This crew, using one of the larger machines, is preparing the surface of a city street for paving. The city is likely one of the greater cities in the northeastern section of the United States.
Poydras Street is the central corridor of the New Orleans business district. Familiar landmarks such as the Superdome and the French Quarter are just minutes away.
The 1920 New Orleans city directory helps us place this image in the 800 block of Poydras.
The largest sign in the slide is for Books. Gustave A. Reuter is listed in the city directory as a bookseller at 823 Poydras. Perhaps the Reuters lived above the shop, because (Gus' sister) a Miss Mathilda Reuter's residence is listed as 823 Poydras as well.
Otto A. Levy's Dry Goods store was located at 825 Poydras. Could the dapper gentleman out front be Otto himself?
Can you make out the barber poles? They could be marking the location where Andrew Darrigo works (821 Poydras). According to the 1920 Federal Census, Andrew (a barber by trade) was born in Italy in 1873 and immigrated to the U.S. in 1893.
The only building recognizable in the current view is the Drury Inn & Suites on the right at 820 Poydras. The light fixtures on the front of the building have changed, but their location is the same. For a history of the building, click here.
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Large paving stones are being set on Poydras Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Poydras Street is the central corridor of the New Orleans business district. Familiar landmarks such as the Superdome and the French Quarter are just minutes away.
The 1920 New Orleans city directory helps us place this image in the 800 block of Poydras.
The largest sign in the slide is for Books. Gustave A. Reuter is listed in the city directory as a bookseller at 823 Poydras. Perhaps the Reuters lived above the shop, because (Gus' sister) a Miss Mathilda Reuter's residence is listed as 823 Poydras as well.
Otto A. Levy's Dry Goods store was located at 825 Poydras. Could the dapper gentleman out front be Otto himself?
Can you make out the barber poles? They could be marking the location where Andrew Darrigo works (821 Poydras). According to the 1920 Federal Census, Andrew (a barber by trade) was born in Italy in 1873 and immigrated to the U.S. in 1893.
The only building recognizable in the current view is the Drury Inn & Suites on the right at 820 Poydras. The light fixtures on the front of the building have changed, but their location is the same. For a history of the building, click here.
Located in Wallabout Bay, off the East River, the Brooklyn Naval Yard was established in 1801 by order of President John Adams. Many famous ships were built and launched from these docks, including the USS Maine and the USS Arizona.
At the time this image was taken, future U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was serving as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Click here to read an interesting article about digitization and how FDR was discovered in an old photo taken at the Brooklyn Naval Yard.
The Naval Yard was officially closed in 1966. Today, the area is being redeveloped.
In the background of the image, boats can be seen and a sign on a factory building that reads "Scranton & Lehigh Coal Co." While the precise location of the view has not been determined, a Google map showing the Naval Yard area is below.
]]>A work crew laying Durax paving stones at 110 Wallabout Place, Brooklyn, New York in October of 1917. This location is in close proximity to the Brooklyn Naval Yard.
Located in Wallabout Bay, off the East River, the Brooklyn Naval Yard was established in 1801 by order of President John Adams. Many famous ships were built and launched from these docks, including the USS Maine and the USS Arizona.
At the time this image was taken, future U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was serving as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Click here to read an interesting article about digitization and how FDR was discovered in an old photo taken at the Brooklyn Naval Yard.
The Naval Yard was officially closed in 1966. Today, the area is being redeveloped.
In the background of the image, boats can be seen and a sign on a factory building that reads "Scranton & Lehigh Coal Co." While the precise location of the view has not been determined, a Google map showing the Naval Yard area is below.
A different view of this location is shown on Kirchin021.
]]>A cement grout batch mixer in action. Appears to be Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
A different view of this location is shown on Kirchin021.
The date and location has been written on the image. June 2, 1916. 373 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York.
Notice the supports for the elevated railroad tracks above.
A large billboard advertisement and a few signs for businesses are readable. Billboard is advertising for carpets for sale at 78-84 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn.
There is a storefront sign for a painter, L. Grisar. According to his WWI draft registration papers, the sign painter, Louis Grisar, was born in Russia on April 16, 1876.
Next door, a woman enters a bakery/lunchroom.
A sand heater used for the mastic in paving a city street.
The date and location has been written on the image. June 2, 1916. 373 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York.
Notice the supports for the elevated railroad tracks above.
A large billboard advertisement and a few signs for businesses are readable. Billboard is advertising for carpets for sale at 78-84 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn.
There is a storefront sign for a painter, L. Grisar. According to his WWI draft registration papers, the sign painter, Louis Grisar, was born in Russia on April 16, 1876.
Next door, a woman enters a bakery/lunchroom.
The writing on the slide tells us that this view is of 416 Broadway in Brooklyn, New York. The date is June 2, 1916.
Several businesses are in view. The one with the clearest signage is for the William Aug. Dommer shop where they sold medical equipment such as trusses.
A work crew using the pot pouring method of applying mastic to a street.
The writing on the slide tells us that this view is of 416 Broadway in Brooklyn, New York. The date is June 2, 1916.
Several businesses are in view. The one with the clearest signage is for the William Aug. Dommer shop where they sold medical equipment such as trusses.
A duplicate image of Kirchin018.
]]>Two workers mix mastic in a wheelbarrow and dump it on the surface of the street.
Same general location as shown in Kirchin010.
A duplicate image of Kirchin018.
Bedford Avenue is the longest street in Brooklyn - stretching just over ten miles. Exact location on Bedford Avenue is unknown.
A different view of this location is shown on Kirchin013.
]]>A work crew using heavy machinery to grout the pavement. The location as written on the slide is Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.
Bedford Avenue is the longest street in Brooklyn - stretching just over ten miles. Exact location on Bedford Avenue is unknown.
A different view of this location is shown on Kirchin013.
The only identified person is Harry Kirchin who is standing on the extreme left of the group.
]]>A work crew pauses for a photograph. They are busy paving a street with Durax cubes.
The only identified person is Harry Kirchin who is standing on the extreme left of the group.
Notice the mix of horse drawn carriages and early automobiles.
]]>A crew works on installing durax cubes in patterns for paving the street.
Notice the mix of horse drawn carriages and early automobiles.
The idea for a central market in the nation's capitol was begun by President George Washington himself.
The large Center Market was built in 1871 and razed in 1931. The National Archives building now sits on this same lot.
For more information, click here and here.
]]>Dated circa 1916, this newly paved street is at the Center Market, B Street or what is now Constitution Avenue and 7th Avenue in Washington, D.C.
The idea for a central market in the nation's capitol was begun by President George Washington himself.
The large Center Market was built in 1871 and razed in 1931. The National Archives building now sits on this same lot.
For more information, click here and here.
Notice the sign that gives their hours. The entire market slogan is out of frame, but it reads in part: "Every Day A Market Day At..."
]]>Another view of the durax paved street next to the Center Market in Washington, D.C.
Notice the sign that gives their hours. The entire market slogan is out of frame, but it reads in part: "Every Day A Market Day At..."
Location is unknown but notice the many advertisements. Drink Coca-Cola, Morton's Ice Cream, and even Havana Ribbon cigars.
]]>Large durax cubes have been dumped on a city street where they will be used for paving. A crew works to size and shape the cubes for precise installation.
Location is unknown but notice the many advertisements. Drink Coca-Cola, Morton's Ice Cream, and even Havana Ribbon cigars.
A duplicate of the Kirchin029 slide.
Notice the two children on the right who have climbed up the fence to supervise.
]]>In a similar view to Kirchin001, two trucks deliver granite curbing for installation.
Notice the two children on the right who have climbed up the fence to supervise.
There are several businesses in view. One in particular is the Geo. W. Kirwan & Co. According to a 1914 city directory, the Kirwan business (a men's clothing shop) was located at 13 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
The "moving sign" for the business next door (to 319 N. Charles Street) also helps determine the image is of Baltimore.
Several things to notice in this image. On the left, there appears to be a police officer/crossing guard holding a sign and helping someone (in a white outfit) with a package cross the street.
There are several automobiles in view and a street car making its way up the street.
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This slide is labeled "halfway off" meaning the pavement has been partially removed in order to repave. Streetcar tracks are clearly visible.
There are several businesses in view. One in particular is the Geo. W. Kirwan & Co. According to a 1914 city directory, the Kirwan business (a men's clothing shop) was located at 13 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
The "moving sign" for the business next door (to 319 N. Charles Street) also helps determine the image is of Baltimore.
Several things to notice in this image. On the left, there appears to be a police officer/crossing guard holding a sign and helping someone (in a white outfit) with a package cross the street.
There are several automobiles in view and a street car making its way up the street.
Zoom in to view two children getting ready to cross the street above.
]]>The old way of delivering granite curbing. Tossed on the site of a muddy residential street.
Zoom in to view two children getting ready to cross the street above.
Notice the sign for the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene. The signage actually helps date the photo. The time period is between 1907 when the Pentecostal and Church of the Nazarene bodies merged and 1919 when 'Nazarene' was dropped from the organization's name.
]]>Placing each slab neatly in its place by truck is the new way of delivering granite curbing.
Notice the sign for the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene. The signage actually helps date the photo. The time period is between 1907 when the Pentecostal and Church of the Nazarene bodies merged and 1919 when 'Nazarene' was dropped from the organization's name.
Location unknown, but same as shown in Kirchin027.
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The durax blocks have been laid in the foreground and progress continues down the street.
Location unknown, but same as shown in Kirchin027.
The street is in good shape, with streetcar tracks clearly visible. The short building in the right foreground is a subway station.
Several advertisements are visible. One for the Blackstone and one touting Utopian Chocolates. The top of the Custom House Tower in barely visible just behind the Utopian Chocolates sign.
This whole area was changed drastically during the urban renewal period of the 1950's and early 1960's.
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This is a view of Haymarket Square from 20 Canal Street looking south in Boston, Massachusetts. The photo was taken on September 17, 1917.
The street is in good shape, with streetcar tracks clearly visible. The short building in the right foreground is a subway station.
Several advertisements are visible. One for the Blackstone and one touting Utopian Chocolates. The top of the Custom House Tower in barely visible just behind the Utopian Chocolates sign.
This whole area was changed drastically during the urban renewal period of the 1950's and early 1960's.
The street is in rough shape, with uneven cobblestones and streetcar tracks clearly visible.
]]>This is the same view of Haymarket Square from 20 Canal Street looking south in Boston, Massachusetts as shown in Kirchin038. This photo, however, was taken earlier - on July 20, 1916 - before roadwork was begun.
The street is in rough shape, with uneven cobblestones and streetcar tracks clearly visible.
The jagged cobblestones make it easy to see the road is in poor condition.
This is the view from 370 Albany Street looking south in Boston, Massachusetts. The photo was taken on August 20, 1916.
The jagged cobblestones make it easy to see the road is in poor condition.
The street has now been nicely paved.
A clearer shot of the building in the right foreground lets us know that it is the location of the George W. Macauley Company. According to a 1916 Boston city directory, that business manufactured posts, rails, and balusters. An ad in 1918 said the company manufactured "Builders' Finish and Fine Cabinet Work" and its office and salesroom was located at 385 Albany Street.
On the left you can barely make out the '...Bogart & Son' sign. This is for IH Bogart and son (William M.) who had a carpentry business.
This is the same view from 370 Albany Street looking south in Boston, Massachusetts as shown in Kirchin040. However, this photo was taken on September 17, 1917.
The street has now been nicely paved.
A clearer shot of the building in the right foreground lets us know that it is the location of the George W. Macauley Company. According to a 1916 Boston city directory, that business manufactured posts, rails, and balusters. An ad in 1918 said the company manufactured "Builders' Finish and Fine Cabinet Work" and its office and salesroom was located at 385 Albany Street.
On the left you can barely make out the '...Bogart & Son' sign. This is for IH Bogart and son (William M.) who had a carpentry business.
The street has been repaired and is smooth again. Streetcar tracks bank to the left as they follow the road.
This is the view of Columbia Road from E. Cottage Street looking west in Boston (Dorchester Historic Neighborhood), Massachusetts. This photo was taken on September 17, 1917.
The street has been repaired and is smooth again. Streetcar tracks bank to the left as they follow the road.
This is the same view of Columbia Road from E. Cottage Street looking west in Boston (Dorchester Historic Neighborhood) Massachusetts as shown in Kirchin042. However, this photo was taken on August 20, 1916 before repaving began.
Date and location unknown.
]]>This slide shows pavement with street car tracks on a bridge.
Date and location unknown.
A horse drawn carriage is seen, as well as a street car making its way down the track.
Several buildings that are in the view still exist. Those include the New York State Capitol Building (built 1899) and St. Peter's Episcopal Church (built 1860) at 107 State Street.
A large advertisement on the side of a building to the left urges the reader to "Cook with Gas".
According to the label on the slide, this is a view of State Street in Albany, New York.
A horse drawn carriage is seen, as well as a street car making its way down the track.
Several buildings that are in the view still exist. Those include the New York State Capitol Building (built 1899) and St. Peter's Episcopal Church (built 1860) at 107 State Street.
A large advertisement on the side of a building to the left urges the reader to "Cook with Gas".
Sadly, most of the buildings that are in the view no longer exist. Those include the St. Peter's (Roman Catholic) Church (built 1900/demolished 1996) and the entire block of buildings on the right. The structures on the left have fared better. Those include St. John's Episcopal Church in the foreground and Middlesex County Courthouse in the background.
A large advertisement on the side of a building to the right, which appears to be a pharmacy, promotes a 5 cent cure for fatigue - most assuredly Coca-Cola.
A website with some good history of St. Peter's Church can be found here.
According to the label on the slide, this is a view of Gorham Street in Lowell, Massachusetts. The slide was taken to record that the street was paved 7 grade and laid in 1912.
Sadly, most of the buildings that are in the view no longer exist. Those include the St. Peter's (Roman Catholic) Church (built 1900/demolished 1996) and the entire block of buildings on the right. The structures on the left have fared better. Those include St. John's Episcopal Church in the foreground and Middlesex County Courthouse in the background.
A large advertisement on the side of a building to the right, which appears to be a pharmacy, promotes a 5 cent cure for fatigue - most assuredly Coca-Cola.
A website with some good history of St. Peter's Church can be found here.
This image is of a German Traction Engine. The person standing with the machine might be a soldier. The German Army in WWI was known to use traction engines to move heavy guns and equipment.
The street is very busy with horses and wagons, as well as a few automobiles and at least one bicyclist visible. The tall building in the center background is the Manhattan Municipal Building which was built in 1914 and is still standing.
Several advertisements are visible. One for Charles Hobbs & Co., paper and twine manufacturers located at 36 Bleeker Street and one touting the New York Edison Company.
A few interesting items to note: There is an Evening Sun newspaper cart on the very left foreground of the photo. The sign on the side indicates news in or about Marlin, Savannah, and Daytona.
There are also subway entrances on both sides of the street.
Unfortunately, this whole area was changed drastically during the years of urban renewal.
There is some faint writing on this slide that tells us this is a view of New York at Worth Street. The photo is not dated but is probably close to 1917.
The street is very busy with horses and wagons, as well as a few automobiles and at least one bicyclist visible. The tall building in the center background is the Manhattan Municipal Building which was built in 1914 and is still standing.
Several advertisements are visible. One for Charles Hobbs & Co., paper and twine manufacturers located at 36 Bleeker Street and one touting the New York Edison Company.
A few interesting items to note: There is an Evening Sun newspaper cart on the very left foreground of the photo. The sign on the side indicates news in or about Marlin, Savannah, and Daytona.
There are also subway entrances on both sides of the street.
Unfortunately, this whole area was changed drastically during the years of urban renewal.
Location and date unknown.
]]>The slide label reads "A granite circle."
Location and date unknown.
The city street location is unknown but most likely the northeastern U.S.
What looks like a trolley platform is on the left and an interesting building with a clock tower is on the right.
Click here to see an example of a Simpson Bros. pavement marker.
Click here to read an interesting article on cobblestones and street paving.
]]>This slide has a label that reads "Hassam Block Pavement, Laid in 1910 by, Simpson Bros. Corporation Boston Mass."
The city street location is unknown but most likely the northeastern U.S.
What looks like a trolley platform is on the left and an interesting building with a clock tower is on the right.
Click here to see an example of a Simpson Bros. pavement marker.
Click here to read an interesting article on cobblestones and street paving.