Meyersdale Public Library - Photographs

Active Filters:
  • 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.
Displaying 142 items
Filter
H.M.C. and D.F.Y. sitting on a fence
H.M.C. and D.F.Y. sitting on a fence
Fences, Men
One man in his suit and bowler hat sits on the rail fence with lettering about H.M. Cook, the Jeweler. His friend in an overcoat and bowler hat sits beside him on the rail fence. Transcribed from the album page 'On the fence H.M.C and D.F.Y.' 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Horse and buggy near Eli Yoder's farm
Horse and buggy near Eli Yoder's farm
Horses, Carriages & coaches
A lone horse and buggy are carrying a rider down the dirt covered lane near Eli Yoder's farm. The tall trees along the lane are full with leaves, and cast shade on the road. A wooden fence is on the bank on one side of the lane, and a wire fence lines the other side. Transcribed from the album page ‘Near Eli Yoder Farm.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Horse and rider in front of Rowe House
Horse and rider in front of Rowe House
Houses, Truxal House, Rowe House, American Legion, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Horses
This building has a turret on the viewer’s left side, is three stories high, and has three dormers on the roof of the third floor. The second floor shows a rounded room with windows. The first floor porch is the width of the house, with a wide set of stairs extending from the porch. A horse and rider trot down the dirt road. Rowe House (previously Truxal House). Transcribed from the album page'Now American Legion.' 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, 97.43.1aw, 97.43.1ev. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Horse drawn sleigh near Yoder's
Horse drawn sleigh near Yoder's
Horses, Sleds & sleighs
On a beautiful snow covered road lined with tall trees, a lone horse drawn sleigh is filled with travelers out for a ride. Transcribed from the album page ‘Near Yoder.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
House on corner of tree lined street
House on corner of tree lined street
Houses, Dirt roads
A two story house shaded by rows of trees sits on the corner where two roads meet, divide, and go off in different directions, possibly the corner of Grant and Broadway Streets looking west. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
House with surrounding porch
House with surrounding porch
Houses, Truxal House, Rowe House, American Legion, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Horses
The porch surrounds the house from one side to the other. The house has a turret room on the third floor. Many windows are seen on the second floor, and two chimneys extend from the roof. 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, 97.43.1de, 97.43.1aw. 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Ida Cook in a striped dress
Ida Cook in a striped dress
Cook, Ida
Ida Cook poses with one hand in her lap, and the other resting on the arm of the chair. She is dressed in a dark skirt, a grey top with dark stripes, and long sleeves. Transcribed from the album page ‘Ida.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
In the Damm's yard
In the Damm's yard
Houses, Men
A man holding a broom had his arm around a pole and a friend stood behind him. They were in a snow-covered yard wearing overcoats and bowler hats. A picket fence, two houses, and snow covered buildings were behind them. Transcribed from the album page ‘Damm Yard.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
J.T. Shipley and J.M. Pfahler stores in Meyersdale
J.T. Shipley and J.M. Pfahler stores in Meyersdale
Stores, Hardware stores, Grocery stores, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Shipley’s Hardware, Pfahler’s Grocery
Center Street was paved with bricks, and in the middle of the street hung a single street light. A wagon sat in the street in front of J.M. Pfahler’s grocery store. Flour and feed could be purchased at J.M. Pfahler's store. Down the street from J.T Shipley's hardware, tall trees lined the sidewalk, and a church steeple could be seen beyond them. J.M. Pfahler's grocery store was located on the corner of Dale and Center Streets. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Ladies on Broadway Bridge
Ladies on Broadway Bridge
Broadway Bridge, Women
The wind is blowing on Broadway Bridge, and one lady is wrapping her dark jacket tighter. Her collar is turned up to help block the wind, and she wears a flat brimmed hat with a white band. The other lady stands in the middle of the bridge with her hands in her jacket pockets. The jacket is short and light colored with puffed sleeves, and has buttons on the side. A long full skirt falls below the jacket. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Ladies shopping
Ladies shopping
Shopping, Women
Two ladies have been shopping. They are dressed in warm jackets and long skirts, and both are wearing hats. Snow is still on the ground, and they are walking down a planked sidewalk past a row of houses. 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Ladies standing by fence collecting something in their arms
Ladies standing by fence collecting something in their arms
Women, Fences
By the fence that lines the yard, a lady in a long dark dress with full sleeves and buttons in the front, smiles for the photographer. Across from her, a lady is in a white fancy dress with puffed sleeves and a high collar. She is wearing a flat hat with flowers. The ladies seem to be collecting something in their arms--possibly eggs. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Lady in chair by picket fence
Lady in chair by picket fence
Women
Deciding to pose by herself on the lawn, the young lady chose to wear a high collared white dress, with long sleeves and puffed shoulders. Flowers rest on the front of the dress. A picket fence and a house are in the background. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Lady in fur stole
Lady in fur stole
Women
Dressed in a short jacket with a fur stole around her shoulders, a long dark skirt, and her hat, a woman stops for a moment to sit in the chair for a photograph. 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Lady with mandolin
Lady with mandolin
Mandolins, Musical instruments, Stringed instruments
There is an intense expression on the girls’ faces as they sit on the sofa listening to the mandolin. Their dresses seem identical with dark skirts, print blouses, and dark high neck collars. A striped pillow is on the sofa between them, and another is on the floor. 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Large gathering near stone wall
Large gathering near stone wall
Crowds
A crowd has gathered on the other side of a stone wall. Some are standing on the wall and rocks to get a better view of what is happening. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Large Georgian brick house as seen from a buggy
Large Georgian brick house as seen from a buggy
Carriages & coaches, Houses
In the foreground, a horse and buggy are traveling on a dirt road. A fence lines the road leading to a two story house. The front of the house features five upstairs windows and a porch. Four windows are on the side of the house facing the road, and on the roof, four chimneys are seen. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Lett Cook in a dark dress
Lett Cook in a dark dress
Cook, Lett
Lett Cook sits unsmiling. Her dress is dark with white trimmed ruffles across the shoulders and down the front. She has her hair pulled back covering her ears. Transcribed from the album page ‘Lett Cook.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Looking down at double train tracks
Looking down at double train tracks
Railroad cars, Railroad tracks
The pathway that was cut through this rocky mountain for the railroad is very steep. Two rail lines run down the mountainside. An engine with freight cars is rolling down the tracks on one side, and two men are standing on the other tracks watching it. A building sits at the top of the hill. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
A man and four women posing in J.M. Olinger's parlor
A man and four women posing in J.M. Olinger's parlor
Men, Women
In the parlor of J.M. Olinger's home, a gentleman stands behind a lady sitting in a rocking chair in a long dark dress. On the sofa, two ladies sit together. One has her arm over the other’s shoulder, and they are wearing matching long dark skirts. Another lady in a dark dress stands at the edge of the sofa, resting her arm on the back. The ladies are wearing high top laced or buttoned shoes. In the background is a bookshelf with a row of books and a decorative plate on the top shelf. Transcribed from the album page ‘Interior-JM Olinger Residence. Same.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.