THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL PHOTO ARCHIVE • FRAMED PRINTS • STOCK IMAGES

Photo taken on the boardwalk of Coney Island around July, 1948 by my mother on a family outing from the Bronx. The Dodgers were still in Brooklyn and Steeplechase park was one of the most creative and exciting amusement park rides of its day.

Dad was a milk truck driver for Sheffield Farms Dairy one of the earliest suppliers of hygienically sold milk in the city. His "trucker's wallet" on a pocket chain was part of men's wardrobe in the day.

Steeplechase park included many fun family attractions including a gravity-powered ride in which people raced each other while riding wooden horses that glided along parallel metal tracks over a long and curving course. I was too little to ride what was considered a bit dangerous adventure. An entire family could spend the day at Steeplechase, picnicking and walking through the gardens. Of course, they'd also likely end up splurging on a few of Steeplechase's carnival games or other rides not included in the combination ticket.

Steeplechase park opened for the 1897 season and was an immediate success. Tilyou's park was more than just a collection of rides. He had well-maintained gardens and benches and areas where families could picnic. Bands played it closed in 1964.

From family collection. View full size.

January 1st or 2nd, 1929. Tivoli Schouwburg, Rotterdam, Netherlands. I found this photograph in an album of my parents labeled [1931-1934]. No information was given, only a number 13290004 and the name of the production company, Nederlandsch Photo-Bureau "Polygoon" was to be found on the back side. With the help of Spaarnestad Photo we were able to find out what happening was recorded here, and where it took place.

This is my father, John (on right), and his older brother, Rhea, in the summer of 1944. My father is seven years old, and his brother is nine years old. I believe this was taken in front of their grandmother's house in Whiteville (Hardeman County), Tennessee. View full size.

"International Association Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local #5. Dec. 21, 1945." I found this 10" x 17" print at a swap meet. View full size.

The staff of Ozark High School in southern Missouri posing for a group photo sometime in the early 1930s. The kids peering out of the windows are apparently having a good time watching.

My grandmother, Gussie, is on the far right, second from the front. She was about 30 years old when this photo was taken. The woman in the center of the front row is Gussie's aunt, Blanche, who was only 3 years older than my grandmother. Blanche died on August 29, 1934 at age 34. View full size.

1902. "Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia." Home to the gaudily attired News Depot. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Photographic Company. View full size.

After suffering a bloody shin incident, there was still a smile ready for the camera. My aunt Margaret and father Don were frequent visitors to Avila Beach when growing up in San Luis Obispo, CA. 1933. View full size.

Circa 1917, near Watervliet NY, two of my wife's aunts, (the two little girls on the left) with their mother and other family members, having fun the way they did it back in the day. View full size.

My grandfather on my father's side drove the school bus in Christian County, Missouri for many years. This is him leaning on the hood of his school bus in about 1950.

His route crossed the Riverdale bridge that was built in 1906-1907, and he would sometimes stop to let the kids admire the view of Finley Creek. He would take me fishing below the old powerhouse visible on the left of the photo when I was a child.

The old bridge was replaced several years ago with one that allows two cars to pass at the same time, but has no character. The powerhouse and the old store across the road (not visible behind the bus) have both been fenced off as private property. View full size.

July 1976. We took a trailer trip cross country. Here's my brother-in-law's car going through the same log tunnel. I wonder how many other similar photos exist. View full size.

My mother Judy (on the left) hams it up with her best friend Bobbie at the New York Historical Society in 1951. It was Mom's first job after graduating from college. The picture appears to have been taken professionally, as there are others from the same shoot. Not sure what the intended use was. NYHS literature or newsletter perhaps?

Nathan's Original Famous Frankfurters. Purchased a few originals ten years ago.

My father's family moved from a Kansas farm to Riverside, California in 1936. This picture was taken, probably by my grandfather, Paul, at about that time. I don't know if this picture was before, during, or after the trip. I remember my grandfather, in about 1970, talking about the trip from Kansas. He said that there were some poor people who suffered, but it was not like that for everyone. There was always food for his family, and he worked every day (from 1936 to 1970) except for 3 days. He ran a small dairy farm in the 1950s, and then he was a housepainter until he was about 80. He died in about 1975. I am wondering what kind of car that is.

I found a lot of negatives among my mother's effects and this was among them. Most of the photos seem to be from Tennessee, Georgia or Alabama, but I have no idea about this one. Can anyone help?