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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Train tracks in front of rocky hill
Hills, Railroad tracks
This hill is a lonely sight. Bare, slender trees stand tall at the top, and boulders and trees extend to the train tracks below. 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white photograph.
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Train wreckage
Railroad trains, Children, Men, Railroad accidents
This was a terrible train wreck with mangled cars. Twenty men and boys are seen checking the wreckage. They are sitting on the main parts of the car and others are standing on wheels separated from the car and turned on their side. The twisted rail and railway ties are seen below the wreckage. 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. glass negative.
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Tree lined dirt street
Dirt roads, Roads, Houses
This dirt road could be in Meyersdale, but there is nothing to identify the street or the homes that line it. Trees are plentiful along the street. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Trolley #5 with passengers
Dia, Elmer, Street railroad stations
Trolley Car #5 is pulling out of the station; the rod connecting the trolley to the electric lines is seen above. Waiting beside the trolley, one man in work clothes stands on the step. Standing on the ground near the trolley, three men wait. One is in a dark suit, white shirt, and top hat, and another is in work clothes, and has a watch hanging from his belt. Leaning on the front of the trolley is the fourth man in overalls, dark shirt, and a cap. All the children on the trolley are peering out the windows. ‘Pennsylvania & Maryland ST. RY.’ is printed on the side of Trolley #5. Transcribed from the back 'Elmer Dia.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
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Trolley car filled to capacity
Street railroad stations
The trolley car sits on the track, filled to capacity, with a total of 17 men, four children and two ladies. Standing together beside the trolley are four men in long sleeved white shirts, ties, and dark slacks. One conductor is in the doorway at one end of the trolley, and two conductors stand in the other doorway. All the windows are crowded with the other passengers looking out. 3 1/4 x 2 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
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Trolley on Red Bridge
Street railroads, Bridges, Rivers
The trolley car is on the Red Bridge that crosses the Casselman River. This is a trolley bridge made with metal girders and supporting rods. Transcribed from the front 'P and M St. Ry. Red Bridge.' Transcribed from the back 'Will go to Uncle Ed's tomorrow eve. Papa Rhea Shumaker Tunnelton, W. Va. ' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
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Trout stream in Elk Lick, Pa.
Streams, United States-Pennsylvania-Salisbury
The trout stream in Elk Lick, Pa. may take some time to get to, as the stream flows through a bramble of fallen trees and bushes. Transcribed from the front 'Trout stream, Elk Lick, Pa.' Transcribed from the back 'Thanks for the beautiful card. Ida. Dorsey Lint, Jennerstown, Pa.' Local note: Salisbury was once called Elk Lick. 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
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Truxal House
Houses, Truxal House, Rowe House, American Legion, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale
The Truxal house has three stories. The first floor shows two entrance doors and four windows. It is surrounded by a porch extending from the first entrance door to the other end of the house. The second floor shows a turret with a rounded center with three windows. Off to the right, a section with a pointed roof has a window with a rounded top. On the third floor, there is a rounded section with three windows and a funnel shaped roof. Along the side of the house, a chimney with a sectioned top rises high above the house. Transcribed from the album page ‘Truxell [sic] House.’ The Truxal/Rowe house still stands and is currently the American Legion building located at 413 Grant Street in Meyersdale. Related images: 97.43.1aw, 97.43.1ev, 97.43.1de. 4 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two conductors on trolley #5
Street railroad stations
Sitting on the track is Trolley Car #5. The front view shows three large glass windows, and along the side is a row of rounded windows. On the lower step, one conductor stands with his hands crossed. Standing just inside the doorway, the second conductor peers out. Both are in uniform with double buttoned jackets, and stiff rounded hats with bills. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two ladies in white dresses
Portrait photographs, Women
The lady on the viewer’s left is in a long white dress, with elbow length sleeves, and a rounded collar. She has her leg perched on the arm of the chair and her arm across the shoulder of the lady sitting in the chair. In her full skirted white dress with puffed elbow length sleeves, the lady in the chair tilts her head slightly to her right and casually rests her arm on the other lady's leg. Transcribed from the back 'Miss Clara Bowman Meyersdale, Pa, Route #3.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
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Two men and cows near Olinger's stable
Men, Cows, Stables
One man sits on a stump with his hands in his lap. His friend stands with his foot resting on the side of the stump. They seem to be looking for something in the distance. The man sitting has an overcoat over his suit, and the man leaning is wearing a suit and holding a bowler hat. Cows roam freely behind them, in front of a two story house with a picket fence. Transcribed from the album page ‘Near Olinger Stable.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two men helping a child ride a bicycle on Broadway Bridge
Broadway Bridge, Bridges, Bicycles, Casselman River, Rivers
The Broadway Bridge, with a view of the Casselman River, does not seem to be the safest place to teach this young man how to ride a bike. Two men in suits and bowler hats stand on either side of the boy, with their hands on the handlebars for guidance and support. The young man on the bike does not seem too sure of this adventure. Transcribed from the album page ‘Broadway Bridge.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two men in front of a log near Shipley Power House
Men
Near Shipley's Power House, there is a very large log with a lone tree behind it. A man in an overcoat and bowler hat and with his hands in his pockets, sits on the edge of the giant log. Wearing a short jacket, the second man also puts his hands in his pockets and stands along the side of the log, looking off in the distance. Transcribed from the album page ‘Near Shipley Powder [sic] House.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two men in H.M. Cook Optical and clock and watch shop
Opticians' shops, Cook, H.M.
In a small window behind the counter, a worker is busy; perhaps repairing some jewelry. This appears to be a fine china and clock shop. H.M. Cook in a light colored suit, high collar, white shirt, and tie, takes a break to look at something out the window. Transcribed from the album page ‘Same.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two men in W.B. Cook's office
Men, Offices
Two men are in W.B. Cook’s office. One sits on a chair, and the other sits on the desk. They are both wearing suits. Transcribed from the album page ‘Same.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two men joking around in W.B. Cook's office
Men, Offices
Not much work is getting done in W.B. Cook's office today. The two men are having a fun day, with one sitting on the desk, his legs stretched out over the other man who leans back in a chair propping his feet on a stool. Transcribed from the album page ‘WB Cook’s Office.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two men on a fence near H.M. Cook's Optical Parlor
Fences, Men
One man in his suit and bowler hat sits on the picket fence. His friend in an overcoat and hat sits beside him. There is snow on the ground. Transcribed from the caption under the photo ‘near H.M. Cook's Optical Parlor.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two men on side of railroad bridge
Railroad bridges, Railroad tracks, Cameras
Two men in suits and bowler hats are standing next to a bridge in a very unsafe place. One of the men is holding a camera. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two men relaxing against a fence near Nobby Hill
Nobby Hill
Somewhere near Nobby Hill, a man is sitting on the ground, stretched out, and leaning against a fence post. Beside him, also in a suit and bowler hat, a second man sits along the board fence and seems to be fixing his shoe. Transcribed from the album page ‘Nobby Hill.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Two men standing on Werner’s Bridge
Werner’s Bridge, Railroad bridges, Bridges
On the very edge of Werner’s Bridge, a man stands holding a hat. Another man stands back at a safer distance, and waves his hat. Transcribed from the album page ‘Werner Bridge.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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