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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Children sitting in chairs in middle of dirt road
Children sitting in chairs in middle of dirt road
Dirt roads, Roads
Two young girls in dresses and hats, enjoy sitting on chairs in the middle of this unidentified dirt road. Trees are plentiful along the street. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Children surrounding baby on stool
Children surrounding baby on stool
Children
The young baby is wearing a white dress and sitting on a stool. The young girl on the baby’s right has on a knee length skirt with a long top and a necklace. On the other side of the stool, a smaller girl in a white knee length dress, dark stockings, and high buttoned shoes, has a dark ribbon around her collar. A young boy stands on the end in knickerbockers, dark stockings, and high top tied shoes. His jacket is buttoned, belted, and tied at the collar. He is wearing a small round cap. 5 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph with broken corner.
Church on a tree lined street
Church on a tree lined street
Churches, Carriages & coaches
A buggy travels down the street of this well-kept neighborhood, past a church and a row of houses. 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Church with high steeple
Church with high steeple
Churches
The cone shaped steeple with the bell tower, rises high above the church. A man finds chairs in front of the church and stops to rest. 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Class of 1891 football team champions, Johns Hopkins University
Class of 1891 football team champions, Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University, Woods, C., Baldwin, C.H., Randolph, R., Cook, H., Ritter, W.F., Brown, S.B., Carey, G., Mitchell, J., Painter, C.F., Carey, N.P., Browne, S.H., Brown, M., football players, sports, athletes
Johns Hopkins University had a good season in 1888-1890. We see 12 members of the football team in their uniforms. Some players have plain uniforms with striped socks, some have striped sleeves with plain tops, and some have striped shirts. They are all wearing stockings to their knees, and all are wearing hats. The player in the second row holds the ball stamped with ‘91 Champions.’ These are the players as transcribed from the front ‘C. Woods, C.H. Baldwin, R. Randolph, H. Cook, W.F. Ritter, S.B. Brown, G. Carey, J. Mitchell, C.F. Painter, N.P. Carey, S.H. Browne, M. Brown. Football team class of 1891 champions of 1888-'89 & '89-90 Johns Hopkins University.' 10 x 8 in. black and white photograph.
Class portrait taken at Meyersdale High School on Main Street, Meyersdale, Pa.
Class portrait taken at Meyersdale High School on Main Street, Meyersdale, Pa.
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, High schools, school children, students, teachers, professors
This class photograph shows 27 women and 19 men standing and sitting on steps in front of Meyersdale High School. The women are wearing white tops with long dark skirts or other types of long dresses. The men are wearing suits and ties. Transcribed from the back 'Summer Normal School taught by Professor W.H. Krebs (?), Professor W.H. Kretchman.' 7 1/8 x 9 in. black and white photograph.
Clear view of a completed Western Maryland Viaduct in Meyersdale, Pa.
Clear view of a completed Western Maryland Viaduct in Meyersdale, Pa.
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Bridges, Railroad bridges, Western Maryland Viaduct
This scenic view shows the Western Maryland Viaduct in the distance with a train crossing the bridge. Transcribed from the back '317 N. Lucas Dear Cousin: We have a very nice snow that fell today. This will spoil the skating for a while. Most everyone was skating. The Iowa River runs thru the city. They also flooded the tennis courts at the university. Jane Adams of the Hull House is to speak Sunday at Vesper Services, anxious to hear her. Am E.J.C. Mr. Dorsey Lint 307 Park Ave. Johnstown, Penna.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Close up of directors at Crystal Lake
Close up of directors at Crystal Lake
Hoblitzel, James, Truxal, C.W., Hocking, George, Philson, S.B., Lichty, Dr. Bruce, Weld, Lewis, Kyle, Elbridge, Cook, Squire, Oats, John
The directors are standing in a field. Four are wearing suit jackets, white shirts, and a tie or a bow tie. The other five men are in white shirt with ties; one is wearing a vest, and two are holding hats. Transcribed from the back '1919 Directors at Crystal Lake. James Hoblitzer [sic], C.W. Truxal, George Hocking, S.B. Philson, Dr. Bruce Lichty, Lewis Weld, Elbridge Kyle, Squire Cook, John Oats.’ 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Close up of Grandpa Knecht
Close up of Grandpa Knecht
Knecht, Grandpa
A bearded Grandpa Knecht in his overalls, white shirt, and vest, steps outside for this photo. Trees are in the yard, and in the distance is a house with a picket fence. Transcribed from the back 'Grandpa Knecht.' 4 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Close up of Meyers house
Close up of Meyers house
Unites States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Maple Manor
The Meyers house stands with columns on the front porch. Double porches on the side of the house are also in view. Several people are resting on the front lawn, and the bare trees show signs of fall. Transcribed from the back 'The Homestead, 120 Meyers Ave. Meyersdale, Penna.' 10 x 8 in. black and white photograph.
Coke oven workers breaking for photo at Shaw Mines Coke Ovens
Coke oven workers breaking for photo at Shaw Mines Coke Ovens
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Werner, John, Shaw Mines, Coke ovens
Twenty-one men are on a break, posing for a photo. Two are holding a horse and cart, eight are holding broad metal rakes, two stand with a horse and cart above the coke ovens, and one stands on a bridge or a track. Transcribed from the back 'Coke ovens at Shaw Mines. Minnie's father John Werner, fourth man from left born April 1862 died December 26, 1930. Son of George and Elizabeth Shroeder Werner of Adam Werner and Anna Catherine Sass son of August.' 10 x 8 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Colonial Hotel construction
Colonial Hotel construction
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Colonial Hotel, Hotels
A worker in overalls, white shirt, and a hat, stands by the wheelbarrow and bricks, and is ready to work. The scaffolding is up and piles of lumber are ready to use. A row of workers line the roof. Three workers on the roof have palettes and trowels and are laying bricks. One has a saw, and the others just seem to be leaning. A man in a suit and hat sits on the pile of lumber. Another man in a suit is standing by a cart. Floor joists can be seen through the window openings. Transcribed from the back 'Nellie K. Milne, Meyersdale.' 10 x 8 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Colonial Hotel in Meyersdale, Pa.
Colonial Hotel in Meyersdale, Pa.
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Colonial Hotel, Hotels
The front of the Colonial Hotel in Meyersdale, Pa. has 14 windows. Spanning across the rooftop are six small windows and a larger one in the middle. A small columned porch has three sectioned windows with small checked panes on either side. Transcribed from the front 'Colonial Hotel, Meyersdale, Pa.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. color postcard.
Colonial Hotel visitors
Colonial Hotel visitors
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Colonial Hotel, Hotels
A lot of activity is taking place on the porch of the Colonial Hotel in Meyersdale, Pa. Visitors came from various places to stay at the hotel. Transcribed from the front 'Colonial Hotel, Meyersdale, Pa. T.W. Gurley, Publisher.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
A complete view of the railroad bridge near Sand Patch
A complete view of the railroad bridge near Sand Patch
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Bridges, Railroad bridges, Railroad tracks, Railroads, Sand Patch
This view of a railroad bridge shows huge concrete structures supporting the rail line that leads to the bridge. The train crosses through a rocky hillside that is near Sand Patch. 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Construction on Western Maryland R.R. Viaduct
Construction on Western Maryland R.R. Viaduct
Western Maryland Viaduct, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Railroad tracks
To aid in the construction of the Western Maryland Viaduct, a temporary railroad was built along the base of the trestle. With the railroad going over the Casselman River, supplies could be transported faster. The main railroad runs across the top on a trestle supported by towers of steel beams. The towers are reinforced at the base in concrete. Transcribed from the front 'Western MD. R.R. Viaduct, near Meyersdale, Pa.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
Cook boys
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.
Cook family's father holding glasses
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.
Cook family's mother
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.
Cows crossing the Casselman River
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.