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- Birthday Bike: 1959
- This is my husband Peter and his Rollfast Deluxe bike in about 1959 - I'm assuming he's about 10 in this photo. It was taken in ... View full size.
Oh, that seat The seat on that bike looks just like the one on my Dunelt in the early 1960s. It was a piece ... Posted by jckazoo - 01/31/2018 - 9:03am -
![This is my husband Peter and his Rollfast Deluxe bike in about 1959 - I'm assuming he's about 10 in this photo. It was taken in his backyard in Chenango Bridge, New York, outside of Binghamton. His father was a chemist for Ansco, and this is taken from an Anscochrome slide. View full size.
Oh, that seatThe seat on that bike looks just like the one on my Dunelt in the early 1960s. It was a piece of steel covered by the thinnest vinyl and man did it hurt. I soon got a padded cover and added some kitchen sponges for good measure but the calluses didn't go away for months.
The Dunelt was a 3-speed bargain version of the Raleigh, also with Sturmey Archer gears. I rode it for ten years or more and it passed through the family.
The flatness of Windsor made for lots of easy cycling at great speed. It was absolute heaven after the single speed monster my dad got me at Dominion Tire on Tecumseh Road.
Emergency stop not an optionLove the photo, and my first bike was very similar (albeit used)! As anyone like me with a modern dual hydraulic disk brake equipped bike will attest, by comparison the function of this cable actuated rear-only internal drum brake is only to slightly slow the bike down. You'd always need a Plan B with these monstrosities - either feet-to-pavement Fred Flintstone style, or just bail out.
Beautiful bike!And a wonderful image. But I'd much prefer a good, reliable coaster brake!
GearshiftThat shift cable is for a Sturmey-Archer three-speed hub with coaster brake.
The hub came in two versions. The more common one had only the three-speed function with no coaster brake. Bikes with this version had hand brakes on both wheels. The much-less-common version had the three speeds and also a coaster brake! I had a secondhand Dunelt bike with this hub. This Rollfast apparently has this second type.
The S-A coaster brake was not nearly as effective as the single-speed New Departure coaster brake hub.
That Sturmey-Archer hubis a very complicated gear system, worth a look at an exploded view internally.
Is it a Schwinn?I had a Schwinn very similar to this bike, the lever on the handlebar changed gears (it had two), is not a brake. It had a coaster brake.
[Going by the caption, it's a Rollfast Deluxe. -tterrace]
Coaster Brakes 101There may be younger viewers of Shorpy that never rode a bicycle with coaster brakes. As mentioned by others, the brake is on the rear hub only, and was activated by reversing the pedals into a locked position which applied the brakes. You could apply pressure gradually, or do a panic stop that often locked up the rear wheel into a skid. This was especially fun on gravel roads or grass. This shortened the life of the rear tire considerably. While Windsor is very flat, we later lived in a hilly city, and coaster brakes had limited effect on steep hills.
Here is a photo of me with my sister taken in Riverside, (now Windsor) Ontario in 1958 when I was ten years old. While my earlier bikes were second hand, my parents finally gave me a new CCM (Canada Cycle & Motor Co.) single speed bicycle with coaster brakes. It had a headlight, carrier and an electric horn. By comparison, my present bike has 21 speeds.
3 on the TreeAs noted already this bike had a multi speed rear hub. My first bike, (a 1966 Sears version of a Sting Ray) had the same setup, the brake worked fine, the transmission not so much.
The first time it falls over or scrapes a curb, the elbow for the cable gets broken off, leaving you stuck in high gear, i.e. stranded.
Sturmy-Archer transmissionI had a S-A transmission in my first new bike, about 1969. It wasn't very good and the local bike shop sold me a Shimano replacement. I still have it and it works fine. By the way, when everyone else was riding stingrays I was the first in town to have a big bike with skinny tires. I had a light powered by an generator that rubbed the tire and a speedometer. Had it up to 50 mph down a big hill. Really thought I was doing something!
Too complicatedI had a bike (Schwinn? don't remember) with the S-A 3-speed hub with coaster brake (plus a front caliper brake). I had a lot of trouble with it - I kept stripping some internal part or other, and it spent a lot of time in the shop. I came to the conclusion that the two functions (brake and transmission) was one too many.
Three speeds? Luxury!I grew up the late '60s and early '70s riding single-speed hi-rise bikes from Penney's. The first, a birthday present when I turned nine, was stolen after two years from the bike rack at school; I still miss that beautiful magenta bike. A year later I found a $20 bill while walking home from school, and that helped pay for my next ride, an orange Penney's Scrambler I, which cost $34.95. Of course both bikes had modifications and tire replacements courtesy of parts and tools from the nearby Western Auto store.
I did know a couple of kids that owned two-speed coaster brake bikes (very unusual, and I assume made by Sturmey-Archer), and I got to ride them a few times. Changing gears up or down was accomplished by reversing the pedals just enough to change speeds without braking. I always wanted one of those, since the design was simple, you got more than one speed without having to worry about maintaining or replacing derailleurs, cables, levers and brake shoes.
Same colorsAs my J.C.Higgins bike I bought from Sears with my own money backing 1954 as a 12 year old. In fact, my Dad's new '54 Chevrolet Bel-Air was also that green & cream combo.
Kick-shiftI worked in a bike shop in the late '60s. The two speed coaster brakes referenced by Born40YearsTooLate were made by Bendix. We called 'em kick shifts. They were popular with paperboys at the time, who had them installed in heavy duty Schwinn models with springer forks.
(ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/PeterBike1959.thumbnail.jpg "Birthday Bike: 1959")
- Cool bike
- My brother's cool bike with banana seat, sissy bar, hand brakes and either a 3 or 5 speed ...
Boy, does this photo bring back memories I had a bike exactly like that (in the late 60s as well) except it was blue. Pretty ... of the neighborhood boy "Clifton" who had a similar bike. Until this post, I had completely forgotten the term "sissy bar."
On ... Posted by Gman77 - 05/05/2009 - 6:07pm -
- I'm De Whole Show: 1913
- ... About $8500 per year. Not bad for a 12-year-old.
Bike Light Probably not many bicycles today have kerosene lanterns on the handlebars. Fascinating.
Re: Bike Light Are you sure of it being a kerosene lamp? Looks like a carbide ... Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 3:26pm -
![Waco, Texas. November 1913. Isaac Boyett: "I'm de whole show." The twelve-year-old proprietor, manager and messenger of the Club Messenger Service, 402 Austin Street. The photo shows him in the heart of the Red Light district where he was delivering messages as he does several times a day. Said he knows the houses and some of the inmates. Has been doing this for one year, working until 9:30 P.M. Saturdays. Not so late on other nights. Makes from six to ten dollars a week. View full size. Photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine. (Shorpynote: Isaac was born March 20, 1901, and died in May 1966 in Waco.)
IsaacGood to know that lamp was non-explosive ...
I love the look on this boy's face, and his world-weary eyes.
Not too bad - butI would bet that this kid gave the money to his mom, who probably had 6 or 7 kids to feed.
Not too badEight dollars per week in 1913 is the equivalent of about $160 today. About $8500 per year. Not bad for a 12-year-old.
Bike LightProbably not many bicycles today have kerosene lanterns on the handlebars. Fascinating.
Re: Bike LightAre you sure of it being a kerosene lamp? Looks like a carbide light like miners used to me.
Re: Re: Bike LightIt looks like one of the kerosene lamps below. Esp. the "Jim Dandy."
Bicycle LampsPeter Card has a richly detailed web site on early bicycle lamps. See the page, especially, on oil (kerosene) lamps, which I think is the type Master Boyett is sporting on his handlebars in this Hines photo.
Agree: this young lad does have world-weary, seen-it-all eyes.
Denny Gill
Chugiak, Alaska
[That really is a great Web site. Thanks for the link! - Dave]
1913 = today?Ok, how does a 1913 photo demonstrate child abuse "today"?
As far as child labor goes, I'd say riding a bicycle around and delivering six messages a day is WAY better than some of the coal mining and factory situations we've seen here.
And I bet half the reason he's grimacing is that he's facing into the sun.
TragicThis photo illustrates the failure of capitailism and the abuse of children that continues today in the USA. This child should be at home, playing and enjoying childhood while he can.
[Dumb comment of the day (so far). - Dave]
Ah, yes...The "good" old days. As bad as some things are now, at least we have very few 12 year olds spending all their time running messages for ladies of loose morals to their johns.
Reply to LC2You're right...now 12 year olds deliver crack cocaine instead of messages.
I'm going to start playing aI'm going to start playing a Shorpy drinking game and down a shot any time somebody grumbles about "kids today." Assuming my liver is up to it.
Messenger Boy in Waco, TexasThis is Joe Manning, of the Lewis Hine Project. I interviewed one of Isaac's daughters. I now have his interesting, but brief story on my website.
http://morningsonmaplestreet.com/2015/01/01/isaac-boyett/
(The Gallery, Bicycles, Kids, Lewis Hine)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/03910u.thumbnail.jpg "I'm De Whole Show: 1913")
- No Peanuts: 1942
- ... of reading that would excite a young teenager.
My New Bike Bet that boy is mighty proud of his sleek new bike.
Nations Beyond The Seas The bigger book on the bike seat is ... Posted by Dave - 01/30/2024 - 2:25pm -
![November 1942. Lititz, Pennsylvania. "Small town in wartime. Peanut stand next to the Lutz butcher shop finds it hard to get peanuts since the war started. Peanut oil is needed in industry." Acetate negative by Marjory Collins for the Office of War Information. View full size.
The Original Educator Crax Cracker ...With the Baked-in-Flavor!
Crax, not CrackerJackCrax crackers, "The Original Educator"
https://clickamericana.com/topics/food-drink/crax-the-most-imitated-crac...
Lutz’s Meat Market ... was founded by B.F. Lutz in 1895 in the rear of 15 East Main Street. The bank drive-thru lanes were the site of a farmer’s market operated by Lutz. In 1927 Lutz’s sons, Ben and John, joined in the business and it was relocated to 53 East Main Street. - lititzlibrary.org
I Spy ... Ms. Marjory CollinsIn reflection to the left right of the "No Peanuts" sign.
A metric wall ??I don't think I've ever seen brickwork before with headers (only) every tenth row (every five or six is the most common).
Crax and a crankWhat be crax, I have to ax. Nineteen cents, at any rate. And that's a doozy of an awning crank there.
"Hygiene" textbookThe New Healthy Living Series: The Habits of Healthy Living, by Winslow and Hahn, 1932.
This is a well-used copy, although it does not sound like the sort of reading that would excite a young teenager.
My New BikeBet that boy is mighty proud of his sleek new bike.
Nations Beyond The SeasThe bigger book on the bike seat is "Nations Beyond the Seas"; can't quite read the spine of the smaller book.
A postwar edition of Nations Beyond The Seas can be borrowed at Archive.org
Watch out ...My bike (c. 1948) has a horn like his. It doesn't require batteries, it blasts out a loud klaxon like sound when the plunger is pushed.
Lovely Prewar BicycleThe bike pictured is a new prewar Schwinn. Not sure of the exact year or name on the headbadge. Schwinn made bicycles for different companies back then.
Thanks to Dave for the zoom into the book spinesReminds me of the movie Blade Runner where Harrison Ford is saying stuff like "Enhance 224 to 176"
[You're very welcome. The zoom is actually from a different photo. - Dave]
"Nutty" SpellingThe numbers on the old piece of wood beneath the peanut window lead me to believe the bags of nuts, when available, would have set you back a nickel, a dime, or two dimes for the large appetite and wallet crowd. Perhaps if they had raised their prices just a fraction they could have afforded another "R"!
Sliver of storefront?That's gotta be the world's narrowest storefront for the peanut guy. No wider than a door opening. Unless it shared space with the meat guy next door?
(The Gallery, Bicycles, Kids, Marjory Collins, Small Towns, Stores & Markets)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/SHORPY-8d10178u.thumbnail.jpg "No Peanuts: 1942")
- Bike Shop: 1919
- ... tells me they went broke.
Ceiling spokes The bike wheel light fixture -- cute.
Bike shop clerks these days Can you imagine walking into your local bicycle ... Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 4:13pm -
![December 1919. Washington, D.C. "Haverford Cycle, interior, 10th Street N.W. Agents for Smith Motor Wheel." National Photo glass negative. View full size.
Black Beauties
Buy a Black Beauty Bicycle
and get out in the open air and improve your health.
We are manufacturers of this bicycle and can save you the middleman's profit.
Retrospective prognosticationSomething tells me they went broke.
Ceiling spokesThe bike wheel light fixture -- cute.
Bike shop clerks these daysCan you imagine walking into your local bicycle shop today and being greeted by someone dressed in a suit and tie? Three rings in the ear, one nose "device" and spiked hair, yes; watch fob across the vest? Uh, not so much.
Thanks for the reminder.I need new brakes.
Strictly CashFrom the looks of that jolly crew, paying cash goes without saying ... and quickly.
522 10th StreetInteresting that this is the same address as the Waffle Shop.
PromotedGuy on the left is a mechanic recently promoted to salesman. He doesn't know what to do with his hands when they aren't holding a wrench.
SidehackAs the owner of a motorcycle equipped with a sidecar, I love seeing this one. I'm not enough of an expert on old motorcycles to identify either one. Maybe someone else can.
Holiday shoppingLove the effort they put into their Christmas decorations.
re: ApparatusIt's a conveyor up to the cashier. Your money and invoice go up, a receipt and change come down.
ApparatusWhat's that rig hanging from the ceiling with the tension rod -- some sort of overhead bike rack?
Dunno 'bout you,but I'm highly offended by that girly calendar on the pillar there. So sexist. Probably sent from France or somewhere. Does anyone know where I can get one? Woo-hoo!
DourThey all look so happy to be there, eh?
The Corbin lock display is charming. Those skinny little chains wouldn't even hold up to my Leatherman pocket cutters!
Same as it ever wasWhere is the beer cooler?
Clock not workingI think the clock is not working. This was probably a fairly long exposure. That is why the people look so stiff. They are trying to hold still for a long time. In that case the pendulum should be a blur.
[Quite the opposite. This is a flash exposure taken in a fraction of a second. - Dave]
Old when it was newDo you notice that the interiors of these shops looked old even when they were new?
I remember seeing stores like this as late as the early 1970's before malls ate up downtowns. They looked nearly the same as this except that some of the products were changed.
You could actually find new "old stock" inventory on shelves from around the time period of this photo, but nobody every thought to save them as antiques. Most of the stuff got the heave-ho.
(The Gallery, Bicycles, D.C., Motorcycles, Natl Photo, Stores & Markets)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/28573u.thumbnail.jpg "Bike Shop: 1919")
- The Busy Corner: 1906
- ... [That's a fire hydrant, not rumply pants. - Dave]
Bike riders It's interesting to see how casual bike owners were in this instance. Bikes are parked all over the place with no ... Posted by Dave - 08/21/2012 - 4:50pm -
![Detroit circa 1906. "Griswold Street at Fort." The comings and goings of a century ago, cross-sectioned and flash-frozen. 8x10 glass negative. View full size.
Mr. RumplepantsI have to say I have never seen a suit of clothes quite like this. If this were the 1960s hippy era I might understand, but this seems out of character for the period. Perhaps he is breaking the pants in for a tall friend.
[That's a fire hydrant, not rumply pants. - Dave]
Bike ridersIt's interesting to see how casual bike owners were in this instance. Bikes are parked all over the place with no worry about locking them up. Love the one in the right foreground that seems to be standing upright without the assistance of a kickstand (although it might be hidden from view). Can't believe the curb is holding it up!
Die Volks SparkasseOn the corner, you can see that the Peoples Savings Bank put up a translation in German of its name: "Die Volks Spar Kasse." Presumably to cater for the thriving German community in the Detroit area.
Gotta love those streetcars!I drove a trolley car similar to this one at an outdoor museum once. The motor control was fairly easy to understand, but those mechanical brakes were a bear! If you didn't finesse those things you could easily throw all your passengers onto the floor -- and I did! I have a great deal of respect for motormen, past and distant past.
Temperance, Industry , EconomyThe People's Savings Bank in Detroit was originally located one block away at the southeast corner of Congress and Griswold. Below is a circa 1878 advertisement for the bank - note the beehive in the ad and also on the corner of the bank's facade in the photo.
The bottom line of the ad indicates they were paying "Five Percent Interest"!
Use of the spoken and written German language in the USA abruptly disappeared once the United States entered the Great War. In April 1918, my German-born cousin who was an ordained priest had to get a license to preach to his flock of German immigrants in West Point, NE because under Nebraska's Sedition Law, "no alien enemy may act in the capacity of preacher... without having first filed an application in district court"
Upright bikesBikes back then were "fixies." They had no braking other than backpedaling! Your pedals stayed where you put them, made it easy to park against the curb.
That balancing bikebrought back a few memories, note where the right pedal is, that is holding the bike up, a trick we learned on bikes with no gears.
Rumplepants and the fire hydrantThey combine to make the man look not so well dressed.
And Today....Pretty sure this view is looking south, towards the Detroit River. Here it is today.
Re: Bike RidersThe curb is holding up the bike. Roll the pedal back to rest on the curb and it will stand up. I do it all the time with my bikes none of which have a kick stand. This is a common image in many of the Shorpy photos.
The cowcatcheron the streetcar freaks me out --- were the brakes so bad on the car that it was deemed necessary? I wonder how many folks were impaled crossing the street.
One-legged urchinsThe "cowcatcher" was indeed necessary, but not because of the brakes. Little boys can move a lot faster than a motorman can reach for a brake lever. One-legged boys were not uncommon in the big cities. Double amputees as well. Al Capp, the celebrated creator of the Li'l Abner comic strip, lost one of his legs to a streetcar when he was a youngster. The only way the builders might have prevented such injuries would have been to install a catcher that went completely around the car, right down to street level. Even then, little boys, being inventive and daring as they are, would have found a way to be mangled.
Pedestrian Safety Device. "Cowcatchers" on streetcars were the subject of numerous patent applications. They are intended to reduce injuries by keeping victims from going under the car. And yes, with steel wheels on steel rails, the brakes were that bad.
Re: The cowcatcherStreetcar fenders were supposed to fold and scoop up folks that fell in front of the car to keep them from going under.
Faked "accidents" were commonplace back then, when traction companies were bleeding edge tech and at least for a while well off.
(The Gallery, Detroit Photos, DPC, Streetcars)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/4a13459a.thumbnail.jpg "The Busy Corner: 1906")
- Bike Chained: 1920
- ... the physical feat of crossing the country handcuffed to a bike than I am with the thought of simply taking care of, shall we say, the ... to know.
How did he go to the bathroom chained to a bike?
Also, did he sleep on top of the bike or underneath?
Just asking? ... Posted by Dave - 06/09/2015 - 12:07am -
![May 1920. "Sailor Tony Pizzo passing through Washington on a Coast to Coast bicycle run handcuffed to his machine. The handcuffs were sealed by Mayor Hylan in New York April 24 and are not to be opened until his return to that city. Pizzo made a California to New York trip in like manner in 1919." View full size.
Buttons on his jumperBack during the Vietnam War ,when I was in the Navy, sailors modified their jumpers to make a better, and tighter, fit. These uniforms were called "tailor mades" Modern versions have a zipper. I suppose that they still do today.
The morning regularI am less impressed by the physical feat of crossing the country handcuffed to a bike than I am with the thought of simply taking care of, shall we say, the less pleasant daily chores of life, and finding places (and people willing to help him) to do so. I choose to believe that he was allowed his own key to the handcuffs to facilitate his “private time”.
Bathroom BreakI will be the first to ask since I know that almost every Shorpyite wants to know.
How did he go to the bathroom chained to a bike?
Also, did he sleep on top of the bike or underneath?
Just asking?
According to the story I found, he was not allowed to unchain himself and had done the necessary whilst still chained to the bike. It was, however, specially designed for him to be able to do that.
More About TonyTony suffered from tuberculosis and was about to be discharged from the Navy when he undertook the trip from CA to NY.
More about that here.
He had a pal who got hit by a car on the first trip and had to go it alone the first time.
His friend was his manager the on the trip viewed here.
When they tested him in 1920 he was clear of Tuberculosis and was able to stay in the Navy.
Where did he ride?It looks like he might have started out in Central Park, because he has a pistol hanging under his seat.
What! No Chain Guard?As a kid I would roll up my pants leg to keep my threads from becoming ensnared while pedaling merrily down the street.....wonder if Tony did the same.
A Gun!?!, etcI guess things could get pretty dicey out in the wilds of Kansas or wherever. Though, as a kid I got chased by a lot of mean dogs while on a bike that could probably go faster than the one he's on. The ability to have a ranged weapon rather than relying on a PF Flyer to the snout could have been handy.
Speaking of bikes it seems that coaster brake technology had been developed by 1920 since it doesn't appear that there are any brake levers on the handle bars.
A Pair of IversThe bicycle is an Iver Johnson. Not sure of the year, but likely mid teens.
The grips on the revolver also look Iver Johnson-ish too.
Fall of 1920The overcoats are a clue but the Motion Picture magazine in the woman's arm is from November, 1920.
ImpressedI can't even imagine riding that bike even 10 miles, let alone across the country. Twice!
I recently did a 210 mile bike ride over two days.
I rode a bike with 27 gears that I'm sure weighs half of what this bike weighed. I was able to wear modern technical clothing. I wasn't chained to the bike. I had mechanical support along the route, several rest stops fully stocked with snacks. And there was a truck to carry my tent and sleeping bag to my overnight location.
Compared to this guy, I'm a softie. Maybe next year I'll try it his way.
Holster legend?Does it say "Dogs Only" on his holster?
So, aside from the other private matters, he could not change his shirt, with both hands chained. Hmmm.
[Notice how long the chains are and the buttons up the entire length of the sleeve. -tterrace]
What about tire changes?It seems like an unnecessary measure to have those chains on. What's he going to do, conspire to defraud the public trust?
[It's a stunt. -tterrace]
Ready for anythingJunkyard bike: check.
Semi-flat front tire: check.
Handcuffs: check and double check.
"Repel boarders" equipment: check.
Helmet: er..... check.
Odd looking pedal resistant shoes: check.
I am familiar with 13-button trousers, but the button-down-the-sides-and-down-the-sleeves dress blue jumper is new to me. It may have been standard in 1920, but I suspect that it is an accommodation to Seaman Pizzo's particular situation. I'm sure that the trip through Needles in dark blue wool clothing would have been less than pleasant. Maybe he had tropical whites in the trunk.
Bike equipmentOr more importantly the lack of it. I used to put in about a thousand miles a year back in the day and I gotta say those shoes must have been painful. And the pedals don't have even the most basic toe clips to give some pedal lifting during the power cycle.
It looks like the pistol might rub against his leg and one wonders what he's planning offing. But I vividly remember cycling into Yellowstone Park and noticing a sign that said, "Keep Windows up"
Counting the milesI was immediately drawn to the odd-looking nut near the front axle, and recognized the mileage counter located there. The counter on my old Carlton was the same compact style.
My mileage counter ... was manufactured by Lucas and purchased in the '50s. It is possibly an updated design since the mount looks the same.
You can see the actuating pin mounted on one of the spokes - it moves the "Cyclometer" 1/5th of a turn for each revolution of the bicycle wheel.
For you bicycle enthusiasts this was (and still is) mounted on a one-owner 1948 Hex-Tube Monark Silver King.
ButtonsI served over 20 years in the US Navy. From 1983 to 2006 and the men's Service Dress Blue jumper never had zippers. The trousers had buttons and the jumper was "tailored" for a fitted appearance but had no zipper or buttons other than those at the cuffs. Sailors would take their jumpers to a tailor shop and have a zipper put into the side seam to make it easier to put on/take off, especially as we put a few pounds on as the jumper was fitted during boot camp.
Needles isn't always so hotThere was a remark on here about the bicyclist being overdressed for Needles. I live in Needles and it does get hot here in the summer. It is a four season location, although the winters aren't nearly as severe as the summers. One comment was made about the magazine in the woman's arm being dated November 1920. If that's the case and the magazine is new, he was dressed fine for Needles, except he might even need a pea coat. It's cold between November and March.
(The Gallery, Bicycles, D.C., Harris + Ewing)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/SHORPY-30431a.thumbnail.jpg "Bike Chained: 1920")
- Bike Parade: 1954
- ... are surely in there somewhere. View full size.
No bike There's something unutterably sad about that kid on the right leaning ... unlike all the other kids in the photo, doesn't have a bike.
(ShorpyBlog, Member Gallery) ... Posted by ZebraMan - 09/27/2013 - 7:18pm -
- The End of the Innocence: 1941
- ... Is that a spring for suspension on the front? Cool looking bike.
Spring or light? Isn't that the headlight?
[It's a spring-thing. - Dave]
Bike In fact I'm pretty sure it's a spring, making for a pretty interesting ... Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 3:35pm -
![Caldwell, Idaho. The summer of 1941, on or around the Fourth of July. Water fountain outside the bank seen in the post above. View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. Slurp.
Public FountainsThat fountain is familiar to me, except in my Deep South hometown in 1941 it would have had a sign reading either WHITE or COLORED. I grew up with those signs all around me and was ecstatic when they were finally taken down.
BicycleIs that a spring for suspension on the front? Cool looking bike.
Spring or light?Isn't that the headlight?
[It's a spring-thing. - Dave]
BikeIn fact I'm pretty sure it's a spring, making for a pretty interesting design that didn't take off. It appears as though the front fork is bolted to the column that attaches to the handlebars and then extend up to the spring. The spring is then attached to the column just above where it passes through the frame. The lower bolt acts like a pivot point, theoretically at least giving a somewhat smoother ride. I can see all sorts of ways it could go wrong though.
Spring ForkThis is the spring fork setup used on millions of Schwinns and other bikes over the past hundred-plus years. Still in use. Not unusual.
The BikeFrom my bike-restoring friend Rich:
We can say for sure that it is a Schwinn-built bicycle. It could be wearing any of at least 100 different badges, as Schwinn made private label bikes for hardware stores, tires stores and many other outlets. The model is called a Motorbike. It dates to around 1938-40. It has options such as front drum brake, knee-action spring fork and 2-speed New Departure shifter.
Schwinn PhantomI owned a slightly-used Schwinn Phantom back in the mid-1960s that I bought for $30. Its heavyweight design with the spring fork was ideal for delivering my newspaper route. I wish I still had it!
Mike_G
SchwinnsThat may explain why I thought the design was unusual. I don't think they sold Schwinns in my part of Canada. The big bike manufacturer up here was CCM (originally Canadian Cycle and Motor) and I recall a number of British manufacturers but I don't remember Schwinn being an option in Saskatchewan in the 1960s.
That a Schwinn MotorbikeThat a Schwinn Motorbike the era it about right 1938-1940s That bike would sell for today around $2500 to $3500 today.
The only thing that is missing is the tank. The kids back in the day would take off the tanks and throw them away because they wanted to make there bike lighter so they could ride them faster. Boy if they only knew what there bikes would worth today. This is a wonderful picture of the past of how wholesome America was. Today if you drink water from a public fountain you would get probably get sick.
lbc-cycles of Long Beach, Ca.
Early 1950s Schwinn TigerI have an early 1950s Schwinn Tiger 2-speed that says "Aviation Corp. by Bendix." Is this equipped with the same chain guard as any other Tiger? The chain guard is missing. Is this a common equipped bike or not? How rare is it?
1937-41 SchwinnThe handlebars and rear carrier aren't stock, appears to have a Sturmey-Archer rear hub, (the Shimano rear hub had the shift cable on the other side of the bike) and the tires are Goodyear G3 airwheels. The front brake hub is worth $400-$450 in good shape today. Great photo!!!
(The Gallery, Bicycles, July 4, Kids, Russell Lee, Small Towns)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/8a30221u.thumbnail.jpg "The End of the Innocence: 1941")
- You Like It: 1942
- August 1942. "Bike rack in Idaho Falls, Idaho." Brought to you by 7up. Medium format negative ... Up high like a Texas Longhorn. Down low for that racing bike look. Regular for the majority of bikes.
Looks like a couple of Schwinn bikes are represented. (far right and middle)
Bike locks to ward off free rides or thieves?
Seat springs for those roads ... Posted by Dave - 01/04/2015 - 12:55pm -
![August 1942. "Bike rack in Idaho Falls, Idaho." Brought to you by 7up. Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size.
A StreetThe IOOF building is at 393 N. Park Ave, this view was taken from A Street looking East.
Woolworth's is gone as is the arched opening, though you can still see the outline of both.
You'll put your eye outwith the handlebars on the far right one. Also didn't expect to see all the locks in 1942.
Being kidsI'm guessing these are the main means of transportation for all the kids that are spending their allowance at Woolworth's while this picture was being taken. I loved Woolworth's as one received a good quality item (usually made in the USA) at a bargain price and I shopped there until they went out of business. Even their lunch counters and soda fountains were fabulous and now gone forever. I am still using a carbon steel American-made potato peeler which fits comfortably in one's hand and is still as sharp as when new, which I bought there in 1963 for 35 cents.
Handlebar Adjustments for individualityUp high like a Texas Longhorn. Down low for that racing bike look. Regular for the majority of bikes.
Looks like a couple of Schwinn bikes are represented. (far right and middle)
Bike locks to ward off free rides or thieves?
Seat springs for those roads with tire ruts.
Single speeds and coaster brakes for all.
Movie theater valet parking, maybeI wonder if the kids who own those bicycles are more interested in what's on the silver screen than Woolworth's latest incoming shipment of guppies and turtles??
Saturday MorningFrom street view the bike rack appears to be pretty much in front of the Paramount Theatre
Locks?Someone mentioned bike locks, I don't see any.
[Here are two of the four. -tterrace]
Bike locking, Then and NowThanks for those pictures, Tterrace, because I didn't see those locks, either. Silly me, I was looking at the *front* wheels to see where the bikes were locked to the bike rack. But it looks like back in the day, kids just locked the rear wheels. I guess maybe bike thieves back then never thought of simply walking away with a bike while holding the rear wheel off the ground, and then hacksawing the lock off at their leisure, away from prying eyes.
Bike seats Bike seats look a lot more comfortable in those days. This scene could have been fifteen years later and one of those bikes mine. Of course, my butt was younger, too. Great picture!
May be an ElginThe men's bicycle which is fourth from the left strongly resembles the old hand-me-down Elgin which was my first bicycle. The distinguishing features are the extra cross bar on the frame and the arched front fender braces attached at the top of the steering tube. The bike in the photo appears to have been repainted, as mine had pinstripes and stars on the fenders. Elgin was a Sears & Roebuck make.
The bike was very old when I got it as a hand-me-down from an older cousin in 1965. Little did I know that it was as old as the 1940's! Those bicycles were extremely heavy and, as another poster remarked, had only one speed. They had to be walked up hills which a modern 10-speed would take in stride.
Hiyo SilverThe bike on the right is obviously ridden by the Lone Ranger, or at least a Lone Ranger fan.
BuildingThe bikes are cool, but the building still there after 70 + years and still looking nice is amazing. I want to go to that town to shop at the antique store on the corner!
Paramount TheatreThat bike rack was in front of the Paramount Theatre. Went there often in my youth! The schools would sell summer movie passes (Saturday matinees)! I remember seeing "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken"! It was usually packed to the back of the balcony with screaming kids. Usually too loud to hear the movie! Total mayhem! The Paramount Theatre was out of business and dilapidated for many years. I helped clean it out as part of an Eagle Project. It has since been restored as a performing arts center. The official name now is the Colonial Theater Willard Arts Center.
(The Gallery, Bicycles, Russell Lee, Stores & Markets)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/SHORPY-8c32614a.thumbnail.jpg "You Like It: 1942")
- Our Lady of Lourdes: 1914
- ... of 1940 and 1941. I had a weekend job in 1941 with Ike's Bike Rental on 141st. He needed someone to identify the kids who rented there ... Posted by Dave - 12/13/2022 - 12:33pm -
![ A newly restored version of a Shorpy favorite that has collected three pages of comments since it was first posted in 2007 --
The caption for this one just says "Post Office." Thanks to our commenters we now know that the building with the statue is the Our Lady of Lourdes School at 468 W. 143rd Street in New York circa 1914. 8x10 glass negative, Bain News Service. View full size | The school in 2007.
Post office?Looks like a Catholic school, actually. This is just a wild-a**ed guess, but St. Jean Baptiste on East 75th? This would coincide with the warehouse cart on the left (sort of).
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic SchoolThis is Our Lady of Lourdes School in New York City on 143rd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Convent Avenue. The school was built in 1913 in Washington Heights, an exclusively white, upper middle-class neighborhood. It was built and equipped at a total cost of one hundred and forty thousand dollars.
Besides classrooms for five hundred pupils, the building contained an auditorium with a stage lavishly equipped for theatrical productions, a gymnasium, a roof-top playground, an assembly room for parish organizations, rooms for classes in cooking and sewing, and offices for the school officials.
The associated church (Our Lady of Lourdes) is located directly behind the school on the next block, 142nd Street.
Yes...Which is the Post Office? The large building in the center must be a Catholic School, what with a saint on the roof and all.
As for the location, I have no clue.
Post OfficeWhich building is the Post Office?
post officeBuilding with street level entrance and flags would be my likely guess.
Today...Google Street View. It's always interesting to see NYC in the early years, and how it's changed.
Our Lady of LourdesI attended this school for eight years in the 1950s. The lower grades entered by one door and the higher grades used the other. City College frat houses faced the school. Recess was on the street out front. We didn't have any cooking or sewing classes, no classrooms equipped for that. There wasn't any gym. We weren't allowed to go up on the roof and there wasn't an assembly room. We did have a annual spring play using the stage and we had a Christmas concert. There was a way into the church from the back of the school. The nuns that taught there were called Society of the Holy Child. Father Kline was one of the priests and Mother Mary Edward taught there. A good school, good memories.
Johnny PumpThat fire hydrant probably was installed in the late 1880s. Was born and bred in NYC and traversed all five boroughs many many times, but NEVER laid eyes on a johnny pump like that. Every boy who ever grew up in "The City" is instinctively drawn to hop over as many hydrants as possible. However that one is a KILLER.
Our Lady of LourdesI attended OLL from 1933 to 1941. The lower grades kindergarten to fourth were taught by the Ursuline Order of Sisters. The upper grades fifth to eighth were taught by the Sisters of the Holy Child. The school was funded and guided by the priests of the adjoining OLL Church.
We were there to learn,to pray: no play, no library, no lunch room, no outside activities. It was not an easy life for children of poor families during this Great Depression Era. I often cried and asked God to help me through the day, the year. I know I received a very good education but not a happy one. There were nuns I would have died for, however there were many that should not have been allowed to teach children.
The Church and school were founded by Monsignor Thomas McMann. There is a bust of the good priest near the entrance to the upper church.
In the 1930s we were allowed on the roof for various activities.
The term "very stern " comes to mind.
The statue is Our Lady of Lourdes, similar to the statue in the grotto in the lower church on 142nd Street. It was removed a few years ago as it decayed and was ready to fall off the roof.
Convent AvenueThis photo faces east, and the townhouses in the background are along the east side of Convent Avenue. All of them still stand, most are in superb condition. This is the finest real estate in Harlem; a house across the street sold for $3.89 million about 18 months ago. Here is a listing for a house a few doors down from the ones seen here: http://tinyurl.com/2396kb
Note the terraces on two of the buildings -- those are stunning and almost never seen in New York.
Does anyone remember anDoes anyone remember an Irish nun by the name of Sister Gerard? She was one of the Ursula ? nuns at the Our Lady of Lourdes in Manhatten. She emigrated about 1910, so am not sure anyone would remember her...
Is there a cemetery associated with Our Lady of Lourdes?
Upper and Lower ChurchCan you tell me if the Upper and Grotto Church still exists and do they have mass on Saturdays and Sundays? I lived 2 streets away a long time ago and would like to see the old neighborshood. I have never forgotten the Grotto. It's so unique. Would like to share it with my spouse.
Or maybe I can speak with someone in the convent. Are the nuns still there?
Thank you.
Diana Gosciniak
Our Lady of LourdesI also went there in the 1950's. The nuns were very dedicated to teaching. Our religion was the major reason they and all of us were there. The grotto was under the main stairs and confession was held downstairs at 4 pm on Saturday. The children's Mass was at 9 am on Sunday, a High Mass in Latin. The doors of the main church came from old St. Patrick's downtown in Little Italy.
The sisters made sure that the majority of 8th grade students got into Catholic high school. A lot of the girls went to Cathedral H.S. and the boys went to Cardinal Hayes.
The church was around the corner with a connection to the back of the school. The convent was right next door to the church and the rectory was across the street.
Once in a while we were invited to go to the convent on a Saturday to see the nuns. The neighborhood was pretty good, all kind of stores that tolerated all of us kids.
It was nice going there for eight years. Fond memories.
O.L.L. Upper and lower churchYes, the upper church is still active with most Masses in Spanish. The lower church {the Grotto) is not used. However the statue of the Blessed Mother is still on view. The sisters left about 10 years ago. I visited the school and was told the Church no longer had any say in its operation. When did you attend? I was there from 1933 to 1940.
J Woods
Theatrical productions?Oh, how I wish I had your recall. However, I did attend O.L.L. from 1933 through 1940. Yes, the stage was used - but with limited equipment. I never saw or played on a rooftop playground. There was no gymnasium. The seats in the auditorium were moved to the side for military drilling by boys from grades 5 to 8 once a week. The girls exercised in a nearby room. The children in the lower grades had no physical training. I don't remember an assembly room for any parish organizations. Family members were not encouraged to come to the school except on Graduation Day or if the student had a serious problem that required a meeting with the principal and/or a parish priest. I must say we all received a very good education and were farther ahead in our studies than the Public School kids.
Yours truly and in friendship,
Jackie Woods
OLL NeighborhoodI lived on Amsterdam Ave for 16 years. Where did you live? When did you attend OLL School? The few friends I had from the old days have passed on. I answered your other message; The Nuns left about 15 years ago. You need to have someone open the lower church to visit there. The Blessed Mother's Statue is still located in the Grotto but masses are no longer read there.
Regards and in friendship.
Jackie Woods
Our Lady of Lourdes, 2008I had a chance to stop by West 143rd street and take a snapshot today. The cornerstone is dated 1912. As you can see, every building shown in the "1914" photograph is extant and all are in excellent condition. There is even a fire hydrant in the same location as the fire hydrant shown in the photo. As for changes — there are trees on the block now, and the cornice has been removed from Our Lady of Lourdes, as has the statue of the saint. And, of course, as with all modern photos taken in New York, it is full of automobiles.
(Click to enlarge)
The reddish sign on the left side of the street, behind the motorcycle, identifies this block as part of the Hamilton Heights Historical District (Hamilton Grange is only a few blocks away). Today was garbage day, so a distracting pile of trash sits in the foreground, sorry about that.
Our Lady of LourdesCentral Harlem, did you attend Our Lady of Lourdes? If so what years?
Thanks for the picture
Jackie Woods
Our Lady of LourdesI attended an Episcopalian school. I contributed that photo because of my joy in Harlem history, not any tie to this school in particular.
Last weekend, I found a photograph of this block dating to 1908! All the buildings looked the same except for OLL, which was then an empty lot. Perhaps Team Shorpy can enlighten me -- would it be compliant with copyright law for me to scan and post it?
[Is there a copyright notice on it? If it was copyrighted before 1923, the copyright has expired. - Dave]
Our Lady of LourdesThank you for your latest information, Central Harlem. Where was your school located? Did you live nearby? I'm 80 years old going on 81 and all I have are my memories (mostly fond). And my memory is outstanding. I was hoping to hear from anyone who attended OLL with me.
By the way, the folks on Amsterdam Avenue always envied the folks on Convent Avenue, always a beautiful clean street. (Today we would say "upscale.") Three of my children were born in The Lutheran Hospital of Manhattan on 144th off Convent. I had moved to upper Washington Heights by then but my doctor was still working out of there.
Thank you and in friendship,
Jackie Woods
Our Lady of Lourdes, 1909I had a chance to scan the old photo I found of this block. It dates to 1909, not 1908 as I had first said. Every building seen in this photo remains, though some of the lots on the right-hand side of 143rd street were empty in 1909, including the lot that would house Our Lady of Lourdes three years later.
Anticipating the interest of Shorpy's crew of automotive experts, I provide a closeup of that car on Amsterdam Avenue, below.
Also, a note to Jackie Woods: we're of different generations. It is good to exchange notes here, but I'm sure we've never met.
Our Lady of Lourdes SchoolWhat wonderful memories of days past. I attended OLL from 1943 and graduated in 1951. One of five brothers to do so. You may have known my older brothers, Larry, Dick or Bill. We lived in that apartment building at the end of the street on the OLL side. That was the location of Alexander Hamilton's house, Hamilton Grange. When it was built, it forced the move to its present location behind the church. It will be moved again to the SE corner of Convent and 141st Street. You also mentioned Lutheran Hospital. It wasn't so great for our family. My brother Dick was taken there after being hit by a car. While recovering, he contracted rheumatic fever in the hospital and later died at New York Hospital. We also lived at 310 Convent Avenue because my mother's family, the Healys, lived on 141st Street. If you have any other questions, ask away. I'm still in contact with several classmates and between us, we should be able to answer.
"Thanks for the Memories"
Bob Phillips
OLL graduatesHi, Yes, I do remember a Phillips family. The boys or boy were in a higher grade with one of my brothers. As you can see, I had already left OLL when you started there. I am pleased you have good memories of your early years. Unfortunately, mine are mixed. An incident: a bunch of us, about 12 years old at the time, were fooling around and one of the boys fell out of a tree and broke his arm. We carried him to Lutheran Hospital They wouldn't let us in the front door. Told us to take him to Knickerbocker Hospital near 131st Street, and so we did. Today, I ask why no first aid was administered or an ambulance called. However, I have nothing but good words about the hospital in later years. I was sorry to hear about brother RIP
Regards and in friendship,
Jackie Woods
PS My oldest sister, Ellen, class of 1936 Won scholorship to Holy Child Academy
My older brother William (Billy), Class of 1937, won a scholarship to Regis High.
MemoriesI graduated from OLL in 1973 and it is so wonderful to see a website with the School and the information that it offers. I too wondered about the Masses in the lower church. The grotto was always so beautiful and special. I have lived in Florida since 1986 and hope to make a trip to NYC just to visit the old school. Thanks again for bringing a smile to my face today. God bless.
OLL MemoriesHi. I attended OLL from grades K to 5. I have the most beautiful memories of my childhood there. I loved the nuns. I can't believe how time has gone so fast. If anyone remembers me or remembers Sister Mary Owen or Ms. Valentine or the gym instructor George Izquierdo. I am talking about late 1960's, early 70's. Please contact me. Are the sisters still there? I went to visit Sister Mary Owen a couple of years ago. She wasn't wearing her habit any more. Those were good old days. I was so mischievous, always getting into trouble. Oh my God. I had the best early education there, never will I forget. I love history and I love these pictures that were posted up above, everything looks the same. Thanks! My family still lives up in Washington Heights.
Our Lady of Lourdes School and ChurchAnd a HI to you,
The good sisters left about ten years ago.
You can reach the school online, it has a Web site.
The school is no longer under the supervision of the Church.
If you look over the rest of this page you will see that I have answered a number of postings that may be of interest to you.
"Memories are made of this."
In friendship,
Jackie Woods
OLL AlumniHello OLL'ers
Head over to the OLL website www.ourladyoflourdesschool.net
There's an alumni page where you can send your information and be put on the mailing list.
OLLCould not connect with your e-mail: kbarkley@ourladyoflourdesschool.net
Would you please check it.
When did you attend OLL?
I gave my information previously on bottom of page.
Look forward to hearing from you.
In friendship,
Jackie woods
To Jackie WoodsI knew Dennis before the war, and graduated OLL in 1937. My sister Marie graduated in 1936 and received a scholarship to Holy Name. Finding your web site after all these years is a small miracle. I'm sorry to say Marie, such a special person, passed away in 1977. Andrew, a 1943 or 44 graduate, died in 2000. I did not marry till 1985, had a daughter in 86. My wife Alice and I celebrated our daughter Colleen's wedding Nov. 24, 2007. I hope this proves I was not as bad as the sisters believed. They wanted so to see me go that they created the first coed class and skipped me from 6th to 8th grade. Yes we marched on the roof, auditorium, basement and in far away competition. I believe we had a West Point officer, but not certain. I just hope that life was as rewarding to all OLL graduates as I. God bless.
John Orlando
Wideawake80@verizon.net
OLL, late 1950s and early 60sDon't know how I found this website, but so glad that I did. I graduated OLL in June 1961. The nuns are my most vivid memories of the school. The spring and Christmas plays that were held each year. Recess outside during lunchtime. Walking to school each day and spending the few pennies we had to buy candy at the store on Amsterdam Avenue, and the bicycle store there where we rented bikes on Saturday afternoons. Going to confession every Saturday down in the grotto. Checking the Legion of Decency list for movie listings. Learning to sing the Mass in Latin for every Sunday High Mass and, most important, the foundation the nuns gave us for our religion that is still strong to this day. A few years ago, we drove from Jersey up to the old place and convent still looked pretty good. Can someone please explain about not being under the archdiocese any longer. Thanks again.
Lutheran HospitalI found this link when looking for the Lutheran Hospital. Very interesting information.
I am researching my family history and found out this hospital is where my great grandfather passed away. Thinking that there may be additional information on the records, I searched for the hospital but have not been able to find any recent reference to it. Has the Hospital been closed? Can anybody give me some background information? I will certainly appreciate it,
Anne
[You might try the Archives search box on the New York Times Web site. Lutheran Hospital of Manhattan, at 343 Convent Avenue, merged with Norwegian Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in 1956 to form Our Saviour's Lutheran Hospital at the Norwegian Hospital facility on 46th Street and Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. It's now called Lutheran Medical Center. - Dave]
Lutheran HospitalHello Anne,
Yes, I know Lutheran Hospital. My three oldest boys were born there: 1951: 1952: 1954. My brother-in-law's father died there c. 1937. When I last passed by the neighborhood, three years ago, I saw that the hospital had been converted to an assisted living facility.
The neighborhood is looking great - real upscale. The brownstones that one could buy in the 1930s for a song are now selling for well over a million dollars. In the 1930s they were empty, thanks to the banks that foreclosed during the Depression. As kids we ran through them and at one time had a clubhouse inside one.
In friendship,
Jackie Woods
Lutheran HospitalThanks you both, Dave and Jackie, for your responses.
I will follow the advice and hope to be able to pass soon by the neighborhood.
Anne
OLL MemoriesHi Henry,
I too remember Sister Mary Owen, my brother David Mora had her and she was really strict. We keep in touch with George Izquierdo and he is doing great. Sister Rosemarie passed away. I try to stay in touch with O.L.L. It was really a happy time in my childhood and the happy memories will always be a part of my life.
Maxine Mora
Lutheran Hospital of ManhattanLooking for pictures of the Hospital. I was born in 1940 in the facility and would like to see what it looked like in that era--anyone have a picture?
Dad Was an AlumnusHello Jackie,
I am curious to see if you know my father, Frank Corrigan, who was born in 1926, which would make him 82 this August. I think he was in the Class of 1941.
I am also curious to see if you have any contact or info on Alfred Pereira or his sister Clara Pereira Mercado. Any help would be appreciated.
Stephen Corrigan
Please email me when you get a chance, stephenjcorrigan@aol.com.
Frank CorriganYes, I knew Frank Corrigan, Class of 1940, not 1941, he was closer to my brother Dennis than me, I was a year younger. Didn't Frank have a younger very pretty sister? I last saw Frank c. 1968 in the upper Washington Heights area where many of the families from OLL had moved to from the 140th streets.
I knew Pancho Pereira (the name Alfred does not ring a bell) and Clara, his younger sister. His little brother JoJo was killed in Korea. Pancho had a birthmark: strands of very white hair in the front of his head of very black hair. They were wonderful good people.
Pancho was good friends with Jackie Koster, whose sister Barbara married Burl Ives in Hollywood and lived happily everafter.
In friendship,
Ed and Jackie Woods
eandjwoods50@yahoo.com
Vacant Houses in Hamilton HeightsI thought we were the only ones that got into those empty houses. Afternoons we'd go in through a back window to study and do our homework. We didn't break anything, and at our age we always wondered why the houses were vacant. The Depression angle we didn't figure out until later. Tom Calumet and Frank Howe went with me. I understand Frank has died and Tom Calumet left NYC around 1945 to go out west with his parents.
I graduated from OLL in 1941, and now live in Hopkins, MN
OLL MemoriesI graduated in 1960. There were about 10 of us cousins who graduated between 1955 and 1960. I remember Father Cline, Fr. Malloy, Monsignor Hart, Mother Bonaventure, Mother Dominica and others. Does anyone remember the day the frat boys across the street pushed the dummy out the window during our recess? I can almost taste the corn muffins and egg creams at the soda fountain around the corner on Amsterdam Avenue while "Barbara Ann" played on the jukebox.
OLL PhotoI have a great a picture of my Confirmation Day. I'm in full OLL uniform dated c. May 1935. How can I send it to the OLL Shorpy site?
Yours truly,
Ed Woods
[Click the links under "Become a member, contribute photos." - Dave]
Frat boys 0, Mother Mary Edward 10I sure do remember that day. Mother Mary Edward
marched over and blasted them. Also the candy store around the corner used to sell two-cent pumpkin seeds out of a little red box.
Does anyone remember the rumor going around that the
Grotto Chapel was haunted? I remember walking home with "Little Star" playing on the transistor radio.
The OLL GrottoI remember serving at what was called the Workmen's Mass in the Grotto in the 1930s - 6 o'clock in the morning! I know the Grotto is not used any more (I visited there in December 2007). As to the candy store on the corner of 143rd and Amsterdam, it was a very busy place: candy, pen nibs (no fountain pens), book covers etc. One day the owner came to school and told Sister Casmere, the principal, that we were disorderly and she must tell the students to behave when shopping in his store. Her solution was to tell the entire student body that they were not allowed to shop there. In a day or so, the man was back begging forgiveness and asked to plaese allow the children to return to his store. The kids were his main business.
HelloHi Maxine
How are you? Thank you for responding to me. It was very nice to hear from you. Sorry to hear about Sister Rosemary, but I don't remember her was she the pricipal of the school. I do remember Mr. Izquierdo he was the gym instructor with another man don't recall his name I believe he became principal of the school later on. Oh! now I remember his name was Mr. White I believe. God trying to recall, it is getting a little difficult now a days but I like it. It brings me back in time. How time have changed it was so innocent back than not like now. Looking back in time, makes me feel like I grew up to fast. How is Mr. Izquierdo doing? How can I contact him? Please let me know. My e-mail address is Je_Ocejo@yahoo.com. I remember he got married back than to a girl name Rocio, I don't know if they are still together but that lady was my father's friend daughter. Who else do you remember. Please get back to me with pictures. I have pictures too. Let me know how can I e-mail them to you. Would you believe that we are talking about almost atleast 35 years ago but I don't forget. God Bless you. Henry
OLLBob,
Any recollections of my father, Frank Corrigan, Class of 1940? Maybe not yourself but some of your older brothers.
Steve Corrigan
More OLL MemoriesI graduated in 1937 and was probably a fellow graduate of a brother. I had skipped 7th grade and so did not get to know classmates well. It is possible that the Waters family lived across the alley on the second floor of the building on 142nd Street. We lived on the top floor of the next building on Hamilton Place. In the same building lived Buddy Sweeney and Sal Guizzardi, also a tall blond kid who graduated with me. I believe your mother and my mom, Agnes Orlando, were friends. I believe your mother visited mine in 1952-3 in our new home in Bergenfield, N.J. I remember a sister who must have graduated with me or my sister Marie Orlando in 1936. My brother Andrew graduated 1947. My mother, brother and sister have passed away. I remember Poncho, the Kosta family, the Madigans, Woodses, Rendeans, Glyforces, McCarvils, Walshes, Philipses, Flynns, Duggans, Hooks, Rodriquezes, Craigs, Hugheses, Conways etc. I am sure we had many things in common being OLL graduates at a very special interval of time. I wish you well in your very beautiful state which I have passed through on three occasions. Best wishes and fond memories.
John and Alice Orlando
OLLLot older than you. Attended OLL from late 1930s to early 40s. Baptized, first Holy Communion and Confirmation (Cardinal Spellman). Lived at 145 and the Drive. Remember principal when I was there, Mother Mary Margaret. First grade teacher was Mother Mary Andrews. Remember playing on roof and being shocked by Mother Mary Andrews jumping rope. Believe there was a Father Dolan around that that time. Only went to through the 3rd grade there and then moved to 75th St and the Blessed Sacrament -- a whole different world, and not as kind or caring.
Memories of OldHi Henry. You may not remember me but I also taught gym with George and sometimes Ms. Ortiz. George is with the Department of Education on the East Side. I work for the Bloomberg Administration. Sister Mary Owen has moved to Rye and of course all the nuns are now gone. I left in 1996 but I still miss all of the good times shared during my years there.
Memories Are GoodHello, You taught me gym and we also had alot of good times with the High School Club on Friday nights. I have most painful memories of O.L.L the day Msgr. Cahill passed away. I never knew how much a heart could have so much pain and yet go on. My dad died on 4-29-96, Max Mora and I felt the same pain all over again. Do you know where Mother John Fisher has gone ... her name had changed to Sister Maryanne. I would love to hear from you.
Maxine Mora
Hi HenryMy email address is mmorafredericks@aol.com. I have yours and I am so happy to be in contact with you I graduated in 1973. I went to Cathedral High School. Later moved to Florida. My brothers and sisters are still in NY and I miss so much of it. I look forward to catching up with you. I will write soon. God Bless.
Maxine
Fellow ClassmateHi Tony,
It has been more than 48 years since I last saw you - at our graduation from OLL in 1960. Let me know what you have been up to in the past half century. My e-mail address is kmckenna@clarku.edu.
Kevin
LTNSMr. White! Not sure if you still come to this site, but on the off chance that you still visit i thought i would write. It's been so long since I've seen or heard from you, not since "Len Fong" closed. For all others that may still come by this site, I graduated in 1983 (possibly 82). Would love to hear from a blast from the past. Please email me at kellyw88@gmail.com
John McKennaHi Kevin,
Any chance you are related to the McKenna family? John McKenna, Class of 1941
Your name sure rings a bell, however there must be 20 years difference between us.
Have a healthy and happy 2009
In friendship,
Ed Woods
John McKennaHi Ed,
I'm afraid that I'm not related to John McKenna. My brothers, Donald and Desmond, graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes in the fifties. I wasn't aware of another McKenna family in the parish when I was at OLL.
Happy and healthy 2009 to you as well, Ed.
Cheers,
Kevin
McKenna FamilyThe John McKenna family I knew lived on the northeast corner of Hamilton Place and 141st street. I had other friends and schoolmates in that building. Thinking back, you probably had to be an Irish Catholic to live there. Whatever, I think you had to be an Irish Catholic to attend OLL. I never knew any others at that time, the 1930s. Most fathers worked for the subway and trolley systems or at the milk delivery companies along 125th Street near the river.
Those were the days, my friend. Innocence prevailed!
In friendship,
Ed and Jackie Woods
The Mc KennasJim McKenna and his younger brother Tommy lived in that house above Grizzardi's grocery. Tom hung around with Marty the Hanger Phipher and the Warriors. Billy Vahey and his brother Eddie who retired as a Lieutenant in the NYPD lived there also. Their mother was still there in the early 80s.
You probably knew the Schadack family, who I believe owned Schrafft's or Donald York. I think the building was 644 West 145 St. It was the first apartment house in the city to have a self-service elevator.
When we lived there the neighborhood was known as Washington Heights. For some reason it's now referred to as Hamilton Heights. A couple of great web sites -- Forgotten NY and Bridge and Tunnel Club. You can spend hours & hours on Rockaway Beach alone. Lots of good memories!
How about the movie theaters -- the Delmar, the RKO Hamilton, the Dorset, the Loews Rio, the Loews 175 (now the Rev. Ikes Church) and all the theaters along 180th Street?
Hamilton HeightsNorm,
Many thanks for your fine memories of our old neighborhood but there are a few minor corrections I have to make. The first is the name Shadack family. I believe the correct spelling is Shattuck and his address was 676 Riverside Drive on the corner of 145th Street. We lived there and my brother Bill was classmates with Gene Shattuck. No relation to the Schrafft's empire.
Secondly, Hamilton Heights was always known as such. Outsiders didn't know where that was so we usually said Washington Heights for simplicity. Washington Heights doesn't really start until 157th Street and is separated from Hamilton Heights by the Audubon plot.
The Old NeighborhoodAlex Hamilton lived nearby. There was a very pleasant young man (OLL Class of 1941) named Eugene Shattuck who lived near 145th Street and Riverside Drive. His father was a professor at Manhattan College and his family owned the Schrafft's Restaurants.
I fondly recall Eugene having the wonderful hourglass-shaped bottles of hard Schrafft's candy brought to school and distributing one bottle to each of his classmates at Christmas time.
Needless to say, the poor Amsterdam Avenue kids were in awe of one who could afford to do such a good deed. You mention the Warriors, I knew the (Gang) but not any of the names mentioned here on Shorpy.
In friendship,
Ed and Jackie Woods
P.S. My in-laws the Boyd family lived at 676 Riverside Drive. Les Sr. had a radio repair shop on 145th and Broadway.
676 Riverside DriveI lived at 676 as well. The family's name was Shattuck. In my day, many, many years ago, the elevator had an operator. A sweet man in full uniform. There was a doorman as well. Saw the building years later and was appalled at the change. Then went up to OLL and hardly recognized it. It was the best school I ever went to. Thank you for reminding me of the fun. And yes, of the education I got there. By the way, 676 on the Drive was called the Deerfield.
OLL StudentsI am researching my family history and I came upon this great site. In 1930 my grandparents Michael and Marie Murphy were living at 1744 Amsterdam Avenue and later in the 1930s at 115 Hamilton Place. All of the Murphy children attended Our Lady of Lourdes School. They were:
Maurice (born 1916)
Rita (born 1917/ my Mother)
John (born 1918)
Theresa (born 1920)
Vincent (born 1922)
Veronica (born 1925)
My mom had such fond memories of her time spent there.
Rita Harmon Bianchetto
Hi Neighbor!!Hi Rita,
I'm a former resident of 676 Riverside. My family lived there from 1940 to 1960 in apartment 4A. Bobby Foy lived next door to us. I think you may have left just after we arrived since I remember the elevator operator. The change to automatic was somtime during or just after WWII.
I remember they put up this 10 foot wall with a door to limit access to the building. Fat lot of good that did us as my mother was robbed in broad daylight in the service chamber of our apartment in 1960. That's when my Dad had us pack up and leave for a secure location in the Bronx.
Anyway, the apartment was great. We had a balcony looking over 145th Street and the river. My brothers were Larry Jr., Bill and Nick. Bill was a good friend to Gene Shattuck and went to Xavier with him. Nick and I also went there. Larry had a scholarship to All Hallows.
Judy, can you tell me your last name and if you knew me.
Hope to hear from you.
Bob Phillips at bobbyphilly@msn.com
Your DadSorry Steve, I graduated in 1947 and my three brothers have died. But the name Corrigan does ring a bell. Probably from my brother Larry who knew just about everyone in OLL.
Sorry I couldn't help out but it was great hearing from you.
Bob Phillips
Andrew.Yes, I remember your brother Andrew. We were in the same class and we used to kid him about his name - Andrew Orlando and how tall he was. What's he doing these days?
Bob Phillips
Those were the days, my friendsHello Rita,
I remember the name Murphy but not the faces. We lived a block south of you at 1704 Amsterdam. My sister Ellen, Class of 1936, and brother Bill, Class of 1937, would have known your family.
We had many friends on Hamilton Place, the Koster family for one: Anita, Class of 1936, her younger sister Barbara married Burl Ives, and her other sister Mary Lou married Eddie Byrne (1710 Amsterdam). Ed's sister married Chump Greeny -- killed at Anzio Beach. He must have lived near your family.
My brother in law Les Boyd lived in the Deerfield and had an electric appliance store on the corner of 145th and B'way and a sporting goods store on the next block next to the Chinese restaurant.
In friendship,
Ed and Jackie Woods
Hello RitaHello Rita,
I attended St. Catherine's Academy on 151st between B'way and Amsterdam (It cost my dear old dad $10 a month for what was considered a private school.) I graduated in 1943 in a class of only four girls. I then went to the Sacred Heart of Mary Academy in Inwood (I had to climb the long steps up from B'way every day for four years -- Class of 1947.
Most of my relatives went to OLL as did my husband of 59 years, Ed Woods. We are still alive, kicking and fighting and making up every day.
In my Class of 1943, one of the girls was Ann Murphy -- any relation? Also a Virginia O'Malley and my best friend, June McAvoy, who keeps in touch with me. June's grandfather was Judge McAvoy, who had died by that time.
I loved when my folks took me to McGuire's Bar and Restaurant on B'way and 155th. Oh that Roast Lamb (Irish style) on a Sunday or a holiday. The girls used to go to Nuestra Senora de Esperanza (Our Lady of Hope) next to the museum complex. We were told not to go there for confession, but the Spanish priests were limited in English.
Thinking back we had but little to confess at that time.
Eddie and I had an apartment on 150th near the Drive for a few years until 1956, then it was off to Long Island to raise our six children.
In friendship and love hearing from you,
Ed and Jackie Woods
The MurphysHi Ed and Jackie,
Thanks so very much for your reply. I wish my mom was still with us but she died in 1998, the last of the Murphy kids.
My grandfather Mike Murphy worked for the Post Office (a mail carrier working out of the General P.O. at 33rd and 8th). My grandmother Marie Murphy died in 1939 while living at Hamilton Place. Uncle Maurice went to Regis H.S. for several years before leaving to attend All Hallows; John and Vincent then attended All Hallows; my mom, Rita, attended Cathedral; Veronica, I believe, attended St. Vincent, and Theresa died at age 25 in 1944 (not sure of her high school). Mom worked at Woolworth's on 145th Street and Broadway, and after high school at New York Telephone, retiring about 1980. She got married in 1943 and moved to 152nd Street, and we attended St. Catherine of Genoa on W. 153rd. I graduated in 1958. So I know the neighborhood.
Peace, Rita
Hi Ed and JackieSo Jackie you are a St. Kate's gal like me! My tuition was a dollar a month, so your education was really a private school. You have listed the Academy at 151st Street but I think that it was on 152nd between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. I took my high school entrance exam at SHM so I am sort of familiar with the school -- fireworks were going off during our exam. The end result was I did fine and attended Blessed Sacrament on West 70th, Class of 1962.
I last saw the "girls" at a reunion in 2002. My Spanish teacher just celebrated her 70th anniversary as a nun with the Sisters of Charity.
I am not familiar with any of the girls names that you mentioned,including Ann Murphy. I do know McQuire's, where I had my first Shirley Temple, Mass at Our Lady of Esperanza, Trinity Cemetery & loved visiting the museums.
Do either of you recall Eugenio Pacelli, before he became Pope Pius XII visiting at OLL ?
Please tell me about your days on 150th Street near the Drive since I may have been the little skinny blond kid you both passed on the street.
Peace,
Rita in Northern New Jersy
West 150th NYCHello Rita,
Yes, we lived at 615 W. 150th from 1950 to 1956. Four of my children were born there (three at Lutheran Hospital and one at Jewish Memorial). We had many friends from school and the neighborhood living nearby.
However, by 1956 it was time to move on; many changes in the neighborhood. One of my nearby friends was Juanita Poitier; Sidney was just getting started with his acting career. A real nice couple.
Was Father Tracy (Pastor) still there when you attended school? How about Father Brady? He was always telling stories during Mass about his sea time with the Navy. Eddie remembers going to the Woolworths lunch counter (145th and B'way) in the early 1940s just to have an excuse to talk with the girls. He knew many of them from school and the neighborhood.
In friendship,
Jackie
West 152ndHi Jackie and Ed,
I lived at 620 West 152nd Street, just a stone's throw from you folks. My sister was born at Jewish Memorial Hospital in March 1952 -- Dr. Sandler from Broadway 150/151st St. delivered. Those were the days of Dave's deli on the corner of 151st & Broadway famous for pastrami on rye and a cold beer for the dads, Rafferty's Bar and Grill on the other side of B'way, Harry's or Pierre's homemade candy and ice cream parlor, Cora's beauty salon where my Nana would get a cold wave and blue tint. And not to be forgotten, Snow & Youman's drug store on B'Way and 151st. I recall the name Fr. Brady but it was Pastor Kane and Fr. Tracy (and his Irish Setter, Rusty) that I recall. I just sent a photo of Fr. Tracy to my classmates.
Rita
Japanese BazaarWho remembers the Japanese-American bazaar in the brownstones across from the OLL lower grades school during the war? They had the blue star & the gold star pennants hanging in the windows. They also had a store on Amsterdam Avenue near 144th Street and when they sold coffee the lines would go all around the block.
How about the punchball games out side the school, or stoop ball? Anyone remember playing basketball and using the bottom rung on the fire escape ladder as a basket? The nearest basketball court was at 148th Street by the river. If you wanted to "take out" a ball from the park, you would leave a shirt as a deposit. I remember shoveling snow off the court in order to play.
Unfortunately those days were the last time the country was almost 100% together. Twenty years from now, these will be the "good old days."
Your brother AndrewI palled around with Andy & another kid named Eddie McGlynn. As a matter of fact I have a picture of Andy, Buddy Ayres & me at Rye Beach. Buddy went to Bishop Dubois with us. He was from Vinegar Hill. You didn't mention the Wittlingers. They lived on the first floor in your building. Brendan lives in Virginia. I'm still in touch with him, Matty Waters and Les Scantleberry. Pancho Pereria made a career of the Navy. He died several years ago. JoeJoe, one of my closest friends, was killed in Korea.
Dave's DeliI haven't had a good hot corned beef sandwich since I last had one at Dave's. His son Milton was running the store in the 1950s after Dave retired to Florida. Dave's used to have a window in the summer that sold potato knishes (5 cents, with mustard) and of course kosher hot dogs.
I heard a Clement Moore fan club still meets every Christmas Eve next to Trinity Church Cemetery and recites "The Night Before Christmas."
I was born in 1928 at 853 Riverside Drive. When 90 Riverside was built in 1941 and blocked the view of the Hudson, we moved there.
Warm regards,
Jackie and Ed
The old neighborhoodThe Wittlingers (the twins were the same age as my two younger brothers, also twins), Matty Waters, Les Scantleberry, JoJo: All those names I remember, especially Pancho and his family. For the life of me, I cannot understand why your name doesn't ring a bell. You mentioned the Warriors. Did you know Tommy or Willie Taylor, the Conroys, Drago, Jackie Hughes, etc. What years did you attend OLL?
I looked up some old friends on the Internet over the past few years -- said hello and then goodbye when their families called to give me the news: Vinny McCarville, Bruce Boyd, Phil Marshall, Eddie O'Brien -- all gone to their maker. They were spread out all over the country. It was satisfying, however, just to say hello. I met Vinny in New Orleans and we had a beer for the first time in many years. We had gone to sea together during WWII and had a lot of memories.
You must forgive my spelling etc. My eyesight is on its way out (along with everything else). I will be 82 in a few months but active and still traveling. I have been to six of the seven continents and my wish is to have breakfast at the South Pole.
In friendship,
Ed and Jackie Woods
ToppersWas Dave's on B'Way near 140th Street? I sold the Sunday News there for 25 cents during the news strike. It was normally a nickel. We had to go down to the News Building to buy them. Overhead!
Who remembers the Sugar Bowl on the corner of 143rd and Broadway? A great hangout for different age groups. How about Toppers Ice Cream parlor on B'Way between 139 & 140th?
In the 1940s and early '50s you could go to the Audubon Theater at 168th and B'Way on Sunday for 77 Cents and see three features, 23 cartoons, newsreels and an eight-act stage show with such luminaries as Billy Halop of the Dead End Kids or Lash LaRue or Ferdinand the Bull. Top shelf. They must get at lest a buck fifty for admission today!
Tea and Nut StoreHi Norm,
My mom (Rita Murphy) mentioned there was an Asian family owned Tea and Nut shop in OLL Parish when she was a child (born 1917). She said her brothers, Maurice and John Murphy, would sometimes play with the owners' son. I am wondering if this could be the same shop.
Rita
ToppersDave's was on the southwest corner of Broadway and 151st Street, a short trip from my home on 152nd near Riverside Drive. I do recall the Sugar Bowl and maybe was in it once or twice but never hung out there. Topper's is a name I never heard before, as far as ice cream parlors go. Thanks so much for mentioning the name and location. Perhaps before my time (1945 baby) or too far from my home. Many people have mentioned the Audubon Theater to me (165-166th Street) but I have no memory of it at all. I do recall the San Juan Theater that took over the space of the old Audubon.
I love hearing about Mom's (Rita Murphy's) old neighborhood.
Thanks for sharing.
Rita
Your Name?No, Dave's Deli was on 151st and Broadway. Yes, Toppers & the Sugar Bowl were popular hangouts, however the Piedmont, the Staghorn and the Chesterfield were more popular later on. I have pictures of the great snowfall of December 27, 1947 taken in front of the above mentioned restaurants with a bunch of the guys posing in the cold.
The Audubon Theater became better known when Malcom X was murdered in its ballroom. I saw Milton Berle there in the early 1940s. Actually, the Bluebird and the Washington were also popular as they only cost 10 cents (no heat or air conditioning). Memories, memories, dreams of long ago.
Ed and Jackie Woods
The OLL ChoirI sang in the OLL choir for about 5 or 6 years and hated it.T he only advantage was that we skipped the last class for practice. The downside was that after attending 9 o'clock Mass we had to sing at the 11 o'clock High Mass, which interfered with our Sunday football game. I played with the Junior Cadets. We had a very good team coached by Joe Romo, who went on to be the trainer for the Oakland A's for many years. I saw him at Yankee Stadium whenever the team played the Yankees at home. Joe died several years ago.
Mr. Skyler, the choirmaster, wore a wig that could easily be mistaken for road kill. I used to wonder if he was committing a sin by wearing something on his head in church. After all it was no different then wearing a hat during Mass.
Mrs. Daly was a very lovely lady who played the organ and gave piano lessons. She lived down the street from us on 142nd between Broadway and Hamilton Place and had something like 10 kids. My sister Maureen was friends with Theresa and Billie. John was I believe the youngest son. Maureen graduated from Notre Dame de Lourdes on Convent Avenue.
My sister Frances was close friends with Helen and Rita Nerney, who lived across the street. Fran died in 2002.
ToppersI lived at 635 Riverside Drive. I recall Toppers being near the corner of 141st, next to a Jewish deli. In the summer my dad took my brother Tom and me for ice cream there every evening. Happy memories!
Bishop DuboisI graduated 1953 from Bishop Dubois. I believe your brother Ernie was in my class at OLL. I hope he is doing well. Give him my regards.
Bill Healy
Names from the Old NeighborhoodBrendan & Bernie turned 76 on February 2. Don't ask how I remember things like this. I forgot what I had for breakfast this morning. I'll be 76 August 11, weather permitting.
Everyone seems to forget Pinky (Michael) Pereria. You are closer to my late brother Jim's age. Jim hung out with Jimmy and John Bartlett, Donald LaGuardia, Tommy & Willie Taylor (born on the same day a year apart -- Irish twins). Again I don't know why I remember these things.
Eddie O'Brien used to go by the name Drawde Neirbo, his name spelled backwards. He was a close friend of Big Jack Hughes. I recall a group of you guys joining the Merchant Marine during the war. The Dragos lived on 141st Street between Hamilton Place and Amsterdam Avenue. The youngest (Joseph?) was in my class.
A couple of years ago I went down to the old neighborhood with my sons. Surprisingly, it looks great. Lots of renovations going on.
My beautiful wife June is a BIC (Bronx Irish Catholic) from the South Bronx. It's not as great a neighborhood as it used to be, but lots of great people came out of there. I took her away from there, married her 50 plus years ago and got her a decent dental plan and raised five kids in New Jersey.
I graduated in 1948. It should have been 1947 but Mother Mary Inez red-shirted me in the 6th grade.
Will stay in touch.
Norm Brown
Norm Brown??Norm, I graduated in 1947 from OLL. I knew a kid (Norman Brown) who lived on 141st between Hamilton and Broadway. I think he had a younger brother. He went to OLL with me, but he did not graduate from OLL. Eddie McGlynn was in my class, and the Wittlingers. I lived at 510 W 140th. Are you that Norman?
Bill H.
The Summer of '66Hi Jackie and Ed,
I never had one of Dave or Milton's corned beef sandwiches but I can say that the pastrami on rye was a thing that dreams are made of. I recall the knishes out the window in the summer and the hot dogs. Thanks so much for taking me back in time. Milton would take the pastrami out of that silver steamer box sharpening his knife, and the rest was heaven on rye. Milton was still behind the counter in the summer of 1966 but after that I can't say.
I am sure that "The Night Before Christmas" is still recited next to Clement Moore's grave, in Trinity Cemetery. In my day the Girl Scout Troop that met at the Church of the Intercession would participate in the recitation of the Moore piece.
I know that 853 Riverside Drive is on the Upper Drive, since I sat on "The Wall" on summer evenings as a teenager. You said you moved in 1941 to 90 RSD -- did you mean 90 or 890? I am not familiar with the numbering of the "lower" drive where the red house sits (so it was called).
I am off in search of a good sandwich.
Peace,
Rita
Stagershorn & ChesterfieldMalcom X was shot in the Audubon Ballroom at the back of the theater, which later became the Teatro San Juan. I saw Abbott and Costello there en Espanol. At 7 years old I was run over by a truck at 142 Street and Broadway, right outside the Staghorn, I managed to live!
I would hang from the window outside the Chesterfield, watching football games on TV with Bobby Heller and Herby Gil and Buddy McCarthy.
That was a hell of a snowstorm in '47. Remember digging tunnels through the snowbanks? You forgot to mention Larry's, just next to the Sugar Bowl. I would watch "Victory at Sea" there.
A couple of years ago I took a walk through the OLL neighborhood and realized that when you are a kid everything you see is at eye level and taken for granted, but as you look up and around from a mature aspect it becomes a whole different world. It is really a beautiful area.
90 Riverside Drive WestHi Rita. I'm positive 853 was on the Lower Drive. When the new building went up next to it around 1941, the address was 90 Riverside Drive West. However, it caused so much confusion with 90 Riverside Drive (downtown) that the address was changed to 159-32 Riverside. The plot originally hosted a small golf course.
I also went to the Church of the Intercession with the Girl Scouts. Small world. And the wall -- on a hot summer night, standing room only.
Jackie
West 140th NYCThe kids I hung around with were in the OLL classes of 1940 and 1941. I had a weekend job in 1941 with Ike's Bike Rental on 141st. He needed someone to identify the kids who rented there (bikes rented for 20 cents an hour -- and that's the truth). We started a Junior Air Raid Wardens group and had a store next to Ike's. Collected paper etc, for the war effort.
And you are correct, within three years, when we turned 16, McCarvill, O'Brien, Drago and I joined the merchant marine.
Did you know the Kieley family -- lived at 1628 Amsterdam before moving to the lower Bronx: Pauline, Rita, Josephine, Peggy and the two boys Nicky and Jimmy. I loved going to their upstairs apartment for tea, especially when Mrs Kiely made Irish Soda Bread. My wife (then girlfriend) Jackie sponsored Jim Kieley when he became a citizen around 1948. He was from County Waterford, the same as her family. We celebrated our 59th anniversary last week.
Regards,
Eddie Woods
My Brother JimYou probably knew my brother Jim Brown. He too was born in 1928. He died three years ago today. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes, spent a couple of years in the Army and graduated from Fordham University. Jim lived in Wycoff, N.J. He was very successful in business.
Amsterdam AvenueThe Denning family (10 kids) lived on Amsterdam Avenue between 141st and 142nd. Hughie had polio and wrote away to FDR for an autograph during the war. As it turned out he was the last person to get one. He was in an iron lung at the time. It was a big deal. Lots of press. One of the boys, Peter Schaefer Denning, was born on the back of a beer truck on the way to the hospital. Hence the name.
The Connolly brothers, Eamon and Timmy, lived in the same building. Everyone in the family had red hair. Not unlike Bobby Foy's family. If I recall properly, the father looked like Arthur Godfrey, his mom like Lucille Ball, Bobby like Red Skelton, and they had a red cat plus an Irish setter.
It took a lot of guts for a group of 16-year-old kids to join the merchant marine. A belated thanks for your service.
My wife makes great Irish soda bread. Is there any other kind? You can give ten women the same ingredients for soda bread and you'll get ten different tasting breads. All great! Especially with a cup of Lynches Irish tea. The season is almost upon us once again.
The only Kiely (different spelling) I knew was my NYPD partner Timmy, who was from the South Bronx, Hunts Point. Tim grew up with Colin Powell. Having worked in the South Bronx for 25 years and marrying June Margaret O'Brien, one of six girls from there, I pretty much connect with the people of SOBRO, as the area is now known. Sooner or later everything gets yuppified.
How about this web site? Something else!
Take care,
Norm
Mea CulpaHi Jackie,
Of course you know 853 RSD is on the Lower Drive but Google Maps does not. "Looks like 800 Block of Upper Drive is even numbers and 800 Block on Lower Drive is odd numbers." I did not locate 159-32 but I did find a 159-34 and 159-00, seems to be the last structure (red brick) on the Lower Drive area that we are speaking of, now a co-op but the year of construction is not listed.
I have very fond memories of the folks I spent time with on "our" wall.
Peace,
Rita
Yes, it's Kiely I was in error. For whatever resaon, The Dublin House on 79th off the NE corner of Broadway became a meeting place for many of the kids from the OLL area up until the early 1970s: Eamon Connolly, Tommy Taylor etc. I worked with Tom for a short time before be went on the force and then as a T Man. I have not heard from him in too many years. One of great fellows from the old neighborhood.
In friendship,
Ed Woods
My e-mail: eandjwoods50@Yahoo.com
P.S. The Kiely family moved to Crimmons Ave in the Bronx
West 159th Street NYCDear Rita,
I do enjoy rehashing the old neighborhood and the wonderful memories we can recall. Yes, it is the last buillding on the street and I lived there until 1950, when I married Ed. My uncle George lived there until c. 1981 in a rent controlled apartment, and yes, it did become a co-op.
When first opened, the building had four entrances. Later, in the 1980s, it was down to one main entrance on the via-dock for safety reasons. I loved our apartment there, which had a beautiful view of the Hudson and the George Washington Bridge.
My friend June, nee McAvoy, lived at 3750 B'way. We were together in school for 12 years at St. Catherine's and Sacred Heart. June lives in Maryland.
By the way, my e-mail is eandjwoods50@yahoo.com
Jackie Woods
The Red HouseDear Jackie & Ed,
How lucky you were to have lived in the Red House, especially with the views of the bridge and the river. Growing up I never knew anyone who lived there, so never saw the interior, I'm sure it was lovely. I heard that David Dinkins lived there at some point before he became mayor. Many of my classmates lived in 790 Riverside Drive and I was always so impressed that their apartments had two doors. Our apartment was on the fourth floor of a walkup and across the street from a garage. Funny how I was not really impressed by a doorman but by the two doors.
I seem to remember a gas station near your friend June's house...other side of Broadway from the museum, now college. One of my St. Catherine's classmates, last I heard, he was teaching at the college.
Was Rexall Drug on the corner of 157th, with the newsstand outside the door, when you lived in the Red House? In my home we seemed to have all of the city newspapers -- morning, afternoon and evening, some selling for 4 cents. To this day I read two papers every day and still long to go out Saturday night to pick up the Sunday paper.
Thanks for the email.
Peace,
Rita
Class of 1959I attended O.L.L. from 5th to 8th grade. My 5th grade teacher was Mother Mary Edward, what a wonderful woman, 6th was Mother Mary St. Hugh, 7th Mother Mary Edward and 8th Mother Mary Bernadette. Graduated in 1959. Classes were mxed -- black, white and Latino. Memories are mostly good ones -- Father Kline, Father Malloy, Father Hart. The religious experience most memorable, especially during Lent, novenas on Wednesday afternoon and Stations on Friday after school.
Liggets / RexallHello Rita,
I loved the lunch/soda counter at Liggetts/Rexalls. for whatever reason, my family used the pharmacy across the street, on the east side of B'way, to have prescriptions filled.
The family that owned and operated the newsstand helped us lease our first apartment at 600 W. 157th. Apartments were in short supply in 1950. We lived in the unit formerly rented by the Singer Midgets next to Peaches Browning of Daddy Browning fame. Of course they were long gone when we lived there. My father was very active in the Tioga Democratic Club with the Simonetti family.
Do you remember Warner's Cafeteria between 157 & 158th? We visited St. Catherine's Church Christmas week 2007 with our niece who wanted to see where she was baptized in 1953. She is on Mayor Bloomberg's staff.
Warm regards,
Jackie Woods
eandjwoods50@yahoo.com
Oh, as the poet said, "To return to yesteryear and our salad days."
My brother ErnieBilly, Ernie and I went to Bishop Dubois. Ernie for two years and I for three. We both were bounced in 1951 and transferred to Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. We went there on a Schrafft's scholarship. Our mom waited on tables at Schrafft's in order to send us there. In those days it was pretty much a blue collar school. It wasn't that far removed from being a reform school. VERY STRICT. Today it's much more hoity toity. I'm still in close touch with my old classmates, most of whom have been successful in life.
Ernie was a great basketball player, the first to score over 50 points in a game in Bergen County (three times), breaking Sherman White's record. White was an All American but messed up his career in the 1950-51 college season. Ernie went to Fordham on an athletic scholarship.
Ernie died in 2002. He was a very special guy, extremely generous and giving. We miss him a lot. He lived a couple of blocks away from me as did most of my siblings. Sad to say, the circle grows smaller.
1959 OLL gradsAre you out there, does any one remember or know of any of the following graduates of O.L.L. -- Starr Martin, Carol Long or her sisters, Carlotta and Tony, Josephine Velez, Melvina (Kinky) Boyd, Chicky Aponte. I went of to Cathedral and the others to various Catholic high schools and lost touch. After finding this site, many memories have come back. Would like to know how old friends are doing.
600 W. 157thHi Jackie,
You lived around the corner from the post office. I remember going there once to get a money order and losing Mom's gray umbrella. Your building was by the Grinnell, where a friend's father was the superintendent during the 60s.
Liggett/Rexall -- we went to Snow & Youman's for drugs but to Rexall for film, flashbulbs and of course the soda fountain. The last time I was there was April 1965, just before my son was born. I do not recall a Warner's Cafeteria but do remember the famous, and oh so good, Imperial Deli, Lambos Flower Shop, Commander Bar & Grill, Full Moon & McGuire's.
I visited St. Catherine's about 1994 and it was like being in a time warp, except for the piano near the altar. The church was just as I remembered when I got married in 1964, only smaller. The school is now public. I am in touch with some of my friends from the Class of 1958. It was nice that your niece was able to visit the church where she was baptized.
I never heard of the Tioga Democratic Club or the Simonetti family (the only Simonettis I know are the family whose niece and son are engaged).
Jackie, was the pharmacy on the east side of B'way United or perhaps that was a sign for United Cigar?
So nice this walk down memory lane.
Best to your Eddie.
Peace,
Rita
Memories: dreams of long agoHi Rita,
My close friend June's, nee McAvoy, family lived in the Grinnell for many years. Her grandfather was Judge McAvoy. Eddie claims to have an exceptionally good memory but he says he needs to yield to you. You do have a most wonderful recall. However, he is more familiar with the OLL school and church neighborhood.
My brother-in-law (much older than Eddie and me) was in the vending machine business: Ace Distributing -- jukeboxes, cigarette machines etc. Eddie worked for him for a few years when we first married and the company had locations in almost every store in the neighborhood (including the Commander). That is a dead business today. How about Pigeon Park? You couldn't sit there.
Warm regards, Jackie Woods
GrinnellHi Jackie,
Do you recall a Doctor James Farley living in the Grinnell? Doctor Farley must have taken care of half of Washington Heights over a period of many years (had an office on 178 St. between Broadway and Ft. Washington Ave.).
Ah, Pigeon Park...I remember it well and always tried to circumvent it!
All the best.
Rita
I remember it wellHi Rita,
Our family physician was Dr. VanWorth, as an adult I visited Dr. Liebling, who had an office c. 156th. He later moved down to 72nd Street. A wonderful caring man (who made house calls). My son Ed Jr. was 58 years old this week, I have a picture of him when he was 1 sitting on a pony taken on the corner of 155th and B'way. John Orlando's brother married a St Catherine's girl. I don't know her age.
Ain't we got fun?
Jackie Woods
Current resident of the neighborhood (Grinnell)I'd like to invite you to visit www.audubonparkny.com, which is a virtual walking tour of the neighorhood you're discussing. You can "take the walking tour" online or go to the Sitemap/ Index of Images to read about specific buildings and see pictures from many eras.
I'm happy to post any pictures (and credit the owners) of the neighborhood that you'd like to share - focusing on the Audubon Park area (155th to 158th, Broadway to the river).
www.audubonparkny.com
Walking TourThanks so very much for posting the site for the Audubon Park area...I had a delightful walking tour.
Down Memory Lane at OLLWhat happened, did we all run out of memories?
Who remembers the stickball field comprised of Hamilton Place from 140 to 141st Street. A ball hit over the small roof on 141st was a double and over the roof at 95 Hamilton Place was a homer. After the war the street was so crowded with cars that the games were moved to Convent Avenue in front of CCNY. There was some heavy money bet on these games.
Walking TourThanks, Rita, I'm glad you enjoyed the walk! Please come back and visit the site again. I post a Newsletter on the homepage (www.AudubonParkNY.com ) each month highlighting new pages, information, and research, as well as updates on the Historic District project.
Matthew
The Prairie StateDoes anyone have memories of the Prairie State? It was a WWI battleship moored in the Hudson River at about 135 Street and I believe used for Naval Reserve training. As kids we snuck on board and played basketball on it. The deck (court) had a bow on it which is partially responsible for the replacement parts in my ankle today.
How about the "Dust Bowl" at 148 Street next to the river where we played football and baseball? Today it's state of the art, at least compared to what we played on. Now there is grass on the field. Progress!
Under the Via DockFar from being a battleship, the Prairie State (also called the Illinois) was an old transport. However, as youngsters we would have been impressed by its size.
Pancho and another neighborhood boy whose name I can't recall trained there before being sent to England as frogmen in preparation for the D-Day landing. It was decided that those boys with big chests (big lungs) could do the job best. I can recall Pancho telling me after the war that he had only a few days of Boot Camp.
Sports -- we used the oval near City College. Stick ball -- 144th between Amsterdam and B'way. A ball hit to any roof was an out, never a homer. Spaldines was Spaldings were costly in the 1930s. One had to learn to hit as far up the street as possible, over the sewers. That is why the good hitters (one strike only) were called three-sewer hitters.
The Prairie State was docked under the Via Dock c. 130th St. Like you, we visited it often. Nearby were the meatpacking/butcher plants. During the 1930s there were two "Hoovervilles" (hobo camps) under the dock. The overhead gave the men some some protection from the elements. I had an uncle who took me fishing off the piers. I felt sorry for the "lost souls." Then one day they were all gone. Hosed away! I used to wonder where they went.
In friendship
Ed Woods
eandjwoods50@yahoo.com
PanchoAs you recall, Pancho was short, about 5'8" and maybe 200 lbs. and a very good athlete -- basketball, baseball and could hold his own on a basketball court. I remember speaking to him about the UDT (Underwater Demolition Teams,the precursor to the Navy Seals) and asking him if they were relegated to swimming all the time. He told me they spent most of the time running, running, running to build endurance.
As I remember, the Oval was near Convent Avenue. We never used the term two sewers in stickball. That was a Bronx expression. We bought our pink "Spaldeens" at Rutenbergs candy store on Amsterdam Avenue between 140 and 141 Streets for a nickel. He also sold kids twofers, two for a penny loosies, and Bugle Tobacco so you could roll your own or purchase a corncob pipe to puff away. Loosies were two cigarettes for a penny. I understand due to the cost of smokes they are doing that again.
We played "swift pitching" in the park at Hamilton Place between 140 and 141 streets. It was comprised of drawing a box (a strike zone) on the the handball court wall and throwing balls and strikes as hard as you could. I'm a little younger then you but I remember the Swift Meat Plant down by the river and the time John Garfield filmed a scene from a movie, Force of Evil, running down the steps toward the river. Somehow he ended up at the red lighthouse under the GW Bridge and discovered his brother's body, played by Thomas Gomez, in the river. As kids during the war we would fish and crag off the docks right near the old Two Six Precinct. I'll never forget the time my younger brother came home with a catfish and an eel and damn near burned the house down trying to cook them.
Boy, life was a lot simpler then. Even with a world war raging.
Amsterdam AveRutenbergs, address 1628 Amsterdam, I lived in the upstairs bldg for five years. The Rutenbergs lived in an apt in the back of their store. Tommy Smith worked their paper route for many years. Tommy lived in 1626 next to McCarvill. The Conroys (Johnny the Bull) lived in 1630. Eddie O'Brien lived in 1634 over the Rothschild Deli where we could buy Old Dutch beer for 14 cents a quart plus a 5 cent deposit. "It's for my father." The playground around the corner was busy at night after it closed for the day.
My recall of loosies is six for five cents in a small paper bag with six wooden matches.
You refer to the station house as the "Two Six Precinct."
Something tells me you were "on the job." A good family friend, Frank Lynch, became the Captain at 152nd and Amsterdam (The Three Two)?
Your e-mail?
In friendship,
Ed Woods
Three Oh PrecinctYes I worked in the South Bronx for 25 years which included 10 years at the Yankee Stadium,ten of the best years of my life. A ring side seat at the world. We played many games there-- Shae, West Point, etc. -- and traveled to Venezuela with the New York Press team. I worked out with players on the DL. Thurman Munson was a good friend as was Catfish Hunter. Lou Pinella and Graig Nettles.
We guarded Pope Paul and Pope John Paul II. John Paul II gave off an aura that was indescribable. I was very close to him on three occasions and he made you weak in the knees and start to shake. Believe me it wasn't his celebrity status. Some of the people I knew were Cary Grant who used to look for me when he came to many games. Someday I'll tell you how he saved my marriage. A funny story! Jimmy Cagney came to a few games. Boy was that sad to see Rocky Sullivan, every Irish American kid's hero, all crippled up with arthritis.
I finished up in the Bronx Detective Task Force and never looked back. It was a great career if you rolled with the punches.
The six for five must have been filter tips.I forgot about the wooden matches. Do you remember the Hooten Bars they sold? One by two inch chocolate candy stuck on wax paper. Nobody seems to remember them. Rutenberg had the greatest malteds. They kept the milk frozen. God! Were they good!
The Three Oh Precinct was at 152 Street & Amsterdam Avenue across from St. Catherines Grammar School where I went to kindergarten for a day. Later it became Bishop Dubois H.S., which I attended for three years before getting bounced along with my younger brother.
There was a kid by the name of Neally Riorden who may have lived in your building and a kid by the name of Brian Neeson Hannon who died around 1945. I remember going to his wake on Vinegar Hill. Next we should take a trip down Vinegar Hill.
My e mail is fuzz408@optonline.net
God bless & HAPPY EASTER
Rutenberg'sRutenberg's had the greatest milkshakes mainly because they kept the milk semi frozen. They also had Hooten bars, sheets of one by two inch chocolate that sold for a penny each. I've never met anyone from a different neighborhood who heard of them.
Yes, I was on the job for 25 years in the South Bronx. Check your personal e mail. The Three Oh was at 152 Street and Amsterdam Avenue. It's now a landmark. The new precinct is on 151st Street of Amsterdam.
How about Wings Cigarettes with the photos of WW II planes?
The Shamrock Bar was on the corner of 140th Street and Amsterdam. On weekends guys would pick up containers of beer and carry them over to Convent Avenue for refreshments during the stickball games.
Take care,
Norm
PanchoLooking for any info on Pancho Periera. He is my godfather and was best friends with my dad, Frank Corrigan.
OLLumnaI went graduated from OLL in 1950. I came across this great site and I am wondering if anyone graduated the same year. I have been trying to get in contact with my fellow classmates and this looked like a great opportunity!
The Old ShamrockI visted the 140th Street area a few years ago and took a few pictures. The Shamrock is gone with the wind -- history.
I showed a picture of the building (1626 Amsterdam) to Vinnie McCarvill, who had lived there, when I met him for a beer in New Orleans a few years ago, and he almost wept. Some great memories of our Salad Days came to mind.
"Oh the nights at the playground on Hamilton Place." It's the place where we came of age.
In friendship,
Eddie and Jackie
ParishesOne thing folks from New Orleans and New York City have in common is that you identified your neighborhood by the parish in which you lived.
Agnes GerrityMy mother, Agnes Gerrity, born 1916, and her brothers Thomas and Richard (born c. 1914 and 1920) attended Our Lady of Lourdes until high school. All three have passed away but I'd love to hear if anyone happens to remember them. Like your mother, my mom loved that school and spoke of it often.
Anne Collins
OLL Confirmation Day 1935I thought former students would enjoy seeing the uniform we wore in Our Lady of Lourdes School Primary Dept (1st to 4th Grade) during the 1930s.
KnickersIt was humiliating having to wear knickers. Remember pulling them down to your ankles and thinking "maybe people will think they are pegged pants"? Boy did we ever fool the public! And how about the high starched collars -- I don't think they could have even gotten Freddie Barthomew to wear them. Didn't we replace them with waterboarding?
However Ed, they look great on you. Do you still wear them?
Old OLL picsDoes any one have some old OLL class photos or just some neighborhood pictures to post here in the comments? I'm sure a lot of Shorpy addicts would appreciate them.
OLLi go to school at lourdes now im in the 8th grade and i think its really cool to see people talk about the memories they had about my school before i was even born and i would love to see some kind of picture of the inside of the school like a class picture so i can see what it used to look like
[Just wait'll you get to Capitalization and Punctuation. - Dave]
Class of 1964I too went to OLL from '57-'64. My parents and I moved to 3495 Broadway at 143rd St. in 1956. I started in the 4th grade with Mother Mary William. The school in those days was no longer a military academy. We wore navy blue uniforms, white shirts and the school tie and the girls wore navy blue jumpers with a white blouse and blue tie. It was very interesting reading about all the students who came before me and where they lived. I always was so curious to find out how this old neighborhood looked like years before we moved in. As you all know, the area changed at some point racially, although when I was at OLL the school was still predominantly white with a handful of Black children. I will always have wonderful memories of my time at OLL. My parents moved out of the area in 1969 and I since been back once to recapture some old memories of my childhood.
NostalgiaThe picture that follows is the 1937 graduation class with the girls omitted. Monsignor McMahon built church and school(1901-1913); after 15 years as Curator at St Patrick's Cathedral, constructed 7 years earlier. See church of Our Lady of Lourdes for construction details. At the time of graduation, Fr's Mahoney, Dillon and Brennan resided across from the Church. The Poor Clares home was to right of the church, and secondary had Society of the Holy Name Jesus sisters. School and Church gave us faith and hope and discipline. Our world was the depression years followed by the wars. Our class of 1937 was just in time. The handsome lad below the sergeant stripes is the brother of contributor Ed Woods.Ed,and brothers Bill and Dennis served with distinction. Andy Saraga bottom right was a highly decorated Marines The others served as well. I hope Our Lady of Lourdes provides the inspiration our families sought for us.
Nostalgia 1937The 1937 graduation photo is great. It's with both sadness and pride to think that most of these wonderful kids would be defending our country in a very short time in different uniforms.Believe it or not this military training was useful. How about more pictures like this and some candid neighborhood shots.
OLL in the NYThttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/nyregion/16priest.htm
So interesting: A more recent residentJust want to say that I've read every entry on this post. It is so interesting to read the memories shared by those that lived way before you in the same neighborhood. My mother and I live on 135th Street near Riverside between 66th and 77th, then moved to 138th between Hamilton and Amsterdam. I went to PS 161 and graduated from CCNY. I also have fond memories of my childhood. I used to play basketball in an after school center at Our Lady of Lourdes as a young kid, visited the area a couple of years ago and brought back great pics.
Cheers to all
Mauricio
The Grinnell: Celebrating Its Centennial Those of you who remember The Grinnell (800 Riverside Drive) may be interested to know that the residents have just begun celebrating the building's centennial. We're having a year of events,so this is a great year to visit!
Check the website: http://www.thegrinnellat100.com/ for photos, historical news articles, and residents' memories (and contribute your own).
Click the calendar tab for a listing of the events between now and July 2011.
Matthew
Why Grinnel!The hundredth anniversary of a building? Forgotten is the fact that it's also the anniversary of the site building, and all the memories fast fading. I think Ed Woods of all the graduates, always hit the mark. Several others struggled to add something. If someone remembers the names of the sisters and preferably anecdotes please don't deny this information from this site. I personally remember sister Rose from 4th grade 1934. I believe Mother Michael provided my brother Andy's Confirmation name. Others with better memories speak up. Also it wasn't only our generation that owes recognition for all given freely.
Christmas at Our Lady of LourdesAt Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the statues in the creche would be replaced by live students. The scene would be repeated the following day at the 9 o'clock Children's Mass and the 11 o'clock High Mass.
A live baby would be borrowed to lie in the manger. The girl who posed as the Blessed Mother and the boy who posed as Joseph were the envy of the entire student body.
"Oh to return to yesteryear."
Happy New YearThank you SHORPY for bringing back to us so many wonderful memories. It has been said pictures are worth a thousand words. Shorpy's pictures, however, are worth so much more -- just can't put a number on them. Thank you and a Happy New Year to the Shorpy Staff.
Ed and Jackie Woods
[And thank you, Ed and Jackie, for inspiring the hundreds of interesting comments in this thread. - Dave]
The OLL neighborhoodIt's nice reading and re-reading your stories about OLL, Hamiliton Place,and seeing the names listed.
Many years ago, in my past, I visited the old neighborhood only to find it somewhat depressing, old and in poor shape. One time in particular I had parked my new "rental car" near West 144th street, and was showing my young children some of the places I lived on Amsterdam Ave, Hamilton Place ( 95 and 115 buildings) when two older African Americans came up to us, and said you'd be better not park here." It wasn't said as a threat, but more it's unsafe here, now that the area has changed. I had told them that I used to live here many years ago.
I am glad to hear from Norm, that the area has rebounded, and in looking at the prices of the real estate I wish we had stayed here.
Keep up the good work.
Matt Waters mattminn@aol.com
Hi Anon Tipster 1959. I used to date Carlotta Long & visited her lovely home many times. 147 off Convent as I recall. I often wonder in my old age (69) whatever happened to her & how her life turned out. I did graduate from Dubois in 1960, so I'm very familiar w/the sights & places referenced here. So glad I found this site.
Tis That Time of YearThank you SHORPY for another year of nostalgic pictures and comments. Brought to us in Black and White and Living Color.
Such fond memories of long ago, especially the itchy bathing suits. In the 1920s and up to the early 1940s, when on or near the beach and boardwalk, boys had to wear the coarse wooolen suits with the tops on at all times.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New York to Dave and staff.
Ed and Jackie Woods
Our Yearly PlaysI graduated in 1960 after 8 memorable years. I remember our yearly plays in the auditorium and all the hard work and practice we put into it. Father Hart was our pastor and I remember our farewell speech to him. My best friend was Lydia Marin and I remember Maria Santory, Joyce Brown, Maria Matos, Alma Mora, Maureen Quirk. If any of you from this class are around, give a shout.
Jackie Erick
Class of 1964Class of 1964 where are you guys? Write something here you remember. Do you remember me?
OLL Class of 1957Here's the names of the boys' teachers from 1949 to 1957. I think I have then all correct.
Grade 1, 1949-1950: Mother Mary Theodosia
Grade 2, 1950-1951: Sister Mary Macrina
Grade 3, 1951-1952: Mother Mary Eulalia
Grade 4, 1952-1953: Mother Mary Declan
Grade 5, 1953-1954: Mother Mary Edwards
Grade 6, 1954-1955: Mother Maria Del Amor
Grade 7, 1955-1956: Mother Mary Euphrates
Grade 8, 1956-1957: Mother Mary Rosario
Eighteen nuns lived in the convent adjacent to the church on 142nd Street: eight boys' teachers, eight girls' teachers, the school principal, known as the Reverend Mother, and the housekeeper.
Six priests and the pastor lived in the rectory on the south side of 142nd Street.
OLL was also known as Old Ladies' Laundry.
I've written down the names of almost all the boys who, at one point or another, were part of the class of 1957. Only 27 graduated in 1957. Many were expelled in 1956 as part of a crackdown on gang membership. Mother Mary Rosario was brought in to preside over a difficult situation, but after the expulsions her job turned out to be not that complicated.
I'll post the list of names another time.
Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni ReunionHello out there.
I am a current parent at Our Lady of Lourdes. As we enter a new decade, OLL would would like to start planning a few reunions. I am looking for some potential organizers to help us reach out and plan events in the new year. Please reach out if you are interested in planning or connect dots.
There are many new happenings at the school. We will be launching a new website by the end of the month with an alumni portion.
Thank you!
Vanessa
vdecarbo@ollnyc.org
Class of 1971Hi! I graduated in 1971 and our teacher was Sister Patricia. I remember Marlene Taylor, Karen, Miriam, Dina, Elsie, Maria and Robin, Carla, Margaret and Giselle. Our class was an all girl class. I also remember Sister Rebecca, Sister Theresa, Sister Rosemarie (our history teacher). I continued to Cathedral High School but I miss all my dear classmates. Is there anyone out there who enters this site? My email is n.krelios@yahoo.com I would love to hear from someone. Marlene Taylor became a doctor (wonderful!!!).
Shorpy Hall of FameIf there were a Shorpy Hall of Fame, this photo would definitely have to be in the inaugural class. I've enjoyed going through the many comments for this photo going back to 2007 even though I have absolutely no connection to the school other than being Catholic. What is equally as awesome is that a look at the location today via Google Maps indicates that, other than a few trees, fire hydrants, automobiles and removal of the statue, everything is basically the same today.
Double DutchKllroy is correct about not much having changed, but it looks like even the foreground fire hydrant is in the same place (but a newer model).
It looks like the circa 1914 photographer was set-up on the northeast corner of Amsterdam Avenue and 143rd Street. The Google Maps photo was taken travelling northbound on Amsterdam Avenue. So basically both photos are shot from almost the same location; it is interesting how the vintage image makes 143rd Street appear much shorter than in the Google image. I guess it's the result of different formats and lenses.
By the way, the buildings at the far end of the T-intersection, on Convent Avenue (mostly blocked by the trees in the Google image), reflect NYC's Dutch heritage [ETA:] as does "Amsterdam" Avenue.
(The Gallery, Education, Schools, G.G. Bain, Kids, NYC)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/SHORPY-01818u2.thumbnail.jpg "Our Lady of Lourdes: 1914")
- Paper Doll: 1936
- ... looking kid in goggles, I laugh out loud every time.
Bike Helmet? Is that some early motorized bike helmet hanging on the wall?
I have to wonder too if the girl would be ... Posted by Dave - 10/03/2023 - 4:45pm -
- Vital Foods: 1937
- ... Makes Mr. Kellogg's health regime seem mild.
The bike Can someone identify that great bicycle parked out front? What is that ... soup lines.
Tire pump The cylindrical object on the bike is a tire pump. I carry one on my bike in exactly the same place.
... Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 3:35pm -
![Washington, D.C., circa 1937. Exterior of the Happy News Cafe (described in a 1933 news item as "the new dietitian restaurant for the unemployed") at 1727 Seventh Street N.W. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size.
The font says, "It's circus time!"There's nothing like Bozo The Clown-style lettering on the sign to put the patrons in a good mood... but I doubt that they got any Coney Island red hots, popcorn, or cotton candy inside. Am I wrong, or is this a charity soup kitchen that was "tricked out" to look like a real restaurant? Maybe in an attempt to spare people the embarrassment of taking a handout meal?
Bernarr McFadden connectionNote the name "Bernarr McFadden Foundation." McFadden was a famous proponent of exercise and nutrition. A search on Google for "Bernarr McFadden" "Happy News Cafe" turns up exactly one reference - on Google Books - which explains the connection nicely.
Day by day in every wayDay by day in every way,
I am getting well (Ha!)
I am filled with health and strength,
More than I can tell (Ho!)
Now I know, I can go
All along the way (Ha!)
Growing better all the time,
And singing every day! (Ho!)
-- Marching anthem by Bernarr Macfadden, to be sung with gusto
Don't know if I would want to eat there. Some interesting articles written about him and his Foundation. Makes Mr. Kellogg's health regime seem mild.
The bikeCan someone identify that great bicycle parked out front? What is that cylindrical object between the frame members?
Tough TimesI note the "Ladies Dining Room" is upstairs... We wouldn't want any fraternizing with the enemy! And since they make a point that the food is actually served at a table, you know these were tough days in the Depression because that means that many places were more like soup lines.
Tire pumpThe cylindrical object on the bike is a tire pump. I carry one on my bike in exactly the same place.
Clowns to the Left, Jokers to the RightDig the "Ladies Dining Room." Speaking as a man, I say let's bring this idea back.
About Bernarr MacfaddenIt's worth checking out the somewhat hilarious Wikipedia entry on him. Apparently a bit of a celebrity in his time, this was the first I've heard of him.
The FoundationI see the Happy News Cafe was sponsored by the Bernarr MacFadden Foundation. MacFadden was a physical-culture promoter and magazine publisher. Interesting, that in the next picture, the cafe customers are all African Americans. Was the restaurant segregated or perhaps, was it placed in a black neighborhood intentionally? Were there other places like this in DC at the time?
GraphicsThat main sign is super! It really helps make the point about the establishment! But if the "Ladies Dining Room" was upstairs, why need that No Smoking sign downstairs? It would appear that there was really no bother about where the Ladies ate. Which would be logical.
[Because there were plenty of ladies who ate downstairs. - Dave]
Elder Solomon Michaux and Bernarr MacfaddenAccording to his obituary in the New York Times, Elder Solomon Michaux's Good Neighbor League fed "250,000 indigent people at its Happy News Cafe on Seventh Street in Washington" in 1933.
Bernarr Macfadden was the author of books like "Virile Powers of Superb Manhood" (1900) and "Strenuous Lover" (1904), as well as "Constipation: Its Cause, Effect, and Treatment" (1924) and the always-compelling "Predetermine Your Baby's Sex" (1926). In other words, he appears to have been into most of the fads -- many of them now viewed as hard science -- of the 20th century.
9-Cent Banquet
Washington Post, Jul 1, 1933
Educators Attend 9-Cent "Banquet"
A Barnarr McFadden "banquet," at a cost of 9 cents a person, was attended yesterday at the new dietitian restaurant for unemployed, 1727 Seventh street northwest, by Dr. Mordecai W. Johnson, president of Howard University, and Garnet C. Wilkinson, assistant superintendent of schools. They inspected the penny plant and expressed approval of its sanitary and scientific features.
Elder Michaux, who is giving all surplus foods each day for benefit of worthy colored families, was also in the party, as was Dr. Emmett J. Scott, Howard University secretary, and member of the parole board.
Arthur C. Newman, Guy D. Glassford and Eloise Skinner, completed the party.
LadiesThere appears to some discrepencies between this photo and the previous one of the same cafe. In this one there is a sign that says the ladies dining room is upstairs while the previous one shows everyone eating together.
There is also a sign on the window of this one that says everyone is "served at the table" while the previous one shows everyone going through a line cafeteria style.
[Lots of restaurants had "ladies dining rooms" for women who preferred them. That doesn't mean they couldn't eat downstairs in mixed company. - Dave]
Still there! Happy News!Just older and drabber, that's all.
View Larger Map
Battery case.I think the cylinder is the battery case for the headlight. I'm working on the bike brand.
Bike is either a Colson or a Huffman Best I can tell. Both of these bikes of this vintage had the radical curve in the twin bars near the seat.
Stuck in the dining room with...Dig the "Ladies Dining Room." Speaking as a man, I say let's bring this idea back.
Speaking as a lady, I couldn't agree more.
Throwing a history fitI wonder if there is a plaque or any historical marker attached to that building? That cafe was a pretty cool and historically significant place, in my opinion. Is it on the historical preservation list? It appears that the buildings to either side have been replaced since 1937. What is the use of the building today? It looks pretty shabby and forgotten in time.
No Lock!Best thing about the bike is that I don't see a lock.....probably had no need for one in those days. Wow, A time full of honesty!
Final wordIn these days, maybe it would be appropriate for some enterprising individual to reopen the Happy News Cafe in the original location. Great name for a coffee shoppe as well! And a tribute to the building's past glory. Why not?
Shelby AirfloThe bike is a mid to late 1930's Shelby Airflo. It's unusual to see this model sporting the chrome (or stainless steel) fenders but without the "tank." It is loaded with the lighting accessories. Delta "Silver-Ray" headlight on the front fender, a Delta "Horn-Lite" (horn and a headlight combined) on the handlebar, and the Delta "Defender" taillight. The aluminum tube held the batteries.
(The Gallery, Bicycles, D.C., Eateries & Bars, Harris + Ewing)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/23595a.thumbnail.jpg "Vital Foods: 1937")
- Bike Shop: 1912
- ... and probably the US. Below, the Huber & Metzger bike shop at 13 Grand River Avenue.
A hipster's dream What ... and not the one he shared with Huber.
http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/12/11/metzger-bicycle-shop-in-1912/
(The Gallery, ... Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 4:13pm -
![Detroit, Michigan, circa 1912. "Metzger bicycle shop. Detroit City Gas Co." This photo of a cycle (and phonograph) shop was taken to show off the gaslight fixtures. 8x10 glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
MotorcyclesI see four motorcycles on the left. An Excelsior Autocycle (Ignaz Schwinn was behind Excelsior motorcycles). Behind the Excelsior is a "camelback" Indian of about 1909 vintage, I think. Then another Indian and perhaps another Excelsior. In today's market those old motorcycles would extremely valuable and sought after by collectors. I think music, bicycles, and motorcycles would still make for a fun shop today.
RiddleWhat do gramophones and bicycles have in common? No, seriously, I want to know.
[Horns. - Dave]
Flash!Is that the reflection of the magnesium flash going off behind the men?
[It is! - Dave]
Huber & MetzgerBill Metzger started the first retail automobile store in Detroit in the old Biddle house. He became the first independent auto dealer in Detroit and probably the US. Below, the Huber & Metzger bike shop at 13 Grand River Avenue.
A hipster's dreamWhat beautiful bikes. As a cyclist, I would love to have one of them.
Just like today's hipster bikesNo brakes - no coaster brakes, no hand brakes.
All the with-it college kids are riding fixed gear bikes with no brakes these days.
Safety third!
FixiesAs far as I can see, none of the bicycles on offer have any brakes whatsoever. Such carefree times.
Well that's puzzlingI don't see any light fixtures that look like gas burners. I'm not aware of any glass bell shades pointing down that were ever used on gas lights. I'm pretty sure I can see bulb sockets on the perimeter lights, although I can't quite make them out. The fixtures in the center of the room have pull-chain switches on them.
[Each gas chandelier has a pair of pulls to regulate flow. Below is another example from Detroit City Gas Co. - Dave]
An Odd MixThe left side of the shop has a good selection of Victor Talking Machines. The right wall has shelves of Edison cylinders . I think I see a Columbia at the back of the shop. And all those bicycles! What a combination.
Mail CallI'd say those envelopes, in the showcases behind the Victrolas, hold recordings by John McCormick, Enrico Caruso, Rosemary Clooney and Elvis.
Early ironSome of those "bikes" are motorcycles.
Not all are bicyclesI spot at least two Indian and two Excelsior Auto Cycles on the left row and can't quite identify what is in back behind the two men sitting though I suspect another Excelsior.
All NaturalNot single black tire in the shop. Everything is natural rubber.
The sound of bikesI find it quite amusing that the two leading bicycle store chains in Israel, where I live, are called Matzman and Mintz. Something with the "TZ" sound drags people to deal with two wheeled vehicles, apparently!
The 8-track of 1912Those shelved items on the right are music cylinders. Music discs were a growing market in 1912 but looks as if this shop's owner had a lot of inventory to move before he could think about selling discs. (Judging by their loose-looking packaging, I don't think the items in some sort of vertical envelopes on the shelves on the left are discs, although if they are, they're way outnumbered by the cylinders.) Some of the songs of the day: "She Pushed Me Into the Parlour," "Daddy Has a Sweetheart (And Mother Is Her Name)," "Ragtime Cowboy Joe," "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" and Irving Berlin's "Keep Away From the Fellow Who Owns an Automobile."
Used MotorcyclesIt seems that these fellows dealt in used equipment as well, Indian Motorcycles produced the last Camelback gas tank single cylinder machine in 1908 (according to my father, who's the curator of a very large motorcycle museum). The Metzger Bicycle Concern would have a heart attack if they knew what that "old" Indian single was worth today.
[This picture could just as well be from 1908. - Dave]
Metzger Got AroundBill Metzger was also behind the Metz car, which has previously been a Shorpy subject. I learned that from a friend who I had sent this photo to.
Gas and ElectricThe center fixtures are gas, but the perimeter fixtures are electric. Best of both worlds when electric lighting was not necessarily bright or reliable.
Obsolete Stock The items on the left-hand shelf are most likely Victor records. Victor & Edison allowed their dealers to carry both lines, until Edison introduced a disc machine & Victor ordered its dealers to drop Edison.
All of the cylinders appear to be 2 minute records, although Edison introduced the 4 minute "Amberol" cylinder in 1908. Both were about to be discontinued in late 1912, along with open horn machines. The celluloid "Blue Amberol" record and a new line of Amberola (inside horn) cabinet machines were introduced in the Fall of 1912. Dealers were then allowed to discount the 'wax' cylinders, to clear their stocks.
By this time, Edison's consultants said people were "Victrola crazy", while Edison's cylinder business fell disastrously & Columbia quit cylinders altogether.
Bicycles & gramophonesIt's what they don't have in common that matters. Bicycles sell well in warmer months when people are outdoors. Gramophones sell well in colder months when people are indoors. I believe this is Metzger's shop at 351 Woodward and not the one he shared with Huber.
http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/12/11/metzger-bicycle-shop-in-1912/
(The Gallery, Bicycles, Detroit Photos, DPC, Motorcycles, Stores & Markets)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/4a26689a.thumbnail.jpg "Bike Shop: 1912")
- Bike to the Future: 1910
- ... either car is the owner or rightful occupant. As far as 'bike to the future', whoever laid their bike down on the curb may soon be reminded automobiles have a reverse gear.
... Posted by Dave - 10/12/2022 - 1:50pm -
![Bustling Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910. "Forsyth Street looking east from Hogan." As in the previous view, the Post Office is at left, Hotel Seminole on the right. Note the city-issued JACKSONVILLE license plates. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.
RevolutionaryBicycles were revolutionary when first presented as the Safety Bicycle in the late 1880s. Imagine quadrupling your daily travel distance! Plus many of the earliest automobiles mimicked bicycle technology with chain drive, spoked wheels, pneumatic tires, etc.
Oh, we were just admiring your automobileI couldn't find a floorplan for the Hotel Seminole. But I did learn it and the Bisbee Building were designed by Henry John Klutho, following Jacksonville's great fire of 1901. Klutho was in New York City in 1901, but realized an architect was about to be in considerable demand in Jacksonville, so he moved there. He adopted a new "Prairie-School" style of design. This style would later fall out of favor and much of his work was destroyed. Even later, what remained was appreciated all over again.
The occupants of both of these automobiles caught my attention. Somehow, I sense none of the men in contact with either car is the owner or rightful occupant. As far as 'bike to the future', whoever laid their bike down on the curb may soon be reminded automobiles have a reverse gear.
Not like todayWhere are all the overweight people?
Photos Taken Some Time ApartI think the roof-level photo was taken as much as an hour or so after the ground-level one was. In the ground-level photo, the shadow from the pole on stage right aims almost exactly at the light post, but by the second one it points several degrees toward the east, meaning the sun has moved to the west. Fifteen degrees worth of movement would (if I remember my astronomy class correctly) mean about an hour has passed.
There are also more people on the street in the ground-level photo, but by the time of the roof-level one, at least two diners and a waiter have arrived in the balcony restaurant of the Seminole on the right. Dinnertime, perhaps? I also think that this was taken in the cooler half of the year, because if it was summer in Jacksonville, those people would be sweltering.
The only vehicle that still remains appears to be the one in the foreground, which has, interestingly, backed up by half a car length or so. Similarly, the two men at it may be (if they are the same two people) be the only ones to appear in both photos. I definitely get "showing it off to his friend" vibes!
Facing factsJamesWH's chronology seems thoroughly consistent with what must be the best evidence available ... the P.O. clock: in the earlier (presented on Shorpy) picture of Forsyth the clock shows 1:08; the aerial shot shows 2:31.
If we're to assume the shots were all made on the same day, a logical progression is: the photographer took the westernmost shot first, then this shot, crossed the street, ascended the Buckman Building and took the third. Admittedly an hour is a long time to rise a few floors -- and the building had an elevator -- but perhaps some time was spent in setting up the camera. (Or maybe a stop was made at the Seminole's bar).
[Perhaps he was busy taking more photos. - Dave]
Easy CommuteMr. Joseph Fried (1861-1930), proprietor of the Rathskeller (117 West Forsyth), resided at 221 East Adams, a mere four blocks away. The 1910 city directory lists two phone numbers for the Rathskeller, 196 and 2637.
In reply to HaroldOThe Wright Flyer (which made the first powered, manned and sustained flight in 1903) also used bicycle technology, as in sprocket and chain drive to the propellers. The Wright Brothers had been involved in bicycle, motors and machinery manufacture.
Hats OffAnother wonderful scene full of hats.
Hats served many practical and useful purposes.
Tipping your hat slightly to signal a greeting.
Holding your hat to your chest to signal respect or mourning; during national anthem or funeral for example.
Waving your hat above your head to signal farewell or joy; at a parade or ship departure for example.
Holding your hat in one hand in front of you while bowing; an extended and respectful greeting with maximum effect.
Removing your hat while sitting in a movie theatre or church; another signal that you respect the environment and other participants.
Society lost some useful social skills when hats stopped being worn by everyone.
Lost WorldAll the men appear well-dressed and the few women rather elegant, even seen at a distance. To state the obvious, it's an entire civilization now gone forever.
(The Gallery, Bicycles, Cars, Trucks, Buses, DPC, Florida, Jacksonville)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/SHORPY-4a25086a.thumbnail.jpg "Bike to the Future: 1910")
- Bud and Dick: 1915
- ... Harris & Ewing Collection. View full size.
The Bike Looks like the 1915 V-Twin Indian. And after 10000 miles she'd have ... didn't.
ow ow OWWW Ten thousand miles?! On that bike? My butt goes numb after a couple hundred miles on a comfortable, modern ... Posted by Dave - 04/06/2013 - 11:56am -
![1915. "Baker and O'Brien, transcontinental motorcyclists, at north of Ellipse below White House." Dick O'Brien and Bud Baker were two "Washington high school boys" who made a five-month, 10,000-mile round trip to the West Coast to see the California expositions. Said Dick: "Our experiences will prove mighty interesting when we start to tell them." Harris & Ewing Collection. View full size.
The BikeLooks like the 1915 V-Twin Indian. And after 10000 miles she'd have been nicely broken in. Doubtless Bud and Dick went on to the next big adventure in a couple of years. I hope they survived that one, though so many didn't.
ow ow OWWWTen thousand miles?! On that bike? My butt goes numb after a couple hundred miles on a comfortable, modern Ducati or Triumph. I can't imagine a cross-country trip on that prehistoric Indian. It's a cute bike, but still...no thanks.
The Eternal Teenager, ReduxThe photos you present here often have a timeless and (almost) immediate quality to them that are capable of taking my breath away, Dave. I can't think of any other place that I've been -- not books, not movies - and certainly not old family photo albums - that have the ability to convey that sense. I live in a part of the U.S that is blessed with thousands of old houses and I've oftentimes looked at one, imagining how it might have looked the day the builders finished it. But because I am relying only on my imagination, I'm left with an incomplete, unsatisfied mental picture. Here, though, I can look into the faces of people long dead and see their youth and vitality clearly -- and I can appreciate the relative newness (and vitality) of a motorcycle that, more likely, I would otherwise only see in the back, dusty recesses of a junk/antique barn -- rusted, banged up and worn out. I hope that Bud and Dick went on to live relatively happy lives and died knowing that their lives weren't a waste of time.
Great DOF!I love the Depth of Field on this one. Look at the blurred car on the background. Looks great!
Interesting indeed...Cross country with no helmets? No leathers? Not even a saddlebag? My, what stories they must have been able to tell!!
Candid CameraI agree with Stinky on your incredible website giving us a whole new perspective on the way it was in days of yore. In all seriousness, I must say that the young man in the front looks very unhappy, almost like he is in pain. Its been said one can tell a happy biker by the number of flies in his teeth, but these kids really do not seem to be enjoying their adventure. And is that a "Clarabelle" horn on the handlebars?
Dick and Bud's Excellent AdventureWashington Post, Oct. 4, 1915.
10,000 MILES ON MOTORCYCLE
Two Washington Boys Back Home After
Trip to Pacific Coast.
Two former Washington high school boys -- "Dick" O'Brien, of Technical, and "Bud" Baker, of Central -- reached this city yesterday after a trip to the expositions in California on a motorcycle. They were gone five months to the day, and 10,000 miles were covered. The boys left this city May 3. At Denver they gave an exhibition of their proficiency by riding up and down the steps of the statehouse.
"We were, I believe, the first to cross the continent on a motor-driven tandem," said young O'Brien, "and our experiences will prove mighty interesting when we start to tell them. We were stopped for five days by reason of storms in Kansas, and at other points our patience was severely tested by poor roads. The roads of the East are far superior to those of the West, and the installation of the Lincoln memorial highway from coast to coast will go a long ways toward opening up a new country.
"In Reno the thermometer was 110 as we passed through, and an hour later we were throwing snowballs at each other on top of the Sierras. We stopped at the fair for some time. We are glad to get back home. But it was a great trip."
"Dick" O'Brien is the son of Richard E. O'Brien, inspector of plumbing in the District building.
Would it happen today?I find it difficult to believe anyone's parents would let a couple of HS teenagers disappear across the country today ... even in a car, let alone on a motorcycle. Did anyone do this kind of thing while still in high school in more recent times?
[So if you were 18 and and had just graduated from high school, you'd be asking Mom and Dad for permission to take a trip? - Dave]
Permission? What permission? At that time most boys over twelve were considered grown, and any parental effort to require permission to take a job or make a trip would have been seriously resented. To the point of the boy "riding the rods" to less nosy climes.
Quite a few young men made similar pilgrimages, to the West Coast, to Mexico, and anywhere else their fancy turned.
In fact, a twelve year old boy drove a CAR from Oklahoma to New York City to meet his father's returning troopship at the end of WWI. The greatest problem was the necessity for frequent tire repairs. This feat attracted a small amount of notice in the newspapers, and father and son took turns driving home.
Old Radio Man
Vroom"Dick" can ride on my backseat anytime, with or without a helmet.
1915 IndianFrom this video you can get a bit more of an idea of what the two intrepid teens had for a ride back in 1915.
Also, an excellent picture of another restored version here.
To see the bike in color makes me think Baker and O'Brien must have attracted a lot of attention from wide-eyed lasses across America.
Either time is frozen......or they are supported by a hidden pole. The emulsion (most likely on a glass plate) from 1915 was rather slow, so there would have been some blurring if the bike was in motion. But look at the spokes on the rear wheel, which are in sharp focus. The top spokes aren't blurred at all.
Methinks some photographic license is being taken here.
[Emulsions in 1915 were not slow. Fast enough to freeze a baseball. Shutter speeds were demarcated in thousandths of a second. - Dave]
Teens Always Dream of AdventuresAt my high school graduation, June 1969, here in upstate NY, a fellow classmate walked on stage to receive his diploma while wearing biker boots. Immediately after, his parents saw him and three others ride off on their motorcycles with backpacks to visit Baja Mexico. Teens will always dream of travel and adventure. I remember wishing I could go with them, still wish I went...
Pricey rideThe 1915 1000 cc Indian would have been a very expensive motorcycle in its day (and even more so now!). Baker and O'Brian must have saved a lot of money from summer jobs or had some very indulgent parents.
They also must have been excellent mechanics because motorcycles in those days took a great deal of on-going repair and maintenance to keep them functional. Other cross-country motorcycle diaries from those days indicate an amazing level of resourcefulness was necessary to to complete the trip. In one case, two fellows traveling by sidecar rig broke down and managed to repair the engine's ignition system mechanicals with a bit of material from the passenger's false teeth!
Bike SpecsIt appears to be 1913 or earlier since it does not have a headlight. Those were introduced in 1914. I've been Googling around trying to find the engine size/horsepower. Anyone know? I can't imagine it has more than 10-15hp. It looks like an oversized moped.
The wind in your hair...and the bugs in your teeth! Can you imagine riding all that way with no face protection from bugs, gravel, dirt, etc.? Only the young have that kind of fortitude!
[My guess would be that they at least wore goggles. - Dave]
1915 roadsIn 1919 the Army decided to send a truck convoy across the country from California to Washington, D.C. A young Captain Dwight Eisenhower made sure to get himself included in the adventure. They discovered the roads of America to be appallingly bad in many areas, and were almost forced to give up the journey on several occasions.
After many months they made it to their destination. Later in the 1950's, when Ike was president, this experience was a major factor in his determination to give the United States a first-class interstate highway system.
The roads these guys must have traveled would have been horrendous in many areas. A motorcycle would probably have had a better chance than a four-wheeled vehicle, but there were probably spots where they were just driving through total wilderness.
(The Gallery, D.C., Harris + Ewing, Motorcycles, Travel & Vacation)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/05778a1.thumbnail.jpg "Bud and Dick: 1915")
- Marines vs. Army: 1924
- ... "Fast Electric Trains" of the WB&A gave way to a nifty bike trail.
http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm
Cameras It's ... Posted by Dave - 01/23/2024 - 6:49pm -
- Sidewalk Squadron: 1942
- ... caption dramatically reduces a researcher's workload.
Bike Breeds Two Cleveland Welding Company (CWC) "Roadmaster" bikes (one ... producing bikes in September of 1935." The third boy's bike appears to be badged Winton, though that company stopped making bicycles ... Posted by Dave - 01/19/2023 - 9:26pm -
![July 1942. "Detroit, Michigan. Boys and a girl on bicycles." 4x5 inch acetate negative by Arthur Siegel for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.
Thanks for that caption, FSA!Without it, I would never have realized I was looking at boys and a girl on bicycles.
[The captions are a finding aid for researchers who may not have access to the negatives they describe, or to avoid having to take the negative out of its sleeve, and also because it can be hard to figure out what you're looking at in a negative image. - Dave]
Omira Avenue??Brick house on the right a spitting image for my grandmother's house. Same pipe fence around the pride-and-joy 6-foot lawn.
AhoogaI had (actually still have) one of those horns on my bicycle which I got around 1948. No batteries required and really LOUD.
Captions MatterIn regards to GlenJay's comment: having slogged through 12 linear feet of uncataloged negatives and prints in a local museum, I can verify that even a bare bones caption dramatically reduces a researcher's workload.
Bike BreedsTwo Cleveland Welding Company (CWC) "Roadmaster" bikes (one slightly older) ca. 1937-1941. From the Vintage American Bicycles website, "CWC started producing bikes in September of 1935." The third boy's bike appears to be badged Winton, though that company stopped making bicycles before 1900; but hundreds of badges were placed on various makers' models. Cannot ID the girl's bike, but it is certainly the de rigueur 1940s "girly" color model.
Remember the days when your bike handles fell off and you were left with cold steel?
Bell Bottom BluesSailor, Tuck in those pant legs, or else a member of the Sidewalk Squadron is going to make unwanted contact with it!
Child retirees ??We hear so much about restrictions on automobile tires during the war, but what about bike tires ? Were they similarly rationed, or was it just too minor an issue to bother with? (that would be hard to believe: it's seems like nothing was "too minor to bother with" during WWII.)
Waiting for someone to identify the models: I thought one was a Schwinn, but the spelling is wrong (unless they omitted one of the "N"'s as a wartime economy measure!)
[Roadmaster, Winton, ???, Roadmaster. - Dave]
Rubber shortageGlancing at the front bike tires made me think of rubber rationing and if bike tires were rationed. Of course. Immediately after Pearl Harbor ALL rubber was rationed/banned for most civilian use from tires to hot water bottles to rubber shoe soles.
I had never heard of these but there were Victory Bicycles built during the war to aid with transportation. Less metal by weight, elimination of the frills, small amounts of strategic metals, narrower size tires. Neat photo today that had me diving into bikes in WW2.
Is that a rock?Why hang a rock from your handlebars? And if it's something else -- what is it?
[The girl has one, too! - Dave]
Not an onion, but ...with apologies to Abe Simpson, "So I tied a rock to my handlebars, which was the style at the time!"
My mom (b 1942) told me that in Des Moines in the '50s it was popular for girls to tie a thread around the neck of a dime store chameleon and pin the other end to your blouse so the little lizard could walk around on your shoulders.
Crackerjack outfitThe guy on the left has a sailor hat and bellbottoms. Was there a high school Naval ROTC equivalent at the time?
(The Gallery, Arthur Siegel, Bicycles, Detroit Photos, Kids)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/SHORPY-8c28579a1.thumbnail.jpg "Sidewalk Squadron: 1942")
- A Day at the Races: 1918
- ... Clearly I don't understand what's going on here.
The bike, the bike! The cars are great but my eyes naturally go straight to the Indian in ... Posted by Dave - 09/12/2011 - 11:22am -
![June 1, 1918. Six of the eight contestants in the 100-mile Harkness Handicap on Sheepshead Bay Motor Speedway's two-mile wooden oval in Brooklyn, New York. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size.
Track SuitsOne wonders if fans were expected to wear a white shirt, tie and straw hat to the race track today, would the stands be empty? But times change, as does our approach to fashion and entertainment; I can remember when my mother wore a hat to the grocery store in the 1950s - and she was no buttoned-up lady!
MechanicThe mechanic's duties included controlling engine temperature (with radiator shuttors) and maintaining oil level (with manual pump).
[The New York Times articles on this race also mention that among the duties of the "mechanician" is to serve as a rear-view lookout to see who's gaining. - Dave]
Two man crews, yes!In the early days of driving a 2-man crew was the rule. The second man was not a driver; he was a "riding mechanic." He was there mainly to change tires, which would go flat and/or blow out at the slightest provocation. However, the better riding mechanics could repair some fairly serious breakdowns on the track. This was, of course, much more important in endurance races (not sure if that term was used as early as 1918 but there certainly were such races in existence then). Later, better known endurance races were the Mille Miglia and Carrera Panamericana.
I'm not positive about this, but I believe in the WW I time frame it was not uncommon for well heeled owners to carry a riding mechanic even for "civilian" (non-racing) driving. This could get crowded, with chauffeur and riding mechanic up front and the family in the back seats.
Lots of wood!Especially when one considers the fact that the planks were laid vertically
Two-man crews?Most (all?) of these racers appear to have two-man crews.
One assumes that the basic tasks of driving, even with these exotic machines, were within the capabilities of a single man, as they are today.
So what's the second dude there for? In case the primary driver needs a nap? But they're driving on a circuit. If there was a need for a relief driver, you could just swap 'em out in the pit stop.
Clearly I don't understand what's going on here.
The bike, the bike!The cars are great but my eyes naturally go straight to the Indian in the foreground. When do we get to see some bike races? Vrooom!
Wood OvalThe track surface had me wondering. So I looked up the history on this speedway and found out it was boards. That took a lot of trees for a two mile oval. The article I read was from a 1915 NYT story on a race coming up. They also mentioned that the cars were able to hit 120 which follows up on that point on another thread below. So probably even faster by 1918.
One question for the knowledgeable commentors, and you know who you are. Did a racing mechanic back then have any responsibilities during a race other than sitting next to the driver and waiting to do something, you know, mechanical?
Riding mechanicsIn his book "Eddie Rickenbacker," Walter David Lewis writes:
Riding mechanics, who sat beside the driver, had the most hazardous job of all. Unlike drivers, they could not brace themselves with the steering wheel if a car went out of control. Indeed, in some race cars a riding mechanic could not sit at all but merely clung to a strap behind the driver's seat, on the right-hand side of the vehicle, and braced his left foot on a projecting piece of metal. In Fryer's racer, Edd sat in a bucket scat, with handles on either side. Like other riding mechanics, however, he stood a good chance of being thrown into the air and killed in a serious accident.
Riding mechanics had arduous duties. Before a race they worked practically around the clock, oiling components and checking connections. At the starting line it was their responsibility to crank the engine. During the heat of a contest, because gravity-feed fuel supply and splash lubrication systems were highly unreliable, their principal duty was to keep gasoline and oil flowing to the engine. Closely monitoring gauges on the dashboard, they vigorously manned bicycle-type air pumps and plungers to maintain fuel and oil pressure when necessary. They also kept an eye out for excessive abrasion and wear on the tires, which were notoriously undependable in the early days of motor sport. Using hand signals, they constantly kept the driver aware of what was happening behind him, especially if another car was about to pass. They had to be ready in an instant for any emergency. If there were blowouts, riding mechanics helped drivers change tires. One of the few detailed accounts of their activities called them the "forgotten heroes of the speedways," saying that they "had to be fearless and possess the overwhelming passion to compete."
One riding mechanic noted in an interview in 2000 that it was his job "to read the blackboard when the cars roared by the pits to see their position, tell his driver whom to pass, look for tire wear and pump up the fuel pressure."
Boards vertical becauseYou don't want a horizontal board working loose when you're approaching it at 100 plus. Especially with those brakes and those tires!
Is that Buddy Hackett?I was watching "The Love Bug" with my kids and the final race had two-man crews in the car. Somehow I don't see the need to weld the two halves of these cars together during the middle of the race.
(The Gallery, Cars, Trucks, Buses, G.G. Bain, NYC, Sports)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/26958u1.thumbnail.jpg "A Day at the Races: 1918")
- Birmingham Messenger: 1914
- ...
Birmingham Messenger Just curious how he stopped the bike since there appears to be neither a "coaster" brake nor hand brakes?
... messenger This would most likely be a fixed gear bike, which is stopped by applying stopping force to the pedals while moving. ... Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 3:39pm -
![October 1914. Birmingham, Alabama. "A typical Birmingham messenger." Photo by Lewis Wickes Hine. View full size.
Birmingham MessengerJust curious how he stopped the bike since there appears to be neither a "coaster" brake nor hand brakes?
birmingham messengerThis would most likely be a fixed gear bike, which is stopped by applying stopping force to the pedals while moving. There is no ability to coast. Some people still ride these type of bicycles today! Lee
birmingham messengerinterestingly, fixed gear bikes are especially popular among urban bike messengers.
fixed gear baby!fixed gear baby!
[Recent NYT article on fixies here. - Dave]
Track BikeThis type of bike is also favored by extremely serious bike riders/racers. I've been on touring rides where a few of riders had track bikes: they are tough going up hill and scary downhill.
A number of years ago I knew a woman who lived in Washington and commuted to work at the Library of Congress on one. One day a local punk tried to ride off on it and went down almost immediately when he tried to freewheel. She walked over, picked up here bike and to the jerk, "My bike doesn't like strangers riding it."
(The Gallery, Bicycles, Birmingham, Lewis Hine)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/03935u.thumbnail.jpg "Birmingham Messenger: 1914")
- The Children's Army: 1942
- ... them as they were in '42. That would be a photo
The bike The bicycle at the bottom right gave it away for me. No tires, no ... glance thought I thought 50's or 60's until I spotted the bike. Great color for the early 40's!
DC Kids I love this picture.
... Posted by Dave - 04/14/2022 - 2:26pm -
- Bike Raffle: 1954
- ... display in city hall, with the reminder to register your bike.) I think the plate cost 25 cents, which was a substantial amount for a ... Posted by ZebraMan - 07/21/2013 - 8:08pm -
- Incognito: 1890
- ... print. View full size.
Awesome (and imposing) bike! How on Earth did you get on top of that? And how did you keep your ... but it certainly failed to conceal her gender in those bike pants.
Horsing around with a bicycle I'm pretty sure one mounts ... Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 3:26pm -
![Circa 1890. "Frances Benjamin Johnston, self-portrait, dressed as a man with false mustache." The Washington, D.C., photographer was one of the first women to rise to prominence in the profession. Albumen print. View full size.
Awesome (and imposing) bike!How on Earth did you get on top of that? And how did you keep your balance? I've heard velocipedes (that´s their name, right?) were really fast, but also very unstable. And when it came to stopping, how did you keep from falling?
This photo ranks high in my favorite list, definitely!
Never assume...I will assume that profession is photography, not cross-dressing.
I have so many questions!Starting with how tall is that door? Or was she just a tiny woman who made the door seem giant in comparison?
Also, what about the draped painting or mirror on the wall? Was it simply draped so as not to distract from the photo's subject, or for some other reason?
I have a friend who has one of those bicycles tattooed on her ankle. They look awfully complicated to mount, let alone ride.
CognitoI don't know how well her disguise concealed her identity but it certainly failed to conceal her gender in those bike pants.
Horsing around with a bicycleI'm pretty sure one mounts them the same way one mounted a horse. In the pre-automobile era people put mounting blocks outside buildings. These were basically stone (sometimes wood) platforms with two or three steps leading up to the platform area. The mounting area was typically 3 feet by four feet or so.
When you mounted the bicycle you were standing tall enough, thanks to the block, that the bicycle seat was below your own seat.
As for how you stopped them -- uhm, with great difficulty? I do not know if they have some kind of braking mechanism at the top of that wheel or not. I see something there. But since it is direct drive on the hub of that front wheel, you can stop it by no longer pedaling forward.
How you keep it from tipping over after you stop it--I haven't a clue.
How to handle itI found a couple of videos demonstrating mounting technique, and it appears to require some agility. A summary:
1. There is a small step on the left side of the rail, down toward the smaller wheel. Put the left foot on the step and both hands on the handlebars.
2. Kick with the right leg to start rolling, then use the step and handlebars to lever the body up toward the seat.
3. Throw the right leg over the seat and onto the right-side pedal as it comes up.
4. Straighten out and get the left foot onto the left-side pedal, and ride away.
The Dreaded HeaderYears ago I had a co-worker whose hobby was penny-farthing bicycles. Infamous for their propensity to propel hapless riders into a "header" -- when they were pitched over the driving wheel upon encountering an obstruction. Which explains why the more conventional design that came along later was known for a time as the "safety bicycle."
High-wheel FaceplantSomething rarely if ever mentioned about the penny farthing and other high-wheelers is the problem with braking. You can see the brake just above the top of the wheel. If this was applied hard enough, the seat (and rear wheel) would rotate with the main wheel, slamming the rider into the ground.
One solution was to put the little wheel at the front, but by then the symmetrical two-wheeler was taking over.
Pounds, shillings and....This type of bicycle was termed the "penny-farthing" in Britain (and throughout the Commonwealth) due to the sizes of the big wheel (the penny) and the little wheel (the farthing).
The bikes were mounted via a little step just above the small wheel -- partially hidden here by the lady's legs.
Step 1A.K.A.A "Boneshaker" for obvious reasons.
Self-Portraits in the 1890sI can't see a cable in this image, but self-portraits were doable in the 1890s. Photographer Alice Austen shot many self-portraits, using a pneumatic cable to release the shutter, as early as 1884.
Whoa!Simply stopping pedaling does not stop the bike - the pedals ratchet while coasting, just as most modern bikes do. The small "finger" looking device at the top of the wheel is the brake, activated by the levers on the right handle bar. It is not very effective, but its better than nothing.
Riding one of these is more like riding a unicycle with a training wheel! They can be very fast, and if you fall, you REALLY fall, usually on your face. The gyroscopic precession with that tall wheel makes turning at slow speeds interesting, but once up and rolling, the bike is amazingly stable.
Mounting blocks? Neigh.Mounting a velocipede or high wheeled bicycle is an art. Using a mounting block wouldn't work -- the bike has to be moving or else you fall over. You have to get a running start, pushing the bike, then put a foot on the frame step, somewhat like a stirrup, and in a single fluid motion you throw yourself up and over the frame, landing in the seat.
Taming the BicycleMark Twain on "Taming the Bicycle."
Self-PortraitPardon my ignorance about photography but how did someone take a self portrait back in 1890. They couldn't have had timers on the cameras back then so how was it done? There does look like there is some sort of cable running down from the wall hanging but I can't quite make out where it ends up. Is there some sort of apparatus where she would squeeze a bulb that would trip the lens and take the picture?
[Probably the apparatus known as "assistant who squeezes the bulb." - Dave]
Extreme penny farthing-ingAt least two people have ridden around the world on penny farthings.
Around the World on a Bicycle by Thomas Stevens, first published in 1887 is available in hardback, and as a free e-book at The Gutenberg Project.
Joff Summerfield did it between May 2006 and November 2008.
EpiphanyI always wondered why the first bicycles were shaped so funny, why the seats were so high.
My theory is that the height of the seat was the same as the average height of a horse's withers, so coming from a culture built entirely around horses as transportation, it makes sense that the first bicycle would have been designed to mimic the height and foot placement of a saddled horse.
[The reason is more mechanical than cultural. The only way to build a reasonably speedy direct-drive cycle is with a big wheel, with the diameter determined by the length of the average person's legs. Bicycles with smaller wheels and comparable speeds weren't possible until the introduction of the sprocket-and-chain gearset. - Dave]
Her Left FootPerhaps her extended left foot, with toes suspiciously out of the frame, is squeezing the bulb.
Extraordinary Lady!I'm beginning to develop a great fondness for Ms. Johnston and her work!
Remarkable woman. *swoon*
(The Gallery, Bicycles, D.C., F.B. Johnston)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/04884u1.thumbnail.jpg "Incognito: 1890")
- Eggs Kerosene: 1939
- ... I can look it up, and I did, but it’s so vague.)
The Bike The most amazing thing is that it appears the bike is not chained to the pole. Nowadays, an unchained bike would have been ... Posted by Dave - 09/15/2022 - 11:16am -
![June 1939. Savannah, Georgia. "Negro grocery store." Last seen here. Medium format acetate negative by Marion Post Wolcott for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.
Savannah ConfirmedSee the sign for the circus in the upper right hand corner.
The Magnolia sideThis pic further supports the Savannah (vs. Sylvania) premise, since the distant undercrossing (to the Savannah Union station) matches the Sanborn map. Will we move down the street to 737 and 735 Magnolia and find out what they were ???
What's in a title?This one could have easily been called Fish Lard.
Amazing PricesPoor people stuck to the basics in those days. Today that location is underneath a freeway.
Turn the cornerThank you, Marion Post Wolcott, for showing us the other side. I’ll have a pound of fish for a nickel and a pound of short ribs for a dime, please, Oh, and what’s white meat? (I know, I can look it up, and I did, but it’s so vague.)
The BikeThe most amazing thing is that it appears the bike is not chained to the pole. Nowadays, an unchained bike would have been stolen before the owner even made it to the front door.
Not For SaleOf all the items in that store, I would love to have the bike!
A nice cuppaTetley Tea is a very English product so a bit surprised to see it advertised so far from home so long ago.
[The coffee they sold also came from faraway lands. - Dave]
(The Gallery, Bicycles, Gas Stations, M.P. Wolcott, Savannah, Stores & Markets)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/SHORPY-8c10389a.thumbnail.jpg "Eggs Kerosene: 1939")
- Our New Ride: 1921
- ... 1921. "Times bicycle contest." Winners of a Mead Ranger bike for selling 30 newspaper subscriptions. National Photo Co. View full ... From a few period ads, it appears that a Mead Ranger bike might fetch about $20. In today's money, that's about $240. Pretty nice ... Posted by Dave - 08/13/2013 - 3:38pm -
- Boompy's Bike: c. 1920
- ... When I was little, my dad took me to “Cousin Bernie's” bike shop to get an old English Racer refurbished for me to use.
... Posted by hoteldennis - 03/31/2011 - 10:03am -
- Boy on a Bike: 1900
- "Boy on bicycle ca. 1895-1916" is the improvised title of this 5x7 dry plate from the C.M. Bell portrait studio in Washington, D.C., whose legacy is a collection of some 30,000 glass negatives recently digitized and catalogued by the Library of Co ... Posted by Dave - 12/27/2016 - 10:42pm -
!["Boy on bicycle ca. 1895-1916" is the improvised title of this 5x7 dry plate from the C.M. Bell portrait studio in Washington, D.C., whose legacy is a collection of some 30,000 glass negatives recently digitized and catalogued by the Library of Congress after spending the better part of a century in "a succession of basements and farm buildings." View full size.
Background Fungus?The background was a bit of a puzzle until I recalled something I learned right here on Shorpy: Old negatives can be attacked by fungus. I surmise this is a severe case of fungal attack.
(Makes one realize how much of a blessing digitization is.)
[The culprit here is most likely mold resulting from water damage. -Dave]
The headlight is interesting. It might be a carbide/acetylene lamp like some underground miner's headlamps, or it might be an early dry cell electric.
Many years ago, I saw a British-made bicycle headlamp that used a rectangular 3-volt battery which was two cylindrical zinc-carbon cells in a single enclosure. It had brass contact strips on the top and front. I believe these batteries have been obsolete since circa WW2.
Judging by the apparent size of this lamp, it might be an electric lamp which takes one of these 3v. batteries. But, the top looks somewhat like a vent, so acetylene still seems like a good guess.
PoshA well-dressed kid and a well-appointed bicycle (headlight!)plus, of course, his presence in a photo studio suggests that this is a child of privilege. Who did he grow up to be?
He grew to be...TV Tommy Ivo before he got his 4 engine dragster.
DigitizationTrue, it doesn't get moldy, but I wonder if a flash drive stored in a damp basement for 100 years would yield any images?
Oil?There seems to be a long springy bracket on the front lamp and, together with the vent, suggests to me that there is paraffin (kerosene?) in the bottom tank. Without good springing the flame would go out when shaken on a bumpy road.
The valve on the rear tyre looks shorter than the UK one used at that time; would it have a tubular rubber insert?
Little Lord Fauntleroy?Without the curly hair, but the same winsome smile.
(The Gallery, Bell Studio, Bicycles, D.C., Kids)](https://www.shorpy.com/files/images/SHORPY-25849a.thumbnail.jpg "Boy on a Bike: 1900")
- Kids at Bike shop
- ... date, likely around 1920s. Group of kids in front of a bike shop, I'm thinking in Rockland Maine. My wife got several photos from a ... Posted by mhallack - 03/06/2011 - 11:31am -
- A tall bike for a short kid, 1895
- ... back is Jim Smiley. Jay and Jim must have been out for a bike ride in Shelby, Ohio, where the picture was taken. The year is around ... Posted by Dana - 07/21/2009 - 1:40am -
- Boy, Bike, Boat: 1906
- The Detroit River circa 1906. Steamer Tashmoo at St. Clair Flats, Michigan." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
What was he thinking? When enlarging these pictures, I often find it riveti ... Posted by Dave - 10/08/2014 - 6:11pm -
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