Meyersdale Public Library - Photographs

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  • Date = Ca. 1885-1905

About This Collection

The Meyersdale Public Library photograph collections contain approximately 2,000 photographs. From the total collection, about 320 will be selected for digitization based on the selection criteria. The photographs that will be selected for online display are significant because they provide a broad overview of life immediately before, during, and after the Progressive Era in the Allegheny Mountains region (mostly Somerset Co., PA & northern Maryland). The photographs capture families & individuals both in portraits and in natural settings, military men, coal mines, mills, railroads, transportation, education, and African American families. Our photographs have been used in Somerset Magazine and in the book "Allegheny Passage Companion, Guide to History & Heritage Along the Trail" by Bill Metzger. Accessibility to the collection will be enhanced because the images will be searchable online. Currently the photographs are accessioned on paper but are not included in our library catalog. Digitization would allow users easy & free access to historical photographs that would otherwise essentially be hidden in a closet.
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Cook boys
Pianos, Mandolins, Musical instruments, Stringed instruments
Two young Cook boys are chasing each other around the table in the parlor. The lamp on the table is in a precarious spot if the chase gets rougher. 3 3/4 x 4 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Cook family's father holding glasses
Men
With his arm resting loosely over the arm of the chair, the Cook family's father sits with his glasses in his hand. He has a full moustache, beard, and slightly receding hair. He is wearing a dark suit with a vest, and white shirt with a bow tie. Transcribed from the album page ‘Father.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Cook family's mother
Women
The Cook family's mother has a sweet smile as she sits back in the rocker. She wears a dotted dress that is belted at the waist, and has puffed sleeves. Transcribed from the album page ‘Mother.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Cows crossing the Casselman River
Cows, Casselman River, Rivers
Six cows are crossing the Casselman River. No farm buildings are seen close by, but a fence runs along the side of the river. Transcribed from the album page ‘Cassellman [sic].’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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C.W. Truxal residence
Houses, Truxal House, Rowe House, American Legion, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale
The Truxal house has three stories. The second floor has a rounded center with three windows. On the third floor, there is a rounded section with three windows and a turret. Along the side of the house, a chimney with a sectioned top rises high above the house. Transcribed from the album page ‘CW Truxal Residence.’ The Truxal/Rowe house still stands and is currently the American Legion building located at 413 Grant Street in Meyersdale. Related images: 97.43.1d, 97.43.1ev, 97.43.1de. 4 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Dave Younkin and Charlie on a hillside
Subject: Younkin, Dave
Dave Younkin and Charlie are on a hillside, sitting on a rock, enjoying the little snow that is still there. They are wearing dark winter coats with bowler hats. Transcribed from the album page ‘Dave Younkin, Charlie.’ 4 3/8 x 3 4/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Emma Cook and Mary Weakland sitting in the grass
Children, Cook, Emma, Weakland, Mary
A shy woman stands behind a tree watching two girls sitting on the grass. The building behind them is possibly a schoolhouse. There appears to be a hammock in the background. The girl on the viewer’s left is wearing a knee length plaid dress with dark stockings and high top shoes; her hat is flat with a folded ribbon on top. The girl beside her has a knee length dress, with a dark top and light center. She is wearing dark stockings with high top shoes, and her hat has a wide flat brim with striped ribbon. Transcribed from the album page ‘Emma Cook, Mary Weakland.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Engine #847 and cars
Steam engines, Railroad tracks, Railroads
Engine #847, with a steaming smokestack, is rolling along the tracks. The engine is barrel shaped with a light and bell on top. The engineer is in the cab, and a cowcatcher is attached to the front of the engine. Old railroad ties lay alongside the tracks. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Five people standing on a board sidewalk
Women, Men
A gentleman with his back turned stands with four ladies on the boarded sidewalk at H. Staub's residence. The two ladies on the viewer’s left wear fancy dark dresses with full skirts and puffed sleeves. Their hats are round with flowers and feathers. The other two ladies are in fancy white dresses with full skirts and puffed sleeves, and also have round hats with flowers and feathers. Transcribed from the album page ‘Same Place.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Four people in front of J.M. Olinger's porch
Houses, Men, Women
At J.M. Olinger's residence, four people stand by the porch. A young man in a top coat and bowler hat rests against the porch post with his hand on his hip. The lady on the top step has a long stole around the neck of her light jacket, and her skirt is dark. The other two ladies are in dark outfits. All are wearing hats. Transcribed from the album page ‘JM Olinger Residence.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Four women and a man sitting on J.M. Olinger's porch
Houses, Men, Women
Four ladies sit on the steps at J.M. Olinger's home. They are joined by a gentleman in a light colored jacket, high top tied shoes and a bowler hat. The ladies, with their stoles, have warm jackets, gloves, and hats with flowers and feathers. Transcribed from the album page ‘JM Olinger Residence.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Four women and one man stand under a porch
Men, Women
One lady in a long dark dress is sitting on the porch steps. Standing behind her to her left is a lady in a long dark dress. A gentleman in a dark suit, white shirt, and tie stands in the back and is leaning on a post. To his left is a lady in a striped top with a high collar. Standing on his right with her hand on her hip is a lady in a white top with a black belt and black bow around her collar. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Four women resting at W.B. Cook's residence after a bicycle ride
Women, Houses, Bicycles
After a bicycle ride, four ladies stop by W.B. Cook's residence to rest. They sit on the ground by a trellis that is along the side of the house. White dresses are worn by three ladies, and the fourth one chose a dark dress. Transcribed from the album page ‘W.B. Cook Residence.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Gathering around a banjo player at J.M. Olinger's residence
Men, Women, Banjos, Pianos, Musical instruments
In the parlor at J.M. Olinger's home the ladies are listening to a young woman in a dark dress playing the banjo. The gentleman in the middle is either listening intently or dozing off. Transcribed from the album page ‘Interior-JM Olinger Residence. Same.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Girl on seesaw
Seesaws, Children
The young girl in the full dress with long puffy sleeves is sitting on the seesaw. Trees and a trellis line are visible, as is a picket fence that follows the yard to a structure in the back. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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A group of people posing on the lawn in a city
Men, Women
A group of possible Meyersdale residents posed on the lawn during their vacation. In the front row, two ladies wore white dresses. The lady on the end to the viewer’s right wore a light colored dress, and a dark flowered hat. The lady sitting on the viewer’s left wore a dark dress with a white collar. The gentleman on the end wore a dark suit, vest, white shirt, and a bow tie. A younger man in the back wore his jacket open with a high necked collar white shirt. Transcribed from the album page ‘City.' 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Group of people under a tree in J.M. Olinger's yard
Men, Women
Under the tree in Olinger's yard is a group of three men, two ladies and three children. On the viewer’s left, a man in a suit with a bowler hat sits behind a young girl in a dark dress. Beside them, two young girls are sitting on a bench. They are wearing dark skirts and light blouses. Leaning her arm on the young girl's lap, the lady in a light colored skirt and top sits on the grass beside a gentleman in a suit. Behind everyone is a gentleman in a suit wearing a bowler hat looking off to the side and resting his arm on the fence. On the other side, a lady in a striped top rests her hand on the shoulder of a young girl. Transcribed from the album page ‘Olinger Yard.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Hand stands in the snow
Men
Two men are doing hand stands in the snow on a hill with trees and a broken fence. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Harry walking beside train
Cook, Harry, Steam engines, Railroad tracks
Harry and another man walk along the gravel beside the train tracks, as the massive engine comes roaring by. Transcribed from the album page ‘Near Geo Werner's.’ 4 5/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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H.M. Cook with hand in pocket
Cook, H.M.
H.M. Cook looks like he wanted to smile for his photograph, but held back as he leans his arm on the chair with his hand in his pocket. His slacks are checked, and he wears a jacket, vest, and white shirt with a bow tie. Transcribed from the album page ‘H.M. Cook.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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