Science Press, 1910 Crack EpidemicThe New York Times featured his work on July 19, 1908. Our dashing researcher warns that cracked and chipped dinnerware in restaurants harbors dangerous bacteria and to always insist on a replacement mug or plate. Verse 4My bonnie lies over the oceans, My bonnie lies over the seas, My bonnie ate lunch on cracked dishes, And now she's got gastric disease! Bring back, &c. George Whitfield StilesThe good doctor died 19 December, 1970 at age 93. Avoid eating off cracked plates for a long life! Any view is nice, in a labAh, the good old days, when microbiology labs were located so you could have a nice window for the reflectors under your 'scopes... These days I only have worked in one hospital lab that was above ground. (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Medicine)
Still Standing: 1912
"Boy Scout training demonstration, 1912." Fifth in our series of bandaged, splinted and faux-injured Scouts. ... Another thing which had changed about Scouting between 1912 and the 70's (which was when I became a Scoutmaster) is the size and ... was a relatively small triangular piece of cloth. In 1912 it was a very large piece of cloth, folded into the triangular shape we ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/07/2012 - 3:15am -

"Boy Scout training demonstration, 1912." Fifth in our series of bandaged, splinted and faux-injured Scouts. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. SplintersWHERE do these Boy Scouts find all this nice lumber lying around in the forest to make splints from? Are there also sheets and tablecloths hanging from the trees? Be prepared! Oops TroopThis whole troop certainly seems to be accident-prone. Lovely expressionIt seems to say, "Well, my arm may be horribly broken, but at least I have a jaunty hat!" Re: SplintersI suppose the sheets would be found in one's backpack when out in the wilderness — in the spirit of being prepared, one never knows when a formal dinner may spring up whilst hiking in the woods. And the lumber probably comes from something you can whittle from a nearby pine tree with your hatchet, assuming you have your Totin' Chip. [Back in the day, Boy Scouts were viewed as something like a youthful adjunct to the National Guard, and not necessarily just happy campers out in the woods. The idea was preparedness in the event of an emergency, whether it was in the city or the countryside. - Dave] Be PreparedOf course. I was merely being facetious. Having been in the Boy Scouts at a much later date than this young man (in the 1970s), I will say that the idea behind scouting had shifted considerably by the time I earned Tenderfoot rank. And our troop was taught some of the basics of camping outdoors, which probably was not necessary in this young man's day. I do recall, hazily, the idea that one should pack efficiently when camping, but not to forget things that might not spring immediately to mind, such as clean towels and washcloths. Not only or primarily for washing with, but for on-the-spot First Aid use as bandages, splint ties, or tourniquets. In the wild, you would probably not find a clean piece of lumber such as that pictured. You would more likely look for a small, sturdy, reasonably straight limb. And you would most certainly use your hatchet to separate it from the tree, if you had your Totin' Chip. Thanks for posting this picture, as the discussion has brought back some interesting memories. When I was a scoutWhen I was a scout (An Eagle over 20 years ago) we made splints similar to this. As I recall from the BSA manual we were supposed to use something straight, if you could get flat that would be preferable. We used our neckerchiefs for the bindings, although this young man appears to have used something that looks like it has a printed tee-pee on it. (Any chance we can get a closeup of that arm splint?) We used two scout shirts and two shovels to make a stretcher. Scout training is to be prepared for ANYTHING. Accidents and disasters don't just happen in the woods. I'd be willing to bet that there were more than a few people in New Orleans after Katrina who would have been happy to have availed themselves of this young man's training. Plenty of flat wood for splinting to go around there too. Be PreparedAnother thing which had changed about Scouting between 1912 and the 70's (which was when I became a Scoutmaster) is the size and nature of the neckerchief worn by Scouts. From sometime in the late 60's, the neckerchief was a relatively small triangular piece of cloth. In 1912 it was a very large piece of cloth, folded into the triangular shape we knew in the 1970's. It was more than large enough when unfolded to use as a sling or (as shown in the pictures) to tie up a splint. The BSA first aid material into the 80's still recommended using the neckerchief as a sling, much to the confusion of my Scouts, only the smallest of whom could fit their arms into a sling made from the new style neckerchief. InspiringThis is the first comment I've left here on Shorpy, although I come here every day for a dose of inspiration. I found this series of Boy Scout photos particularly wonderful, so decided to illustrate my take on this photo. There might be more of the six in the works as well. [That's really wonderful. Please keep us posted. I found a few more of these btw. - Dave] NeckerchiefsThe old full-square 30x30 neckerchiefs were handsome and useful. Those made prior to 1930 were a lightweight silky cotton pongee that could sustain a strain of many pounds on the warp and woof of the fabric. They looked great and felt great around the neck - and they were vital in performing many a good deed. Love Your ArtworkLove the artwork. I wish I had the talent to reproduce an image from a monochrome photo and add the colors that you've done here. Kinda replication - Kinda caricature - Kinda cartoon - Great originality! I wish I had the talent to reproduce a color photo into a color painting, for that matter. (The Gallery, Boy Scouts, Harris + Ewing)
Roofs of Baltimore: 1912
Circa 1912. "Baltimore from the Emerson tower." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/23/2012 - 6:40pm -

Circa 1912. "Baltimore from the Emerson tower." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. What has been seen... cannot be unseen! Acme TiresInsert Wile E. Coyote joke here. Continental BuildingOn the right in the distance, immediately to the right of the clock tower, is the Continental Building, seen here. Rooftop appurtenancesI've always found the mechanical appurtenances on building tops interesting. The purpose of some -- smokestacks and water tanks -- is obvious but many others, like those tentlike structures, are a mystery especially since this was before the days of air-conditioning equipment. [Those are ventilators. Also many skylights. - Dave] Hamburgers I saw the sign for "Hamburgers" on that tall building and thought it was a really big fast-food place. The other sign explains that it is a clothing store. Skip Luke What ARE they doing?I think I know, but it sure look nuts! Johns Hopkins HospitalProminent dome right of center on the hazy horizon. BGE BuildingThe tall white building on the left with the arch windows on the top floor (and the Spy vs. Spy chimney) is the Baltimore Gas and Electric Building, completed in 1916. Now converted into condos and known as "39 Lexington." Based on the angle, this photo may have been taken from the top of the Emerson Building, AKA Bromo-Seltzer tower. [Another clue would be the caption: ""Baltimore from the Emerson tower." - Dave] Hamburger & SonsI was expecting someone to question the YMBOD on the side of the Iaasac Hamburger & Sons building. (Your Money Back On Demand) Breathtaking, once againI was thinking: no other place I visit on the Web gives so much entertainment and enlightenment per click, day after day. Baltimore ArenaThe Baltimore Bargain House is still standing, too (it's now a state office building ), but everything in the foreground, including the couple blocks of Liberty Street that run diagonally, was razed when the Baltimore Arena was built. The street at the bottom of the picture is the first block of South Howard. City Hall!Seeing the Continental Building to the right of the clock tower and the dome of City Hall to the left of the buildings to the left of the same clock tower, and knowing that Continental is at Baltimore & Calvert (see Continental's Shorpy post) and City Hall is two blocks North and one block West of Continental, we can say this was taken facing East, though I haven't figured out just where the camera was. [There might be a clue in the caption. - Dave] Google Earth Modern EquivalentWith the knowledge of what direction the photo faces and the revelation that The Emerson Building is The Bromo-Seltzer Tower, and finding no equivalent, modern-day view available, I did my best to recreate the shot in Google Earth. You can see the results here. Very few of the old buildings are there still, or at least are visible. Of particular note is the BALTIMORE BARGAIN HOUSE sign, still visible today. That advertisement may have been there for 100 years by now. View Larger Map Too bad we can't see the tower itself. I think at this point of its history it still had the Bromo-Seltzer water bottle on top. (The Gallery, Baltimore, DPC)
Breaking Point: 1912
New York, February 1912. "The breaking point. A heavy load for an old woman. Lafayette Street ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/13/2011 - 10:36am -

New York, February 1912. "The breaking point. A heavy load for an old woman. Lafayette Street below Astor Place." Photo by Lewis Hine. View full size. FantasticIt's astounding how many of those buildings are still there. As interesting, they actually look older in the earlier photo than they do today. The Woman and the HorseThe horse to seems to have a better deal. He's resting and having lunch. Then and NowThis stretch of street (Lafayette at East Fourth) looks remarkably the same today. The building on the left with the arched windows houses a wine store, and the large building in the distance has a K-Mart at street level. There are lots of trendy restaurants on Lafayette, where Blue Man Group "Tubes" started (and is still playing) at the Astor Place Theater, just a couple of blocks north. View Larger Map How?How do you know she is old? Because she has a shawl? The men are all wearing coats, so it must be cold. [Because Lewis Hine's caption says she's old. He was there to take the picture, so he should know. - Dave] TimePictures like this make me want to burn every book Jack "Oh weren't things SOOO much better back in the Good Old Days" Finney ever wrote. Every copy of "Time and Again" should have this picture as a frontispiece. RelativityThat old (immigrant) woman was probably used to far heavier loads back in the Old Country. Warm Tone ImageDave, this image has a wonderful warm tone on my computer monitor. If your source for this is a digital file from a scan of the original negative, did you "tweak" the file to add the warmth? [This is a resaturated version of the reference image, which was made from a paper print that is quite yellow. - Dave] Building AppearanceMany of the older buildings in the cities look nicer and newer since they stopped burning soft coal and cleaned their exteriors. I remember going into Boston in the 60's and the buildings were mostly gray and black. Things look much nicer now. More detailsBuilding on the far right with the arched windows is the Devinne Press (Astor Wine & Spirits). Tall white building in the distance that seems to be pushing out into the street is the extension of Wanamaker's department store built in 1902 (KMart). Barely visible up the block on the left is Colonnade Row (Blue Man Group/Indochine) and up the block on the right is Astor Library (Joseph Papp Public Theatre). What a window into the Lower East Side (East Village). Potrzebie!Fondest memory I have of Lafayette Street is from the early 1950s, going to visit the offices of MAD Comics and buying back issues issues of both MAD and PANIC. Still wish my mom hadn't thrown them out. Quite a loadWish someone had the presence of mind to help her. That being said, she's crazy strong for an old lady. +87Below is the same view from June of 2009. (The Gallery, Lewis Hine, NYC)
Navy Nurses: 1912
Washington, D.C., circa 1912. "Navy Hospital nurses." Dry plate glass negative, Harris & Ewing ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/28/2012 - 5:28pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1912. "Navy Hospital nurses." Dry plate glass negative, Harris & Ewing Collection. View full size. Real womenI work with these women, such real faces. They've seen the suffering and been competent and caring, and kept sailors hands from wandering. In fact, I think I know the granddaughter of the third one from the left. She'll crack a joke while changing a nasty wound dressing. Nautically inclinedNurse on the far left would make a good ship's figurehead. CinchedNow I know the meaning of "wasp-waisted" and "hourglass figure." Just look at those tiny waists and notice that even the big-boned ladies still have proportionally small waists. Perhaps it was the old whale-bone corsets but if these were natural, we need to know their secret. Wasp WaistsMy vote is for the corset, which girls started wearing when they were very young. These torture chambers altered the bone structure as the girls grew, even to the point of displacing internal organs from their natural positions. My grandmother was still wearing one in the 1940s and it sure made her unhuggable -- kind of like a padded refrigerator. But they're comfortable?Only one (that we see) wearing white shoes, and nary a Croc in sight! Give them a breakNo make-up and that old-lady hairstyle; presumably minimizing the chances of funny business with the sailors. But the one on the far left looks like fun. Battle ...ship. Is that a model through the window on the right? How whimsical in a no-nonsense environment. Different capsI've been an R.N. for over 30 years, as has my husband. The caps are indicative of where the nurses trained -- looks like most of these ladies went to the same school. Also, just a very few years prior to this, nurses actually had much more actual training than medical doctors. HonestI found this photo illustrating my Funk & Wagnall's entry for "dyspepsia." Nurse tiarasI miss nurse caps. If I were a nurse I'd wear mine to work every day. Well probably not, but I'd wear it around the house like I were a queen. Clean freaksMy grandmother was a surgical nurse during that era. The only weapon they had to combat infection was for the area to be spotlessly clean. That's how her house was! Look how clean they are. Contrast that to most hospitals today. Now, don't anyone smile!They're a grim looking lot, I'm not sure I'd want to be treated by any of them. Concerned, dedicated, caring!What an evocative photograph. It's a group photo but the expressions of these faces reveal how dedicated these nurses were. Viewing it I was touched. Each and every one of these women are expressing that they are concerned and caring. Much more than just a group photo! A spectacle of herselfThe one on the far right needs eyeglasses. She's all fuzzy (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Medicine)
Joe Leiter: 1912
Washington, D.C., circa 1912. Joseph Leiter Sr., "capitalist, grain speculator and horse fancier." ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/27/2012 - 5:06pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1912. Joseph Leiter Sr., "capitalist, grain speculator and horse fancier." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. TragedyJoe Sr. died in 1932 at age 63; his son was killed in a hunting accident in 1921. NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 11, 1921. -- Joseph Leiter Jr., 10-year-old son of Joseph Leiter, millionaire resident of Chicago and Washington, was killed by the accidental discharge of a shotgun while duck hunting in Louisiana. The accident happened while he was hunting near the mouth of the Mississippi River; an unexplained explosion of a cartridge in his gun caused the discharge. The boy had accompanied his father on the hunting trip, although the father was not nearby at the time. The slain youth, son of the man who became world famous when he cornered the wheat market in the Chicago pit, was a grandson of Levi Z. Leiter of Chicago, who founded the Leiter fortune. He was a nephew of the late Lady Curzon of England. The boy would have inherited an estate of several millions had he grown to manhood I also wonder about the rug. But I do like the three different carving styles on the posts of the stairway banister. Hey Yo!He kinda looks like an older Tony Soprano! I'm not CharlesDurning, I just play him on TV. Nice Double-breasted VestThis guy could pass for Tony Soprano's grandfather. Wrinkly trousersDidn't suits in those days come with two pairs of pants, so you could wear one while the other was being pressed? Joe Jr.Joseph Leiter Jr. Killed by Own Gun at Age 10. Groundhog Day wasn't just a movie!I've suspected for a long time that Bill Murray isn't human. Now here's more proof. He was already 1,000 years old when this picture was taken. Separated At BirthI think he could pass for Winston Churchill's twin brother. Stalwart FellowConfident and assured with himself, but why didn't he have a rug that fit the room? O Brother, Where Art Thou?It's Pappy O'Daniel! "Shake a leg Junior! Thank God your mammy died givin' birth. If she'd have seen you, she'd have died o' shame." Man with a rug that doesn't fit.Nouveau riche Woodwork perfectionSimply amazing. That woodwork is done to perfection, no doubt with only hand tools. A house built today, with every conceivable power tool known to man, typically look like it was done by a four-year-old. If they cast him in a movie......he'd be played by Eugene Pallette. I'll bet he even had that froggy voice. If it weren't for the subject's dour looks, this looks like it could be the set of a screwball comedy. My man Godfrey is about to walk by and fix that rug... or Edward Everett Horton is about to trip over it. More agile than he would appear...He just ran into the frame from the left, sliding into place. Thus the rug buckle. Tres ChickLooks like he uses Dagwood's barber. Literary CharacterLeiter was the model for the main character in Frank Norris' last completed novel, "The Pit." Now that I've seen the photo, I have to dig out my copy of the book. All that woodworkIt's a lead-pipe cinch that the balusters were machine-made, and I'd bet the handrail and all the mouldings were too, and possibly the treads and the starting step; perhaps even the newel post came from a factory. Moulding planes were still around in numbers in those days, but the omnipresence of this kind of woodwork was made possible by machines. I imagine that a lot of handwork went into the final fitting, but that would be so today as well. (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Portraits)
Be Prepared: 1912
... Washington, D.C. "Boy Scout training demonstration, 1912." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative, Library of Congress. ... this is someone being saved from drowning? Or else, in 1912, Scouts needed to be prepared to arrest someone? Possibly they're ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/07/2012 - 3:14am -

Washington, D.C. "Boy Scout training demonstration, 1912." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative, Library of Congress. View full size. Artificial RespirationLooks like a variant of the back pressure technique for artificial respiration. It expels water or smoke from the lungs. There is also the chest pressure method where the patient on his back. These methods have mostly been replaced with mouth to mouth, although I suspect that in some cases the pressure methods are better for getting the water out of the patient's lungs Be prepared... for what?I guess this is someone being saved from drowning? Or else, in 1912, Scouts needed to be prepared to arrest someone? Possibly they're preparing to be chiropractors and adjust subluxation of the spine? It's interesting how much First Aid has changed! Thanks Shorpy!A lot of web sites, they make you pay good money to see this sort of thing. S.E.P.Looks like a real-life Leyendecker cover. Why the rings?Notice the rings on the "rescuing" boy's left hand. Are they novelty rings? Or genuine jewelry of some significance? Take us back to the juvenile's world of 1912, somebody... (Oh, and while we're at it, why the shin guards? Simple leg protection while on hikes?) [When I was a kid his age (not all that long ago), I wore a gold signet ring that had belonged to my granddad. - Dave] "Shin guards"Those aren't shin guards, they're leggings. That was part of the Army uniform around that time, and was also part of the original BSA uniform, which was patterned on it. I think their function was basically to keep the bottoms of your pants from fraying and getting muddy. (The Gallery, Boy Scouts, Harris + Ewing)
Fasten Your Seatbelts: 1912
1912. "Navy aviation. Commodore J.C. Gillmore in Curtiss headless plane, dual ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/22/2012 - 6:58pm -

1912. "Navy aviation. Commodore J.C. Gillmore in Curtiss headless plane, dual control, at College Park Army flying field. Lieutenant Milling, right." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative, Library of Congress. View full size. I forget.Which is Paulson, and which is Bernanke? Headless Curtiss PusherIf this a Curtiss Model D with the elevators mounted on the rear stabilizer rather than in front of the pilot (hence "headless") then the outrigger beams are indeed made of bamboo although most of the construction was done with spruce and the engine bearers and undercarriage beams were done in ash with doped linen over it. Treated bamboo is a good choice because it's durable and and flexible. I'm not sure about the construction details of the Curtiss Model E, which was the first aircraft purchased by the US Navy. The Commodore The Commodore appears to be wearing his dress whites. I guess he was going to the Officers Club after he was done tooling around in his flying machine. The Commodore rank comes and goes. It falls between Captain and Rear Admiral and was last used during WWII. It signified an officer that commanded more than one ship. College Park Flying FieldCollege Park Flying Field went into operation in 1909 when Wilbur Wright began training military pilots there, and is still in operation as College Park Airport, the oldest in the world. Since it is only seven minutes flying time from the Capitol, it has suffered seriously since 2001, with security measures driving general aviation elsewhere. There's a nice museum there, a decent restaurant, and a small park at the end of the runway where most mornings you can find me walking my dogs. StrapsNotice the shoulder straps attached to the tubing. I suppose that is to help them sit upright. With no cockpit or even a windscreen I guess that was a necessity. But I see no straps on their feet or legs. The whole contraption looks so flimsy, it only emphasizes how it took a fair measure of guts to fly one of those things. StrutsAre the struts on this plane bamboo? Well-Earned RetirementCommodore James Clarkson Gillmore had retired the previous year, following an eventful naval career. In the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, when the U.S. Navy was battling insurgents in the Philippines, Gillmore and 13 members of his crew on the USS Yorktown were captured in April 1899 and then abandoned in an area controlled by "murderous savages." Those who survived were rescued by American troops about eight months later. New York Times account of his rescue. Rope for the Commodore!The poles are indeed is bamboo. But what I find the most interesting aspect of this photo is the rope tied across the bracing to allow the Commodore a way to anchor his feet. He apparently is too short to reach the struts. American (or Yankee) ingenuity in action! Lt MillingInteresting, at first I thought Lt Milling was US Navy but research shows he was US Army. In fact he was the first to receive a military flight certificate. He retired in 1933, brought back on active duty in 1942, retired again in 1946 as a Colonel. When he died in 1960, he was promoted to Brig General retroactive 1940. Not bad for a very youthful looking 24 year old. Shoulder TubesI believe the tubes are control levers. Glenn Curtiss, the plane's designer, started out racing bicycles and motorcycles. It seemed perfectly natural for him that you'd make a plane turn by leaning to one side or the other, just like a bike. Death SpiralI would just as soon share cigars with the consumption patients than go up in that contraption with The Wacky Commodore and his "ingenious" rope pedals. (The Gallery, Aviation, Harris + Ewing)
Cuyahoga Bridges: 1912
Cleveland, Ohio, circa 1912. "Cuyahoga River. The Lift Bridge and Superior Avenue viaduct." 8x10 glass ... view enabled me to locate these companies in the online 1912 Cleveland City Directory. The Phoenix Ice Machine Company was at 1566-1568 ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/24/2012 - 10:53am -

Cleveland, Ohio, circa 1912. "Cuyahoga River. The Lift Bridge and Superior Avenue viaduct." 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Moving bridgesNot being able to judge the depth of field in the photo, I'm led to wonder if the swing bridge and the bascule bridge were able to collide if someone was not paying attention. RE: Drying racksFor drying fishing nets. Before they were made of nylon, they were made from natural fibers and would rot if they weren't dried between uses. Wonderful photoFull of steam, smoke, reflections, bridges, and industrial buildings. One of Shorpy's best ever! And that's not all...it even relieves fatigue! Phoenix Ice Machine Co.Alternative Shorpy view of this stretch of river at Cuyahoga: 1910. Drying racks? Does anyone know what those racks on the far right are? Some appear to have patterned material stretched across them, as if for drying. Replaced by the Detroit-Superior Bridge in 1918"The Superior Viaduct was closed to traffic in 1918 after the Detroit-Superior Bridge opened. The viaduct was condemned in 1920 and two years later, the central river span was demolished with 150 pounds of dynamite." Source: http://bridgestunnels.com/bridges/cuyahoga-river/superior-viaduct/ If you zoom into about the middle on the right side, in one of the building doorways, you can see a little girl in white with a bonnet on. So tiny and almost invisible within the vast surroundings. It makes me wonder what type of building that is and what she happened to be doing there. Relieves FatigueOn the right side of the photo, I believe I see the freshly painted left side of a "Chas H Fletcher Castoria" sign. The ubiquitous laxative claimed curing or lessening many of the discomforts of the 19th and 20th century. Phillip G. SchaeferAccording to various online editions of the U.S. Bureau of Navigation's "Merchant Vessels of the United States," the screw-driven steamship Phillip G. Schaefer was built in Buffalo in 1903 and home ported in Cleveland. Her hull dimensions were 64.4 feet in length, 14.3 feet in breadth, and 5.0 feet in depth. She displaced 29 gross tons and was operated by a crew of three. Surprisingly, given her appearance, the Schaefer was listed as a fishing boat in every reference I found, which would explain her presence at the Case Fish Company's wharf. The Schaefer remained in service until she burned in 1931, having been renamed the Maumee in 1930. Merwin AvenueStanton Square's reminder of the previously posted 1910 view enabled me to locate these companies in the online 1912 Cleveland City Directory. The Phoenix Ice Machine Company was at 1566-1568 Merwin Avenue, and the Case Fish Company was next door at 1574 Merwin Avenue. As I look down on that address from low earth orbit in Google Earth, the building there now might still be the old Case warehouse, but the Phoenix building is long gone. Not Fletcher's CastoriaThe sign that is partially visible in this picture, with the slogan "Relieves Fatigue" is actually for a product that is still very common. in fact, i just had some with my lunch: Coca-Cola. There is another sign in the middle background, of which only the word "HONEST" is legible. Not sure what that was advertising. More Phillip G ShaeferI too thought the little steamboat was interesting. I went online and found this. Buffalo is just a few miles down the lake and I wonder if the boat is related to him. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, Cleveland, DPC)
The Plaza: 1912
New York circa 1912. "Plaza Hotel, Fifth Avenue." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/15/2012 - 2:40pm -

New York circa 1912. "Plaza Hotel, Fifth Avenue." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Procol Harum at the PlazaI have attended countless press events in my years, but none as grand as the dinner Warner Brothers threw for the band Procol Harum in the magnificent ballroom of the Plaza. Dress was formal, the invitations were engraved and guests were announced at the top of the sweeping staircase. At its base, Procol Harum lined up to greet each guest individually. This was in the early Seventies, when the record industry was drowning in money. Within a few years, it was cold cuts and soda in the conference room. I can see the Plaza from my apartment, but I haven't been there since it changed hands and had a makeover. Love the cars lined up in front. Open and shutIt's interesting that in the days before central air every window, all the way to the very top, looks as if it's a functioning double hung window. Nowadays you can rarely open a hotel window at all. The hand of GodOr did someone else leave fingerprints in the sky? Not only the double-hung windowsBut foldable awnings! I love seeing them on these old hotels. I wonder when the last of them disappeared as air conditioning made them unnecessary. I'm not in Kansas anymoreIt is photographs like this that drive me into sublime wonderment that once anything was built like this! What Grandeur!I used to work on the 38th floor of a building right next door to the Plaza Hotel. Seeing only the top of the building from my vantage point doesn't do this grand old lady justice. Just a hole in the wallBack in the late 1970s, during one of my Plaza stays I found out that some fellow guests included two bands, which if memory serves me these many years later were Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. One of the bands had a suite directly across from my comparative hovel of a room and I recall they had security sitting in the hall 24/7 although I'm pretty sure "24/7" was not in the lexicon back then. Well, a couple of the lads - I forget which band - apparently had some, uh, excess energy to burn which they did by busting a huge hole in one of their suite's interior walls. The damage was so great, I was told on a later visit, that the Plaza decided it was easier to just make the hole a doorway. I never did run into any of the band members but one afternoon in the main lobby I almost bumped into Eartha Kitt, who was appearing in the Plaza's Persian Room. I am pretty sure The Kittster did not spend her idle hours in her suite busting holes in the walls, but I could be wrong. Pre-Fountain DaysI see there is no fountain adjacent to this view of the Plaza. Therefore I deduce that this phto was pre-Zelda Fitzgerald's infamous dip. I think Joseph Pulitzer gave the fountain to the city in 1916. Ancien PauvreThis is certainly not the Plaza of nouveau riche, for which the rehabbed Plaza is apparently intended. The old Plaza had character to spare -- relatively tiny and cheap rooms up in the roof, and the more unaffordable suites down below. It offered a great tea, afternoons, and its character and history were undeniable. My saddest moment was going through the edifice as its innards were being sold away -- all looking like a parts of an ocean liner run aground. I wish I had photographed the Palm Court - strewn with uniforms, table fixtures, prints, and doors, stacked up and down stairs and under columns. It was heavy with regret. Now, it's all but a pretty fossil. Interesting how you can see the Times Building so well from that vantage point with nothing in the way. This had to have been shot from the New Netherland Hotel, which was gone by the late 20's. The mansion at left has a plywood entrance, for that moment. Carbona for cleaningWay in the background you can see a "Carbona" sign, reversed. Carbona was the first non-flammable dry-cleaning solution. Before that, they used things like benzene. Taxi standWith the exception of the Franklin (or Renault?) parked at the front door, those cars lined up down the street and around the corner all look like taxis. Also looks like four ne'er-do-wells on the closest corner, or, on the positive side, they could be newsboys waiting for the next edition. E.B. Whitehad cinnamon toast here with a young lady three or four years later. His essay "Afternoon of an American Boy" recalls an awkward first date, "tea-dancing" at the Plaza as a teenager. A great read. As are all his essays. Eloise, pleaseThe Plaza may have been a New York hotel then, but four decades later it would become the literary home of Eloise, a fictional six-year-old who tormented the staff and her nanny while her never-seen parents went about living the life of unencumbered sophisticates. "I am Eloise. I am six. I am a city child. I live at the Plaza." The Plaza even had an Eloise plaque (later stolen), an Eloise children's menu, and an Eloise room for tourists who came there because of the book. StreetsGoing along 59th Street (bordering the Park), the block with the Plaza seems to be shorter than it is today. Was there another street between Fifth and Sixth Avenue at the time of this photo? I say this because if you look at the size and number of buildings on this stretch of 59th in the photo, the block seems to end before it gets to Fifth Avenue. Is the end of this block an alleyway or just a short block cutting between 58th and 59th? By the way, I find it interesting that a narrow, sliver of a building is still adjacent to the Plaza wedged in next to another much larger building. (The Gallery, DPC, NYC)
Making Money: 1912
Washington, D.C., circa 1912. "Employees at printing presses, Bureau of Engrav­ing and Printing." ... the bills themselves? A look through Google images using "1912 US $5 bill" yielded interesting paper money but nothing I thought was ... (or type of currency) would be printing at the Bureau in 1912. I have always had a fascination with US paper money above the usual ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/18/2014 - 11:53am -

Washington, D.C., circa 1912. "Employees at printing presses, Bureau of Engrav­ing and Printing." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. Fans GaloreA very busy and messy place with rags lying everywhere and a mixture of men and women doing the work. But I am puzzled by the covered things next to every window. They appear to be electric fans. But why would you have fans near the windows when you have so many already at the ceiling? And why would you have to cover them? Just not turning them on would keep them from blowing all the work around. A Good Day's WorkAt least the folks in this photo could say they made a lot of money that day. De-Lighted?Fluorescent Lamps were not commercially available until the end of the 1920's - the lights here must be Mercury-Vapor lamps, invented in 1901 by Peter Cooper-Hewitt, they were more efficient than incandescent lights but gave off a blue-green glow, and were more suited to photography and industry, according to Wikipedia. 200 Cents' WorthThis page of two-dollar banknotes reveals some of the bills here to be Series 1899 $2 silver certificates, a design that was used until 1917. The printing plates blown up by tterrace are for the $1 silver certs. Print jobsFront reverse printing plate of something and printed reverse of something. Cooper-Hewitt lightsI've actually seen working lights of this type that were installed in an old home that was being renovated. They gave off the blue-greenish light, as was stated before. The lights I saw were not the automatic starting ones. You had to physically tilt the bulb to get the mercury to flow the length of the lamp so it would light. Probably Paper Dust Galore, TooI notice none of the ceiling fans are running, so I think it must be a cooler season. I imagine the oscillating fans mounted near the windows are covered to prevent them from collecting the horrible amount of paper dust that can generally be found around printing presses and guillotine cutters. When the fans are in use, they'd probably blow the dust away from themselves, but when they're idle, it'd collect, creating a nice little fire hazard. (I know two people whose homes burned to the ground as a result of fires in fans.) As to why wall fans when you have ceiling fans, I'd imagine it's to get some cross-flow ventilation from those windows, perhaps drawing from the shady north side. Ceiling fans are alright for additional air movement nowadays with our central AC, but in those days, I think you'd want a bit more. [You'd have better reason to wrap something with heating coils, as anyone switching on an electric heater at the start of the heating season can attest -- dust burns. - Dave] This looks medieval.Today's presses are a far cry from this literal sweatshop. The Blur testAnyone whose face is recognizable is moving too slowly. LightingThe lighting in this shop has me puzzled. Looks like fluorescent, but they weren't really available until well into the 30's. Could be neon, but they're pretty bright, and neon wasn't really practical until the 20's. So, what are those bar lights?!? [As noted below by Bigguy, they are mercury discharge lamps, like the ones seen here and here. Below: ad from 1908. - Dave] Legal TenderThanks tterrace for the close ups of the plates and reverse. Can anyone supply a pic of the bills themselves? A look through Google images using "1912 US $5 bill" yielded interesting paper money but nothing I thought was close. I did not research exactly what series (or type of currency) would be printing at the Bureau in 1912. I have always had a fascination with US paper money above the usual everyone has. The designs and issues back in the day are just plain interesting and were works of messaged art. Plus they seemed to change with some regularity. God help us if we tried that nowadays, people wouldn't comprehend it. That reminds me I need to dust off a few of my GWB $43 bills and spend them at the convenience store. [The designs of U.S. paper currency have been undergoing drastic changes almost annually for the past few years. Maybe no one notices much because we hardly use it anymore. - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing)
Mass. Transit: 1912
Boston circa 1912. "East Cambridge Bridge." A visual compendium of ways to get from here to ... The poles The trolley viaduct opened in June 1912. The draw in the Cragie bridge is there, it is just hard to see. Those ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/15/2012 - 2:39pm -

Boston circa 1912. "East Cambridge Bridge." A visual compendium of ways to get from here to there. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Not much has changedThe trolley track viaduct is still there. The building on the left with the tower still exists. It overlooks the Charles River dam. It still has a drawbridge over the connection lock between the river and Boston Harbor. Farther up on the left past the tower is now the location of the Boston Museum of Science. Beauty lost to timeView Larger Map Sensational!Remarkably, much of what is depicted in this photograph, which looks from Boston back across the Charles River to Cambridge, remains in place. Most prominently, the poured concrete viaduct for the trolley (today, referred to as the Green Line) running along the right side of the photo, is still there. I have often looked at the "1910" date engraved on the arched pediment above the column at the far right, and wondered what this part of town must have looked like when this structure was new. There is currently a drawbridge in the location where the police officer is standing in the middle of the road, in order to let sail boats get through from the Charles River (to the left) out to the Boston Harbor (to the right). The drawbridge is currently being rebuilt, and this section of road is actually closed for traffic for the next several weeks. The buildings on the left are still there as well. The tower is used (I believe) to control the drawbridge, and the lower building serves as a State Police station. A few weeks ago, a car was passing underneath the archway at the far right of the photograph, and a large chunk of concrete fell from above and shattered the driver's rear windshield. The whole structure still has a wonderful look to it, but it does need some attention. Bridge over the River CharlesI was surprised to see that the arches of this bridge were originally much narrower than they are today. (Although you can see the 1910 date has been retained.) Trolleys still run on that bridge, although it's now the only section left of a much longer elevated track that was mostly put underground during the Big Dig. There is also a drawbridge on the roadway now for boats to pass through, although it very rarely goes up these days -- mostly only on the Fourth of July when yachts come in from the harbor to watch the fireworks. The building on the left is now a State Police outpost (perhaps it was then, too.) The Museum of Science now occupies the open space behind it. Five out of sevenpossible methods of transportation shown here. Steam powered rail, electric trolley, horse-drawn vehicles, motorized vehicles, and walking! Surprisingly, I couldn't spot anyone on a bicycle, nor could I see any boats in the water. [Let us not forget the aeroplane. - Dave] "New" HistoryHow cool it must have been to witness a construction project of this scope knowing that there probably isn't another of its type anywhere nearby. It reminds me of seeing I-75 south of Detroit being built at the end of my street in the mid 1960's where there was never a freeway before. 101 years and still on the moveThe location is in Boston, at the old Charles River Dam, which is visible as an earth rampart at the left, behind the tower with the weathervane. The trolley viaduct is in current use as part of the MBTA Green Line service. At the viaduct's end, you can see the still-existing ramp down across the roadway to Lechmere station. In the roadway below, currently known as Monsignor O'Brien Highway and Route 28, it looks like they haven't yet installed the Craigie Drawbridge (though they've installed the traffic control gates for the streetcar, the sidewalks look like they're still solid instead of part of a drawbridge). Also interesting is the high drawbridge built into the trolley viaduct, to accommodate sailboats entering the Charles River. The Metropolitan District Commission building on the left (which now houses state police) has the control tower with the weathervane on top. The viaduct drawbridge is no longer operational (but the ironwork is still there), and the one in the roadway is being rebuilt right now, in a project running November 2010 through April 2011. The two buildings at the left edge of the photo, just in front of Wellington-Wildwood Coal, are an MDC stable and boathouse. The stable is now used for work trucks by the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, which is the renamed MDC, and the boathouse at far left is empty and deteriorating. The view of these buildings would now be blocked by the Museum of Science and its garage. Behind the coal company building and a little to the right is the square tower (with peaked roof) of the Clerk of Courts building in Cambridge, with the main courthouse next door not visible. Everything to the right of the viaduct is gone and changed, though there's still a major railroad crossing there for traffic to North Station. The polesThe trolley viaduct opened in June 1912. The draw in the Cragie bridge is there, it is just hard to see. Those poles in the middle of the road are to lift the trolley wire when the bridge opens, and to realign it when span closes. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, Boston, DPC, Railroads, Streetcars)
Bustling Detroit: 1912
The Motor City circa 1912. "Campus Martius. Detroit City Hall, Bagley Fountain and Majestic ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/29/2017 - 2:57pm -

The Motor City circa 1912. "Campus Martius. Detroit City Hall, Bagley Fountain and Majestic Building." Detroit Publishing glass negative. View full size. Testamentary ?/-'men-/ a. of or given in a person's will. Yes, I had to look it up in the Oxford dictionary. Zip!I'm always a little impressed with how quickly modern America happened: stone-built cities rivalling Europe's, built up from bare ground in little more than a lifetime and packed with cars recognisably like our own only eight years after Oldsmobile introduced mass-produced cars. And some of the people in this scene may have flown around the World on jet airliners. Always a surprise... to see how much the automobile changed both our lives, and the views of the city streets that these photos provide. When is the last time that Detroit saw horse-drawn deliveries? There are still enough horse-drawn carts for deliveries and vendors to make their appearance in 1933's "Duck Soup" seem plausible. Did Detroit, the city built on the automobile, get rid of their old-fashioned alternative sooner? Car-mounted catcherI just came across this picture last night, of this cow catcher touted for autos. https://www.shorpy.com/node/4468 This picture, on the rightThis picture, on the right hand side, looks the opposite direction down Woodward Ave than the Eureka 1910 picture does. I'm surprised mostly by how many streetcars are running up and down Woodward. Not just one every hour or half hour, but dozens in a one block area. Watch your step!Look at the drop from the front of that streetcar step to the pavement, yikes! Don't know how women managed with those long cumbersome dresses. It's good the miniskirt came along - strictly for the comfort of the ladies of course, naturally. Bagley FountainThe water fountain in the foreground was given to the citizens of Detroit by John Bagley; one of the founders of the Republican Party, staunch Abolitionist, City Councilman, Governor of Michigan and tobacconist. Long before Detroit was the center of Automobile manufacturing, tobacco was a huge business with over 100 cigar and snuff factories in different parts of the city. The Bagley Fountain was built for both humans and horses as I believe there is a horse trough on the side we can't see. It was moved to Cadillac Square in the 1920s (I believe). It is still there and was outfitted with new piping a couple years ago. I can't say I've ever drunk from the fountain as it is mainly used by our wandering class of citizens for their morning ablutions. Personally I care to honor their territorial markings. For more complete information, may I suggest: http://historicdetroit.org/building/bagley-memorial-fountain/ HorsedrawnWhen I was a child, in the early '50's, they were still delivering milk with horses, at least in Flint, "The Auto City". Hanging OnYes, you, the guy standing in the window in the Majestic Building. Watch Out For The Cows!tterrace's comment had me going to Google to see what these contraptions were called when fitted to streetcars. Apparently the proper terminology was "streetcar fender". There were an abundance of patents issued for designs to enhance the safety of pedestrians who were reckless enough to walk in front of moving streetcars. Some required the conductor to pull a cord to lower the fender when a collision was eminent, while others were designed to be deployed full time on the forward facing end of the streetcar. Streetcar catcher contraption?Looks like the the thing on the front of the streetcar was designed to provide a humane landing zone rather than just plowing cows/horses out of the way. [That's a cowcatcher. - tterrace] Gone, gone, goneCan you imagine that when the Old City Hall was demolished in the 1960s, they considered it progress? (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Detroit Photos, DPC, Streetcars)
Gasoline Alley: 1912
Washington, D.C., or vicinity circa 1912. "Automobile." One of three photos of a curiously tiny motorcar. View ... would be welcome again today. Auto-Bob? A 1912 issue of Popular Mechanics has an ad for the Auto-Bob, a car kit with a 10 ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/09/2012 - 7:42am -

Washington, D.C., or vicinity circa 1912. "Automobile." One of three photos of a curiously tiny motorcar. View full size. 5x7 glass negative, National Photo Co. PlumbingI like how the front axle has a pipe tee as its steering element. Old Fashioned?Hah! Meet the car of tomorrow. HomemadeI wonder where they put the radiator on this one. [There is no radiator. - Dave] CyclecarI wish I knew the make of this cyclecar, but I don't. Cyclecars were a bit of a fad for a few years in the early 'teens. Their economical operation would be welcome again today. Auto-Bob? A 1912 issue of Popular Mechanics has an ad for the Auto-Bob, a car kit with a 10 hp four-cylinder air-cooled engine. [From the Conceptcarz website: "Jack Hickman, in 1914, advertised his small vehicle in East Pittsburgh which he called the Auto-Bob and offered for sale at $130 in kit form. A fully assembled example was just $150." - Dave] Fan ClubSo it has a fan, but no radiator? Very odd. The original Honda Civic also ran on a motorcycle engine, but I think it was water cooled, too. I don't recall the original VW bugs having fanblades. At least it's bigger than that one-person near toy we saw in an earlier post. [Being air-cooled, the motor (below) has no radiator. The boxer engine in the VW Beetle was fan-cooled from the start; most air-cooled car engines have fans. The original Honda Civic had an inline four, not a motorcycle engine. - Dave] HondasIt was the precursor to the Civic, the Honda 600, that had a 2 cylinder 600 cc motorcycle engine, water cooled. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo)
Making Pansies: 1912
January 1912, New York City. View full size. To the untrained observer this might ... the family interest - is Italy and its newly acquired (in 1912 as a matter of fact) colonies of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica. In 1934 the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/09/2011 - 10:09am -

January 1912, New York City. View full size. To the untrained observer this might be a pleasant domestic scene; to the eye (and lens) of social reformer Lewis Hine, however, it is a diorama of decadence and moral decay, with peril lurking in every detail. The object of his ire here is the use of child labor in tenement home work, specifically the assembly of artificial flowers: "Julin, a 6-year-old child, making pansies for her neighbors on top floor (Gatto), 106 Thompson St. They said she does this every day, 'but not all day.' A growler and dirty beer glasses in the window, unwashed dishes on the stove, clothes everywhere, and flowers likewise." Photo and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine. (NB: Growler = beer pitcher.) Pansy MakersThe glasses look clean and put away (upside down) to me. These people may have had it better than some in the garment industry did during this time. Hardly the drama being described. Foy Razor StropNotice the razor strop hanging on the widow frame ... You kids get to making posies or you get the strap. 21st Century Rent100 years later the rent on this apartment in West Soho, NYC is probably hovering around $2000 per month. That's a lot of paper pansies. [I visited the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side a few weeks ago and part of the exhibit is an actual tenement flat in a century-old building. And everyone's first reaction seemed to be "Wow, these are pretty nice!" Special notice taken of high ceilings, plank floors, interior windows, etc. - Dave] Is that a map on the wall?The old country? What was it? The MapThe map is of the Mediterranean, but the part in dark - presumably the focus of the family interest - is Italy and its newly acquired (in 1912 as a matter of fact) colonies of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica. In 1934 the two would be united as Libya. I hate to say it, but Hine sort of comes across as a sanctimonious complainer. He gives us a picture of these people but then complains about their cleanliness and their supposed drunkenness, at a time and circumstance where the safest thing to drink might have been the beer. (As for the razor strop near the window, the man undoubtedly shaved using a straight razor near the only dependable source of light in the whole place, the window.) Hine's MotivesOh I do agree that Hine was a propagandist for his cause, and that it was a good and noble cause. I guess that any problem I have is with his attitude in this case. The family in this photo (with little Julin, the neighbour girl) are almost made to seem like villains of the piece when in all likelihood they were being exploited almost as much as the child. It is doubtful that they were small entrepreneurs who paid the little girl a pittance and far more likely that they were piece-workers who were paid a pittance by a company. Child labour was and is an evil thing but the real blame didn't lie with these people who are being painted as the height of moral decay (a growler for beer, dirty dishes, clothes everywhere). Family TogethernessThe father is talking, they must be having a nice conversation, this almost seems like a nice family hobby. I know that in my home if myself, my wife and mother-in-law sat around the table chatting and making paper flowers, you can bet my two young boys would be begging us to let them make some. And in keeping with other comments as to conditions, I see clean laundry hung up to dry, some folded towels on the bureau, and roughly folded clothes on the chair. Let's face it, these guys didn't have Maytags. I also agree that Hines comes across as a crabby nit picker in his narrative here. Re: Family TogethernessYou have to remember that Lewis Hine had a goal (ending child labor) and an audience he was trying to sway to achieve it (members of Congress, who would see these photos as part of the report of the National Child Labor Committee). So he may have painted things as being bleaker than most people might feel is warranted. Also note that little Julin is not part of this family; she's a neighbor child. We don't know if she was being paid to help out. GrowlerGlad I read the whole thing. In Yorkshire, UK, Growler = Pork Pie. (The Gallery, Kids, Lewis Hine, NYC)
New Spring Ginghams: 1912
Detroit circa 1912. "Elliott, Taylor & Woolfenden, first floor." In Dry Goods: New Spring ... and column tops. I am tempted to call it art deco, but 1912 is too early for deco. It is not too early for craftsman, but I don't get ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/26/2013 - 12:38pm -

Detroit circa 1912. "Elliott, Taylor & Woolfenden, first floor." In Dry Goods: New Spring Ginghams and Fine Scotch Zephyrs, as well as a tempting array of Notions. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Far afieldETW built a nice building about 10 blocks NW of the main shopping district, and even offered free rides to their store. Ultimately, they couldn't compete with the mass of downtown shopping, and closed around WWI. Credit Charge Stamping PhoneUpon further review, I believe the piece of National equipment is a credit charge stamping phone. They were used by department store clerks to get approval from "credit specialists" in the back room for customers to charge their purchases. I could not find another shot anywhere of a device exactly like those in the Shorpy photo, but I think that's what this is. This picture show a newer model. Here's a page about them. [I've added a shot from the same page of a phone used in an earlier model, and it matches the ones attached to the devices in our photo. -tterrace] I can almost smell the perfume . . .. . . on the counter. Those look like Guerlain bottles. This photo is truly a time machine, taking us back to a time when ladies made most of their families' and their own clothes, and shoppers sat down to take a close look at the goods . . . a time when life moved a lot slower. Chain StoreJudging by the ceiling, I would say this was a chain store. I'll take some of that 15-cent ginghamI'd love to go back a century and spend a day in that department store. D'you suppose they take Visa? Strange BoxesWith some enlargement, it doesn't appear the boxes in question are labeled "National." Since each appears next to what looks like a telephone, they may be an early paging system. [It does say National. The phone is mounted on the side of the device on a swivel arm. -tterrace] Zephyrs and NotionsZephyr: any of various things of fine, light quality, as fabric, yarn, etc.; a lightweight worsted cloth. Notions (yes, I've passed through department stores for decades and have never known what this really means): pins, cotton, ribbon, and similar wares used for sewing; in sewing and haberdashery, the collective term for a variety of small objects or accessories. More NCRHere's an NCR ad from 1916 that includes the Electrical Credit System. Too Early for Art DecoI am in love with the art on the metal grates and column tops. I am tempted to call it art deco, but 1912 is too early for deco. It is not too early for craftsman, but I don't get the feeling the building is at all new. I am guessing late Victorian arts and crafts would be a correct ID for the style. Anybody have a clue when this building was built? (I, sniff, sniff, don't want to know when they tore it down.) TeaWhere can I sign up for the Tetley Tea Demonstration? Does Anybody Know?What are those machines with National (as in National Cash Register) on them? I looked all over the web and couldn't find a picture of anything close. I don't think they are standard cash registers but they must be used for some kind of financial transactions. More On the National Electrical Credit SystemFound these in an article from 1907. (The Gallery, Detroit Photos, DPC, Stores & Markets)
Honest Household: 1912
August 1912. Roxbury, Mass. "Home work on tags. Home of Martin Gibbons, 268 Centre ... tug at the heartstrings, but one must remember that in 1912, struggling families had to make use of everyone's labor to earn a few ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/13/2016 - 12:09pm -

August 1912. Roxbury, Mass. "Home work on tags. Home of Martin Gibbons, 268 Centre Street. James 11, years old; Helen, 9 years; and Mary, 6, work on tags. Helen said she could tie the most (5,000 a day at 30 cents). Mary does some but can do only 1,000 a day. They work nights a good deal. The night before, Helen and James worked until 11 p.m." Photo by Lewis Wickes Hine. View full size. Couldn't Help but do some DiggingI spent a half hour or so doing some research and found a bit of information on the family. I found the family in the 1910 Census, living at the same address. Martin and Mary were Irish immigrants, married for about 18 years at the time of this photograph. Martin's occupation is a stablehand at the city stables. The curly headed child to the left watching on would be Martin, Jr, aged 4 at the time of this photo. Not listed is an older sibling, John (16 at the time, so probably employed elsewhere). Jumping back to 1900 shows them still renting from the same address, only with Martin's grown sisters Norah and Ellen living with the young couple. Jumping ahead to 1920 shows Mary as now being widowed, still renting at the same location, with the addition of children Thomas (age 9) and Josephine (age 4) living with her. Mary is now employed as a cleaner at a shoe factory, James is a "Moving Picture Operator" at a local theater, and Helen is a clerk at a shoe factory. The family aged out and moved on (or simply dropped from any easy way to locate them) after 1926 - the last time I could locate them (still living at 268 Centre). As an aside, I found Martin in Google Books under employees of the city of Boston - apparently he had been working for the city since 1897, and as of the 1908 listing where I found him, his wages were $2.25... a day. I also found his death record on February 28, 1915 (which means Josephnie was probably born after he passed). He was still working in the city stables at the time. I found the Gibbons' Find - A - Grave listing as well. Mary lived another 50 years before passing in 1965. Her children Joseph and Mary preceeded her in 1920 and 1952 respectively. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=37957776&PIpi=1835... Still there in 2007, gone by 2009. Cottage IndustryThese children are working at home, certainly, perhaps for their parents' employer. But I'm not so sure what they are really doing. Are they just attaching the tags to the string or wire by which thy are later to be affixed to something for sale? Or are they also filling in labels? I don't see pens or ink so I suspect the former. Certainly there isn't merchandise in this room that is destined to receive the tags. So, it's a classic problem in mass production, reducing the work to small pieces to be performed repeatedly till the worker gets carpal tunnel syndrome and needs to retire. Primitive timesGas light above, oil lamp on shelf. No sign of electricity. This is one of the best photos I've seen of how a typical kitchen looked before all the modern things we take for granted now. I'm glad I was born 34 years later when life was easier. It's really amazing how quickly technology advanced in the twentieth century. Is that a mirror?I wonder if that's a mirror hanging from the wall and ceiling on the far left, slanted downward towards the sink area? If so, my best guess is that it reflects some of the scant light in the room towards the sink. It's probably hard to make sure your dishes are clean if you're washing them in the dark. Respectable childrenEven though this family is very poor, their home is clean and orderly. The children are nicely dressed and look healthy. The girl on the right is barefoot and possibly the rest of the other children are also. As with all of Hines photographs, one wishes these children had it easier as their lives went on. Classic shakerIt looks like there is a quilted pattern salt shaker on stove just like the one I have in my cupboard. I had no idea that pattern went back that far! Industrious SoulsSeeing these obedient young kids doing this very tedious work does tug at the heartstrings, but one must remember that in 1912, struggling families had to make use of everyone's labor to earn a few extra cents here and there. My mom, born in 1910, strung beads for a jewelry co. when she was 13. In the very early 1950's, she worked in a paper mill, manufacturing and wrapping toilet paper, and there was a time when she brought work home for my 3 sibs and I in which we had to stamp (with rubber stamps and ink pads) the correct number of 'sheets' on each paper wrapper as they did lots of private labels for generic paper and had to show the correct number of sheets within, which varied with different companies. It was such a wretched, boring job which yielded just coinage (for stamping thousands of wrappers), but one kid had to flip the wrappers while another had to do the stamping and since there were 4 of us, we'd change jobs. We all had carpal tunnel syndrome and Popeye arms within a few months, but we're okay now. It does keep one humble forever after. What are they doing?They're stringing the tags, I guess for Dennison since that's whose label is on the box. (Later Avery-Dennison, makers of Avery labels). Printing and cutting the tags could be done mechanically, but putting the strings (or wires, depending on use) thru the holes and tying them was hand work for years, and it may be still for all I know. The tags would be filled in by the end user. a stitch in time ?the cabinet behind the door with the drawers, hinged top and iron frame seems very similar to the Singer sewing machine my mother had, perhaps a little seamstressing helped fill in the gaps in the family finances ? or maybe just kept things in repair. (The Gallery, Kids, Kitchens etc., Lewis Hine)
Coal Weather: 1912
Circa 1912. "Coke delivery wagon and workers, Detroit City Gas Company." 8x10 inch ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/20/2012 - 3:19pm -

Circa 1912. "Coke delivery wagon and workers, Detroit City Gas Company." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Sure, it's a Packard!You can just make out the logo below the seat! Lifting a tub of coke.Coke weighs only about half as much for same volume as hard or soft coal. It was probably delivered to a basement door or window to slide down a chute into the coal bin near the furnace. I agree, a wheelbarrow or wagon would have made their job easier. What IS that?It looks kind of like a telephone pole, but with hoops (?) instead of crossbars? [It's a maypole-style line drop. Seen in many of the Detroit Publishing and National Photo pics. - Dave] Thanks for the info. Boy, those would sure put the spice into kite-flying and hang-gliding. Back breaking workYou'd think they could at least afford to supply the crew with a wheelbarrow! And an imaginary cabPretty sure that's a Packard truck. Couldn't have been much fun to drive in the winter. Also, a terribly inefficient method of delivery from truck to basement. No fuel like an old fuelIn 1951 we lived for a time in a four family flat in Detroit. It had a coal fired furnace in the basement which provided the steam heat. There was no automatic stoker so each family would take a turn manning the coal shovel and raking out the clinkers. It was a treat (I speak for myself) to go down with my parents and watch them feed the beast. I still remember the coal bin smell. An even bigger event was watching the coal truck deliver the coal with a gravity fed chute into the coal bin via a steel door just below our kitchen window. When we moved into a new house Detroit in 1952, we had a forced-air furnace with a 100 gallon fuel oil tank in the basement. However, many of my friends in the area had houses with the old "octopus" coal-fired gravity furnaces in the basement which had been converted to oil burners. The coal bins had been turned into storage areas and many still had the telltale coal odor. The gents in the picture are probably taking the coke directly into the house or the back porch since many houses in 1915 did not have central heat via a basement furnace but relied instead on parlor stoves. In many areas of old Detroit the houses were so close together you could touch both houses as you walked between them. No room to turn a wheelbarrow around. Ten Thousand TonsI was on a merchant ship that brought 10,000 tons of coal to Cork, Ireland, in 1949-50, unloaded by hand 24/7 in canvas baskets. We were there a week. re: Telephone TalkNote the one just posted in the Member Gallery ("Cross Connect Terminal"), along with several other early telephone photos. Music That horn is a thing of beauty. Telephone Talk These distribution rings came in various sizes and facilitated duplex subscriber drops in tight, typically urban areas. The one shown with the "soup can" hides the "dry spot" connection blocks. The other shows a "cabinet" type application. These rings disappeared early and in 45 years of collecting, I never saw one (even abandoned) still in the air. Carbon copyWe also live in a house that converted from coal at some point. The furnace that came with the house was an ugly black monstrosity, covered with welded-shut grates and hatches. Its heat output was pathetic, and it drank oil like a stevedore knocks back brews. One of the firs things we did was replace it with a much smaller and more energy-efficient furnace. But the traces of this house's coal-fired past still remain. The basement walls are still dark with coal dust in some obscure locations. The former bin is a storage area. Beautiful lumps of coal emerge when we dig in the spring, ranging in size from marble to baseball. These photographs give me even more insight into the life of our house. We who own historic building have a responsibility to preserve them for future generations. Fuel for thought Our 1820's farm had an enormous octopus coal furnace with an 'iron boiler man' auto coal feeder attached to it. Semi-auto to be honest, you still had to fill the hopper and shake and clear the ash and clinkers. But it would run all night without tending, and that must have seemed like a modern miracle in 1930. We ripped it out at first chance and switched to gas heat. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Detroit Photos, DPC)
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