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Mo and Mammy: 1927
... 2756 Woodley pl. nw., and Mrs. Gertrude Sollod of Baltimore, and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/27/2012 - 5:05pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1927. "Al Jolson's parents." Rabbi Moses Yoelson and wife Ida, the actor's stepmother. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. I'd walk a million miles"Mammy!" The sun shines east, the sun shines westI wonder what her smile looks like. I'd like to know if it really is worth walking a million miles for. My MammyBefore Jolson latched onto it, the song had been introduced on the vaudeville circuit by William Frawley, decades before he achieved sitcom immortality as Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy." From scratchThis picture looks like it had some retouching, like scratching on the faces and hands. Also, the eyes look kind of unnatural. Their facesSomehow she looks like the stern one. He seems to have a soft kindly quality in his expression, and what looks like a nice little smile. Just the opposite of the parents in "The Jazz Singer." Ida Yoelson Obit Washington Post, Jan 9, 1951 Al Jolson's Stepmother Dies at 80 Mrs. Ida Yoelson, stepmother of the late Al Jolson, died yesterday at her home at 1787 Lanier pl. nw., at the age of 80. She had been suffering from hardening of the arteries for several months. Mrs. Yoelson died without ever having been told of the death of her famous stepson last October 23. She was too sick to be told, her son, George Jolson, said last night. The famed singer and comedian used to write home every week and Mrs. Yoelson constantly asked if his letters were coming in regularly. To keep the news from her, George and the other children kept answering yes, even after the letters stopped coming. She was actually the only mother Al ever knew, according to George. Al's mother, Emma, died when Al was an infant. Ida Yevels came here with her mother from Russia to be married to Al's father, the late Rabbi Moses Reuben Yoelson, when Al was only two years old. The two Mrs. Yoelsons were cousins. A devout, Orthodox Jew, Mrs. Yoelson did not attempt to divert Al when he decided to enter show business. Instead her devotion to him remained steadfast and she followed his fortunes with unwavering loyalty. "We had to read Al's notices to Mom and Pop over and over again." George said last night. Robbi Yoelson died about five years ago. Earlier in her life. Mrs. Yoelson was active in numerous charities and social organizations. In addition to George, a pharmacist who lives at 2527 14th st. ne., she leaves three other children, Meyer Yoelson, of the Lanier pl. adress; Emil Yoelson, a Post Office Department employee, 2756 Woodley pl. nw., and Mrs. Gertrude Sollod of Baltimore, and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. today at Danazansky's funeral home, 3501 14th st. nw. She will be burieded near her husband at the Talmud Torah Congregation Cemetery. Beloved, indeedConsidering that Al Jolson was, by most accounts, an egomaniacal tyrant to most people (he ran water in his dressing room, for instance, so as not to hear the applause for others onstage), it is interesting to note that his father was a rabbi! Perhaps he should have walked those "million miles" a bit more often for some heart to hearts with dear old dad! (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Movies, Portraits)
Prices Cut to the Bone: 1909
... bustling retail corridor, home to the Taft Dental Parlors, Baltimore Lunch, Kugler's, Stein's and Mockett's. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/13/2012 - 7:26pm -

Toledo, Ohio, circa 1909. "Summit Street." Our second glimpse along this bustling retail corridor, home to the Taft Dental Parlors, Baltimore Lunch, Kugler's, Stein's and Mockett's. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. North or South?Probably North, either way, there's none of this grandeur left. A shame. I see youI love the photographs where only one person is fully aware of the camera and has stopped to look and/or be captured. Alternative title"We must have the room" (The Gallery, DPC, Streetcars, Toledo)
Swiping Coal: 1917
... with three sisters and four brothers lived in an area in Baltimore then known as Goat Hill (long forgotten now) just off the end of 25th ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/30/2020 - 2:36pm -

"Swipin’ coal from the freight yards." Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. April 1917. Photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine. View full size. Swipin' CoalMy father told us that he would look for coal along the tracks putting the finds into a burlap bag. This would have been around 1930 in the Wilson section of Clairton, PA. Swipin' CoalMy grandmother, who is 101, tells how she and her brother would go and collect coal that fell from the train, so they would have heat. Her father had abandoned the family and her mother did laundry to keep them alive. My grandmother said that sometimes the train folks even threw out coal on purpose for them. Swipin' CoalI live in Australia and steam locomotives ran the rails until the 1970's. In the mining village where I lived the last steam locomotive was retired in October 1967 and replaced by a diesel-hydraulic GE 44 tonner. As a young boy, I lived very close to the railroad tracks. My mum would send my brothers and me off with a metal bucket to pick up loose coal that fell from the locomotive tender as it went about its business. We were lucky though. The engineer, a chap named Laurie, was a family friend and sometimes he would stop and shovel coal into our buckets to save us some time. Great Photo! It brought back a good memory. Rackin' CoalIn the early 1900s my father along with three sisters and four brothers lived in an area in Baltimore then known as Goat Hill (long forgotten now) just off the end of 25th street and not far from what is now a Norfolk Southern rail yard. Whenever there was a line of coal cars parked in the yard the word soon spread all around Goat Hill, Remington and Hampden and an army of adults and kids would swarm the area like fire ants on an ant hill intruder. Some of the boys would climb up the cars and start kicking the mounds of coal to the adults and young girls below while others kept a eye out for any bulls (railroad cops). My Irish grandmother, Estella "Stella" Mannion, even though a very devout Catholic, did not put this in the realm of stealing with her socialist reasoning being that the Big Railroad Men were cheating and stealing from the working people it was only right the working people get something back that was stolen from them. Goat Hill supposedly came from the goats the families kept in their backyards for their milk. My father and uncles always bragged they grew up so strong and handsome because of the goat milk. (The Gallery, Kids, Lewis Hine, OKC)
Housing Boom: 1923
... Grow Up In I was raised in a similar rowhouse block in Baltimore. Those porches brought back some on the joys of my youth and the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/11/2011 - 1:18pm -

1923. "Allied Asphalt Products Co., 4700 block of 8th St." The Joseph Shapiro Company Exhibit House at Eighth and Crittenden streets N.W. in Washington, D.C. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Brick House(s)Those places were built to last and they have. The hills beyond have sprouted houses since then, too. RowhousesStill there. Eighth & CrittendenHere. Joseph ShapiroApparently, Joseph Shapiro was a very busy builder... Washington Post, June 10, 1923 13 of 15 Houses in Row Sold Before Completion Fifteen attractive dwellings just nearing completion and being erected by the Joseph Shapiro company at Eighth street northwest. With the exception of the two end houses, all have been disposed of from plans. Each contains six rooms and a bath, and the corner houses have built-in garages. Washington Post, Oct 24, 1926 Real Estate Field Entry by Shapiro 7 years ago today. Today marks the seventh anniversary of the Joseph Shapiro Co.'s entry into the real estate field. Starting in 1919 with a small office at 914 New York avenue northwest, this company opened general real estate offices, and two years later opened their building department, their first operation being a group of houses on Crittenden street between Eighth and Ninth streets northwest. Today the company occupies the first and second floor of the Edmunds building, 919 Fifteenth street northwest, and have to their record the erection of hundreds of homes in the northeast and northwest sections of the city and a large number of apartment buildings.... AtticWhat that a tiny, pointy attic up above the 2nd floor, or just a faux front? I wish modern houses were still built that high off the ground, so basement windows could be taller. And having steps up to the front door gives it more of a grand impression. A Good Block To Grow Up InI was raised in a similar rowhouse block in Baltimore. Those porches brought back some on the joys of my youth and the days of stoop sitting. During the dog days of summer the whole neighborhood would sit outside. Cool breezes, marble steps and friendly neighbors made a humid summer night somewhat bearable. We kids would play games of Red Line and Hide And Seek while crunching on cherry snowball or drinking a RC Cola. Our parents might be drinking a beer either out of bottles or a tin filled at the local pub with draft beer. No theatrical visual effect could top the natural sight of the clouds above glowing with snatches of heat lightning, lightning bugs glowing their love serenade, gas lamposts flickering a warm yellow light over the entire block, a wooden match flaring to light a pipe and a streak of fire as a cigarette was flicked away to land in the gutter amid a shower of sparks. There were always radios in the background. As you were running to hide there were sounds of baseball games (minor league Orioles and if the wind was blowing right maybe even a major league game between the Yanks and Red Sox), boxing matches (Joe Lewis or Rocky Marciano), westerns (Gunsmoke with Conrad as Matt Dillon), mysteries (Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of man? The Shadow knows!) ,horror shows (the eerie creak of a door as Inner Sanctum began). All those sounds plus the sounds of children at play, adults bidding in a pinochle game and the woofs, yips and meows of the pets combined to make a sweet music I can still hear today whenever I ride pass a rowhouse block. Life lost a little luster when houses were no longer built with porches and AC replaced summer breezes. Of course I am writing this as I sit in a porchless house with the AC set on 75. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, D.C., Natl Photo)
Hotel Fire: 1963
... in other hotels where the cast stayed in Minneapolis and Baltimore." '56 DeSoto That tailfinned beauty in front of J.J. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/23/2015 - 12:09pm -

"Sherry Biltmore fire, Boston, 1963." Aftermath of the five-alarm blaze that killed four on March 29, 1963. 35mm negative, photographer unknown. View full size. Eight O'Clock Coffeeis still around, although the name was bought by another company. I shopped at A&P. It was a "Great" place. "La fille aux yeux d'or"Is that theater called the Fenway? It must have been an "Art House" cinema, as it was showing a rather obscure French film from 1961. Do-re-mi-FIRE!-so-la-ti-doThe initial newspaper stories about the fire highlighted one group of hotel guests that night - adults and children in the tour company for "The Sound of Music" (starring Barbara Meister as Maria). One week later, UPI reported that an 8-year-old son of an actress in the touring company and a Viennese opera singer had been accused of setting the fatal fire while playing with matches. The April 6, 1963 account added that "in recent months there have been fires in other hotels where the cast stayed in Minneapolis and Baltimore." '56 DeSotoThat tailfinned beauty in front of J.J. Newberry is a 1956 DeSoto. My late father had one during my childhood. It was our first experience with power windows and pushbutton gears. They shoulda "Biltmore" like it.Because it's still standing. Plaid StampsOn the eve of the demise of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, it is pleasantly nostalgic to be reminded of The A&P's Plaid Stamps trading stamps. My mother collected both Plaid Stamps from the A&P and Blue Stamps from the Grand Union. I can remember helping her to paste them into the redemption booklets. There was a walk-in redemption center for the Blue Stamps at the county seat. Perhaps some other Shorpy contributor can remind me of how the Plaid Stamps were redeemed. I can hardly believe that the A&P has come to the end of the road. Will Jane Parker. Ann Page and Sultana find employment elsewhere, or will they go into retirement? (The Gallery, Boston, Fires, Floods etc., Found Photos, Stores & Markets)
Raise Your Bottles High
... Brakeman, Jimmy Rogers. The beer is American (a local Baltimore brand) and the RR cap a gift from an uncle who worked as a conductor ... in the rear of the 3300 block of Elmora Ave in Northeast Baltimore, circa 1948. View full size. American Brewery Ah, American ... 
 
Posted by EvenSteven - 12/13/2011 - 11:44am -

My first crush, Liz, on the left and my mother in her obligatory apron and I strumming the guitar in a poor imitation of the Singing Brakeman, Jimmy Rogers. The beer is American (a local Baltimore brand) and the RR cap a gift from an uncle who worked as a conductor on the B&O. He had no children and at the end of each run he would check the passenger cars for forgotten comic books for me, which led to the largest collection in my part of the world. And yes in 1959 while I was away in the Navy that sweet lady on the right dumped it. Picture taken in the rear of the 3300 block of Elmora Ave in Northeast Baltimore, circa 1948. View full size. American BreweryAh, American Beer; I remember it well. They had a silo on the B&O near Gay Street where they'd truck their grain down to the plant. The brewery building is still standing at 1701 N. Gay Street in Baltimore. Check it out on Google...magnificent! A tumble-down ruin since American closed in the early 70's, it since has been restored and is used by Humanim. And what is it about moms and comic books? Our mother trashed my brother's comics while he was also in the Navy... American Brewery & Esskay HamI remember that grain silo very well. I lived up on the hill opposite it and on a good day you could smell the mash from the brewery and the aroma of Esskay smoking hams just down the block. I now live near the Budweiser plant in Los Angeles and that mash smell drifts over me and I am transported back to the time Butch, Robert, Carl, Leo and I played either cowboys & Indians or cops and robbers or three musketeers on that cliff behind Ravenwood. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Cookies: 1896
... this series. My great uncle Joe Latham seved on the U.S.S. Baltimore during this time period. A small point In a racially ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/29/2012 - 10:14am -

Circa 1896-1899. "Berth deck cooks aboard cruiser U.S.S. Brooklyn." 8x10 inch glass negative by Edward H. Hart, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. I'm wondering about morale on this shipOne half-smile, two faint attempts at a smile and otherwise a whole lot of grumpy goin' on. Nice shoesA classic and very smart sailor uniform style. Flared trousers, of course! Notice those elegant, but extremely worn out shoes they all have on. More than cooks here?The two men to the left of the bell are wearing distinctly different uniforms. The cap insignias are a bit too small to discern. Are they Marines? Also, about 8 of them are wearing lanyards. Are they bosuns? ThanksThanks for this series. My great uncle Joe Latham seved on the U.S.S. Baltimore during this time period. A small pointIn a racially segregated navy we have two black men just part of the crew, somewhat startling for 1896? [Other contemporary examples can be found here, here, here and here. Segregation came to the Navy under President Wilson in 1913. -tterrace] (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, E.H. Hart)
Hudzik & Hornbrook: 1924
... Hudzik, CTC (Chief Turret Captain), 306 S. Washington St., Baltimore, MD 1944 duty station: US Naval Fleet Service Schools, N.O.B. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/06/2017 - 3:35pm -

August 2, 1924. Washington, D.C. "F.R. Hudzik & H.W. Hornbrook." And that's all they wrote. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Sock styleQuestion to (ex) US naval servicemen: Is that the regulation style to wear one's socks? Rolled down to the top of the boots? In the West German army that was heavliy frowned upon by the Feldwebels (OR-6 and above). Anyway, urban pigeons are a nuisance at best and an official pest at worst. Dave, I don't think those "do not feed" critters are providing all that much to feed us in turn. I'm sure I don't even want to try "colombe sautée à la mode urbaine". Not even extra well ;-) ForbiddenIn the city where I live, Montreal, it is illegal to feed wild urban critters, with a fine of $60. I translate from the City's website: "Pigeons, squirrels, and seagulls quickly become invasive when they're fed. Think of the gatherings of seagulls around picnic tables, the droppings left by pigeons, and the ravages of which squirrels are capable in gardens, not to mention the risk of bites for little children." Signs in parks go into greater detail about the imbalance to animal populations in the city when people feed them. [I wonder how the critters feel about feeding us. -Dave] Future USN weapons ChiefsFrank R. Hudzik, CTC (Chief Turret Captain), 306 S. Washington St., Baltimore, MD 1944 duty station: US Naval Fleet Service Schools, N.O.B. Norfolk, VA Enlistment Date 1: 30 Dec 1918, Release Date 1: 19 Jun 1926 Enlistment Date 2: 18 Sep 1926, Release Date 2: 07 Sep 1939 Enlistment Date 3: 29 Nov 1941, Release Date 3: 26 Jul 1947 Birth: 28 Sep 1901, Death: 23 Dec 1987 [source: Fold3.com] Harry W. Hornbrook, CFC (Chief Fire Controlman), 1939 duty station: USS Aylwin (DD-355), Muster Roll of the Crew for the quarter ending 31 March 1939, Date reported on board: 04 Aug 1938; transferred to USS New York on 04 July 1940 Enlistment Date: 25 Sep 1914, Release Date: 31 Jan 1945 Birth: 16 May 1892, Death: 11 Feb 1976 [source: Fold3.com] Pulling libertyWhen I was in the Navy boondockers were only for work, low cuts were dress shoes. Did many things on liberty but feeding birds was not on the list. Nice Spit Shine But ...Navy regs said shoes need only be well-blackened. Who was I to dispute the mighty Navy regs writer, so after boot camp I well-blackened a pair of dress shoes and wore them only on inspection days along with either one of two sets (white or blue) dress outfits I kept for inspection only. Speaking of inspections, I loved it when the inspecting officer was a Lieutenant Commander or above. They breezed through with hardly a glance but those junior grades of officers, especially ones with still the smell of Annapolis on them, would treat inspections as though a pair of not well-blackened shoes would allow the enemy to scuttle the ship. Feeding birds and squirrels on liberty? Either it was the day before payday or they thought Washington girls might have a soft spot for gobs who fed cute little animals. Boondockers?Those look more like high-tops like my grandfather used to wear than boondockers. Look at the shine he's got on them. As for the socks, white and rolled down were probably unauthorized. Reminds me...of the Tom Lehrer tune, "Poisoning Pigeons In the Park." DC SquirrelsThe squirrels around the reflecting pool are very tame, even today. They will actually come up and beg on their back legs for food. Interestingly Washington DC has a sizable populations of black squirrels. This is the result of some squirrels from Toronto Ontario that were introduced into the National Zoo back at the turn of the 20th Century. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Glen Echo Park: 1928
... seemed to be a fortune teller at those Arcades. In the Baltimore area's Gwyn Oak Park & Carlin's the same lady ruled both houses. ... the Johnstown Flood, The San Fransisco Earthquake, The Baltimore Fire, WWI and old silent cowboy movies. There were machines ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/18/2012 - 12:02pm -

Montgomery County, Maryland, circa 1928. "Glen Echo Park." Another look at this old-school attraction in the Washington suburbs. View full size. Play Station ZeroThe Penny Lane attraction in this photo brings back memories of what were known as "Penny Arcades". The one I remember was on the Boardwalk in Shorpy's favorite Queens, NYC site, The Rockaways, an area of beachfront summer bungalows and rooming houses. We're talking the 1940s here. When you entered the place from the Boardwalk, the first thing you saw was the Fortune Teller console with a witch like mannequin moving her head. Inserting a penny got you a tepid fortune card. There were change making people walking around with a wide apron pocket loaded with pennies. My favorite game was a mechanical baseball machine with lead soldier like pitchers and catchers. The one cent coin got the pitcher throwing (actually bowling} an agate sized lead ball toward the bat. The trick was to be able to press the lever quickly enough to hit the ball. It wasn't easy and if you scored runs you were awarded chits for the usual Carny junk. These were the last century's version of what we now know as Video Games. I rememberWhen I was a kid in the 1950s to early 60s, my mother took my brother & me to Glen Echo once every summer or so. Next to the beach it was my favorite destination. I believe they had a large roller coaster my mother wouldn't let me ride & a "junior" roller coaster she would. I didn't find out till years later that Glen Echo was strictly segregated. That realization took some of the gleam out of my memories. I couldn't fathom why some kids were kept from the fun times because of outward appearance. If I also remember correctly the owners of the park were finally ordered to integrate. They chose to close Glen Echo instead. A Sad EndNot entirely true Palmatier Meg. There were non-violent protests to the segregation in 1960. In 1961 they DID integrate. It remained open with out incident until 1966 when there was an ugly incident which caused the park to close early. The kids from the urban area had been bused in for the evening of fun and the buses refused to return to pick them up when the park closed early. They had to walk back home and violence ensued. Glen Echo Park is mentioned on pages 6 and 7. The park stayed open until 1968 even after the so called "riot." I grew up in the neighborhood and our family were regular customers. It was so sad to see it close. I almost cried when I saw this picture in Shorpy. It is now open again as a park dedicated to the arts. The carousel is still there and beautiful! Penny ArcadesAs Mr Mel stated there always seemed to be a fortune teller at those Arcades. In the Baltimore area's Gwyn Oak Park & Carlin's the same lady ruled both houses. You put a penny in a high slot and it rolled down a bridge to fall into her hands. Lights flashed as she turned to drop a card into a slot and there was your fortune. I spent many a happy hour with only a dollar in those arcades watching hand cranked movies and stereopticons (magic lanterns). The topics ran the gamut from the Johnstown Flood, The San Fransisco Earthquake, The Baltimore Fire, WWI and old silent cowboy movies. There were machines where you could stamp out your name or some other message on a round lucky coin. The best were the pinball machines. One penny for 5 balls and some grand shows complete with bells, whistles, lights and gongs. Today's electronic pinballs may wow you but they are but cheap imitations of the classics from the 20's through the 50's. Of course the pictures of scantily dressed ladies on the main board did impress a young lad of 11 or 12 in those pre Playboy days. Oh wellHowdy Folks, I came in the last few years of Glen Echo. My grandma took me when I was little once. I remember all the fun I had there. Being an inner city kid, awhile later we found eternal freedom through DC Transit and headed sraight to Glen Echo a few times and the last time it was closed. Our hearts sank and the ride back was long and sad. Sorta like losing Coney Island. We had found sanctuary and now it was gone. We now have Kings Dominion and six flags but the two combined will never match the experience I had at Glen Echo. Eventually, I would live in Glen Echo a short time but the area has now been developed and bears little resemblence to older times. Life is short so we must make the most of it. Thanks Shorpy (The Gallery, Natl Photo)
Last Ones In: 1943
... find it jingle Summer Teen radio in the Washington, DC- Baltimore area in the '50s and early '60s was constantly peppered with the Glen ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 11/16/2015 - 4:39pm -

July 1943. Glen Echo, Maryland. "Swimming pool in the Glen Echo amusement park." Where most of the swimsuits aren't swimming. Medium-format negative by Esther Bubley for the Office of War Information. View full size. Waist linesNot an obese or even slightly overweight person in sight. Rubber bathing capsI HATED those things! They pulled the hair going both on and off, were hot, and just plain miserable! Fun is where you find it jingleSummer Teen radio in the Washington, DC- Baltimore area in the '50s and early '60s was constantly peppered with the Glen Echo jingle which can be heard at the following link, as originally broadcast on station WPGC: http://DCMemories.com//glenechobobraleigh1.mp3 Fun is where you find itI remember radio commercials in northern Virginia in the early '60's for Glen Echo. I think it started this way. Fun is where you find it. Where do you find it? Glen Echo Amusement Park. The Coaster Dips are cool. So's the Crystal Pool. For summertime fun, it's Glen Echo after dark. Glen Echo Amusement Park. Anyone else remember this? A Military HangoutI noticed all of the "fit" folks too. At first I wondered how so many prime military men could be there until I saw the line outside waiting to get in. Lots and lots of uniforms so have to assume that those inside were mostly military too. Crystal Pool is goneOnly the outline of the pool and the original façade of the entrance are still there. The entrance was restored a few years ago. Art Deco doorway leading nowhere. (The Gallery, Esther Bubley, Swimming)
American Gothic: 1923
... I got to see him play after the St Louis Browns moved to Baltimore and the Red Sox came to town. Fortunately my allowance had been ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/06/2012 - 1:57pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1923. "Sherman house, 300 block Third Street N.W." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size. Beauty before FunctionI gasped with delight when I first saw this. It was a time when architecture was meant to be more than protection from the weather. Even the screened porches have decorative sunburst corners. The neighborhood then was obviously run down and we can be pretty certain this didn't last, but thank you to whoever brought us another picture of the past lest we forget. I wish to add that we used to take drives through D.C. just for the architecture but now one must go hunting to see anything interesting. Fifth-floor walkupIsn't that Rhoda's apartment in the attic? Long goneAccording to google maps, the area is now occupied by the Department of Labor and other office buildings. The whole area appears redeveloped. Alley ViewIn the alleyway there are two closely spaced windows that open from the top out. This is usually indicative of a standing stall for horses, though the rest of the building does not appear to be a stable. 'Tis the SeasonIt's partly the photo and partly the season - Happy Twelfth Night, everyone! - and the Sherman house instantly recalled to me the classic Charles Addams cartoon from the New Yorker issue of 21 December 1946. Next doorI saw some great examples of this style in Providence, RI, recently, but I am partial to the austere balance and symmetry of its neighbor: purely lovely, in spite of it being built for multiple dwellings. Give me more, Dave! Tipton House?The LOC information associated with this photo has led me absolutely nowhere. Additionally, looking at the old Baist realty maps indicates that there is no place on the 300 block of Third street which conforms to this house and alley. The most compelling nearby match I can find from looking at old maps, and it's purely speculative, is that the address is 218 Third street NW. The building was known as the Old Tipton House. It later saw service as the D.C. branch of the Florence Crittenton Mission. Around the time of this photo, it was converted for use by the Women's Auxiliary of the American Foreign Legion as a home for veterans. Too bad we can't see any house numbers, or more of the corner market - that could provide more clues. Bigger Than a Bread BoxThe Bond Bread box in the lower left corner harks back to the day when bread companies made early morning dropoffs, and to the surprise of no one the bread was still there when the shop owner opened the store. Bond bread was my choice as a child since it came with trading cards and I didn't have to spend any part of my 25 cent allowance to buy bubble gum cards and yes mom gave away the cards and my comic books while I was off in the Navy. I still remember the day when I got a Ted Williams card and a few years later when I got to see him play after the St Louis Browns moved to Baltimore and the Red Sox came to town. Fortunately my allowance had been raised to 50 cents by then so I could afford a left field bleacher seat to watch my hero. http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=37670 (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Rooftops of Washington: 1901
... an erroneous notation in the LOC photo caption.) The old Baltimore & Ohio rail station, soon to be demolished with the opening of ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/06/2021 - 10:03am -

Washington, D.C., 1901. "View of 1st & Delaware N.W., New Jersey Avenue & North Capitol Street N.W., between B & C Streets, probably from Hotel Engel (C & New Jersey), showing rooftops of several buildings and U.S. Capitol in the background. See Z7-23 for fronts of these North Capitol St. bldgs." 5x7 inch glass negative, D.C. Street Survey Collection. View full size. Superb composition! Writing on the wallWhat's that written on the brick wall in the foreground? I don't mean JRC in white over to the right, but what appear to be large block letters more or less in the middle of the wall. I keep thinking I see the word PULL or FULL and then NE but just when I think I've got it, I don't. Engels we have heard on highThis is indeed the view SSE from the roof of the Hotel Engel at Indiana Avenue (aka C Street) & New Jersey Avenue NW. That's the west portico of the Capitol to the right. (Delaware Avenue is nowhere visible. That's an erroneous notation in the LOC photo caption.) The old Baltimore & Ohio rail station, soon to be demolished with the opening of Union Station, is across the street behind the photographer. The large building to the left is Hillman House, built on the remnants of rowhouses constructed by George Washington circa 1799. The original houses were burned by the British in 1814. The entire site is now part of Upper Senate Park. No structures visible here, apart from the Capitol, remain today. It Is WrittenI think I see the name EUGENE. It's you, EugeneThanks, Pelagius. That's it. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. (The Gallery, D.C., D.C. Street Survey)
Rock Around the Clock: 1956
... Holly, Fats Domino,Chuck Berry etal) at the Coliseum in Baltimore in the late 50's I can assure you that the cops were heading down the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/05/2014 - 9:49am -

April 1956. "Shirtless teenaged boy dancing in the audience at a performance by Bill Haley and the Comets and LaVern Baker at the Sports Arena, Hershey, Pennsylvania." From photos, last seen here, by Ed Feingersh for the Look magazine article "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Controversy." View full size. Mosh Pit of OneThat kid doesn't realize he's just a few other music-crazed kids short of inventing the mosh pit. I love this pic - it's foreshadowing of rock shows of the not-too-distant future. I wonder what those in the audience think about him? Most probably think he's a nut! VenueThe Hershey Arena still stands today just outside Hershey Park. For many years it was the home of the Hershey Bears hockey team (an AHL team)and open for public ice skating (there's an ice rink under that floor). The Bears moved to a new building nearby in 2002. The Arena is also famously known for being the place where in 1962 Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game against the New York Knicks. It holds a little over 7,000 seats and judging by the pictures here, Bill Haley pretty well sold them all out. The use of alcoholhas not been ruled out. J.D. I'm sure the elders of the day saw this image as a sure sign of the Apocalypse. Wonder where he is today, betting he can't "bust a move" like that anymore. ExceptFor the lack of a shirt, he's dressed very nicely and conservatively just like his 50's contemporaries, even down to his argyle socks. Wonder if he was always a standout and extrovert, but if he's still alive he's pushing 80 by now. Wonder if he'll recognize himself and identify, kind of like the kissers in Time's Square in 1945. Crazy kidAll hopped up on goofballs! The Cops Were Coming As an attendee of a few R&R Shows (Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino,Chuck Berry etal) at the Coliseum in Baltimore in the late 50's I can assure you that the cops were heading down the aisle to dampen the youthful enthusiasm. Fire Safety rules were always cited whenever anyone or couples got into the aisle to do a little bopping. I hate to think what would have happened if the crowd pulled out lighters and flicked their Bics but that was a few years in the future when R&R Shows became concerts and the great original R&R had left the building. I personally blame the Beatles for that but then the originals were my music and the Beatles were my little brother's music (The Gallery, LOOK, Music)
Carbery Mansion: 1901
... throughout Europe. His Highness stated to the Diocese of Baltimore that he would offer up a prayer the tenth of every month at 9 a.m. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/12/2011 - 5:02pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1901. "Carberry [Carbery] Mansion." Built for Thomas Carbery in 1818 at 17th and C Streets N.W. National Photo Co. View full size. Fixer-UpperThis is what used to be called a handyman's special, needs a little work. I'm not a snob, but calling this a mansion is a bit of a stretch. Double-dare SpookyNothing in a neighborhood could fire a young boy's imagination quite like a huge run down and empty old house. I wish that I, along with my boyhood friends, could jump into this picture today. On the EdgeThe mansion was razed in 1903; Carbery was Mayor of Washington from 1822 to 1824 and I'm sure the mansion was in better shape back then! "Miracle House"I suppose I don't have the eye for spookiness which other commenters readily pick up on: before finding the following article I viewed this house as a typical run-down dwelling. Also, it seems to me (a non-Catholic) that Prince Hohenlohe received an inordinate degree of credit for Ms. Mattingly's "cure." Miracle House by Marie Lomas Washington's Miracle House has again come to light. A water color painting discovered a few days ago by the curator at a local museum brings up a story stranger by far than many of the bizarre tales of fiction. Although separated from its identification marks, the picture has been established as a rear view of the Miracle House, or Ghost House, as it was sometimes called, down in the neighborhood of "Foggy Bottom." ... Even as the residence of Capt. Thomas Carbery in 1824, it was familiarly known as the the Miracle House, for it was here that the famous Mattingly miracle occurred. The legend, which will accompany the picture now carefully guarded behind locked doors of a display case in the D.A.R. museum, states: "This house, in 1824, was the residence of the Mayor, Capt. Thomas Carbery, and living with him was his widowed sister, Mrs. Ann Mattingly, a great sufferer and confirmed invalid. Marvelous cures were being made by Prince Alexander Hohenlohe, a Catholic Priest of Bomberg, Germany, throughout Europe. His Highness stated to the Diocese of Baltimore that he would offer up a prayer the tenth of every month at 9 a.m. for those living out of Europe. "Mrs. Mattingly performed a novena, or nine days' devotion, commencing March 1, 1824, assisted by the pastor of St. Patrick's Church, and on March 10 she was relieved of all pain and, although bedridden, rose from her bed and opened the door to callers." This miracle was sworn to before John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States, and immediately aroused great excitement throughout Washington. No doubt the setting was partially responsible for many of the later stories in connection with Miracle House, which soon became and enigma to the residents of lower Washington. Situated near the canal and lock houses, which still stand on Constitution avenue and Seventeenth street, it was at the edge of what was considered a dense and dangerous jungle. The nearby shores were covered with an almost impenetrable growth of somber trees shrouded in tangled vines. Hoarse croaking of frogs and the screams of swamp fowl pierced the abysmal darkness of the nights. Even Scott, the major-domo of the great marble edifice built by the D.A.R. on the site of the "Ghost House," vouches for the mystery of its unknown inhabitants. He recalls today his frog-catching expeditions into the swamps near the house, "We could see people in there and sometimes a light," he said, "but nobody ever came out." In its later days it was deserted, but the latest happenings at the "haunted house," as it was called by the little Negro boys of Foggy Bottom, continued to be the news of the day. The house was demolished in 1903 to make way for Memorial Continental Hall. Perhaps when shadows lengthen and the massive doors are locked for the night the spirit of the haunted house still lingers in the familiar surroundings of aristocratic Hepplewhites, Chippendales, Duncan Phyfes and shining Steigle glass. After all, it was in the basement of this museum, on the site of the Miracle House that the picture came to light. Washington Post, Nov 3, 1937 LOTS of wires on that pole...So.. are the wires telephone/telegraph wires or "newfangled" electric wires? In 1901 electricity was relatively new, while telephone/telegraph had been around for 25+ years by that time. What is interesting is that there was no such thing as a big trunk cable. Looks like everything was run individually. I can remember seeing other old photos here on Shorpy of city scenes that showed poles literally ready to fall over with the weight of so many wires on them. Imagine what our cities, and towns for that matter, would look like today if poles were huge with tons of individual wires running on them! (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Queen of Hearts: 1919
... greatest sopranos of the past 100 years. Outside of Baltimore and just seven miles from this PC keyboard is Villa Pace, the quite ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/29/2012 - 1:49pm -

September 12, 1919. New York. "Tyroler, Prilik, Ponselle, Romani." Metropolitan Opera soprano Rosa Ponselle with William Tyroler, Edith Prilik and Romano Romani. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size. Rosa's friendsRomani was a conductor and Ponselle's vocal coach; Tyroler was also a conductor and vocal coach; Prilik was Ponselle's secretary. Gentlemen:I hate your ties. Style NotesTyroler has quite the vented cuff on his suit jacket. I guess to accommodate his french cuffs. Not sure I've ever seen that. Make that The Queen of QueensPavarotti called Ponselle "The Queen of Queens in all of singing" and my guess is he ought to have known. Someone else said she had "perfect homogeneity in all her tessitura, with immaculate legato" and I have little idea what the heck that means, but it sure sounds good. She generally is ranked by music critics as one of the greatest sopranos of the past 100 years. Outside of Baltimore and just seven miles from this PC keyboard is Villa Pace, the quite beautiful house owned by Ponselle, where she died in 1981 at 84. Here are two links worth a visit: http://www.operalively.com/learn/rosa-ponselle/ http://www.myspace.com/rosaponsellevoice Opera Rosa could belt out a song! Just listened to her on You Tube.... Tyroler's CuffsAlternatively it could be to stash cards up his sleeve ;) (The Gallery, G.G. Bain, Music)
Tales of Tarrytown: 1913
... Plant. This was in 1851 at 180 North Exeter Street in Baltimore. The Good Humor Man and Mr Softee showed up much later. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/04/2014 - 11:27pm -

Circa 1913. "Main Street -- Tarrytown, New York." Let's meet on the wicked side of the street. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Trashy photoOne thing that I find especially interesting about these vintage street scenes is how much litter you see on the street. Pretty much every one posted on Shorpy shows lots of garbage scattered around. I dunno, I guess I assumed that people in the olden days were tidier than they really were. None of these buildings exist nowThe part of Tarrytown's Main Street in this photo has been changed extensively. The street at right was Bird Avenue in 1913. The train station was a short distance away on that street. Train tracks were no more than 25 feet behind the photographer. Bird is now called Depot Plaza. The cross street in the center foreground was Orchard Street. It's now River Plaza on the left and Franklin Street on the right. The farthest street on the left is Cottage Place, which is still there. The large house atop the hill on Cottage Place was the home of F. J. Kaldenberg, the first meerschaum pipe manufacturer in the U. S. He died the year before this photo was taken. Tarrytown's business district now begins a couple of blocks beyond Cottage Place. Pepsin Gum ReduxThere's that Pepsin Gum dispenser again, this time nailed to a power pole on the corner. We've seen it before, but I can't recall where! You Scream, I ScreamWe all Scream for Ice Cream. Jacob Fussell is reputed to be the man who opened the first commercial Ice Cream Plant. This was in 1851 at 180 North Exeter Street in Baltimore. The Good Humor Man and Mr Softee showed up much later. Wilbur's Sweet Clover ChocolateA four-column vending machine with pepsin gum in two columns and chocolate in two columns. (The Gallery, DPC, Eateries & Bars, Stores & Markets)
Cuyahoga Lift Bridge: 1910
... This is a Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge known as Baltimore & Ohio Bridge No. 464, built in 1907, which I believe still ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 10/13/2018 - 10:36am -

Cleveland circa 1910. "Lift Bridge, Cuyahoga River." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Bascule BridgeThis is a bascule bridge. Often the counterweights, which offset the weight of the bridge itself so it balances and moves easily, are underground, like the ones on the Chicago River. This is a Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridgeknown as Baltimore & Ohio Bridge No. 464, built in 1907, which I believe still survives at Cleveland albeit unused other than as an icon of the industrial heritage of "The Flats." The steam barge in the distance is the Tempest, built 1876 by Duncan Robertson at Grand Haven, Michigan. It burned at Parry Sound, Ontario, on June 28, 1909. On the right is the Isabella J. Boyce, built by Burger & Burger at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1889. In use as a sand sucker at the time, it, too, burned off Middle Bass Island, Lake Erie, on June 1917. Since the Tempest was registered at Detroit until 1908 and the bridge built in 1907, I date the photograph to 1907-1908, probably 1907 soon after the completion of the structure. A beautiful dayIf you're not downwind of the mills. I am drawn to scenes like this because they show some of the conditions the working man endured in this time period. The industrial haze hanging low in the background meant that jobs were probably available. The steel industry was big in Cleveland. Corrigan-Mckinney, U.S. Steel, Cleveland Furnace Co. are some I can think of and there were a lot of jobs. Since the focus of this photograph is transportation it fits in with the background. Heavy industry grew where costs were low and for the steel industry transportation costs were a big factor. Both the importation of raw materials and shipping finished product. Here is a good example of an important water transportation corridor that fuels that haze and the railroads that needed to cross that corridor badly enough to spend the money to install a Sherzer rolling lift bridge. Now Who Do We Believe?Well. When I first saw this image the term bascule bridge popped into mind. But I am no expert on bridges. After seeing Willam Lafferty's and signalman's posts, I was a bit confused. So I turned to our famous online encyclopedia. The term is defined there as "a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances a span, or 'leaf', throughout its upward swing to provide clearance for boat traffic. It may be single- or double-leafed." At the bottom of the page the single leaf rolling lift type bridge is one of the illustrations. If you want to take a look for yourself, and decide what kind of bridge this is, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge. Not BasculeThis is a Scherzer rolling lift bridge. The large circular arc segment is the support, and the bridge rolls on that arc as the bridge opens. The drive is at the center of the arc; a motor drives a small gear which rolls on the straight bar above the track level. A Scherzer is a type of BasculeA "rolling lift" bridge, sometimes called a Scherzer, is one of three distinct types of bascule bridge. Check it out on Wikipedia. No such thing as a dumb question?Would there be a right half of this bridge out of the frame, presumably already elevated when this picture was taken? How close do the segments of track have to come together to be a functional railroad bridge? Is it (was it) fairly precise and repeatable? (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, Cleveland, DPC, Railroads)
Bring It On: 1915
... Mrs. John Scudder, the mother; George W. Latimer, of Baltimore, Mr. Scudder; and Howard Treat, William Lloyd Garrison. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/12/2011 - 10:19am -

1915. Washington, D.C. "Woman Suffrage. Hazel MacKaye." Hazel, director of the Susan B. Anthony Pageant, lived at 1729 H Street N.W. Her brother was the poet and playwright Percy MacKaye. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size. All natural!I'm pretty sure this young lady didn't have any cosmetic surgery, either! But she could definitely use some dental work, or at the very least a little whitening.... Superb photographThis is a lovely portrait, with the subject and dog looking relaxed and genial, and very nice bokeh. It's the very opposite of stiff, posed portraits of the time. Anyone can be a poetMiss Hazel MacKaye, Your coif is a mess, Your doggie is crying Since he peed on your dress, Your posture is slouchy You need to stand tall, And what's with all the buttons On your collar, cuffs and all? The dog's nails need clipping, Lest someone get hurt, Maybe that stain on your belly is dirt? But in spite of the flaws Your eyes are deep pools Of beauty and justice and honesty rules. Now you and your brother and doggie are dead But you look so much like My cousin Ed. Hazel MacKaye, playwrightMiss MacKaye was a playwright of her own accord. In addition to the work mentioned below she wrote "Good Will, the Magician: A Peace Pageant for Children" and "The Quest of Youth: A Pageant for Schools." Suffragists Honor Leader Congressional Union Members to Celebrate Completing Anthony Fund. The Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage will meet this afternoon at 4 o'clock a the home of Mrs. John J. White, Sheridan circle, to celebrate the completion of the three weeks' campaign for the establishment of the Susan B. Anthony memorial fund. This fund will be used for the sole purpose of pushing the Susan B. Anthony amendment, known during the Sixth-third Congress as the Bristow-Mondell amendment. At this meeting, Miss Hazel MacKaye will read a playlet giving an episode in the life of Susan B. Anthony. This episode is one of a series of incidents in the life of Miss Anthony which Miss MacKaye is dramatizing and which will be available for the use of suffragists throughout the country for propaganda work. Dr. Cora Smith King will speak and a musical program has been arranged. After the meeting Mrs. White will entertain the company at tea. All members and friends of the union are invited to be present. Washington Post, Feb 28, 1915 Suffrage Play Rehearsed Episode in Life of Susan B. Anthony Basis for Drama. Rehearsals have begun on a suffrage play, "In Defense of a Mother," by Hazel MacKaye, which will be presented at Rauscher's Wednesday evening next, following the convention of the District of Columbia organization of the Congressional Union. The play represents an episode in the life of Susan B. Anthony, a pioneer suffragist and author of the suffrage amendment now being pushed by the Congressional Union. The union will present the play in every State this summer in connection with the political conventions which will be held to bring pressure to bear on candidates for Congress. The following is the cast of the play as it will be presented here Wednesday: Miss Emma Crans, Susan B. Anthony; Miss Elsie Hill, Mary Anthony, a sister; Mrs. Helena Hill Weed, Mrs. Elliott, a friend; Mrs. Jessie Hardy Stubbs, Mrs. John Scudder, the mother; George W. Latimer, of Baltimore, Mr. Scudder; and Howard Treat, William Lloyd Garrison. Washington Post, May 8, 1915 Our cat Susan B. AnthonyOur cat Susan B. Anthony wouldn't like meeting that pup! (The other cat acquired at the same time is Sacagawea... we were just then finding out purebreds can be quite high-dollar compared to adopted alley cats, hence the names from U.S. coinage.) AwwwWhat a cute French Bulldog! (The Gallery, D.C., Dogs, Harris + Ewing)
Radio Highlights: 1957
... Bizet.” Washington Redskins versus Chicago Bears and Baltimore Colts versus Los Angeles Rams “Fact the Facts: Belated kudos to ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/02/2017 - 12:50pm -

December 1957. Washington, D.C. "Man with broadcast listings; woman tunes radio." The console set, seen earlier here, is evidently a portable, or maybe this is a two-radio household. News Photo Archive 35mm negative. View full size. Military family?That Turkish tray and the camel saddle could be found in the living room of almost any U.S. Army or Air Force family back in the '50s and '60s that had spent time in Germany. They sold those things by the thousands in base exchanges all over Germany. My wife and I, both military brats, both have the camel saddles our parents bought back then. Turkish DelightThis couple has visited Turkey - or loves Turkish accessories. The first photo had a Turkish tea tray mounted on the wall; this photo has a "camel saddle" seat. Radio/TV December 1, 1957: Cold War, Classics, Comedy, & SportsSome of the Washington, DC television programs that the newspaper Washington Star recommended for viewing for Sunday, December 1, 1957: WTOP “Red Telephone: A first look at the heart of this country’s powerful retaliatory striking force - the underground command post of the Strategic Air Command.” WRC “Omnibus: Composer Conductor Leonard Bernstein with highlights from the stage production of “Mary Stuart” and a narration of his musical tour through Israel.” WTOP “Conquest: Eric Sevareid narrates with his customary perception the story of a balloon ascent to over 100,000 feet, blood cell research, and deep ocean exploration.” WTOP “20th Century: Vertijets” examines the attempt to construct a plane that can take off and land without an airstrip and some of the weird airplanes that the Air Force has tested. Interesting Show.” WRC “Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour: features talent from Albania and Yugoslavia.” WRC “Dinah Shore Show: features Jimmy Durante and Italian film star Rossano Brazzi.” WTOP “Ed Sullivan Show: features Polly Bergen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and as much rock and roll as any group should be expected to take, Sam Cook, Bobby Helms, and Ray and the Crickets.” Washington DC radio highlights included: “Invitation to Learning: David Hume’s Inquiry Into Human Understanding.” “Concert Hall: works by Haydn, Brahms, and Bizet.” Washington Redskins versus Chicago Bears and Baltimore Colts versus Los Angeles Rams “Fact the Facts: Belated kudos to the late Senator Joseph R. McCarthy - Developed in retrospect, how his Senate Investigating Committee instigated house cleaning in Government.” “Hillbilly Hit Parade: Don Owens plays top ten songs.” “Meet the Press: Guest Dr. Simon Rymo, chief scientist for the Air Force Ballistic Missile Organization.” “Leading Question: Basic Soviet foreign policy is discussed by Professors Buce C. Hopper and Robert C. Tucker.” Bursting your bubbleAngus, Hate to burst your bubble but these people were not world-travelers, just stylish. Those camel saddles and trays were extremely popular and were mass-produced right here in the U.S. of A. Antique malls are full of them. Also, I doubt they were a two-radio family. One of the popular pass-times for bored housewives was re-arranging the furniture. My mother used to get up and re-arrange the furniture in the middle of the night if she couldn't sleep. Not popular with my bare-footed dad the next day when he stubbed his toe on chairs that had mysteriously moved overnight. Better location for the pricey radioIt was blocking access to part of a bookcase and jutting out into the doorway between the living room and dining area in the previous photo. Newspaper radio logsOne can look up the radio programming for any day from 1930-1960 at this website: http://www.jjonz.us/RadioLogs/ And it may just be an artist with a similar technique, but that caricature looks like an Al Hirschfeld. Casual Friday?Because everybody lounged around the house in 1957 dressed it sport coats, skirts and high heels. (Technology, The Gallery, D.C., News Photo Archive)
Working Mother: 1943
... Striking resemblance Marin Alsop, Conductor of The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Make up or no make up... The women who ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/30/2012 - 4:48pm -

April 1943. Clinton, Iowa. "Mrs. Irene Bracker, mother of two, employed at the roundhouse as a wiper, Chicago & North Western R.R." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Jack Delano for the Office of War Information. View full size. Those gogglesI knew they reminded me of someone. Mrs. Irene BrackeI like the way Delano let her go put her makeup on before he took this amazing picture. Striking resemblanceMarin Alsop, Conductor of The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Make up or no make up...The women who stayed stateside during WW2 really helped us win the war by taking on all sorts of manufacturing jobs to help the war effort. (To them I say thanks!) I've met a lot of WW2 vets over the years, but never met one of the women who served in the labor force while their husbands were over seas. Maybe they were modest. Also, most non-railroad types will have to look up WIPER to see what they did. Not a glorious position, but important none the less. (The Gallery, Kodachromes, Jack Delano, Railroads)
Happy Overall: 1930s
... in the wintertime. After too many winters of snow in Baltimore I and Snow made a deal. Snow stays up in the mountains and I stay ... 
 
Posted by Tony W. - 09/17/2011 - 8:16pm -

Unknown boy in what is probably Southern California in the '30s. View full size. Wild GuessWith no positive landmarks showing I can only hazard a guess that he is standing on what now is Sepulveda Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley. I arrived by this conclusion by the ridges of the mountains in the background. That dip on the right third looks like the present day dip back of Burbank and that high ridge on the far left is actually a second ridge behind the first ridge and is where I see snow in the wintertime. After too many winters of snow in Baltimore I and Snow made a deal. Snow stays up in the mountains and I stay down in the Valley. A great compromise all around. Papa, is that you???My parents grew up in the Midwestern hot spot of Coffeyville, Kansas. Otherwise, this kid and my dad could be brothers. He always wore overalls as a kid. The only things missing were his hound dog and his trusty .22! Yes, he had a rifle when he wasn't much older than this; he used it to shoot squirrels to add to the family stew pot. Oh Mr. Wilson ...Makes me think of a brunet Dennis The Menace -- I wonder if he had a slingshot in his back pocket. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery, Kids, Tonypix)
Double Bill: 1926
... weeks. Her first training in this direction was gained in Baltimore girls' school and fortified the last two summer seasons here by her ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/03/2013 - 9:41am -

April 23, 1926. Washington, D.C. "Miss Dorothy Tierney with porcupine." The stage actress and prickly understudy. National Photo Co. View full size. Wild ThingWith a smile on her lips and "Get this thing away from me" in her eyes. Hedging her BetsThat looks like a hedgehog to me. The Little Ingenue Washington Post, April 17, 1927. Dot Tierney On The Way Dorothy Tierney, the little ingenue of the National Theater Players, is coming back to Washington for the third season of that troupe. Just how she will manage to get away in time for rehearsals for the opening here May 9 is a problem Dorothy seems to have solved without letting the world know about it. She opened last Thursday night in a new play on Broadway, “It's a Wow,” in which cast also appeared Kathryn Givney, second lead of the Nationalites. Between engagements this winter—there have been two—Miss Tierney fortified her flair for interior decoration by attending art school for six weeks. Her first training in this direction was gained in Baltimore girls' school and fortified the last two summer seasons here by her job as art director of the Players. Miss Tierney is probably the busiest of all the National cast, for when she isn't rehearsing or acting, she is scurrying about the shops for the properties that transform a rather bare stage into an alluring living room, a library or drab lodging. Further there is the daily levy of one hour of her time by the requirements of voice and piano study. The opening play for the summer season will be the farce, “Laff That Off.” Re: Wild Thing"With a smile on her lips and "Get this thing away from me" in her eyes." LOL! But the 'thing' is obviously a tribble. (The Gallery, Animals, Natl Photo)
Tub Tots: 1939
... sink plus it was also my kiddie pool during hot summers in Baltimore. By the early 50's I could no longer sit in it but it still ... at Christmas time as the only festively lit tree in our Baltimore row house alley. In the 80's I moved away and never saw it again ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/04/2018 - 5:28pm -

July 1939. Oklahoma City. "Children taking bath in their home in May Avenue community camp." Medium format negative by Russell Lee. View full size. MidgetsTalk about pint sized. My Galvanized FriendIt started life in the early 30's as my mother's original washing machine. In the later 30's it went into drydock when my father bought a washing machine on time from Gassinger's. In the early 40's it became my bathtub after I grew too big for the kitchen sink plus it was also my kiddie pool during hot summers in Baltimore. By the early 50's I could no longer sit in it but it still worked fine for my toy boats on muggy August days and as a wash tub for my pet Brownie, a mutt of no pedigree but full of love for all. In the late fifties it was filled with ice and soda for my teenage parties in our cellar. By the 60's I had learned my way around a grill so it was put on duty as the holder of ice and quarter kegs for my backyard rib BBQs and crab feasts. By the 70's it had developed an unrepairable hole so I filled it with dirt and planted a small pine tree in it. For the next few years it was always the center of attraction at Christmas time as the only festively lit tree in our Baltimore row house alley. In the 80's I moved away and never saw it again but I still have fond memories of my galvanized friend. (The Gallery, Kids, Kitchens etc., OKC, Russell Lee)
Washington Noir: 1926
... sign. They had the Washington market. Hendler was out of Baltimore, and took up the "Velvet" name and much of the product ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/17/2012 - 10:14pm -

"Pennsylvania Avenue at night." A wintry Washington, D.C., scene circa 1926. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. Creme de la CreamVelvet Kind was involved in a trademark dispute between Chapin-Sacks Manufacturing and Hendler Creamery. Chapin-Sacks is likely the owner of this electric sign. They had the Washington market. Hendler was out of Baltimore, and took up the "Velvet" name and much of the product identification, but in Maryland. Once Chapin-Sacks expanded out from D.C., the lawsuits flew. Wallpaper NoirThis is another of the "Shorp" shots that I am putting in my wallpaper rotation. I would be curious about how many people around the world have distinctive wallpapers due to your hard work Dave? I thank you once again. The Willard's fraternal twin The tall building on the north side of Pennsylvania is the Hotel Raleigh, which along with the Willard Hotel (behind the camera) was designed by Henry J. Hardenbergh. Built in 1911 and demolished in 1964, it must have been caught up in the JFK-initiated renewal of the Avenue. It's one more reason why I wish the historic preservation movement had arrived a decade or so earlier. (The Gallery, D.C., Natl Photo)
Fair Warning: 1940
... was originally made (by Globe Brewing) in my hometown of Baltimore. Globe was founded in the mid-1700s and Arrow has a long history ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 11/11/2018 - 6:18pm -

May 1940. "Filling station and general store operated by Mr. Coley. Stem, Granville County, North Carolina." Photo by Jack Delano. View full size. Arrow BeerI'd never heard of it and was surprised to find it was originally made (by Globe Brewing) in my hometown of Baltimore. Globe was founded in the mid-1700s and Arrow has a long history as a brand. Here's one page with a lot of detail on the stuff. Orange Crushwhy should this bottle protect me? The brown, or amber, was introduced as a special new technique to protect the product inside from deterioration of ultra-violet light. from ORANGE CRUSH BOTTLES - the ‘KRINKLY’ AMBER ones L.S.M.F.T."Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco." No FiltersOne of my most enduring childhood memories of my dad was a pack of Chesterfields and a Zippo lighter in his front shirt pocket. He started smoking while serving in WW2, age 17. He quit cold turkey after his heart bypass when he was 65. He lived another 20 years. Lucky Guy!Forest Elmo "F.E." Boone (The Gallery, Gas Stations, Jack Delano, Stores & Markets)
1920's Real Photo Postcard
... of Red Men is a fraternal organization established in the Baltimore, Maryland in 1834. Their rituals and regalia are modeled after those ... 
 
Posted by Viewliner - 11/23/2007 - 11:17pm -

I've had this Real Photo postcard in my collection for a long time. I know that it is from the 1920's and that it was published by CYKO. The problem is that I do not know what the subject matter is. Can anyone help to describe this postcard? Fraternal organization?Maybe they are some sort of fraternal organization, like the Improved Order of Red Men. PostcardOdd Fellows perhaps? 1920's Real Photo PostcardThank you Janet, you were absolutely correct. According to Wikipedia: The Improved Order of Red Men is a fraternal organization established in the Baltimore, Maryland in 1834. Their rituals and regalia are modeled after those used by Native Americans. The order itself claims direct descent from the Sons of Liberty, noting that the Sons participated in the Boston Tea Party dressed as Native Americans. Thus, they continue to dress as Native Americans and are organized into tribes and such. 1920's Real Photo PostcardI got 2 more replies on another web site: One says that it could be the Loyal Order of Redmen, which was a lodge that started after the Revolutionary War and featured Native American rituals. The other reply stated that this card is definitely from 1905. So now I have 2 people saying that they are an Order of Redmen. This "history's mysteries" stuff is fun. Let me know if you find out more. Thank you very much (Janet & anonymous) for your responses, they are greatly appreciated. (ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)
Green Pastures: 1940
... cabins along U.S. Highway No. 1, between Washington and Baltimore. Near Waterloo, Maryland." Medium format negative by Jack Delano for ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 01/22/2019 - 11:47am -

June 1940. "Colored tourist cabins along U.S. Highway No. 1, between Washington and Baltimore. Near Waterloo, Maryland." Medium format negative by Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration. View full size. Nanny serviceI don't think many tourist cabins today come complete with goat. Encoded MessageI wonder if the name Green Pastures was a thinly veiled reference to the Green Book, a popular travel guide to accommodations that served African Americans during the years of segregation. Groundskeeper on dutyNotice the goat asleep on the steps. I just can'twith the goat on the steps. It is a goat, right? Now 5 centsThey're mild! Bibles and Broadway (and Hollywood)"Green Pastures" seems pretty obviously to be a reference to the 23rd Psalm ("He maketh me to lie down in green pastures"). However, it may also suggest "The Green Pastures", a very popular Pulitzer Prize winning play featuring an all African-American cast in a modernized reframing of stories from the Old Testament. It ran on Broadway in 1930-31 and was performed all over the country in the following years. In 1936 "The Green Pastures" was made into a successful Hollywood movie. (The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, Jack Delano)
Cheersh: 1941
... Bruce Crossing is in the UP, and Natty Boh was brewed in Baltimore. I would have thought Milwaukee or Detroit suds would have been the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 02/29/2020 - 5:46pm -

August 1941. "Farm boys in beer parlor on Sunday afternoon. Finnish community of Bruce Crossing, Michigan." Medium format acetate negative by John Vachon. View full size. Bottle Can GlassTo me it always seemed that pouring from a bottle or can into a glass allowed the brew to breathe a little, thus taming the carbonation and improving taste. After the third one though, who cares. Royal Bohemian BeerLooks like they are enjoying Royal Bohemian from the Duluth Brewing & Malting Company. Sisu, eh?All communities thereabouts are Finnish communities. Pritnear every Yooper is at least part Finn. GlassesFind out that they use glasses to drink beer. I'm not American and I find that in every American film people drink beer directly from bottles. Is it now normal as it was normal to use glasses in forties? [In my experience, most bottle beer in restaurants and bars here in America is poured into glasses or mugs. - Dave] Natty BohThe boys are enjoying some National Bohemian Pilsner. A bit surprising, since Bruce Crossing is in the UP, and Natty Boh was brewed in Baltimore. I would have thought Milwaukee or Detroit suds would have been the beer of choice. [The beer is Minnesotan -- Royal Bohemian from Duluth. - Dave] (The Gallery, Eateries & Bars, John Vachon)
Harris & Ewing: 1924
... so far as is known. A leather case left at the store by a Baltimore man, however, had been moved from a place behind the safe to a ... the inquest yesterday, Dr. Berman's body was sent to Baltimore for burial. America's Studio Beautiful ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/28/2012 - 12:09pm -

Washington, D.C., circa 1924. "Harris & Ewing. Exterior, new studio." The new offices of "America's studio beautiful" opened in November 1924 at the same F Street address as the previous building (whose ground-floor tenant, Lucio's jewelry store, was the scene of a robbery/arson/suicide-by-cyanide shortly before the building was remodeled). The basement storage vault was said to have held a million glass negatives, the bulk of which were donated to the Library of Congress in 1955. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. True CrimeWashington Post, May 26, 1924. OPTICIAN DIES WHEN HELD AS HE LEAVES BURNING GEM SHOP Police Say Berman Had No Right in Store; Suspect Robbery Aim EXPLOSION CALLS POLICE TO SCENE Doctor Discerned Walking About in Flames and Smoke; Had Office There. Dr. Lewis Berman, 36 years old, an optician, fell dead when placed under arrest early yesterday, a moment after he escaped from an explosion and fire which wrecked Lucio's jewelry store at 1313 F street NW. Policemen Davis and Helms, of the First precinct, were standing at Fourteenth and F streets, about five minutes after 3 when an explosion occurred and the plate glass window of the jewelry store was shattered. When they reached the store they found its exterior filled with flame and smoke through which they saw a man running back and forth. Davis called upon him to come out, but he was seen falling to the floor and crawling under a showcase. The policeman then brandished his revolver and threatened to fire, hoping to frighten the man into coming out. Firemen Smash in Door. A few moments later firemen smashed in the door with axes, and Dr. Berman ran out. As Policeman Davis arrested him, Dr. Berman told the officer, "I had a right to be in there." He repeated this several times, it is said, and then collapsed. When taken to Emergency hospital, he was pronounced dead. Dr. Berman until Wednesday, it is said, had offices in the rear of the jewelry store. On that day he had sold out his interest to Mrs. Margaret Perkinson, who conducted the jewelry business. Earl Perkinson, husband of the proprietor, was in the store until about 10:30 o'clock Saturday night. He placed diamonds and the receipts for two days' business in the safe, locked the store and left it. Dr. Berman, according to police, occasionally went into the store, through courtesy, and had left there about 7 o'clock. Later in the evening he registered at a Turkish bath, but did not occupy his room there, police say. The next event was the explosion. Police declare in their belief that an attempt was made to rob the store and a fire started to "cover up" the robbery. A duplicate key was found in Berman's pockets. He had no right to the key, police say. Wife Can't Believe It. When Mrs. Berman was informed of her husband's death by Mrs. Perkinson, she cried out, "Oh, I can't believe it, I can't believe it." At the hospital she said that her husband probably, in passing the store, had seen burglars there and had entered to rout them. Mrs. Berman has a daughter seven years old. The Berman residence is at the Home apartments, Seventh and K streets northwest. An inquest will be held at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon to determine the cause of Dr. Berman's death. His clothing had not been burned, and it is thought he died from inhaling smoke and flames. Washington Post, May 27, 1924. BERMAN A SUICIDE, JURY ASSERTS; GEM STORE SET ON FIRE Optician Took Large Dose of Cyanide Of Potassium, Chemist Finds. PACKAGE OF JEWELRY MOVED NEAR DOOR Wife Holds He Entered Shop to Get Eyeglasses Left There for Repair. A large dose of cyanide of potassium, self administered, caused the death of Dr. Lewis Berman, 36-year-old optician, who expired Sunday morning a moment after he had dashed out of the flame and smoke that enveloped Lucio's jewelry store, 1313 F street northwest. This was the verdict yesterday of a coroner's jury which brought out these additional declarations: The fire in Lucio's store was as was of incendiary origin. Dr. Berman, who until Wednesday had rented space in the store, had no right in the store at that time of the morning, nor had he been authorized to have the key found in a pocket of his clothes. The coroner's jury based its verdict of suicide on the testimony of Dr. S.C. Moton, assistant District chemist, who told of having found evidence is in the dead man's stomach of a large quantity of cyanide poisoning. Police last night advanced the theory that Dr. Berman swallowed the poison the moment after he saw Policeman Davis at the door. It was pointed out that cyanide is a quick acting poison, and in view of the quantity taken, Berman could not have taken it much sooner. None of the jewelry or other stock in the store was touched, so far as is known. A leather case left at the store by a Baltimore man, however, had been moved from a place behind the safe to a counter near the door. When it was placed behind the safe it was unwrapped. When found after the fire it was inclosed in newspapers and tied with heavy twine. The case contained watches and other jewelry. Mrs. Berman, widow of the optician, at the inquest said: "I believe he wanted to get a pair of glasses which had been left for repairs by Abe Friedenberg." Mr. Friedenberg, who lives at 3517 Fourteenth street northwest, concurred in this belief. He said that he had asked Dr. Berman to turn the glasses over to him before Sunday so that he would have them to read the Sunday newspapers. Following the inquest yesterday, Dr. Berman's body was sent to Baltimore for burial. America's Studio Beautiful +86Below is the identical view taken in April of 2010. However, the occupant now deals in food instead of film. Used to work in the buildingI worked in the building for 3 years. The 2nd - 4th floor of both buildings are now office space. When the previous tenant moved into 1313 F in the later 90s, they found a bunch of old negatives that belonged to Harris & Ewing. [And did what with them?? - Dave] (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Stores & Markets)
Dynamite Kills Two Babes: 1920
... in Montgomery County before executions were centralized to Baltimore. The old house You can still see remnants of the exploded ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/11/2015 - 3:51pm -

November 18, 1920. "Newsboy holding the Washington Times." Whose banner headline, DYNAMITE KILLS TWO BABES ASLEEP IN CRIB, summarizes a lurid crime that literally rocked Montgomery County, Maryland, in the fall of 1920 when a house painter engaged in a political feud with his neighbor, farmhand James Bolton, dynamited his bungalow, killing the man along with the two small children of his housekeeper. Guy Vernon Thompson was hanged for the crime the following April. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size. A good scout1911 pattern Boy Scout badge on his lapel. From the archivesFrom the archives of the Gettysburg Times, January 10, 1921. Last Man HangingAccording to this article, Guy Vernon Thompson has the distinction of being the last person hanged in Montgomery County before executions were centralized to Baltimore. The old houseYou can still see remnants of the exploded house just off the trail that leads up to Black Hills from the Waters Landing community. Over the recent years, it has become more obscure. You can still find it if you know what you are looking for. (The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing)
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