Meyersdale Public Library - Photographs

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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Three children outside
Children
The children are outside by the bushes. A young girl in white stands behind two boys. Her hair is parted in the middle and secured back with a large bow. Sitting on a stool is a young boy in knickerbockers, long stockings, high button shoes, suit jacket, and white shirt with tie. Standing at his knee is a very young boy with tousled hair, holding a bouquet of flowers. He is also wearing knickerbockers with long stockings, and buttoned shoes. A belted jacket is buttoned down the front, and a scarf is around the collar. 3 3/8 x 5 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
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Three girls near the Reformed Church
Reformed churches, Churches
The young girl on the left has a two piece dark outfit, with dark stockings and high top tied shoes. Her hair is braided under her round flat hat. The young girl in the middle has a two piece light colored outfit with dark stockings and high top tied shoes. She has a book in her hands, and the girls seem to be singing. The third girl is also in dark clothes with dark stockings and high top tied shoes. The church and several homes are seen behind them. Transcribed from the album page ‘Near Ref Church.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Three girls standing shoulder to shoulder
Portrait photographs, Women
Three girls are standing shoulder to shoulder. The woman on the viewer’s left wears a locket and fastens her high collar with a brooch. She wears a striped dress, and her hair is dark and curly. The middle lady in a jacket with puffed sleeves, and high necked white blouse, seems the oldest. Her collar is secured with a brooch, and she wears a locket. Parting her hair in the middle, she curls the sides back. On the viewer’s right, the girl looks younger than the others, and her hair is parted on her right, and swept back. Puffed sleeves and high collars are the style, as her checked dress is the same. 8 3/8 x 6 in. black and white photograph.
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Three ladies on a sleigh
Sleds & sleighs, Cook, Ida, Cook, Lettie, Cook, Emma
Ida, Lettie and Emma Cook are bundled in their heavy winter coats with shawl like jackets around their shoulders. Their hats are more for decoration than for providing warmth. Transcribed from the album page ‘Ida, Lette [sic], Emma.’ 4 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Three men on stump with a camera
Cameras
The men are out taking pictures. They are sitting on a stump, and the one in the middle has the camera. They all have warm jackets or coats on, and are wearing hats. 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Three men on train baggage car
Trains, Railroad cars
This type of car had dual service; passengers were transported in one section, and baggage in the other. One conductor stands on the steps at the end of the car in shirt sleeves, with vest, trousers and his hat. On the front steps of the car, another conductor in uniform leans on a rail. In the large door opening in the middle, a man in a suit and hat stands with his arm on his hip. Passengers are seated in the back part of the car. The boxcar attached in front is number 30275. On the slope by the rail car, railroad ties and wood are strewn around. Trees are on the hill overlooking the train car. 12 x 10 in. black and white photograph.
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Three women in a sleigh near Hostetler's
Olinger, Kate, Cook, Ida, Sleds & sleighs
Ida sitting in the back seat of the sleigh is warmly dressed in a jacket, with a blanket to cover her legs. She has her fur stole wrapped tightly around her neck and the collar is pulled up high. A wide brimmed hat with flowers and feathers sits on top of her head. Miss Olinger sits beside her. She has a fur wrap with a white collar across her shoulders, and a muff for her hands. Miss Olinger's hat is small with flowers and feathers. Another lady sits in the front seat of the sleigh. She also has a fur wrap across her shoulders, and a blanket for her legs. Her brimmed hat has a white band around the top. Transcribed from the album page ‘Near Hostetler's.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Three women on a welcoming back porch
Women, Porches
The caption under the photograph says ‘Midnight on the Hudson’, with no suggestion of what that might mean. The porch is very dark and a lady in the back between the screen door and window is obscured by the lighting on the photo. The two ladies in white dresses sitting on the edge of the porch are in sharp contrast to the darkness around them. The porch is small with two benches, a rocking chair, and a rug. 3 1/ 4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Three year old Mabel Margaret Slagle
Slagle, Mabel Margaret
Mabel Margaret Slagle is three years old. She stands poised in a dark dress with a pleated skirt, long sleeves, and white trim. Buttons decorate the front and sleeve cuffs. The knee length skirt allows her high buttoned shoes to be seen. Her hair is neatly done with a bow, and she casually rests her arm on the window sill. The curtain in the window behind her is pulled to the side. Transcribed from the back 'Mabel Margaret Slagle aged 3 yrs. 8 mo. 16 days born May 4 ca. 1908 died 18 November 1986.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
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Tintype photo of small baby
Tintypes
Flowers are in the background of this tintype, where a baby or small child sits on a chair covered with a fur blanket or rug. The child is wearing a long white dress, and the sleeves are to the wrists. 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. black and white tintype photograph.
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Tiny child with teddy bear
Children
Below the two story house on the small rocky hill runs a dirt road. In a small clearing along the dirt road, a very young child stands carefully holding onto a teddy bear. The child's dark hair is parted in the middle. In a long white dress and high top black shoes, the child squints against the sun. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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A tired group of people at J.M. Olinger's residence
Men, Women
In J.M. Olinger’s parlor, one tired lady is resting her arm on the young woman sitting on the edge of the sofa. The gentleman sitting in the middle and the lady in the long checked dress rest their arms on a pillow. The fourth lady stands beside the bookcase in the back. The carpet has a floral pattern. Transcribed from the album page ‘Same.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Toddler standing outside with three men
Photographs, Men
The small boy in short white pants, white top, white stockings, and dark shoes, is dwarfed by the three men behind him. The man off to the boy's right is in a vest, white shirt and slacks. The man behind the boy is wearing a suit jacket, vest, white shirt with tie, and slacks. The man standing to the boy’s back left wears work pants with suspenders, and a long sleeved light colored shirt. The leaves are just coming on the tree, and a shed is in the background. 3 3/8 x 5 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
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Tom Arnold's home
Arnold, Tom, Houses
A group of five men and five women are gathered in the yard at Tom Arnold's home. The women are wearing an unusual array of clothing: two of the ladies are in white dresses with layered skirts, one in a heavy coat and hat, one in a dark two piece suit with a hat, and an elderly lady in a long white skirt with a heavy sweater. The men are in suits and ties. Transcribed from the album page ‘At Tom Arnold’s home. Sept. 1916.’ 2 x 1 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Tom by a mailbox
Men
Tom stops by steps near a flower bed and a mailbox. With his hand in the pocket of his light colored vested suit, he gives a broad grin. Transcribed from the album page ‘Tom. Morning of their departure. 1916.’ 1/4 x 2 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
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Train at railroad crossing
Railroad crossings, Railroad cars
With railroad ties and white rocks beside the tracks, work seems to be in progress. The barrel engine pulling a long line of cars passes by a railroad crossing sign. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Train behind a small winding creek
Railroad cars, Streams
A train is seen steaming across a small culvert. It has a barrel type front with a small cab for the engineer. The small creek winding down the hill joins the Casselman River. A wooden rail fence surrounds a small section of trees where the creek runs. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Train engine and coal car
Trains, Railroad cars, Coal
The engineer leans out the window of this massive machine. The great barrel front has a smoke stack and lantern. The engineer sits in a cabin behind the whistle. A coal car is attached behind the engine, and a man in dark clothes stands holding onto a rail. ‘Penna R.R.’ is printed on the coal car. A number 1003 is seen at the front of the engine. The engine is stopped at a roundhouse with arched doorways, and four circular domes with lightning rods on the roof. 12 x 9 7/8 in. black and white photograph.
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Train going over Werner’s Bridge
Werner’s Bridge, Bridges, Steam engines, Railroad tracks, Railroad bridges
A train is crossing Werner’s Bridge. The bridge name was not identified on the album page, but from the accession sheet. Transcribed from the album page ‘Same.’ 4 5/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Train near Casselman River
Casselman River, Rivers, Steam engines
The old steam engine leaves the familiar trail of steam as it roars along the tracks near the Casselman River. Transcribed from the album page ‘Midnight scene near the Casselmen [sic] River.’ 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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