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Well Connected: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Daniels and Navy telephone exchange." Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the ... Silver Spring, MD, in 1972. We were in what was a modern office for its time, but just down Georgia Avenue was the Bethesda office which had a switchboard that looked very much like this one. I ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/01/2012 - 10:14am -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Daniels and Navy telephone exchange." Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy. National Photo glass negative. View full size. Operator, May I Help You?That phrase is what we would have to say to cuatomers. This was my very first "real" job when I graduated from High School in 1975. The switchboard looked exactly the same as this one with just as many operators. It was a fun job working the old switchboards but not too long after I was with the phone company, they started moving everything over to computer and it became dull and boring, so I quit. I regret leaving, but eventually all this would become dinosaur technology anyway. Good memories though! Time to swab them decks!Looks as if there's a fine dark powder all over the floor, with the inevitable scuff marks of hundreds of footsteps. Except in places where no one walks, like under that desk on the left and around the baseboards out of the main travel paths. Don't they ever mop these floors? Have a cuppa...Not my favorite SECNAV, for sure. Daniels, SECNAV #41, was responsible for the prohibition of the daily rum ration for enlisted personnel, and of wine in the officers' mess in the US Navy. The stongest replacement aboard ship was coffee, and having a "Cup of Joe" remains in our language. Josephus DanielsHis Assistant Secretary of the Navy was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. What about the tarp covering the top?The tarp covering the top has weighted straps to keep it in place. I wonder what this covering is for. The pipes above look like a sprinkler system, but I can't find any sprinkler heads. Interesting. Jeff Number playzMy first job in Verizon/Bell Atlantic/NYNEX was a Directory Assistance Operator. Before I transferred to the technical side of the house I was handling over 1,300 calls for directory information. This was in the late eighties after DA went from microfilm to mainframe based technology. There were still customers who thought we were in a big room with phone books!!! Might want to Snopes thatThe Mikkelsons have thrown cold water on the "cuppa Joe" etymology. In any case, the Greek-writing first century Jewish historian must have been a semi-popular namesake in the late nineteenth century, at least in the American South. My great-grandfather was named Josephus, a name his baby sister couldn't pronounce, so she called him C.B. He decided he liked that name better, starting a family tradition of naming boys with those initials. He died in the 1918 flu epidemic, and I don't know much more about him than that. Skates rockNot sure when the concept of roller sakes for the supervisors came into play, but so much better than those tight shoes! The tarpLooks like a folded cover. The 'weights' look like handles which could be used to pull the cover down over the switchboard. No idea how they'd get it back up again, short of climbing up on the desk. Where?I wonder if this was in the State, War, and Navy Building (now the Eisenhower (or Old)) EOB west of the White House. Or, being after WWI, was it in those Navy tempos that blighted the Mall until Nixon got rid of them? Name and number, please?I started work with C&P Telephone in Silver Spring, MD, in 1972. We were in what was a modern office for its time, but just down Georgia Avenue was the Bethesda office which had a switchboard that looked very much like this one. I transferred in 1973 to Southern Bell Telephone in Wilmington, NC, and (lo and behold!) had to man a similar switchboard that had been acquired after the 1939 World's Fair closed. The switchboard from the fair was shipped to Wilmington and remained in use until the late 1970's. (Technology, The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Internal Revenue: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Internal Revenue -- income tax story." National Photo Company Collection ... Tax Temp Things looked like this at the Australian Tax Office until the late '70s. A friend of mine had a temp job there, for ... - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, The Office) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/13/2011 - 9:09pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Internal Revenue -- income tax story." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Tax TempThings looked like this at the Australian Tax Office until the late '70s. A friend of mine had a temp job there, for about three months in "Records Purification." Every day, all day, he'd open a drawer and check the first file. Then go to the next, then the next, looking for misfiled records, usually non-consecutive tax file numbers. Imagine the unbounded joy he'd feel when he actually discovered one. If you've ever wondered what an aquarium snail thinks about, try this job. File sizeI wonder how many megabytes of data are in these file cabinets. BrrrSince heat rises, that's probably not the most efficient location for those radiators. [Actually, infrared energy (which is what a steam radiator radiates) propagates equally in all directions. - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, The Office)
Attention Shoppers: 1920
More of the Old Dutch Market in Washington circa 1920. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. ... I'm totally fascinated by that stairway with the little office on the 2nd floor above the other little office. I bet those painted ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/11/2011 - 12:57pm -

More of the Old Dutch Market in Washington circa 1920. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. Wall sign"All transactions strictly cash". I guess they don't take Visa. Or ask "Paper or plastic?" Looking at the vegetables, I bet much was organic and local and that wasn't considered special, it was just how people ate. [The tomatoes, according to their newspaper ads, were from Florida. Some of the other Dutch Market ads tout California cauliflower and lettuce, shipped packed in ice. - Dave] Keeping it clean..."Customers are requested not to ask permission to handle meat." StaircaseI'm totally fascinated by that stairway with the little office on the 2nd floor above the other little office. I bet those painted stairs were squeaky, just like the ones going up to my grandparents' 2nd floor. Or maybe that's the 1st and a half floor? And those ceiling fans on the long extension rods. I bet it was a real crowd pleaser when somebody bumped one of those hanging lights into a spinning fan. (Although the perspective might make them appear closer than they really were, if you follow the wires and rods up to the ceiling.) Strictly cash"Strictly Cash" in these pre-credit card days meant customers could not charge their purchases, a practice larger chain stores could afford to maintain. Neighborhood independents, like my father's De Luxe Groceteria, had to carry their own accounts to stay in business; customers expected it, and abused it. The resulting accumulated floating debt, along with the deterioration of the inner cities as middle-class families fled to the suburbs after WWII, was the reason my father finally had to give up his business in 1950. By then, of course, our own family had fled nine years earlier across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, where the local groceries he worked for, like the Rainbow Market, continued to offer charge accounts, as well as delivery service, well into the 60s and even 70s before they finally succumbed to the pressure from the big chains. Toledo scales"Honest weight - no springs." Some phrases just stay embedded in the memory. Opaque GogglesI notice the butcher standing behind the scale has what looks like opaque flying goggles but maybe he just came out of the deep freeze with a new supply of hanging hams. My grandma used to take me to a Russian meat market in the 40's where they sold only meat and the butchers were equally busy and dressed in blood-stained white clothing just like these. There was lots of sawdust on the wooden floors, possibly to soak up blood. The produce here may have inspired the song "Yes, we have no bananas." I love the way the waiting woman's foot is wrapped around her other foot. Nice picture. [They're regular eyeglasses. And I'll bet you a dollar that aviator goggles aren't "opaque." - Dave] BananasThese 1920 bananas were the Gros Michel cultivar, which became commercially unviable due to disease in the '50s. They were supplanted by the Cavendish, still available today. Gros Michel was a sturdy banana, as in those old photos of bananas in nets being hoisted off ships; Cavendish has to be boxed. And from what I've read is superior in flavor to today's bananas. Root vegetables, cauliflower, spinach, and grapefruit make me think this photo was taken in late winter or early spring. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)
The Healing Waters: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Walter Reed Physiotherapy story." National Photo Company Collection ... the potential of going down in Shorpy history much like Office XMas Party 1925 and Dickey Christmas Tree 1921. From Lyle Lovett in a ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/04/2020 - 10:44pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Walter Reed Physiotherapy story." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Keep your powder dryThis is one of those photos that, even if it isn't a Christmas picture, has the potential of going down in Shorpy history much like Office XMas Party 1925 and Dickey Christmas Tree 1921. From Lyle Lovett in a bath robe, soaking his leg in a cylinder, to the gent sporting a woolly mammoth cardigan, one hand cautiously on the controls, sharing a tub with a friend who seems to have brought along an umbrella, there's an embarrassment of riches here. I breathed a sigh of relief to see both of the lady's white-shod feet on the floor because at first glance it appeared that she'd thrown a shapely limb into the drink as well. Christmas photo?The most Christmas-y element to catch my eye right from the get-go was the nurse. I guess that’s her uniform, but I thought she was dressed like a Christmas elf. Also, I’ve been to physio for numerous ailments, and I’ve had strange treatments (e.g. little buzzy electro-pads that stimulate something or other), but never the wet-leg cure. Finally, that’s one sharp leather gaiter on Mr. Umbrella on the leg that isn’t immersed. That's funny.100 years of paper towel science and my latest roll leaves exactly the same corner hanging. Maybe not an umbrella...?The fellow on the far right would be a perfect character for an early Agatha Christie novel – Col. Smitherington-ffrench, or something along those lines. I do wonder if his accessory might be a cane rather than an umbrella, given the setting. All goodThe three men appear to be in good spirits. Maybe the healing waters, but more likely it’s lil’ elfy nurse. Sweater Man Is SmittenLooks as if the man in the fuzzy cardigan is completely enchanted with Nurse Elf Cap. Also, I think that umbrella is a cane. Come on over here; let me show youOf the three men, only Lyle Lovett appears to be a bona fide patient. In addition to his bathrobe, his cane is hanging on the cylinder's rim. The man in gaiters is also wearing jodhpurs (note the riding patch on his inside knee). He's probably just ridden horseback to Walter Reed. My take on this photo is he and wooly mammoth cardigan have both come to visit Lyle, when one of them asked the nurse, "Hey, how does this thing work?" Umbrellas 'r' usLyle Lovett also appears to have a brollie handle hooked over the rim of his cylinder. Perhaps there's an heretofore unknown connection between precipitation protectors and lower-limb therapy? Perhaps once they've soaked in the cauldron long enough, the nurse joins them in a rousing rendition of "Knees up Mother Brown"! Getting to PhysiotherapyInstead of an umbrella, isn't that a cane held with a newspaper? Lyle Lovett has a cane, too--a sobering reminder of why these young men are here. (I do like the mirror over the little shelf; I imagine someone shaving while trying to immerse himself in the larger bath.) (The Gallery, D.C., Medicine, Natl Photo)
Ninth and H: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "9th & H Streets N.W." Home to the National Photo Company, whose work ... just went to google maps for the above scene, I prefer the 1920 view, the present location has lost a lot of futuristic memories. ... years he had his own contracting firm. In later years his office was at his home address, 908 9th st. nw. He was one o the original ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/19/2014 - 9:37am -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "9th & H Streets N.W." Home to the National Photo Company, whose work is well represented here on Shorpy, and whose neighbors we've seen here and here. National Photo Co.glass negative. View full size. Yikes !just went to google maps for the above scene, I prefer the 1920 view, the present location has lost a lot of futuristic memories. Towers still there; domes aren'tStreet View shows that the towers of what is now the Greater New Hope Baptist Church are still there - though they are today missing the spiffy domes. However, I was curious about the Star of David that's visible in this photo, atop the building's central dome (the central dome is still there today). A look through the Greater New Hope Baptist site's history page reveals that the building originally housed the First Washington Hebrew Congregation. Chicken wire treesI initially thought the chicken wired trees were to deter squirrels, but the saplings encased in wooden boards suggests protection more from horses. [Horses in both cases. -tterrace] Glass negativesPerhaps one of the photogs of this site could explain why glass negatives were still in use in 1920. [Because photographic film in 1920 was not very good. - Dave] William B. Fowler, Contractor Washington Post, January 23, 1910. Builders and Contractors WM. B. FOWLER — Contractor. Concrete Pavements, Driveways, Cellar and Stable Floors, Walks, Steps, and Copings. Old Buildings Removed. Excavating, Walls Tarred. 9th and H st. nw. Phone Main 4973 Washington Post, January 10, 1955. W. B. Fowler Dies; Former D.C. Builder William B. Fowler, 84, former building contractor, died Saturday at Georgetown University Hospital. A native of Washington, he lived here all of his life. For more than 50 years he had his own contracting firm. In later years his office was at his home address, 908 9th st. nw. He was one o the original members of the Redman's lodge here. Many of the smaller storefronts along 7th st. nw. were built by Mr. Fowler. … Washington Hebrew CongregationAlthough the building that is now Greater New Hope Baptist Church is on the site of the first WHC building, it is actually the synagogue's second building. In 1863, WHC bought the building of the Methodist Episcopal Church, then on the site. It was demolished and replaced by the current building in 1897. This is the view of the 1897 building from the WHC website. (The Gallery, D.C., Kids, Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)
Revenuers: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Internal Revenue income tax story." National Photo Company Collection ... that. I need to have a radio on to work. So what does this office need? A Victrola with headphones by each desk. What would happen ... the sprinklers?? (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, The Office) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/13/2011 - 10:00pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Internal Revenue income tax story." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Obviously not summerAll of the windows are closed. All of the fans are motionless and unplugged. Everybody seems to be wearing wool coats and ties. Wait, that last bit doesn't mean anything! Fall AsleepAs someone who works in finance, I can tell you that I would be asleep after 25 minutes of working like that. I need to have a radio on to work. So what does this office need? A Victrola with headphones by each desk. What would happenif I were there to accidentally turn on the sprinklers?? (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, The Office)
Lunch Meet: 1942
... and Dave posted a pic of the front of People's #7 circa 1920 back on 11/27/2009 here: https://www.shorpy.com/node/7213 Pure ... this photo doesn't have the intrigue of our favorite office Christmas party, we do have the two people at the counter who are not ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/22/2022 - 2:48pm -

July 1942. "Lunchtime in the wartime capital. People's Drug store on G Street N.W. at noon." Acetate negative by Marjory Collins for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. People's #7Located at 1100 G Street NW across 11th Street from the Woodward & Lothrop department store, making it a very popular lunch spot. The building was razed in the mid 1960s. Odor SweetI reversed an image in a mirror. I'm at a loss as to what products would be stocked under the heading "Odor Sweet." It's not a great hook phrase for perfume. Thanks, Dave, for identifying the product. I'm gonna stick with my current deodorant, No Stink. A Rare Non-SightingMy completely unscientific impression is that this is the only known Shorpy picture of any establishment that doesn't feature a Coca Cola sign on, in or near the premises. How did Coke's marketing department, omnipresent even in 1942, miss these folks? [They didn't. ICE COLD. - Dave] Front of People's #7As an add-on to sshistory's comment below, Shorpy and Dave posted a pic of the front of People's #7 circa 1920 back on 11/27/2009 here: https://www.shorpy.com/node/7213 Pure AmericanaFascinating. Perhaps it's just my little area of Canada, but I've never seen a drugstore here with a lunch counter or serving milkshakes and floats. My experience goes back to the 1950s. It was the department stores that had the lunch counters, plus of course regular restaurants which also had booths and/or tables. And lining up to get service while people slowly ate their way through a sandwich or piece of pie just was never on. If it was that busy, you'd find somewhere else as there was plenty of choice. Different country, different mores. The Happy Couple?Although this photo doesn't have the intrigue of our favorite office Christmas party, we do have the two people at the counter who are not stuffing their faces but are participating in a stare-down. What's going through their minds? Are they a married couple, communicating with their facial expressions? Since they both are pretty blank, I doubt it. She seems to have raised eyebrows. Maybe it's an office romance. Is she saying, "We've got time before we have to get back to work." Maybe they're strangers just trying to figure each other out. Then, there are the man and woman behind them waiting not so patiently, trying to burn holes in the back of the sitting people heads with their stares, particularly the woman. You know she's thinking, "If you're done, would you get up already and get a room. I'm hungry." And the guy with his hands on his hips is about ready to pull someone out of their seats if they don't hurry up. There's a lot going on here for such a simple picture. Conundrum's conundrumConundrum, here's an article about the history of lunch counters at drug stores. They sounded like the fast food of the time - a quick lunch while you're shopping for other things. As for the people in line, I suspect they were crowded because Washington DC grew enormously during WW2. The influx of people must have overwhelmed the existing restaurants, and July 1942 may have been too soon for new restaurants to open. (The Gallery, D.C., Eateries & Bars, Marjory Collins)
Reliable Shoe House: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. Hahn's shoe store at Seventh and K streets N.W. View full size. ... handled by the firm. The fixtures are of oak, and the office cashier's box, and wrapping counter in the front of the main salesroom ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/03/2012 - 11:52am -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. Hahn's shoe store at Seventh and K streets N.W. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. Hahn'sThe building still exists, and the shoe store closed only about 10-12 years ago. I used to buy all my shoes there, including my first grown-up shoes for my first job, for a law firm across the street. That is neatI would give my bottom dollar to have seen what new-old-stock they had available when they closed down. Size 8 please... Hahn Shoes: 1891 The Washington Post, Oct 13, 1891 William Hahn & Co. Formally Open Their New Establishment William Hahn & Co. celebrated the occupation of their new place of business at 930 and 932 Seventh street yesterday and last night be a formal opening, that was attended by great crowds of people. The new building, which was demanded by the increasing trade of the firm, was built expressly for them. It is a beautiful structure, three stories high, and every available foot of space is devoted to the large assortment of goods handled by the firm. The fixtures are of oak, and the office cashier's box, and wrapping counter in the front of the main salesroom are an innovation on the usual methods of construction. The fixtures, for both gas and electricity, are black and form a pleasing contrast to the thousands of white boxes containing shoes. ... Hahn Shoe DCThe corner occupied by Hahn is the SW corner of Seventh Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW. K Street goes west to Seventh and stops at Mount Vernon Square, where Carnegie City Library was built. K restarts west of Ninth Street all the way to Georgetown. [This is Seventh and K, not Seventh and Mass. - Dave] Hahn'sHahn shoes ware the best. Someone should start a Facebook for all Hahn's-related stuff. You Are HereThe address is also in the medallion on the corner of the building. The old hotfootHahn's shoe store was destroyed by a five-alarm fire on December 12, 1937. Luther Reason RayI found a design by architect Luther Ray while researching him in the Library of Congress archives. It appears to have been either a plan for a remodel of a this building or one for a replacement. Do we know if it was ever built? (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)
America's First Car: 1920
... view of the building shortly after its completion in 1920. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size. Haynes ... day at work. There is a man bent over in the front office (window on the left). Auto-Biograph This building later became ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/26/2011 - 1:23pm -

"Wayne Smith Auto Co., front." Mr. Smith went to Washington, and built this dealership at the corner of M and 22nd. A street view of the building shortly after its completion in 1920. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size. HaynesNot only America's finest, but also its first. First with the FinestDoesn't it say "America's First Car," not "Finest"? [Oops. Fixed! - Dave] Wayne's Haynes!Sorry, I couldn't resist the rhyme! Haynes was no cheapieThe 1920 Haynes 12-cylinder, 4-door roadster was listed at $3250. That's more than 37,000 2011 dollars. Wayne Smith would have had to look for another line in a few years, though, since Haynes went out of business in 1924. Just another day at work.There is a man bent over in the front office (window on the left). Auto-BiographThis building later became the Biograph theater, showing old movies and art films. Went out of business with the advent of the VCR. Not The BiographWhile similar in appearance this is not the building that became the Biograph Theater which is actually about 6 blocks west on M street from where this building once stood. America's First Car? Not!I have never before seen Haynes as being credited with being America's first car. This honor goes to Duryea who by the close of 1896 had produced 13 automobiles (along with several prototypes), won a race in Chicago in 1895, and also the inaugural London to Brighton Run in 1896. According to wikipedia, Haynes only produced five cars in 1898 (the first year of production shown). The first Duryea is from 1892/1893 while the first Haynes is from 1894. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo)
Wired: 1920
... "Interior Department, Bureau of Mines." Another circa 1920 view of research activities at the bureau's Washington offices. Harris ... Sheesh, why don't people wear eyeshades in the office anymore? So cool! Whatever happened to them? Kinda like hats? Always ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/12/2011 - 1:00pm -

"Interior Department, Bureau of Mines." Another circa 1920 view of research activities at the bureau's Washington offices. Harris & Ewing. View full size. Fire!That looks like a fire waiting to happen. It also sort of looks like PVC tubing in there. I wonder what the white pipes are made of? They are too thin and smooth to be covered in asbestos. [Galvanized steel electrical conduit -- Crouse-Hinds "Condulet." - Dave] SpaghettiNo tie-wraps? What a mess. Electricity. Water. Scared.Where's OSHA when you really need them? Reminds me of one of my first jobs.It was a kitchen where the only way to change the bulb in the light fixture was to actually stand IN the sink. If it blew during business hours, there was no turning the breaker off because that would plunge the dining room into darkness as well. Yeah, I know, we have laws to prevent that sort of thing, but they're pretty meaningless in small towns where people are desperate for any job they can get to keep a roof over their heads. PuzzleI'm a mechanical engineer and have been around research laboratories most of my life. It's fun trying to figure out what he's up to. I would guess the tub of water is a constant-temperature bath for the cylindrical vessels. It has a thermometer poked in it. The vessels have lids, with wire penetrations, for closure before submersion. The long rods and motors are probably for stirring the submerged vessel contents also through the lids. They might be combusting something in the vessels and then measuring the time-changing temperature with thermocouples. However, I don't see a thermocouple potentiometer. Maybe they're somehow using what look like resistor boxes on the researcher's desk. Research can be messy as this photo aptly demonstrates. With the water and electricity so intertwined, it looks like an acident waiting to happen. Electroplating?With all the wires and big tank of water it looks like an electroplating experiment in process. Behave!"Don't you dare explode while the photog's here!" EyeshadesSheesh, why don't people wear eyeshades in the office anymore? So cool! Whatever happened to them? Kinda like hats? Always there and then one day just gone? Can we bring them back? Please? Precious metal assay This is what is happening here.... "The invention describes a method for determining the assay of gold alloy. It utilizes a dynamic electrochemical process. The specimen gold is wetted by a described electrolyte, and a small current anodizes the surface of the specimen for a metered period of time. A potential sensing device is then applied to the charged surface, and a potential decay is observed. The potential decay information is compared with empirical data and by interpolating said potential decay with the empirical data a determination of the karat quality of the gold alloy may be determined. This same method may be used for other precious metals, employing different electrolytes, empirical standards, and potentiometers." (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Mining)
A Little Philately: 1920
Nov. 30, 1920. Washington, D.C. "Charles M. Schwab, of the Kalorama Apartments, probably ... an educated guess that this kid's father worked in a big office and brought home all of these stamps for him. [Speaking as a ... trove that was. My Aunt from New York worked in an office which received a large amount of foreign correspondence. She would save ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/06/2014 - 4:58pm -

Nov. 30, 1920. Washington, D.C. "Charles M. Schwab, of the Kalorama Apartments, probably has the largest collection of stamps in the East. This is a pile of approximately two million." National Photo glass negative. View full size. Hey look at this!I would wager that posing him this way was the photographer's idea. I once saw a newspaper photographer talk two boys into posing INSIDE a huge pile of leaves they had raked up. The photo got published. RelationsThis is not the nephew of steel magnate Charles Michael Schwab. The kid appears to be the son of Frederick and Molly Schwab. In 1930, age 21, he was still living at home and working as a bookkeeper. But you coulda guessed that. Stamp accumulationA thin line separates collecting from accumulating. I think this kids just crossed that line. 90% of the stamps piled here are from the Franklin (1cent) / Washington (3cent) series which where the common stamps of the day at that time and are worthless (with some exceptions) today. Because most of the stamps are still attached to the envelop paper they were sent on, I can make an educated guess that this kid's father worked in a big office and brought home all of these stamps for him. [Speaking as a fellow sometime-philatelist, I'd say the album indicates he also has a real stamp collection. -tterrace] Charles Schwab? Did getting go on to found a brokerage firm? Or was that his son? [No relation. -tterrace] But:Is this not a rather odd way to display your collection, valuable or not? Nephew of American steel magnate?Charles Michael Schwab (1862-1939) was an American steel magnate. Not related to the founder of the brokerage firm Charles Schwab Corporation He had a namesake nephew, the son of his brother Joseph. Could this be who this is? This boy certainly has the elder Charles Michael Schwab ears. Stamp Collecting DazeI started collecting stamps around 1957, when I was ten, when my parents bought me an orange cloth bag of foreign stamps from the local 5 & 10 store for a dollar. The stamps were still on the envelope paper like Chuck's. You had to soak them off with water. Lots of duplicate general postage stamps from the UK. My grade school collected US postage stamps and sent them to a company which bagged them up for sale overseas. Some of the girls in my class sorted these stamps and gave me the foreign stamps which the company did not want. One time I was given a large amount of foreign stamps which someone had taken out of a stamp collection and donated to the school. What a treasure trove that was. My Aunt from New York worked in an office which received a large amount of foreign correspondence. She would save up the stamps and mail them to me. One of my boyhood friends had a grandfather who collected stamps for years and who would buy sheets of stamps and store them away. When I saw the collection of these sheets from the 1920's through the 1940's (including zeppelin airmail stamps) it was like entering King Tut's tomb. Back in these early days of my collecting, the US Postal Service issued very few commerative stamps each year. As the US and other counties began to issue large numbers of commerative stamps each year, my interest in collecting waned, however I still have my collection. Not as funI stopped collecting stamps - I'm collecting email headers now. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Weather Report: 1921
... that the Washington Times is in a much more modest office, right next door. Radio School 1920 At first I thought this photo was taken the same time as the 'Radio ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/28/2012 - 3:54pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1921. "U.S. Weather Bureau kiosque, Pennsylvania Avenue." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. Breaking updateThat would beat the constant interruptions to programming we have in the tornado belt whenever there is a cloud in the sky. Weather Channel 1.0And now for your local forecast. "If you can read this handbill, it's sunny. If you had to wipe water off the glass, it's raining. If you had to scrape any ice off, a freeze warning has been issued for your area." Attackof the Giant Killer Ginkgo Biloba Leaf !!!! WeatherspottingPerhaps they're looking for an explanation of the highly localized phenomenon that seems to have snapped off the turret of the Washington Post building. Is the Post still housed there? Interesting that the Washington Times is in a much more modest office, right next door. Radio School 1920At first I thought this photo was taken the same time as the 'Radio School: 1920' photo (posted on 10/02/09), but there's an empty box in front of the Chinese & American Restaurant in this shot that has a tree in it in the older posting. I wonder which photo was taken first? Architectural inconsistencyIf only the Weather Bureau had seen fit to erect a crenelated kiosque to match their vaguely sinister headquarters. Thankfully, there is crenelation in the background atop the Washington Post. And AMAZING Sullivanesque detailing in the Post's fantastic gable. What a treat! I am at a loss to describe the round opening with semi-spherical balcony... an oculus balcony? Whatever it is, I want one. The man on ladderis why the ladder in your garage has two dozen warning stickers. Street viewThe National Radio School is visible on the left side of the image; a prior photo had that building as a subject. Also a good look at the Ford Hiboy with a 2nd spare strapped to the radiator. All that effortI love the way so much effort has gone into building such a lovely structure just for posting weather reports. Speaking of breaking updatesBy the looks of that ladder, perhaps Fall is almost here. Kronheim -> WillettExcel08 has already noted the correspondence of this scene to the previously posted Radio School, 1920. As to the relative timing, the men's outfitters at #1345 offers a clue. Note the change in the block letters high on the side of the building. August 1920 advertisements in the Washington Post announced a change of ownership, from Milton S. Kronheim to B.W. Willett. Therefore this is the latter photo: B.W. had hired sign painters but hadn't yet replaced the awning at the front of the store. An earlier view of this street and weather kiosk was seen in World Series, 1912. Also seen in Traffic Umbrella, 1913. Still EngravingByron S. Adams was founded in 1872 by its namesake. Originally family owned and operated, the company has gone through a series of owners, both public and private. In 1984 Byron S. Adams was acquired by William R. Pierangeli, who has taken the company back to its roots. It is again a family-owned and operated business. At present, Mr. Pierangeli’s wife and two sons work in the business, and he is thinking of employing his greyhound Abby as the official company mascot. http://www.byronadams.com/companyinfo/index.html Different TimesThe Washington Times in this photo has no relation to the current newspaper with that name. The Times of 1920 was a Hearst paper founded in 1893, which was later merged with Hearst's Washington Herald in 1939. The Post bought the Times-Herald in 1954. The current Washington Times was created by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon in 1982 and its offices are in the old Washington Star building out on New York Avenue NE. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Harris + Ewing)
Patriotic Poriferan: 1920
Feb. 25, 1920. Washington, D.C. "Herbert J. Drane, Congressman from Florida, is from ... to be the largest sponge market in the world. Mr Drane's office gives the appearance of a permanent sponge exhibit. The walls are ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/15/2016 - 8:54pm -

Feb. 25, 1920. Washington, D.C. "Herbert J. Drane, Congressman from Florida, is from Tarpon Springs, which is said to be the largest sponge market in the world. Mr Drane's office gives the appearance of a permanent sponge exhibit. The walls are covered with sponges of every size and variety. Photo shows Mr. Drane with some of his choice specimens." National Photo glass negative. View full size. Greeks in Tarpon SpringsDespite the congressman being from Pinellas County, the two pennants on the wall that I can read are from Polk County: Lakeland is the largest town in the county, and Bartow is the county seat. The sponge fishers in Tarpon Springs were almost exclusively Greeks, and by the time I was in high school plenty of them had migrated to my town. Since Greek boys were traditionally named after their paternal grandfather, the number of them I went to school with named George and the same last name was alarming! One I attended junior college with is now the head of Walt Disney World. He was working as a busboy there when I knew him. Shriner lapel pinMany variations exist, but the basic layout is a sphinx head framed by two Bengal tiger claws in the shape of a crescent, a scimitar sword and a red jeweled star. The pin below is circa. 1900 and is composed of real cat claws, silver and gold. The double star is enameled in blue and displays the word Allah. The whole pin is less than an inch and a half wide across the claws. Credit to Steven Wright Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn't happen. Sponge-diving moviesOne of my favorite movies as a kid was "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef" with Gilbert Roland and Robert Wagner as a father-son sponge-diving team. Another I saw on a late show was "Down to the Sea," set in Tarpon Springs. Interesting that when people want to talk about new technology putting an industry out of business they think buggy whips. Real sea sponges losing out to the new cellulose sponges was just as traumatic. HoleyNot a fun photo for us trypophobes. *urp* The Congressman was from LakelandHerbert Drane was a resident and one of the founders of the that city. Tarpon Springs was in his district. Florida was sparsely populated in those days and only had four congressional districts. I thoughthe was holding a meteorite, and how strong he must be. The moral of this is always read first. InvertebratesSponges are muscles filled with wind. They're at home in DC. Something is amissI expected to see square pants in this picture. Well-made furnitureWho says Congress isn't frugal? Several pieces of the furniture seen here are still in circulation today. The desk, made by the Wanamaker Company, was originally a roll top desk, and there are a handful of those still in use (although none that I know of with the upper portion still attached). The Turkish chair in the corner is a highly prized item. There are dozens of those still in offices. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, Politics)
Hidden Dangers: 1920
Washington, D.C., 1920. "Dixie Theater crowd, H Street." Now playing: "Hidden Dangers" (Episode ... and other things The lobby cards to the left of the box office appear to be for "Humbugs and Husbands", a Larry Semon Vitagraph comedy ... Aubrey M. Kennedy. Hidden Dangers was a 15 part 1920 serial directed by William Bertram that critic George Ralph Doyle called ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 4:32pm -

Washington, D.C., 1920. "Dixie Theater crowd, H Street." Now playing: "Hidden Dangers" (Episode 2, "The Murder Mood"), "The Primal Lure" and "When Cowboy Was King." Kids get in for 11 cents! Next door: People's Drug Store No. 5. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Fast ForwardAbout 1946 after school one afternoon, I went to the Loews 167th Street Theatre in the Bronx. Previously I had brought two milk bottles into a local grocer and collected the 3¢ deposit on each, I added 3¢ of my own and bought a 9¢ ticket to a double feature. Eleven centsI remember the Saturday matinee for 7 cents in 1951 for two cowboy movies, a newsreel, the Three Stooges and a cartoon or two. A rough looking bunchI can't recall a more delinquent looking bunch on Shorpy, even the Newsies look downright respectable compared to these kids. It took two Cops and a Billy Club to keep them in line! Dime StoryThere was a beat-up, run-down old movie theater on a side street in Poughkeepsie that showed third-rate stuff for about a dime. The joke among us kids was that you had to take two pieces of bread with you if you went in there : one to sit on and the other to feed the rats with. A curious mixture of scruffy and neatI'm surprised that bow ties appear to be part of police uniform. Also, one would have hoped that they would have had their coats done up for the photo! I'm presuming that these are in fact cops. Looks like Larry Semonin the poster behind the bald guy. Larry Semon and other thingsThe lobby cards to the left of the box office appear to be for "Humbugs and Husbands", a Larry Semon Vitagraph comedy from 1918. The Primal Lure, which was directed by William S. Hart himself, was originally released in 1916. When Cowboy Was King was copyrighted Sept. 20, 1919 and directed by Aubrey M. Kennedy. Hidden Dangers was a 15 part 1920 serial directed by William Bertram that critic George Ralph Doyle called "(the) worst serial I have ever seen". Serial Squadron says it's "entirely lost" (they've published a book based on the original press materials), and that's a shame because it sounds kind of nuts, really. It involves a doctor whose Jekyll-and-Hyde complex turns him into a super villain that commits crimes with "the mysterious and powerful 'double X ray'". I'd pay a dime to see that. How about you? (The Gallery, Bicycles, D.C., Kids, Movies, Natl Photo)
Oakland Tribune: 1920
Oakland, California, circa 1920. "Offices of the Oakland Tribune ." The premises of the late lamented ... Burroughs . -tterrace] (The Gallery, Christmas, The Office) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/25/2016 - 8:02pm -

Oakland, California, circa 1920. "Offices of the Oakland Tribune." The premises of the late lamented newspaper (1874-2016) are now home to a bar, the Tribune Tavern. 8x10 glass negative by the Cheney Photo Advertising Co. View full size. Dipso-JournalismNot to perpetuate what is probably an urban myth, but I wonder how many years it will take for the Tribune Tavern to dispense as much alcohol as was consumed just during work hours by the stalwart hacks of this great paper during its run? So much to seeSo many intriguing items in this lovely chamber: the designs on the hanging lamps; the ornamentation visible as the eye rises up the columns and walls toward the ceiling; the man in the fedora leaning on the marble counter; the pigeon holes under the counter; the bald man, slightly blurry, looking forlorn, staring at the camera; the heavy book in front of him; the grim woman with downcast eyes working the machine on the threaded stand; the sole Christmas decoration (the wreath in the far window). All the men are lounging or motionless, while all the women are busy and working. What kind of machine is that?The lady in the aisle: is that an early adding machine or a ticker tape machine? I know that smart-rear ends Shorpians will be able to enlighten me. [An adding machine, possibly this Burroughs. -tterrace] (The Gallery, Christmas, The Office)
Looking the Other Way: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Standard Engraving building, 1212 G Street." Looking down the street ... by other stores), St. Patrick's Church and the Patent Office Building (now the National Portrait Gallery) can all be seen. Below is ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/13/2011 - 4:23pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Standard Engraving building, 1212 G Street." Looking down the street seen in the previous post, in the opposite direction. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Pre - IPod AmusementSeeing the guy in the car reading a newspaper reminds me that whenever the kids today need to amuse themselves while waiting for something it's always a hand-held video game, listening to their iPod, or texting on their phone. Reading something is so yesterday. Grafonola Hall 1917 Advertisement Harry C. Grove, Inc. Cordially invites their friends and the public to participate in the opening, today October 15, of their newly remodeled building, 1210 G St. And the first public view of Grafonola Hall which occupies our spacious second floor, wherein are displayed the most complete line of 1919 Columbia Grafonolas in this city, including an elaborate line of the artistic period designs. Every modern improvement and equipment is provided to make this the most elegantly appointed talking machine department in the South. Your attention is also directed to the finest photo developing and printing plant in Washington which occupies our third floor and enables us to offer the amateur photographers of Washington the quickest and most efficient service obtainable anywhere in America. Look both ways...before crossing Shorpy. Grove's GrooveAccording to the Music Trade Review, Harry C. Grove took over the Columbia Graphophone Co.'s retail branch in Washington in 1917. You can see the Columbia trademark with the musical note in the window. Columbia made Graphophones with the outside horns and Grafonolas with concealed horns and was at one time one of the Big Three of record manufacturers. Because is was a registered trademark, only Edison could make a Phonograph. Victor made Talking Machines, and its name for the enclosed horn record player was, of course, Victrola. Like many dealers, Harry C. Grove apparently supplemented his business by selling pianos, cameras ("Kodaks"), along with the records and record players. Hey YouUp in the National Photo window. Hot BlockOn January 12, 1929 this block was the scene of one of the biggest fires in D.C. history. Known as the Dulin and Martin fire, it started in 1212 G street nw and quickly reached Six alarms, the only six alarm ever sounded in D.C. Barber & Rossmanufactured millwork until very recently. They made the windows in my Arlington home, built around 1994. I understand they have since gone out of business. + 90There is more left in this view than it would seem. In the distance, the Woodward and Lathrop (Woodies) Department Store building (now occupied by other stores), St. Patrick's Church and the Patent Office Building (now the National Portrait Gallery) can all be seen. Below is the view from April of 2010. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo)
S&M Tires: 1920
Washington circa 1920. "S&M Tire Co." I can think of a number of possible slogans for this ... of a personal training gym, hair salon and tax preparation office. Draw your own conclusions. Wow 5,000 mile tires! I'd be buying ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/11/2011 - 9:39pm -

Washington circa 1920. "S&M Tire Co." I can think of a number of possible slogans for this business. National Photo glass negative. View full size. S&MSome selections from the many comments submitted: "Free set of chains with every purchase!" "Visit our discount house to-day! (Tire Dungeon, one flight down in basement.)" "We'll tighten your nuts for free!" "Can your tires pass the Goodyear Torture Test?" "No more squealing on curves. Or else!" "For all your rubber needs!" "S&M tires. They take a beating!" Today OnlyAsk about our special on rim jobs! Fit To Be Tied.....and bound to please! S&M Dominates I'll just start listing them: We're on our knees begging for your business! You will drive it home more When we're on all four! Nothing else feels Like our rubber on your wheels! The safe word is...MORE! Our tires simply scream Tread on me, please! Tires and S & M...Since a large part of my S&M activities involve rubber, it's good to see that a shop was available 80 years ago for others like me. S&M TiresI'm busy compiling a best-of list from the comments submitted so far. Many of which, I gotta say, show a somewhat unsettling familiarity with the concept. Personal TrainingThis is 1738 14th Street, now the home of a personal training gym, hair salon and tax preparation office. Draw your own conclusions. Wow5,000 mile tires! I'd be buying tires 4 times a year!! (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)
Meet the Beetles: 1920
July 1920. Washington, D.C. "Dr. H.B. Bradford." Professor Harry Bradford, ... two weevils, of course. (The Gallery, Natl Photo, The Office) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/10/2014 - 7:26pm -

July 1920. Washington, D.C. "Dr. H.B. Bradford." Professor Harry Bradford, "naturalist and animal artist," according to the Washington Post, was also, in 1910, "president of the Antivaccination Society of the District of Columbia." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. I might have that plugOf course I can't tell, but the plug on the ceiling might be the then-common Hubbell tandem (seen at left in my photo), or it could be any of a dozen or more competing styles, such as the decidedly unsafe Cutler Hammer plug at right. In the early 1920s, the standard parallel type was gradually winning the day. DapperHat! The bugsThey look like weevils. The one on the left being the lesser of two weevils, of course. (The Gallery, Natl Photo, The Office)
Fill In the Blanks: 1931
... to Sign Land Patents," a position in the Government Land Office which, since its creation under President Arthur, has been held only by ... about 1878 (making her about 53 in this photo), and the 1920 and 1930 censuses show she lived in Washington, D.C. The 1920 census ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/20/2013 - 9:03pm -

UPDATE: The photo now has a caption. Signs the president's name. Mrs. Leafie E. Dietz, recently appointed the "Secretary to Sign Land Patents," a position in the Government Land Office which, since its creation under President Arthur, has been held only by women. She signs "Herbert Hoover" to land patents and is the only person who has authority to sign the President's name. Washington circa 1930. The document at hand in this unlabeled Harris & Ewing negative is a form ready for the signature of Herbert Hoover. Perhaps someone versed in bureaucratic history will recognize this lady. View full size. CylindersCould they be for sending messages through a pneumatic tubing system? The Mysterious CylindersThe Land Office probably trafficked in large documents -- maps and such. The cylinders might have to do with storing, transmitting or duplicating them. They look too long to be dictation cylinders or radio batteries. Difficult JobCan you imagine how difficult it must have been for a woman in those days to be part of the White House staff? I love her glasses and her very direct, no nonsense look. There is a small star on her ring. I imagine someone will recognize its significance. I bet those flowers wiltedThe moment she sat next to them. Possible identificationI'm not sure, but I think that might be Ed Wynn. A woman before her time?It looks like she was married and had a successful career, too! Not an Ordinary Worker BeeWell dressed, with a fat engagement/wedding ring combo and what looks like an Order of the Eastern Star ring. Job DescriptionThe document is a form of the General Land Office, predecessor to the Bureau of Land Management; the lady is authorized to sign the President's name as described in a caption accompanying a 1937 Harris & Ewing photo of another lady in what may be the same room: Signs president's name. Washington, D.C., Sept. 8. Affixing the signature "Franklin D. Roosevelt" to land grants and patents, Jeanne [...], 20, is getting a great thrill out of her new [...]h the General Land Office. As "Secretary to the President [...]ning Land Grants and Patents," she is the only [...] authorized to sign the president's signature to documents. She is the youngest person ever appointed to the position. 9/8/37 Cylinders????What are the tall cylindrical objects against the wall? If we could identify them it might give us a clue as to what department she works in. The labels on them are far too out of focus to read. Soil samplesSince this is a land management office, the tubes might well be soil sample cores. Contemporary tubes are a similar size and shape. [The Land Office didn't have anything to do with dirt. - Dave] Pot MarigoldThe flowers appear to be the common calendula officianalis, or the more common name of pot marigold. A popular cut flower back in the day, it has the unusual characteristic of sleeping, or folding up at night time. Much used in present day lotions and fragrances. Re: Cylinders?My first thought, as well, but aren't they awfully long canisters? The required bend radius in the pneumatic lines would be huge! Her name is Leafie E. DietzAfter a fun little search these past couple of hours, I've discovered her identity. It is Leafie E. Dietz, designated by President Hoover in 1931 to sign land patents, by Executive Order 5529. This photograph shows the preparation of a land patent granted to Janie Furr, for 640 acres of land in two sections (8 and 17) in Grant County, New Mexico, dated Jan. 21, 1931. The most exciting part was the hunt! I work in land administration, so I immediately recognized the document as a patent or similar document. I rotated the image and messed with the contrast to try and read the document. I immediately recognized a chunk of the writing as a legal description. At first, I couldn't make out much, but after recognizing the words "New Mexico Meridian" (23rd Meridian) and "six hundred forty acres", I was able to discern the township and range: T16S R15W (or "Township sixteen south of Range fifteen west" as it is written on the patent). From there, I did a simple search of the BLM's land documents using the legal description, which pulled the original patent (fully filled out by that point!) image with matching description! (attached below, original accession # 1043289). Stupidly, I did not look down at the signature block, and attempted to locate the identity of this woman through a search of the congressional registry for 1931. After searching the GLO's employees, as well as the executive office's employees (thanks to the hint from Dave's comment), I was not able to find anything further...until... I took another look at the patent, and voila! How blind could I be?! There, under "Herbert Hoover"'s signature, is the notation "By Leafie E. Dietz, Secretary." It's her! A quick Google search turns up the executive order by Pres. Hoover designating her to sign land patents, and also some results regarding her involvement with the Order of the Eastern Star (in Colorado, apparently), as hinted by her ring. A search on Ancestry.com returns census records, indicating she was born in Iowa about 1878 (making her about 53 in this photo), and the 1920 and 1930 censuses show she lived in Washington, D.C. The 1920 census lists Joseph, Dorothy and John as children (22, 16 and 14 respectively). Interestingly, it also shows George working as a law clerk in the Land Office, but Leafie with no occupation. She must have started the position after the children were grown, perhaps hearing of the opening through her husband. Joseph is listed as a stenographer. Also see the image below of a snippet from the New York Sun, (Jan. 13, 1931, only days before the Shorpy photo above!) highlighting her new post. A fun way to pass a couple of hours! I love research/genealogy (and land records!). I'm glad I found this site!! Wow!Wow, jordannelson, that's an amazing piece of sleuthing. Good thing Mrs. Dietz has long departed this vale of tears, or Mr. Dietz might accuse you of stalking his wife. Petworth Lady Washington Post, May 25, 1954. Mrs. Dietz Dies; Worked at Interior Mrs. Leafie E. Dietz, 78, who put the signatures of two presidents to homestead land grants as part of her job at the Interior Department, died yesterday at the Washington Sanitarium. She lived at 8424 Queen Anne's dr., Silver Spring. After her husband, George C. Dietz, an Interior Department lawyer, died in 1929, Mrs. Dietz was appointed a clerk in the General Land Office of the Interior Department. There she was legally empowered to sign land patents for homesteaders with Presidential signatures. She served under Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Mrs. Dietz, who retired in 1944, moved to Washington in 1918. She was a native of Keokuk, Iowa, and was married in Silver Cliff, Colo., in 1895 during a silver rush there. Active in the the Order of the Eastern Star, she helped found the Joppa Lodge Chapter in Petworth. She was a member of the Petworth Women's Club and the Petworth Methodist church. Surviving are two sons, John E. Dietz of 9143 Sligo Creek parkway, Silver Spring, and Joseph M. Dietz, of Harrisonburg, Va.; one daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Trautman, of 8424 Queen Anne's dr., Silver Spring; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. … (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, The Office)
Zero Tolerance: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Bureau of Internal Revenue -- destroying narcotics." Continuing today's ... Potomac? Can't wait for Christmas ...when the office party kicks off. The guy on the left I too think the guy on the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/17/2014 - 11:30pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Bureau of Internal Revenue -- destroying narcotics." Continuing today's "three guys" theme. View full size. Well-stocked shelvesCan't make out many of the labels on the shelves, but I do see a tin of powdered opium and a couple of boxes of what looks like morphine sulphate. Wish I knew what he was pouring out. Laudanum? Oh, boyThe guy on the left looks like he just consumed the contents of that bottle. All his thoughts are escaping from his head and migrating into the electrical system. The guy in the middle hasn't moved for two hours. The guy on the right is reading the first sentence over and over. Sick daysJust thinking - with the amount of drugs that these guys breathe in and absorb through the skin in a day, they must go home higher than a kite. "Hello Jim? Hey, mark me off sick today, I've been feeling kind of dopey lately". Dopey fishWhat was the ultimate disposal? Dumped in the Potomac? Can't wait for Christmas...when the office party kicks off. The guy on the leftI too think the guy on the left just sampled the bottle in his hand. The look on his face is that of someone who just did a tequila shooter! When my grandmother died in 1975, there was a bottle of Parapectolin in her medicine cabinet. To give you an idea of the age of the bottle, here's what I remember reading on the label:"8% tincture of opium, shake well". (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Money Machine: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Post Office money order machine." A sort of typewriter-cash register ... here $5.91 + $.08 money order fee, total $5.99. The Post Office gets to keep the 8¢. - tterrace] Other picture? tterrace ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/21/2012 - 8:38pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Post Office money order machine." A sort of typewriter-cash register hybrid. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. M.O. purposeHe's making out a money order for a delivered C.O.D. parcel; that's a USPOD C.O.D. mailing tag on the ledger. Also, talk about shallow depth of focus; looks like about 8 inches, max. RepetitiveA little Photoshoppery shows us the details of the page in the ledger (click for larger image): It's interesting that the amount appears numerically in two columns and spelled out in a third. I guess they *really* didn't want any misunderstandings or errors, especially with such high finance (that $8.77 to Hayes Wheel must have nearly broken the bank). [Note also the figures in the sixth column: 05 & 08; those are the money order fees, which the recipient would have paid in addition to the amount due the sender. Apparently 5¢ for under $5 and 8¢ for over. - tterrace] [UPDATE: the other shot taken at the time shows a money order being fed into the machine, so the spelled-out dollar amount is probably done to be imprinted on the order, and the same operation prints all the details on the ledger. - tterrace] Money Order FormHere is the money order form he is working on. [That's the C.O.D. mailing tag that had been attached to the parcel. It has the names and addresses for both sender and addressee along with the amount to be collected, here $5.91 + $.08 money order fee, total $5.99. The Post Office gets to keep the 8¢. - tterrace] Other picture?tterrace references another photo that shows a money order being fed into the machine; where do I go to see that photo? [Library of Congress online catalog here. - tterrace] Safety pinDid anyone notice a safety pin in back of this fellow's tie? Dressing tricks have been used a very long time. (Technology, The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing)
Canal Street: 1910
... so time in the early nineties I think. There corporate office had a substantial art collection that I believe is now part of the Odgen ... was moved from the pole to the awning of the store in the 1920's and both are still there today. The awning also has remarkable historic ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/08/2012 - 2:02pm -

Canal Street in New Orleans circa 1910. Large building is the Maison Blanche department store. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Canal and CarondeletThis photo was taken near the intersection of Canal and Carondelet. All the buildings on the far side of the street are still there, although the left side is considerably different. Fascinating stuff. Glad-U-KumNow this is one happening street! Love the signs over the street. Can anyone ID the car heading our way? Almost looks like it's a "Glide" or "Slide" (whatever that is). So, that's where I went wrong.Just thinking how different my life would be if I had some of those smart clothes. Glide pathWonder why the Glide car is the only conveyance visible not powered by horse or electricity? Surely Noo Orleenz had lots of cars by 1910. Also, anybody hoping to end it all by jumping off the roof of that fantastically ornate building on the right might spend some anxious moments volleying up and down on the jungle of wiring covering much of the street. Maybe grab onto a handy gargoyle after six or seven bounces, with second thoughts about departing the Big Easy so soon. Didn't Little Orphan Anniequote "Leapin' Lazards" ? K&BI just wanted to comment that the drug store on the bottom left - Katz and Besthoff - became a big local chain called K&B that was like a Walgreens or CVS. It went out of business so time in the early nineties I think. There corporate office had a substantial art collection that I believe is now part of the Odgen Museum of Southern Art and the sculpture garden in City Park. I could have some of these details confused. Anybody know what the Winter Capital of America Banner draped across the street refers to? [New Orleans! - Dave] Who needs to drive?I see no fewer than 16 streetcars in this photo! Talk about mass transit! "A Confederacy of Dunces"In the opening scene of John Kennedy Toole's novel, Ignatius J. Reilly stands (many years later) in front of the D.H. Holmes across the way. Smart Clothes!Ooooh I need some because I've been feeling like a dummy lately. :P I am so happy to see so many ladies! Normally all the ladies are MIA in Shorpy photos (already drinking afternoon tea or working?) Oh all the outfits and dresses!! *drool* Everything from fancier day/walking outfits to typical white blouse & black skirt combo for the new working generation. And did anyone else notice the huge umbrella on a pedestal in the middle of the street? There for a rainy day? This is beautiful!Try putting *this* in a movie today, even with CGI. I can about hear the chatter of voices, the hoofbeats, the bells on the streetcars -- I count at least a dozen streetcars just in this short stretch of street! Little girl, in the dark dress at the far left, where's your mother? You shouldn't be out here all by yourself. (Thinking about it, that little girl was just about born with the century.) Why is there an umbrella on a stand in the middle of the street? Through my Grandfather's EyesWhat a wonderful photo - taken the same time my grandfather lived in New Orleans. I couldn't help wondering if he was among the busy pedestrians. Regarding WINTER CAPITAL sign - the South has always been a popular destination for the well-to-do Northern crowds in the winter - we call them Snow-Birds. I'm sure that New Orleans with its excellent railway and boat connections was one of the most popular destinations. FascinatingThere is so much going on in this picture, you could lose hours poring over it. Strange to think that all these people going about their daily business are no longer with us. Katz & BestoffI also love the shot of Katz and Bestoff. This would have been their flagship store, established in 1905, although this year, 1910, a second store opened across the street at 837 Canal. K&B grew to 177 stores across the deep south, before being sold in 1997 to Rite Aid. Anyone in New Orleans still refers to K&B purple, as this started in 1908, when the owners bought a bulk lot of unwanted purple paper, and used it for wrapping, etc. Part of the K&B jingle, "Look at almost any corner, and, what do you see? A big, purple sign that says, friendly K&B!" This is Beautiful, IndeedYup, sixteen streetcars, which, while being pedantic but wishing to throw out a bit of cocktail party trivia, I would offer do not have bells, but have gongs. Suspect the umbrella was to shade a streetcar dispatcher or perhaps a traffic cop. It looks like high noon, so it's probably not too effective just now. Or the shadee is in to lunch! Santa & Mr. BingleIn the early 1950s our parents would take us to Maison Blanche for photos with Santa and his buddy Mr. Bingle. MB had a really good Santa and almost 60 years later I can still remember the visits. The smellsHave been trying to conjure up the smell of this place. Horses, rickety gasoline engines, wafts of ozone, what else is there? Must have been pretty unique, especially in those New Orleans summers. 24 hour drug store at the right. Everything old is new again. And mailbox technology has not changed at all. Forget the umbrellaI wanna know what the closed cart (not a wagon, they have four wheels) parked in the middle of the street is. [One way or another, something to do with horses. Watering then (note the dipper) or cleaning up after. - Dave] Adler's TimeAdler's is a multi-generational family business selling jewelry and gifts. The store and its beautiful sidewalk clock are still there today. A Fez-tive timeThe "GLAD=U=KUM" banner is for the Shriners' 36th Imperial Council Session in New Orleans April 12, 1910. Here is a souvenir of the occasion. Williams' PharmacyThe four-story building was owned and run by Captain Williams who was a Civil War veteran. My great uncle, Adolph Kaczoroski was his manager for 30 years from 1895 to 1924. The building's soda fountain was especially popular. Luzianne Coffee"Luzianne" a dialectical play on Louisianian? [Since 1902. - tterrace] Then and nowThe clock on a post here is in front of Adler's Jewelry Store. At the time of this picture, the location at 722 Canal Street must have been only recently opened. The original location (1898) was in the first block of Royal Street, but after a fire in about 1904, the business spent a few years at 810 Canal Street before moving to its present location where it still operates today. I think of everything you can see in this picture, Adler's is the only business this old New Orleans scene that you can still visit today and is still operated by the Adler family. In fact, the Adler family owns both the original K&B location, mentioned above in another comment (today a FootLocker,) and the Williams Pharmacy building (soon to be a pharmacy again with a historic renovation that will be done by Walgreens.) The clock was moved from the pole to the awning of the store in the 1920's and both are still there today. The awning also has remarkable historic detail with a fleur de lis motif that is hard to see in the picture here, but is definitely there. Amazing Picture!!! K & B DrugsstoreI remember this oh so familiar drug store. And the undeniably K & B purple. Only those from this great city know the shade of K & B purple. Williams Pharmacy My 2nd great-grandfather, John Morin, was a druggist at Williams Pharmacy from about 1900-1913 when he died of a heart attack in the pharmacy. (The Gallery, DPC, New Orleans, Stores & Markets, Streetcars)
Lucky Dog: 1920
January 14, 1920. Washington, D.C "Margaret Bell Saunders." Be a good boy and Mama won't ... a resident of 1444 W Street NW, Washington, listed as an office typist. By 1930 she had moved back to Philadelphia, listed as a ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/29/2020 - 9:13pm -

January 14, 1920. Washington, D.C "Margaret Bell Saunders." Be a good boy and Mama won't have you turned into a coat! National Photo Co. glass negative. View full size. A Smooch for MaggieNow that's a loving peck going on there. Head warmer, gloves, a fur for the neck and good 'ol dog to keep you warm on a cold day. It Never Happened BeforeWords escape me. Another bully breed!This is probably what used to be known as a Boston Bull, now known as a Boston terrier. Their looks have changed a bit over the past century. Their great personality has NOT! I might be related to her!As soon as I saw her name, it tripped a dusty memory of mine from my years of doing genealogy. Further research might be needed, but she could (could being key) be the daughter of Lucy Swett and George Thomas Sanders. If so, she would have been around 25 years old when this photo was taken, and would have been deaf. Her father, George would have been one of Alexander Grahm Bell's fist students (and George's father would have also been one of the primary sponsors for Bell's invention of the telephone). It's a tenuous link, and I don't have my subscription active to where I could narrow this down, but it certainly would fit - provided George and Lucy gave two daughters the same middle name. My Margaret Sanders has a sister named Lucy Bell Sanders. [This lady's name is Saunders, not Sanders. - Dave] More on MargaretI was poking about the US Census revisiting this old line of mine, and Margaret Sanders (my Margaret Bell Sanders) shows as a resident of 1444 W Street NW, Washington, listed as an office typist. By 1930 she had moved back to Philadelphia, listed as a government typist. I'm guessing somebody transcribed the caption and confused the n for a u in her name. Here's her obituary, from 1982. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37708277/ (The Gallery, D.C., Dogs, Natl Photo)
Milton Apartments: 1920
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Milton Apartments, H Street N.W." Where the amenities include a mounting ... H St. NW, which is still there today (albeit as an office building, not apartments). You can see one of its distinctive "B" crests ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/13/2015 - 6:32pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Milton Apartments, H Street N.W." Where the amenities include a mounting block for stepping into one's carriage. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Oops. Someone goofed long ago.That's not the Melton. That's the Milton. The Melton was at 318 New York Ave NW, but the transom on the building on the right is 1727. No building with a 1727 number is anywhere near 318 New York. But The Milton was at 1727 H Street NW. Sources: 1909 Boyds Directory, 1903-1916 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. Both the Milton (as shown), and the Melton (whatever it looked like) have been long demolished. [Excellent detective work. - Dave] Mute, inglorious MiltonsAlsatian is right. And the building visible at left is The Bachelor at 1737 H St. NW, which is still there today (albeit as an office building, not apartments). You can see one of its distinctive "B" crests at top left. Get Me Rewrite!The site is now occupied by the Editors Building (now a Hampton Inn), completed in 1950, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in March 2015. I work around the cornerThe Bachelor was looking dapper this morning. +94Below is the same view from June of 2016. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Tales of the City: 1924
Today we're leaving the office and taking the streetcar downtown for some shopping. From 1924, "F ... Arthur Burt Co. I found these three early 1920 ads for the Arthur Burt Co., in the Washington Post. Lisle ribbed ... 9, 1912 Plans for the construction of a ten-story office building on F street ... When completed the new building will have cost ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/17/2012 - 10:15pm -

Today we're leaving the office and taking the streetcar downtown for some shopping. From 1924, "F Street N.W. from 14th Street." View full size. Swastika Truck IIPossibly made by Detroit's K.R.I.T. Motor Co. [Looks more like an electric truck. Maybe a Walker Electric. There's no radiator. - Dave] Arthur Burt Co.I found these three early 1920 ads for the Arthur Burt Co., in the Washington Post. Lisle ribbed hose, of fine texture, for women and juniors: black, white, brown, elk, gray and navy blue. Just right. Shoes and hose of today, Arthur Burt Co., 1343 F. Dependable military footwear, "Nature-Shape" school shoes. The "Tuiriwun," a slipper in black satin or patent leather that is correct for both evening and street wear and, consequently, much in demand. $9.00. Arthur Burt Co. The BartholdiHey, it's the Bartholdi Cafe, offering seafood and shore dinners, inviting ladies and gentlemen, and open Sundays. I learned this stuff from a billboard next to the Texaco station. I wondered what the "ladies and gentlemen" on the sign meant - no rowdies and ruffians, no wenches of questionable virtue? A 2005 Washingtonian article mentioned the Bartholdi (it was characterized as "early 20th century" seafood, apparently not the best). Truck SwastikaThat truck pulling out near the guy crossing the trolley tracks has a swastika on it. Was there an automotive company that used that emblem before it was abused by the Nazis? [Use of the swastika as a decorative motif or commercial insignia goes back long before the National Socialist Party adopted it as an emblem. - Dave] Health Week starts April 28 1343 F St.: Arthur Burt Co. Footwear for "society affairs," afternoon or evening. 1341 F St.: Bartholdi Cafe Washington Post, May 30, 1923: Advertisement This if the first holiday since we've extended our service to include the ladies. Bring them in and let them enjoy the Bartholdi famous shore dinner or a selection of the Sea Food delicacies served our way. 1339 F St.: H.W. Topham Trunks, suitcases, traveling bags, hot boxes, etc. 1337 F St.: Watters Sterling Boot Shops "The kind of shoes you want at the price you want to pay" 1333 F St.: Adams Building Washington Post, Apr 27, 1924 Health Week Campaign Gets Start Tomorrow "Health Week" starts tomorrow. Agencies participating took possession of the old Y.W.C.A. home, at 1333 F street northwest, to install free exhibits and motion pictures, which will run through the entire week. A large sign advising "Keep the Well Person Well" and "Get the Sick Person Well" placards the building, which is open from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. 1331 F St.: Meyer's Shop "Everything for well dressed Man and Boy" - Rogers Peet Clothing 1329 F St.: Franklin & Co. Opticians 1319-1321 F St.: Interstate Building The Young Men's Shop on ground floor Washington Post, Jan 9, 1912 Plans for the construction of a ten-story office building on F street ... When completed the new building will have cost approximately $600,000. The Interstate Commerce Commission, it is expected, will lease quarters in the new structure. 1315-1317 F St.: Baltimore Sun Building Contemporary Photo Washington Post, Apr 9, 1903 The Baltimore Sun building, 1315 and 1317 F street was sold yesterday afternoon at public auction to Walter Abell.....The Sun building is perhaps one of the best known office buildings in Washington and one of the most substantial in the country. ... It was built in 1887, the jubilee year of the Baltimore Sun by the founder of the paper, Mr. A. S. Abell, ... Washington Post, Jul 12, 1987 The oldest standing skyscraper in America - maybe the first --an exquisite nine-story example of eclectic Victorian architecture, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Although New York and Chicago are normally associated with skyscrapers, the oldest example is in neither city but rather in Washington -- the Sun Building at 1317 F St. NW. ... Now restored to its original elegance, the Sun Building gives a hint of what Washington was like before the homogenizing influence of post-World War II architecture began erasing the city's history. Built by A.S. Abell, publisher of The Baltimore Sun, it originally served as a home for the newspaper's Washington bureau. Upon its completion in 1887, The Baltimore Sun Hershel Shanks, a lawyer and part owner of the Sun Building, is editor and publisher of the Biblical Archaeology Review. declared the building "the most imposing private structure in the national capital." Safety LastDig the scaffolding set up with no safety barrier or safety roof, only a few paper signs stuck to it that probably say "Watch out for stuff falling on your head," or possibly something more appropriate for the period, like "Mind the head." Hey, there was a cop standing on the corner in the Patent Office photo too. At least this street is safe from horse thieves. It looks like a breezy day.It looks like a breezy day. See how the coats and awnings are billowed? WowGreat shot. The crispness and detail in these old photos is still startling. Frederic Auguste BartholdiHotel Bartholdi appeared in the Metropolitan Life 1908 Shorpy photo. In this one he's a Cafe for Ladies & Gentlemen. He was the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. It's 1924 and there are no horses in this picture. Were they banned from these streets? Checker CabsBoth of the two-tone taxis are Checkers, made by the Checker Cab Manufacturing Co. of Kalamazoo, as is the taxi in the extreme lower left hand corner. By 1924 Checker was building 4,000 40 hp cars a year at an average selling price of about $2350. The bus's power polesThe bus's power poles are down. It must convert to gas power when overhead power lines aren't available. [That's a streetcar, not a bus. Downtown, where there were no overhead power lines, the electrical supply was under the street. More info in the comments here and here. - Dave] TrolleyI notice there are no overhead wires for the streetcar. Apparently it was powered from a third rail on the ground. Seems pretty risky on a public street. [The power supply is underground. Not a rail, and not risky. - Dave] Third rail again?Oh Dave, you have the patience of a saint. How many times must one answer the same questions regarding streetcar power. I think its overly due time for some default link to background information regarding streetcar engineering in the District of Columbia. A few of the previous explanatory postings on Shorpy: [1,2,3] StreetcarFor those interested, the streetcar pictured in this scene is Washington Railway and Electric Company car number 602. Built in 1912 by J.G. Brill Company of Philadelphia it was delivered on September 21 of that year. In 1912 this streetcar cost $6016.17. In 1933 the Capital Traction Company took over streetcar operations in Washington DC and WRECo 602 became Capital Traction Co. car 836. In 1935, 836 was assigned to the Brightwood Division. By 1939, it was assigned to the Navy Yard Division, and in 1942 to the Benning Division. The centre door meant that 836 required two-man operation - a driver, and a conductor - and by the 1940s these older, slower cars were also creating bottlenecks as the newer, faster cars lined up behind them. 836 along with the remaining centre door cars were retired in 1944 and scrapped the following year. With the retirement of these cars retired the last of Washington DC streetcar conductors, as now all the cars were one-man operation. Not only were the cars faster, they were now cheaper to operate. One centre door streetcar, CTC 884 former WRECo. 650, is currently held by the National Capital Trolley Museum in Wheaton MD. It is currently unrestored as far as I know. See it soon for the museum is closing December 1 due to construction of the Intercounty Connector, and it is not scheduled to reopen until next summer. Sources cited: Peter C. Kohler, "Capital Transit, Washington's Street Cars The Final Era: 1933-1962" Bonifant MD: National Capital Trolley Museum, 2001. National Capital Trolley Museum: http://www.dctrolley.org/ Streetcars & Hobble SkirtsThanks James for all the information about car #602. In the photo, it appears that the lower step folds up while the car is in motion. Washington Post, Mar 20, 1923 Order Low-Step Cars W.R.&E. Officials Accede to Demand of Women Fifty are Now Being Built The women of Washington have won a victory in their demand for street cars with lower steps. The Washington Railway and Electric Company has placed an order for 50 new cars with the J.C. Brill Company, of Philadelphia, specifying particularly that the cars be constructed with low steps. The operation of the new style cars throughout the city undoubtedly will meet with the hearty approval of the women, who have been making a strenuous fight for more than two years to abolish the high steps. The new cars are being built as rapidly as possible, and the first shipment is expected to arrive here about April 15. The cars are what are known as the Narragansett type, being semi-convertible from closed to open, of double truck, and capable of comfortably seating 80 passengers. The seats will run crosswise, and the exterior will be painted yellow. It is announced by an official of the company that the cars will be constructed with two steps, affording easy ingress and exit from the vehicle. Upon just what lines the new cars will be operated the officials have not decided yet. A number of the cars, it is understood, will be placed on the Georgetown and Mt. Pleasant lines to replace those recently destroyed in the fire at the car barn at Thirteenth and D streets northeast, in which 80 cars were burned. "We have ordered that the new cars be constructed with unusually low steps," said an official of the Washington Railway and Electric Company, yesterday, "as we realize that the plea of women patrons, who ask for lower car steps, is justifiable. The new cars will be constructed, in so far as the steps are concerned, to meet the approval of the women. Later in the year we will either order additional cars of the low step type, or remodel the cars now in service to comply with the request of our women patrons." Washington Post, Apr 26, 1923 New Car Tested Here Hobble Skirts No Barrier to Improved W.R.&E. Vehicle "Wearers of the hobble skirts," said W.F. Ham, vice president of the Washington Railway and Electric Company, "will have no difficulty in boarding our new car, which we have just tried out for the first time. It has so many features that are new that we are delighted with it. During its trial trip yesterday afternoon, it carried no one but the officials of the company, but within a few days, we will run it in with our regular service, and then ask the passengers for their opinions. If they are favorable, undoubtedly we shall add a great many more of such cars to our rolling stock." Bartholdi HotelMy family owned the Bartholdi Hotel. My great-grandmother was Theresa Bartholdi. There is an old family tale that Vincent Sardi of Sardi's Steak House was a cook for the Bartholdi and met his wife who was a maid there. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo, Streetcars)
Fairview Hotel: 1916
... About a month ago complaints reached the health office that "Fairview" was insanitary and a menace to the health of the city. ... (son - adopted) Webster Sutherland, 32, (brother) 1920 Census 104 Seaton Place Northeast Keith S Sutherland, 65 ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/27/2012 - 1:21pm -

Washington circa 1916. "Fairview Hotel, 1st Street and Florida Avenue." The proprietor is former slave and "colored philosopher" Keith Sutherland. See the comments below for more on him. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. Room comes with outside bar.I wonder if he ever tried to patent his Pepecual Motion machine? Soup to GoTake a good look at the wooden cart. It has a kerosene container with a tap. It looks like it goes under the "soup" pot. Maybe Mr. Sutherland took his cart around and sold food as a vendor. He has a counter on both sides! Amazing. I don't know why......but I have sudden craving for a delicious CORBY CAKE™. Gold Dust Twins"I will agree with you sister why do they want to break up Fairview for" Cryptic sign. One might assume the city wanted to tear down the, um, stately Fairview Hotel. I can't imagine this was seriously a room for rent, unless it's just the check-in. Looks more like a ramshackle lunch stand. Fair View?Why, I'd say it was better than fair. It's downright byootyfull. Gold Dust Twins"Fairbank's Gold Dust Washing Powder - The Many Purpose Cleaner. Gold Dust products were represented by the Gold Dust Twins, two African-American children surrounded by gold coins. The orange box with the universally recognized twins practically jumped off the shelf. In fact the twins were one of the best known trademarks of the 19th century. Let the Twins Do Your Work was the tag line. The back of the box shows the twins tackling several household chores as well as a list of 34 cleaning jobs made easier by using Gold Dust. http://www.the-forum.com/advert/golddust.htm Wow!Now this is one of the most interesting photos posted on Shorpy in a long time. I would love to know the story behind the "I will agree with you sister..." sign. This Quaint StructureWashington Post, September 3, 1916. PLEAD FOR QUAINT HOTEL Hundred Neighbors Sign a Petition To Save Sutherland's "Fairview." A petition eight feet long, signed by about 100 neighbors of the Fairview Hotel, First street and Florida avenue northeast, will be introduced as evidence against the condemnation and closing of this quaint structure when a hearing is held at the District building Tuesday to determine whether the property shall be razed for sanitary reasons. Keith Sutherland is the aged colored proprietor, and he hobbled to the District building last week and appealed to Daniel Donovan, secretary to the board of commissioners, to save his place. Since filing his appeal the health department has investigated the property. Its report has been turned over to Commissioner Brownlow, and will be heard at the hearing. Fairview is a one-room hotel, opposite the Baltimore and Ohio freight yards. On the spotless whitewashed walls the proprietor, Sutherland, has written some quaint bits of philosophy for the edification of his customers -- truck drivers and employes about the yards. Corby - Washington's Biggest BakeryArticle from October 1915 issue of Bakers Review courtesy of Google Books: The largest bakery in Washington--and model one, too, in every sense of the word--is that owned and operated by the Corby Baking Co., one of the most progressive baking concerns in the United States. The firm was organized twenty years ago, when they started a little bakery down town. In 1902 they bought out a baker at 2305 Georgia Ave., (where their present plant is situated), and then built the first addition. In 1912 they built again, giving the Plant of the Corby Baking Co., Washington, D. C. building its present size. The article even has pictures! Say!I think I stayed there one year Thursday night! Roof GardenFor me a most entertaining aspect of the photo is the three rusty tins being used as planters on top of the shack:     FAIR     VIEW     HOTEL And the whiskey bottles on the stand tell a lot about this place. Those signsKeith Sutherland's quaint signs would qualify today as genuine folk art. Gold Dust TwinsFred Lynn and Jim Rice were known as the Gold Dust Twins in 1975. I figured the name came from somewhere, but I didn't know it was from washing powder. Sage DiesWashington Post, Feb. 21, 1933. Sage Dies Former Slave Prophesied Voters' Landslide for Roosevelt. Keith Sutherland, colored philosopher and prophet whose political forecast won him the thanks of President-elect Roosevelt, fulfilled his final prediction Sunday when he folded his hands about a Bible and died at his home, 1640 Eleventh street. The former slave felt the approach of death Friday, his children said. He called his family together and instructed them to prepare a funeral, saying that he would die on the Sabbath. Last August Sutherland dreamed of a great voters' landslide for Franklin D. Roosevelt. The dream was so "clear" that he wrote Mr. Roosevelt a description of it. Mr. Roosevelt responded with a "thank you" note saying he found the prediction "very encouraging." For the past half century Sutherland has kept a restaurant in Washington where the walls were posted with his prophecies, many of them showing unusual foresight. He was 79 years old. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the P.A. Lomax funeral home, Fourteenth and S streets. Interment will be at Harmony Cemetery. He is survived by four children. The Real McCoyIt actually looks like Grandpappy Amos McCoy's apple cider stand. Hostelry Spared Local News Briefs Upon recommendation of both the health officer, William C. Woodward, and Building Inspector Hacker, the District commissioners decided not to condemn "Fairview," the famous hostelry at First street and Florida avenue northwest , owned by Keith Sutherland, colored philosopher. About a month ago complaints reached the health office that "Fairview" was insanitary and a menace to the health of the city. The commissioners decided to investigate, but before they were ready to take action, an eight-foot petition signed by hundreds of residents of the northeast section, asking that "Fairview" be allowed to remain, was presented to them by Sutherland. Washington Post, Sep 9, 1916 District Building Notes Keith Sutherland, the aged colored proprietor of the Fairview Hotel, at First street and Florida avenue northwest, impressed city authorities so much last week with a plea for the retention of his property, which had almost been condemned to be razed, that it is likely the "hostelry" will be allowed to stand. Sutherland hobbled to the District building and presented a petition for his place signed by about 200 neighbors. Health Officer Woodward investigated the property and it is understood reported favorably on letting it remain. The building inspector, Morris Hacker, has the matter now under consideration. Sutherland is famous throughout his section of the city for his bits of philosophy, with which the walls of his establishment are painted. Washington Post, Sep 10, 1916 Alley Cook-ShopsWashington Post, Jan. 1, 1897. LICENSES FOR ALLEY COOK SHOPS. Judge Kimball Decides They Are Liable To a Fee of $25 a Year. The alleys of this city are filled with colored cook-shops, which heretofore have paid no license fee. Judge Kimball said yesterday, however, that every one of them must pay $25 a year. Only the police and the people who visit the numerous alleys and little streets of the city know how many of these cook-shops exist. The colored people generally resort to these places for pigs' feet, meat pie, and substantial provender prepared by the old mammies and quaint old colored men who run them, and cook dishes to the taste of the people of their race. The police yesterday brought into court, as a test case, Keith Sutherland, who has conducted a cook-shop for many years at 1111 R street. He was released on bonds after he took out a license, and as the matter has now been tested the police will bring all the proprietors of unlicensed cook-shops to the Police Court. Into the FutureThe descendants of Keith Sutherland's little counter 100 years ago were still going strong when I moved to Washington in the 1980s. I was directed by my new colleagues to explore the alleyways around our offices at M Street and Connecticut Avenue for (legal) hole-in-the-wall eateries for lunch and breakfast. It didn't take long for these places to become favorites of mine. I've been gone from D.C. for 20 years now; I'm wondering if these establishment still exist. Sutherland Family 1880 Census 1643 Vermont Avenue Sandy Sutherland, 54 Rach Sutherland, 57, (wife) Webster Sutherland, 12, (son) Keith Sutherland, 25, (son) Hattey Sutherland, 22, (daughter-in-law) Mary Sutherland, 6, (daughter) Willie Sutherland, 4, (son) 1900 Census 1112 R St Keith Sutherland, 46 Hattie Sutherland, 44, (wife) Arthur Sutherland, 3, (son - adopted) Webster Sutherland, 32, (brother) 1920 Census 104 Seaton Place Northeast Keith S Sutherland, 65 Hattie D Sutherland, 64, (wife) Webster Sutherland, 52, (brother) ???, 14, (daughter) Arthur L., 21, (son) Cora, 15, (daughter-in-law) Pinkey ???, 52, (mother-in-law) Just like India of todayHere in India, we still have thousands of "hotels" just like this one. I can walk to the end of the street here and find three of them that in black-and-white wouldn't look so different. Many are even on wheels (carts with bicycle wheels). Most have similar folk-art signs complete with misspellings. And similar records of cleanliness. I always thought it was interesting that restaurants in India are still called hotels. Now I see it's not odd, just archaic. Corby BakeryIt later became a Wonder Bread bakery (last time I was by there, the old "Wonder Bread" sign was still in place). The Corby buildings are still there (east side of Georgia just north of Bryant Street) and now house a strip of retail shops and fast food places. "Arbiter of all Brawls""Keitt" Sutherland was getting towards the end of a colorful life here. Washington Post, February 4, 1900. EX-KING OF THE BOTTOM Once Dominated a Notorious Section of the City. WHERE CRIME AND EVIL REIGNED. Reminiscences of "Hell's Bottom," Which Formally Kept the Police Department Busy, Recalled by "Keitt" Sutherland, the Odd Character Who Figured as Self-appointed Arbiter of all Brawls –- His Curious Resort in Center of that Section. KEITT'S. I, am, going, to, put, my, name, above, THE DOOR. The above legend with its superfluity of commas, inscribed on a piece of board about a foot square, nailed above the door of a tumble-down building at the intersection of Vermont avenue, Twelfth and R streets, marks the abode of the “King of Hell’s Bottom.” The structure thus adorned is the pool room of “Keitt” Sutherland, overlord and supreme ruler of the negroes in the vicinity. Although the encroachments of modern dwellings, increase in the police force, and other accompaniments of growing metropolitan life have somewhat shorn him of his feudal rights and curtailed his former realm, “Keitt” is now, and always will be, monarch of all he chooses to survey. It is still within the memory of the present generation when “Hell’s Bottom” was a fact and not a memory. The swampy, low-lying ground bred mosquitoes, malaria, and – thugs. It was the quarter set apart for and dominated by the tough element of the colored population. A white man with money in his pocket studiously avoided the locality after dark, or else set a fast pace to which he adjusted the accompaniment of a rag-time whistle. Half a dozen saloons congested within the radius of a block served the barroom habitués with whisky as hot as chile con carne and as exhilarating as Chinese pundu. Fights arose approaching the dimensions of a riot, and the guardians of the law had all they could do to quell the disturbances. A policeman or two was killed, and that, together with the growth of the city, led to the rehabilitation of “Hell’s Bottom.” Now it is interesting mainly in its wealth of reminiscence. “How did I happen to put up that sign?” Keitt repeats after the inevitable query. “I’ll tell you. You see my folks used to own that property, and they was sort o’ slow dyin’ off. I knowed I was going to come into it some day, an’ I thought I might as well let people know it. About that time a show came along, and they sang a song somethin’ like this: “I am going to put my name above the door. For it’s better late than never. An’ I’ll do so howsomever.’ It gave me an idea. I just put that sign above the door. After while the folks died, an’ I got the property.” Queer Sort of Place. Guided by the much-be-commaed signboard, the visitor goes to the door of the poolroom and inquires for “Keitt.” He finds the room filled with colored youth of all sizes, the adults of which are engaged in playing pool at 5 cents a game. The balls on the table are a joblot, the survivors of the fittest in many a hard-fought game. The cushions are about as responsive as brickbats. But the players do not seem to care for that so long as they can drive the balls into the pockets and make their opponents pay for the sport. An ancient, dingy card on the wall informs the reader that he is within the precincts of the “Northern Light Poolroom.” The same placard also gives the following warning: “Persons are cautioned against laying around this building.” “Where is Keitt?” inquires the intruder, who finds himself regarded with suspicion. “Two doahs down below. Jest hollah ‘Katy,’ an’ he’ll show up,” is the answer. “Keitt” on inspection justified the right to the title of “king.” He is a giant, weighing 250 pounds, well distributed over a broad frame six feet and one inch in height. He looks like a man who would not shun a rough and tumble fight. He does not have to. A registered striking machine off in the corner shows that he can deliver a 500-pound blow. He might do better, but unfortunately the makers of the instrument did not figure that a man’s fist was a pile driver, and 500 pounds is as high as the machine will register. Many are the tables told of his prowess; of how he whipped in single combat the slugger of the community, a man who had challenged any five to come on at once; of how when only a bootblack in the ‘60’s, he sent three bullies about their business with broken heads and black eyes; of how he used to suppress incipient riots in his saloon by means of his strong arm and without the aid of the bluecoats in the neighborhood. Indeed, the police used to say that “Keitt” was as good as a sergeant and a squad with loaded “billies.” But “Keitt” (the name is a popular conversion of the more familiar “Keith”) has not won his way entirely through the medium of brawn. He is a man of intelligence, and has a keen eye for business. He is the magnate of the neighborhood, with property in his name, money in the bank, and a good comfortable roll about his place of business. He can go down in his pocket and bring out more $50 bills than the average man caries about in the $5 denomination. If one hints robbery or burglary “Keitt” simply rolls his eye expressively, and enough has been said. No one cares to tamper with his till. Plenty of Local Color. The saloon on the outside looks like a combination coal and wood shed. “Keitt” apologetically explains that it was formerly a stable, and that he has not had time to fix up much. Nevertheless, the fish, beans, sandwiches, and other eatables are so tempting that the frequenters of the place do not pay much attention to external appearances. The magic of the proprietor’s name draws as much custom as he can attend to, and fully as much as the customers can pay for. There is a charm about the old haunt that cannot be dispelled by police regulations or the proximity of modern dwellings. On Saturday night the place takes on something of its old glory. In the smoke-begrimed room – hardly 12 by 12 – are found thirty or forty men eating and talking. Through the thick clouds of smoke the lamps throw out a dim gleam, and the odor of frying fish and the fumes of the pipe struggle for the mastery. The crowd gets noisy at times, but any attempt at boisterousness is quieted by a word from the dominant spirit of the gathering. If any one gets obstreperous he is thrown out on the pavement, and it makes little difference to the bouncer whether the mutinous one lands on his head or not. This is the negro Bohemia. They who live from hand to mouth love to come her. The boot-black with a dime receives as much consideration as the belated teamster with a roll of one-dollar bills. Business is business, and “Keitt” is a business man. Consequently there is very little credit given. “Five or ten cents is about the limit,” says the autocrat. But “Keitt” is something of a philanthropist., although he makes his charity redound to his personal benefit. An illustrated placard, done in what appears to be an excellent quality of shoe blacking, has the figure of a man sawing wood. It bears the following words, “Just tell them that you saw me sawing wood at Keitt’s for a grind.” The term “grind” is synonymous with mastication, the wood sawyer thereby being supposed to do a stunt for the recompense of a square meal. This does away with the tearful plaint that is ever the specialty of the hungry and penniless, gives employment to the idle, and increases the size of “Keitt’s” wood pile. The latter is sold to the negroes of the neighborhood at prevailing prices. “Keitt” figures that his method is wiser than giving unlimited credit, and he is probably right. “Keitt” is a mine of reminiscence. He has been in Washington 1862, when he came from Charles County, Md., where he was born a slave. He was a bootblack around the Treasury building, and he remembers seeing Lincoln’s funeral pass by, with the white horse tied behind the hearse. His history of the rise and fall of “Hell’s Bottom” is quite valuable from a local standpoint. Divested of dialect, it is as follows “’Hell’s Bottom’ began to get its name shortly after the close of the war in 1866. There were two very lively places in those days. One was a triangular square at Rhode Island avenue and Eleventh street. It was here that an eloquent colored preacher, who went by the name of ‘John the Baptist,’ used to hold revival services, which were attended by the newly-freed slaves. The revival was all right, but the four or five barrooms in the neighborhood used to hold the overflow meetings, and when the crowds went home at night you couldn’t tell whether they were shouting from religion or whisky. “Then there was what was known as the ‘contraband camp,’ located on S street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth. The negroes who had just been freed stayed there waiting for white people to come and hire them. They got into all sorts of trouble, and many of them settled in the neighborhood. Money was scarce and whisky was cheap – a certain sort of whisky – and the combination resulted in giving the place the name which it held for so many years. The police force was small. There was no police court, and the magistrates before whom offenders were brought rarely fixed the penalty at more than $2. Crime and lawlessness grew terribly, and a man had to fight, whenever he went into the ‘Bottom.’ “The unsettled condition of the locality made things worse. Men used to shoot reed birds where Corcoran street now is. I have caught many a mud turtle there in the 60’s. I saw a man get drowned in the creek at Seventh and R streets. At the point where the engine-house is now located on R street a man could catch all the minnows he wanted for bait. Tall swamp grass afforded easy concealment for any one who wanted to hide after a petty theft or the robbery of some pedestrian. Consequently, it is small wonder that the law was defied in those days. Many Disorderly Rowdies. “A white man never wanted to cross the ‘Bottom’ after dark. If he did he had to keep stepping. Just how many crimes of magnitude were committed there no one can tell. The life of the negro was far from easy. If a fellow took a girl to church, the chances were that he would not take her home. A gang of rowdies would meet him at the church door as he came out. They would tell him to ‘trot,’ and he seldom disobeyed. They escorted the girl themselves. It was impossible to stop this sort of petty misdeeds. “At times the trouble grew serious. I have seen 500 negroes engaged in a fight all at once in ‘Hell’s Bottom.’ That was during the mayoralty elections, and the riot would be started by the discovery of a negro who was voting the Democratic ticket. I have had big fights in my old saloon, but there was only one that I could not stop with the assistance of two bouncers I had in those days. There were fully fifty men in the saloon at the time, and most of them were drunk. They began to quarrel, and when I could not stop them I blew a distress call. About fifteen policemen came, for in those days it was useless to send two or three to quell a disturbance around here. When word came that the police were after them the last man of them rushed through the rear part of the saloon, and I’ll give you my word that they broke down the fences in five back yards in getting away. Not a man of them was captured. “Ah, those were the days. Things are quiet around here now, but sometimes we have a little fun, and then the boys go to the farm for ninety days. I keep ‘em pretty straight in my place, though, let me tell you.” (The Gallery, D.C., Eateries & Bars, Harris + Ewing)
Allied Asphalt: 1923
... is a study in frustration. Almost everyone else in the office is younger than he is, but he's never gotten a private office of his ... And the graphics of the calendar are indeed very 1920's. And yes, you are right. We now know what Little Orphan Annie did when ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/23/2012 - 3:37pm -

October 1923. Washington, D.C. "Allied Asphalt Products Co." Behind all that smelly hot tar and paving aggregate, under the compacted gravel -- a hidden world of glamour and intrigue! National Photo Company glass negative. View full size. Willie Loman ... But Even LowerThe "Company Man" at the middle desk is a study in frustration. Almost everyone else in the office is younger than he is, but he's never gotten a private office of his own. His phone is facing in the wrong direction, and not even the frizzy-haired typist will give him a good time down at Joe's speakeasy. Meantime, he's the only economist in the whole company who's figured out that the stock market will collapse by 1929. But will the boss in the glass booth listen to a word he says, or look at his charts? No. He takes the train home to his nagging wife, who wants a new Orthophonic Victrola and a 12-cylinder Packard Cabriolet. She gives him a hard time from the minute he walks in the door, so he retreats to his den, with a bottle of bootleg hooch and a few Bix records. Graduation DayIt appears that Princess Leia is graduating tonight. That is her graduation gown, isn't it? It couldn't be a dress, because it looks unstylish, hot, and uncomfortable. Oh wait, it was the 1920s. Is that a telephone switchboard on her desk? Bestcaption ever Dave! I know this has been done before, but:Michael Scott watches over everything from his private office at the back. Sitting in front of him and slightly hung over is Meredith, with Creed telling her a surreal anecdote from his mysterious past. In the middle, Kevin is shuffling papers and trying to look busy. Off to the right, Pam gives the camera a knowing look. And at the left - whoa, waitaminute, how did Little Orphan Annie get a job at Dunder-Mifflin?! That hair!Get your finger out of the light socket already, young lady. Proud New Offices Washington Post, Mar 11, 1923 Larger Offices Occupied Asphalt Products Corporation Moves to 919 New York Avenue. The Allied Asphalt Products Corporation, of which Thomas J. Brown is president, last week removed their offices from the Southern building to new enlarged quarters, occupying the entire ground floor at 919 New York avenue northwest. This corporation is regional distributor for the Keystone Manufacturing Company, York, Pa., manufacturers of asphalt shingles, waterproof paper and paint. Re: HairUpon first glance, I assumed it to be a fur hat. The lady on the leftlooks as though something has crawled up onto her head and died there. Their Hair IIIOne of the girls has bobbed her hair - and it being so early in the 1920s has not yet had the opportunity to style it in marcel waves - probably just had it hacked off by a barber. By the end of the 1920s, she'd have the option of a permanent wave. The other two are wearing their hair in the "earphone" (or "cootie garage") style, which fell out of favor by the mid-1920s as more and more girls took the plunge with the barber (or even the female hairstylist!) Once cloche hats were standard it was harder and harder to have stylish long hair! Tight curls and bobsI've seen that kind of hair in a lot of early 1920s photos. Since I have that kind of hair myself I can see why. Most bobs were done by barbers and when hair of this texure is suddenly released from the weight of length and the constraints of hairpins -- this is the result! It took a while for people to figure out how to handle it when it is short. Devil is in the detailsAs usual the details of an era gone by are what make this photo so special. No cubicles. Everyone sits out in the open. Two have candlestick telephones and inkwells. The others just get typewriters. (What a dreary job to type and type and never even get interrupted by a phone call). [Look a little closer. The girl on the right has not just a telephone, but an entire telephone switchboard, on her desk. - Dave] There are paste pots by the cabinet in the corner, against the wall. Not sure what they pasted, but they apparently filed it there. Maybe it was customer addresses from invoices or letterheads. Maybe it was photos. On the wall are photos of houses they must have paved with asphalt. And the graphics of the calendar are indeed very 1920's. And yes, you are right. We now know what Little Orphan Annie did when she grew up. She became a typist! Look - It's Little Orphan Annie!All grown up! That hair IIThe Princess Leia twins! For Whom the Bell TollsJudging by the huge telephone ringer box under the desk, workers in this office suffered hearing loss early in their lives. Today OSHA would require these hapless victims to wear hearing protection. [Maybe that explains the hair. - Dave] RecyclingThe boss has an office made of surplus doors. If this is an example of their Southern Bldg accommodations, it's no wonder the company moved. Colorful ScenarioThese old photographs do conjure up interesting stories from our imaginations. Yours is particularly entertaining. Thank you for making this already-vivid photograph even more so. Allied AsphaltSounds like one of those dubious companies that Gomez Addams was always investing in. You know, like Consolidated Lint. Telephone boxThat big ringer was standard issue. They were all that big and metallic and LOUD. I installed one of those in a 1915 house I had (along with the candlestick phone), and it ensured that you never missed a call. Talking on a candlestick phone sounds like you are in a submarine - the Bell Ph.D. acoustical engineers had yet to be hired. A little Tar & AsphaltGreat title as usual. Once I saw a truck on the DC Beltway that said "If we didn't pave your driveway, it's your own asphalt." Bless Her HeartMy heart goes out to Little Orphan Annie. In providing us with photographic evidence of the fact that the "bad hair day" is not a modern phenomenon she also has to undergo the indignity of people still laughing at it 86 years later. This photo also proves that there is a direct correlation for women between attractiveness and the proximity to the boss' desk. (And I'd give anything to go back 86 years and chat up the cutie doubling on the switchboard.) (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo, The Office)
101 Broadway Pharmacy: 1957
... still exists, but the building is now a Planned Parenthood office. Divinity candy What was that? I don't remember them. If you eat ... born in 1892. He was still living with his parents in 1920, but they are all shown as living in Wapinitia, Wasco County, Oregon. ... 
 
Posted by Cazzorla - 06/29/2014 - 5:37pm -

I purchased this 8 x 10 print at the swap meet. On the back is printed: Mr. and Mrs. Cliff McCorkle, proprietors of the 101 Broadway Pharmacy, Richmond, Calif., getting an order ready for delivery. 5 November 1957. Photographer: Pfc. Barbara A. Warner, Sixth US Army Photo Lab, Presidio of San Francisco, Calif. Official US Army photograph. View full size. "Fling"?Somebody is going to have to convince me that it's really for feet. SquibbThey were an official ER Squibb Vitamin Headquarters. Having grown up next to the factory in Brooklyn, I recognize the 3 column logo. My color versionI've been getting into colorizing photos. If a product name was legible, I looked up references of old packaging on google to try to get the colors as accurate as possible. Some of the hair care products and lotions I had to fudge on it because I couldn't find them, but most of the other stuff is accurate. I had a lot of fun doing it and I think the color really adds to the photo. It was my intention to get it as accurate as possible. Check it out: https://www.shorpy.com/node/18065 ImpressedI am happy that this photo has been well received. I never thought that I'd get to see a color version, or a photo of the photographer! I have a few more pictures from this collection that I will share sometime. Divinity memoriesAs a kid growing up in Mississippi in the 1950s, divinity was home made candy. Sugar, eggs whites, corn syrup, vanilla, sugar and pecans combined to make a divine candy. I haven't visited Mississippi in 25 years, but today there is always the hope someone will bring divinity to a church supper. Maybe I should just make some tonight. Top GunkI can't see any in the photo, but I bet they carry Dapper Dan pomade. S&HAnd they give out Green Stamps. Sales no longer allowedNearly 50 years from the date on this picture, Richmond enacted an ordinance that prohibits the sale of tobacco products in establishments with pharmacies. You have to go to El Cerrito or Albany now for your nicotine fix. Why?A very odd subject for an official Army photograph. Since Letterman Army Hospital had a complete pharmacy and all military personnel stationed at the Presidio would have had access thereto, I'm left to wonder why this shot was taken. For Your HealthGet your Myadec vitamins here! Only $85.50 for the economy size! That amount equates to $723.86 in today's dollars! Gone but not forgotten, until now.Clove Life Savers I guess that flavor is not popular any longer, but I do remember purchasing them in the past but not really sure why? Coffee Time!Am I the last living human who remembers the taste of coffee-flavored candy? It was pretty good, actually. ...and is there ANYBODY who ever ate Clove Life-Savers? They musta sold okay, but yikes! Can't rememberthe last time I saw a package of"Clorets"! "Brusha, Brusha, BrushaWith the new Ipana." CloveI remember clove gum, but not the Life Savers. The thing that strikes me is the great variety of 1950s cigarettes in the back--Camels, Kents, Cavaliers, Pall Malls, Marlboros, L&Ms, and Herbert Tareytons. RepurposedAppears the address still exists, but the building is now a Planned Parenthood office. Divinity candyWhat was that? I don't remember them. If you eat it were you guaranteed to go to heaven or were they just sold to Priests? [Divinity. -tterrace] Clove Lifesavers and other flavorsI remember very well getting the Lifesavers Sweet Story Book every Christmas back in the 50s. It was a book-shaped box that opened and revealed 10 rolls of Lifesavers. They always included Clove, Wint-O-Green, Butter Rum and Butterscotch, 5-flavor, Orange, and others. Clove and Wint-O-Green were my favorites, and always saved until last. We were neighbors!I lived in Richmond in November 1957 (I was 4 at the time). I wonder if my folks ever shopped here? Shoot, maybe my mom was standing just off to the side when this picture was taken (she was always kinda shy). Tough TownAh, Richmond. I grew up just south of there, in Albany. Always a tough place: factories, warehouses, oil refinery. Best part of Richmond for me was that it was where we got on the Ferry to San Rafael on the way to Stinson Beach most Sundays. Looking for a certain productI was hoping to catch a glimpse of the cold and flu products near the vapor rubs, to find 4 way cold tablets. My mother swore by them for any signs of a cold coming on. Take the 4 way pill, get under a heavy blanket, and sweat the cold right out of you. And believe it not, they actually worked! Does anyone else remember them? Old Time products!Amazing how many of those items are still available and how many are gone. I was 11 years old when that picture was taken. If it didn't say where it was from it could have been from any Drugstore in America at that time. I know there was one across from the school I went to in Chicago at the time that had that same kind of goodie rack and one closer to my house same thing. Neighborhood pharmacy!I lived just a few blocks away from this pharmacy from birth to age 20! My folks undoubtedly knew the McCorkles! Very cool photo! Wint-O-Green memoriesAh! The counter candy stand of my youth. Separate comments here each touch on one part of the story, but marketing ad-speak nowadays has dropped the use of "breath-mints" as a catchall. Yes, all those packs of cigarettes often got sold with strong breath masking mints, candies and gum. Let me also make a nod toward the LifeSaver Sweet Story Book. At Christmas we each got one and could always identify it although wrapped. Opened last, its contents assisting in thoughtful appraisal of our acquired loot. We called Wint-O-Green "spark-in-the-dark." Chew some with your mouth open and lights out to understand why. Not in Kansas anymoreThe article below is from page 3 of the Sunday, December 30, 1956 issue of the The Salina Journal. By the time Barbara returned to Hays, Kansas in 1961 for her mother's funeral (her father had died in 1954), she was known as Mrs. Barbara Constantin of San Francisco. There was a particular smell and a particular coolnessthat hit you when you entered a drugstore of that era -- I can't describe it except that it was very clean smelling. Regardless of whether the store was a Rexall or a Walgreens or a local independent, the smell was the same -- very pleasant. I always associated it as a cross between the medicines that the druggists were compounding (always in white tunic like in the picture) and the soda fountain that was inevitably part of the store. There was also a coolness to drug stores when I was growing up (1950's). A lot of stores were still not air-conditioned at that time, especially if they were not a chain or franchise, but it seemed to me that drug stores always felt cool. When you sat at the fountain, the marble or the formica or tile of the counter was always cold to the touch. You go into a drugstore today and the smell and that coolness just isn't there. Have a cold?That Vicks Vapo Rub and Mentholatum were Moms favorites for a chest cold. First was the application to the chest just before going to bed so the vapors could work overnight. If that didn't work, the next step was to put a spoon or two of Vicks or Mentholatum in a large bowl, add hot water, and have me breath the vapors with a towel covering both my head and the bowl. It usually worked to clear out congestion. My High School Addiction --Wint-o-GreensAh LifeSavers. Through the early 60s. I went through roll after roll of that addictive goody. Cliff & Lola McCorkleOur pharmacist is Clifford W. McCorkle, born in Tygh Valley Precinct, Wasco County, Oregon on June 6, 1906 to farmer Rufus W. McCorkle and his wife Jessica L. McCorkle. He had two older brothers: Calvin, born in 1891, and Lester born in 1892. He was still living with his parents in 1920, but they are all shown as living in Wapinitia, Wasco County, Oregon. He graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Pharmacy on June 3, 1929. The photo below is from his senior yearbook. The 1930 U.S. Census shows him living in Hillsboro City, Washington County, Oregon. He married at the age of 21, it shows him as a lodger in the home of John Kelley, but his wife is not listed with him. He is already working as a pharmacist in a drug store. In 1931 he is shown with his wife Lillian living at 297 E. 39th Street in Portland, Oregon. The 1940 U.S. Census shows that he was residing in San Francisco by 1935. In 1937 he was working at Birnbaum & Son Drugs at 757 Market Street, San Francisco, CA. He was living with his wife Lillian at 511 Leavenworth in San Francisco. In 1940 he was working as a pharmacist in a drug store in San Francisco, California, he was making $2,185 a year, and he was now divorced. His residence is at the Lyric Hotel. In 1955 he worked at Bellini's Bayside Pharmacy and his wife Lola is a clerk in the store. They resided in Oakland, California at the time. He died on January 10, 1972 still in Richmond, Contra Costa County, California. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
What This Country Needs: 1906
... someone put that "Junction Building" sign on it. By 1920, the KC Times building had been replaced with the Kay Hotel and it was ... pictures. I see only two in front of the Junction ticket office. R.R. ticket offices The Chicago & Alton, Missouri Pacific, ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/20/2012 - 10:49am -

Kansas City, Missouri, circa 1906. "Junction of Main and Delaware Streets." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. A Good Five-Cent CigarOf course, only to hold off the chill of what appears to be a frosty day! Old city streetsI love these old street scenes you select. My grandfather who was born in 1880's had lots of old sayings that meant little to us grandkids. One was "it's everywhere like horseshit." These old photos almost always include somebody sweeping it up. Now I know what he meant. The Junction.This intersection (9th and Main) was known as "The Junction." As you might have guessed from the signs. That's the Kansas City Times newspaper building in the middle, with the spire thing on top, even though railroad ticket offices were on the first floor and someone put that "Junction Building" sign on it. By 1920, the KC Times building had been replaced with the Kay Hotel and it was that building that eventually fell to urban renewal in the 60s. [Note the faint T on the roof of the Times tower. - Dave] Vertiginous EgressThat cast iron spiral fire escape on the building with the beehive dome was probably thought safe enough at the time, but, after only a few moments of imagining using it in an emergency, I'm all ready for a nice lie-down in a dark room. Wells Fargo, and lunch to goWells Fargo wagon to the left (Express!) and the fellow with the apron across the street selling sandwiches from the looks of it (it IS 25 past 1, after all!) ManvilleI looked over this carefully and I can't see any women at all, out shopping or on the street! It truly was a man's world. Long gone.I-70 would eventually pass a couple of blocks in the distance and all these buildings were gone by then to make way for urban renewal and ramps down to the interstate. Everything probably went down by 1960 or so. Kansas City has its share of remaining historic buildings but all the buildings in this photo are long gone. The Commerce (Bank) Tower is currently on the corner (9th and Main) just beyond Palace Clothing. It went up in 1965 as the area was redeveloped into parking lots, parking garages and your typical 60s era highrises. My mother was working near this location in the early 1950s and she was still using the streetcars (the more modern versions) then. Streetcar service ended by 1957. Everything's up to date in Kansas City"They gone about as fer as they can go They went an' built a skyscraper seven stories high About as high as a buildin' orta grow." Horses back thenHad a lot to watch out for, didn't they? Downward SpiralIn about the middle of the photo, towards the back, there seems to be a spiral staircase fire escape. I don't believe I have ever seen one like this. Ladies of the AfternoonWhat I continue to find amazing are the lack of women in these downtown type pictures. I see only two in front of the Junction ticket office. R.R. ticket officesThe Chicago & Alton, Missouri Pacific, Santa Fe, Milwaukee Road, Wabash, and a joint office of the Frisco and, I think, the Rock Island. Nothing left?A tour up Delware to Main on Google Street view shows that there is nothing of this scene left except for the names of the thoroughfares. It's all a flat expanse of 4- and 6-lane asphalt, empty lots. and what look like low-rise warehouses. Automobiles roam, supreme in the environment. This gives me hope. Perhaps in another century, the auto will be as rare on our city streets as the horse is today. What this commenter needsA Stetson hat and five-cent cigar make for a winning combination. MessengerThere's a messenger boy on the lower right, no doubt hurrying to the red light district. Quick, call Lewis Hine! Kay Hotel demolished... in 1954, according to the Kansas City Public Library, which has a few more pictures of this intersection in its images archives. Dave, I love Shorpy! IncredibleThe detail on the lamp standards, fire hydrants &c is wonderful. I'm terribly curious about what appears to be a pedestrian bridge in the background -- does anyone know what it might have connected? (The Gallery, DPC, Kansas City MO, Stores & Markets, Streetcars)
Mark of Zorro: 1921
... La Motte as the love interest. It debuted on December 5, 1920. Also on the bill (in the pictures in the stand to the left of the box office) is a Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle short. Can't read the title even blowing ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/07/2012 - 2:20am -

1921. Sidney Lust's Leader Theater in Washington, D.C. Now playing: Douglas Fairbanks in "The Mark of Zorro." National Photo glass negative. View full size. Wow!I didn't even see the guy in the Zorro suit in the preview pic. Such a gorgeous picture. At The MoviesSome good stuff here. The date for the photo is almost certainly early 1921. The main feature of course is "The Mark Of Zorro" starring Douglas Fairbanks (at a time when no one needed to include Sr.) and Noah Beery (also at a time when no one needed to include Sr.) as Sgt. Gonzales and Marguerite De La Motte as the love interest. It debuted on December 5, 1920. Also on the bill (in the pictures in the stand to the left of the box office) is a Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle short. Can't read the title even blowing it up using Window's Photo Gallery, but many of Arbuckle's films from 1917 to 1920 co-starred his cousin Al St. John, who was later a sidekick in "B" westerns under the name "Fuzzy" St. John, and Buster Keaton whose fame would soon eclipse Arbuckle's. He was making shorts throughout 1920 and '21 until he was charged with manslaughter after the Labor Day weekend of 1921. The Pickford movie is "Love Light" with Mary playing a young Italian woman keeping a lighthouse while her brothers are off to war. The film was written and directed by Frances Marion (who was a longtime collaborator of Pickford's) probably most remembered today for her script to "Dinner At Eight." The male lead was Fred Thomson, who was married to Marion. His career was in the ascendant with the advent of talkies until he died suddenly of tetanus in 1928 at age 38. As nearly as I am able to tell, "Love Light" is one of only two of his films to survive. "Love Light" debuted on January 9, 1921. The fourth movie is "Fighting Bill," starring William Fairbanks. He was no relation to Douglas Fairbanks - his real name was Carl Ullman, the name he worked under until 1920. IMDB has no real information on either "Fighting Bill" or William Fairbanks beyond the fact that he died in 1945 of lobar pneumonia at age 51. "Fighting Bill" debuted sometime in 1921. To-Day's the DayI'm always amazed at the pictures I find on this site, but this one made my day. Thanks for sharing. I love the Z stickers all over the ticket booth; so subtle! Out of ControlThe poor guy in the Zorro suit! What a wonderful photo. We don't think of such extensive promo material being used back then. All the Z's and little photos of Fairbanks are a revelation. Although I'm sure this was what we'd call a blockbuster today. Waxing Enthusiastic The Washington Post, Feb 6 1921 At the Picture Houses Leader - Douglas Fairbanks in "The Mark of Zorro." Never before has Douglas Fairbanks waxed so enthusiastic over the success of a picture as he has over "The Mark of Zorro," his fourth United Artists production, which will be the feature attraction at the Leader theater, beginning today. The story is an adaptation of Johnston McCulley's novel, "The Curse of Capistrano," which appeared in the All Story Weekly magazine. Movie MemorabiliaI imagine there are some movie memorabilia collectors who would trade their souls to go back to 1921 for a shot at grabbing some of these great promotion displays and running for dear life. Wonder what's playing?Wonder what’s playing here. You'd thing they would advertise some or put the title up someplace, give us some clue ... BatmanAt some point in DC mythology, this became the movie that young Bruce Wayne and his parents saw on the night they were murdered. Deja vuI think I've seen this theatre before; there's another photo of it somewhere on Shorpy, one with a bunch of kids standing in front. The Batman ConnectionFrom Wikipedia: In the DC Comics continuity it is established that The Mark of Zorro was the film which the young Bruce Wayne had watched with his parents at the cinema, and after which he witnessed the murder of his parents. Zorro is often portrayed as Bruce's childhood hero and an influence on his Batman persona. There are discrepancies regarding which version Bruce saw, The Dark Knight Returns claims it was the Tyrone Power version whereas a story by Alan Grant claimed it to be the silent Douglas Fairbanks original, though Bob Kane's original basis for the Batman character draws its origins from the silent original. Amazingly fun advertisingI work at a movie theater and I wish we could advertise like this today! It made everything seem so much more fun and exciting about going to the cinema! Two BitsThe inflation calculator says that 25-cent admission would be about $3 today. Still not bad. For a guy with no chin, Fairbanks was a pretty solid action star. It's hard to think of other A-list stars who did action movies at his level. ZorrophileThis is one of my all time favorite silent films EVER. It was one of the most exciting films I have ever seen. Thank you SO much for this picture, I love film history! Arbuckle ShortLooking at the original TIFF for this image, from the Library of Congress, I can barely make out the title of the Arbuckle short as THE COOK, from 1918. (The Gallery, D.C., Movies, Natl Photo)
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