For reasons lost to history, these women, office and cafeteria employees of the Cleveland Wire Works of General Electric Co., in Euclid, Ohio, were given an opportunity for some sunshine and to sneak a quick smoke in 1944.

This is a found photo. Written on back: "March 1945. Dexter Nunley, T5 and myself on guard at a disabled glider that put down near our camp at Lasne-Chapelle - Saint Lambert, Belgium. No one injured."

Allied combat gliders were towed behind modified bombers or transport aircraft and used in some of the riskiest missions of World War II.

Lasne-Chapelle-Saint-Lambert in Province du Brabant Wallon (Wallonia) is a city located in Belgium about 13 miles south-east of Brussels, the country's capital. General Courtney Hodges' U.S. First Army liberated the region south of Brussels and Maastricht in early September 1944. On February 4, 1945, the country was reported to be free of German troops. Following liberation Belgian towns were widely targeted by unpiloted German V-Bombs, particularity centered on the Port of Antwerp. German crews fired more than 4,000 V-1s and more than 1,700 V-2s at greater Antwerp. Lasne-Chapelle-Saint-Lambert is located approximately 57 miles south of Antwerp.

        UPDATE: Our astute commenters have identified this as Pittsburgh's Gateway Center, circa 1952.

This is by far the most unusual photo (from a stereo slide) that my grandfather ever took. To this day it still does not look real to me but more like an artists rendering of what the building will look like when completed. I have no idea where it was taken but a good guess would be Pittsburgh, as that is the nearest city to where he lived (Titusville) and ran a camera shop for 32 years. I would guess the year is the late 1940's or early 50's judging from what I can see of some cars that appear to be taxis lined up in front of the building on the right side. I tried to estimate just how many sides and windows there would be in this building complex but gave up after still not being convinced it was real. View full size.

        In just a few weeks, Shorpy turns 12. Which in blog-years is something like 100. To remain a going (and growing) concern well into Shorpy's teens, we'll need to upgrade this web site's cozy yet creaky infrastructure -- a remodeling project that includes pages with bigger type, photos and thumbnail galleries, compatibility with mobile devices, streamlined commenting, support for social-media log-ins and more original content. All of which requires your support if we are to remain online. Details below! -- Dave

We're excited to announce Shorpy is now on Patreon. In case you're wondering, Patreon is an easy way to contribute to Shorpy. In return you'll get access to special content and rewards. But, importantly, your contributions will help underwrite the cost of keeping Shorpy running and will let us make some upgrades to the site. Thank you to the loyal members who have made Shorpy a success. Check it out.

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Christmas in Buffalo, NY. 1917. The year is a guesstimate based on the birth dates of Hermann (1912, on the left) and Johanna (1911). They are enjoying their new toys under the tree lit with actual candles.

In additional to the traditional train by the tree I find most fascinating the horse-drawn milk delivery wagon. This image doesn't show it well but the horse is mounted on a wheeled platform for smoother playtime.

This image was digitized from a 4x5 glass negative.

Wirthmore Feeds, Post Office and General Store,Londonderry, New Hampshire, mid-1940s.

Found in an archives collection of Peoria, Illinois area World War I and II military pictures, obtained by Jr Owens, of JRs Mini Mall Vintage Store in Pekin, Illinois.

Unknown (of yet) World War II Servicemen from Peoria, Illinois, R&R time at the Lake Lugano Area. Lake Lugano is a glacial lake which is situated on the border between southern Switzerland and Northern Italy. The servicemen and servicewomen were with the logistical unit of ADSEC or ADSEC/COMZ, "The Advance Section, Communications Zone", European Theater of Operations, United States Army (ETOUSA), 1944 to 1945.

ADSEC was responsible supplying the advancing army, with ordnance and munitions; operated field hospitals, and supplied the front-lines with much needed blood, they also provided transportation of oil and gas, and were instrumental in the detail supply planning for Normandy.

(Recovered from fused and water-damaged 120 and 135 roll film)

Unknown (of yet) World War II Servicemen from Peoria, Illinois, R&R time at Lake Lugano, Italy. Lake Lugano is a glacial lake which is situated on the border between southern Switzerland and Northern Italy. And on the same trip, on same Lake, a ski outing, staying at the Park Hotel, Alpenhof in Switzerland and Adler Hotel & Erica Schweizerhof in Lugano, Switzerland. The servicemen were with the logistical unit of ADSEC or ADSEC/COMZ (Technical Corporals and Sergeants), "The Advance Section, Communications Zone", European Theater of Operations, United States Army (ETOUSA), 1944 to 1945.

ADSEC was responsible supplying the advancing army, with ordnance and munitions; operated field hospitals, and supplied the front-lines with much needed blood, they also provided transportation of oil and gas, and were instrumental in the detail supply planning for Normandy.

(Recovered from fused and water-damaged 120 and 135 roll film)