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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Camp at Sand Patch Tunnel
Camp at Sand Patch Tunnel
Sand Patch, Tunnels, Camps
Men of various ages lived in the tents at the Sand Patch Tunnel building site. Many wore overalls or trousers with suspenders. A variety of shirts were worn. Building materials were strewn around the ground, and a cross was part of their camp. Transcribed from the back 'building the Sand Patch Tunnel (new).' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
Campsite among the trees
Campsite among the trees
Camps
A container is captured by the person with the camera, and the campsite mixed in with the tall trees is not easily seen. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Campsite in the woods
Campsite in the woods
Campsites, Carts & wagons, Covered wagons
In a site surrounded by tall trees, a mother and small child sit in front of their tent. Another tent is in the background, and covered wagons are parked nearby. The grass and weeds are tall. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Capitol as backdrop for man and woman
Capitol as backdrop for man and woman
Men, Women, Portrait photographs
With the capitol building as a backdrop for their photograph, the lady in the chair smiles slightly, and the gentleman has his arm across her shoulders. She is dressed in an ankle length skirt, a jacket top and floral blouse. On her head she wears a large brimmed hat with a plume of feathers. The gentleman is wearing a dark suit, vest, and white shirt with a tie. His hair is parted in the middle and combed back. Transcribed from the back 'Washington, D.C. Dec. 5, 1915.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
Casselman from the hilltops
Casselman from the hilltops
Casselman River, Rivers
Looking down from a high hill, a winding Casselman River is seen. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Casselman River and Saylor Hill
Casselman River and Saylor Hill
Casselman River, Rivers, Saylor Hill, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Houses
The distinct shape of Saylor Hill can be seen above the Casselman River. Homes were built at different levels on Saylor Hill, and roads wound up around the hill. 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. color postcard.
Casselman River below a field of grain shocks
Casselman River below a field of grain shocks
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Casselman River, Rivers
The Casselman River runs through Meyersdale. Along the bank is a lush forest, and on the hilltop above is a field with grain shocks. Shrubbery grows on the opposite side. Transcribed from the front 'Casselman River Meyersdale, Pa. Photo by Clayton Walker.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Casselman River flowing under Broadway Bridge
Casselman River flowing under Broadway Bridge
Broadway Bridge, Bridges, Casselman River, Rivers
Two men in suits and bowler hats sit precariously on the metal railing of the Broadway Bridge. The Casselman River runs under the bridge. Transcribed from the album page ‘Broadway-Bridge.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Casselman River near Moser's Farm
Casselman River near Moser's Farm
Casselman River, Rivers
Near Moser's farm, the Casselman River can be seen with a rocky edge on one side and bushes on the opposite side. A lone tree stands tall near the middle. Transcribed from the album page ‘Near Moser Farm.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Casselman River stretching through the countryside
Casselman River stretching through the countryside
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Casselman River, Rivers
From high on a hill, the Casselman River can be seen stretching through the countryside. The railroad tracks run past fields, houses, and a forest with trees in full bloom. Transcribed from the back 'Arrived here, all ok, some rain. Papa Myrtle Shumaker, Tunnelton, W.Va.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Casselman River with view of fields and hills
Casselman River with view of fields and hills
Casselman River, Rivers
Along the Casselman River is a fenced-in area with a container in the field. The hills that rise above the winding Casselman provide a scenic view. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Castle-like building
Castle-like building
Buildings
This building appears to be a church under construction. A corner tower or turret with only four windows rises above the building. The possible entrance has a large center window with small panes. On either side are windows with the same small panes. Transcribed from the back 'Nov. 1923.' 3 1/4 x 4 3/8 in. black and white photograph.
C.C. Cook sitting in chair
C.C. Cook sitting in chair
Cook, C.C.
C.C. Cook, in his dark jacket, vest, white shirt, and bow tie, sits very erect, and looks to his right. Transcribed from the album page ‘C.C.C.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Cemetery behind a fence
Cemetery behind a fence
Cemeteries, Fences
A broken run-down fence is beside a white fence that also looks run-down. They appear to be in front of a cemetery. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Centennial Parade in Meyersdale, Pa.
Centennial Parade in Meyersdale, Pa.
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Parades & processions, American House
Leading the Centennial Parade up Center Street are five horsemen wearing wide brimmed hats. Teams of horses and wagons follow, passing the American House. The street is being newly paved or repaired, and children pause beside the piles of bricks to watch the parade. Flags and banners decorate the buildings and utility poles. 3 x 2 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Charlie and Harry Cook on stone blocks at Werner’s Bridge
Charlie and Harry Cook on stone blocks at Werner’s Bridge
Werner’s Bridge, Bridges, Cook, Charlie, Cook, Harry, Railroad bridges, bridges
Charlie Cook stands on the bottom stone block at Werner’s Bridge, wearing a light coat over his suit, and holding onto his bowler hat. Harry Cook sits four blocks up from Charlie, and is also in a suit and bowler hat. A telephone pole is seen behind Charlie. Transcribed from the album page ‘Same.’ 4 5/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Charlie Cook playing a mandolin and a friend with a guitar
Charlie Cook playing a mandolin and a friend with a guitar
Guitars, Mandolins, Stringed instruments, Musical instruments, Cook, Charlie
Charlie, with his mandolin, and his friend with a guitar, enjoy an evening in the parlor. A piano sits behind them, and pictures hang on the flowered wallpapered wall. A furry throw rug is on top of the flowered carpet. There is a lamp on the table that sits between their chairs. Transcribed from the album page ‘Charlie.’ 4 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Charlie, Emma, and Ida Cook in W.B. Cook's yard
Charlie, Emma, and Ida Cook in W.B. Cook's yard
Cook, Charlie, Cook, Emma, Cook, Ida
Charlie, Emma and Ida Cook are in W.B. Cook's yard. Charlie is sitting on wooden steps and has Emma on his shoulders. Ida is on his left, and is wearing a long dark skirt and a light top with puffy sleeves. She is holding his hand and helping to steady the young girl. Two sheds are in the background. Transcribed from the album page ‘W.B. Cook Yard.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Child on Broadway Street sidewalk in Meyersdale
Child on Broadway Street sidewalk in Meyersdale
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Houses
A child is playing on the sidewalk on Broadway Street. The street is lined with homes and leafless trees. Transcribed from the album page ‘Broadway-St.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Children of Garrett Schoolhouse
Children of Garrett Schoolhouse
United States-Pennsylvania-Garrett, Schools, Teachers, Professors, School children, Students, Baer, Margaret Lee, Maust, Ann, Nedrow, George, MacKenzie, Charles, Judy, Will, Romesburg, Harry, Romesburg, Margaret, Judy, Albert Mrs., Bowlby, Bertha Judy, Toth, Anna Nedrow
The children of the Garrett school are standing with their arms crossed, not looking happy to have their picture taken. Transcribed from a note filed with the picture 'This picture was taken in 1897 in front of Garrett's old schoolhouse. (two-story frame; four rooms) located on site of present bldg. Represents first room (lower grades), teacher in upper left Margaret Lee Baer, still living in Meyersdale, Pa. (RFD). Lower right (two heads) Ann Maust, back of her George Nedrow, third from left, front with curls, Charles MacKenzie. Will Judy right of center, head showing only, Harry Romesburg to his right, and back of him, wearing hat Margaret Romesburg (Mrs. Albert Judy). How many others can you identify? This is a reprint from original furnished. Capt. Judy by Bertha Judy Bowlby and Anna Nedrow Toth.' 10 x 8 in. black and white photograph.