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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Cozy couple under an umbrella
Cozy couple under an umbrella
Men, Women, Umbrellas
A cozy couple uses an umbrella to protect them from the sun as they sit together in the grass. The woman is in a long, white, long sleeved dress with frills around the shoulders. The man sits close to her wearing a light colored suit, white shirt, and bow tie. There is a ring is on his finger. 3 1/4 x 4 3/8 in. glass negative.
C.W. Truxal residence
C.W. Truxal residence
Houses, Truxal House, Rowe House, American Legion, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale
The Truxal house has three stories. The second floor has a rounded center with three windows. On the third floor, there is a rounded section with three windows and a turret. Along the side of the house, a chimney with a sectioned top rises high above the house. Transcribed from the album page ‘CW Truxal Residence.’ 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, 97.43.1ev, 97.43.1de. 4 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Dave Saylor and his wife
Dave Saylor and his wife
Saylor, Dave, Men, Women
The couple sits looking off to their right. Dave is in a dark suit, vest, white shirt, and white bow tie. He has a receding hairline, but a full moustache. Beside him, his wife is wearing a much decorated outfit. The collar is very high and rounded under her chin. The bodice is white trimmed in an array of flowers, with flared caps on the sleeves. Transcribed from the back 'Dave Saylor and Wife.' 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Dave Younkin and Charlie on a hillside
Dave Younkin and Charlie on a hillside
Subject: Younkin, Dave
Dave Younkin and Charlie are on a hillside, sitting on a rock, enjoying the little snow that is still there. They are wearing dark winter coats with bowler hats. Transcribed from the album page ‘Dave Younkin, Charlie.’ 4 3/8 x 3 4/4 in. black and white photograph.
Demetrius Compton
Demetrius Compton
Compton, Demetrius
Demetrius Compton is well dressed in his suit jacket, vest, white shirt, and tie with a circular tie clasp. Though his hair is thinning, a full, thick moustache can be seen as he looks slightly to his left. Transcribed from the back 'Demetrius Compton, Son of Samuel, b. June 25, 1827 d. Nov. 7, 1902 m. Nancy Beachy of Phineas M., b. June 1, 1804 d. July 4, 1858 of Robert, b. 1861 d. 1886 m. Lydia Brown.' 4 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
D.K. Malcolm Store in Coal Run
D.K. Malcolm Store in Coal Run
United States-Pennsylvania-Coal Run, Malcolm, D.K., Stores
D.K. Malcolm's store was a very tall and narrow three story building. The first floor was the entrance with two large glass squared windows on either side of the door. On the second floor was a door without a porch or stairs. Large windows were on the second and third floors. ‘D.K. Malcolm’ was painted across the front of the building. A horse and buggy with a couple inside was passing by the store. Some men were gathered by the front. Transcribed from the back 'Store & Coal Run.' 4 1/8 x 4 1/8 in. black and white photograph.
Dorothy and Hazel Mull pose outside
Dorothy and Hazel Mull pose outside
Mull, Dorothy, Mull, Hazel
Hazel Mull stands in the tall grass beside her sister Dorothy Mull, who has slid down in the chair. Hazel is dressed in white leggings and a white dress with a flounced skirt. Her curly hair sits above her ears, and she has bangs. Dorothy is in a white dress. Transcribed from the front 'Dorothy Mull, Hazel Mull.' 3 3/8 x 5 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
Dorothy Mull sitting at a desk
Dorothy Mull sitting at a desk
Mull, Dorothy
Dorothy Mull looks forlorn as she sits at her desk with a book by her hand. She is wearing what appears to be her school clothes; a checked blouse with a sweater over the top. Her hair is short and she has bangs. Transcribed from the front 'Dorthy Mull.' 1 3/4 x 2 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Edith in large hat
Edith in large hat
Women, United States-Pennsylvania-Chambersburg
Edith has large rimmed glasses, and she wears a wide brimmed hat. She stands under a canopy of branches in a long sleeved white dress with a bow tied at the collar. A man, a basket, and boxes can be seen inside the canopy. The identifying names were not in the album, but were transcribed from the album’s accession sheet. Transcribed from the album page ‘At Edith’s. Chambersburg, Pa. 1919.’ 2 1/8 x 3 1/8 in. black and white photograph.
Eight kids not happy
Eight kids not happy
Children
A photograph in the backyard did not make these kids happy. The boys are dressed in suits, and the two on the viewer’s left are wearing newsboy hats. The older boy sits straight for the picture. Beside him the boy with hair parted in the middle and slicked back gives the look of 'I don't want to do this.' The next boy with his hair combed to the side gives the same look. An older girl with short hair and bangs squints as she sits with her fingers locked together. Beside her, two little girls in white dresses sit and smile slightly. A younger child in white clothes sits on a tricycle. 4 7/8 x 3 in. black and white photograph.
E.K. Blough family
E.K. Blough family
Blough, Ephraim K., Blough, Earl, Blough, Floyd, Blough, Annie, Blough, Emma, Blough, Savilla, Blough, Edna, Blough, Edith, Blough, Lester
The E.K. Blough family is gathered on the porch steps. The men are dressed in suits, and two women are in two piece suits. The girls wore dark skirts; one with a middy top, and the other with a white blouse. Transcribed from the back 'E.K. Blough Family. Earl, Floyd, Bru?. Second Row Annie, Emma, Mother Savilla, Father Ephraim. Front Row Edna, Edith, Lester.' 10 x 8 in. black and white photograph.
Elderly man with glasses and moustache
Elderly man with glasses and moustache
Portrait photographs, Men
His rumpled suit jacket was worn with a vest, white shirt, and bowtie. Though his hair is gone, his moustache is still thick and full. He is wearing round wire rimmed glasses. 4 3/4 x 6 in. black and white photograph.
Elementary class in front of double doors
Elementary class in front of double doors
Schools, Students, Teachers, School Children
About 51 children and their teacher gather in front of their large schoolhouse doors for a class photo. Some boys in dark pants and light or dark shirts sit crossed legged in the front row. Boys and girls of all sizes and ages stand behind them with the teacher. The girls are in a variety of knee length dresses with dark stockings and high top laced shoes. The boys also wear an assortment of dark and light shirts. 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Elementary class in front of school windows
Elementary class in front of school windows
Schools, Students, Teachers, School Children
A class of 39 boys and girls are posing outside their schoolhouse with their teacher. They range in various sizes and ages. The girls are wearing long dresses and some are plaid, white, or dark, with high top laced shoes. The boys are in a variety of suits, dark pants with white shirts, or dark pants with dark shirts. They also wear the high top laced shoes. 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Elk Lick Mine No.3 Tipple
Elk Lick Mine No.3 Tipple
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Coal mining, Tipples
A lone man stands by what looks like a shed located on the top of this massive structure. The hillside is strewn with fallen trees. Transcribed from the front 'Elk Lick Mine No.3 Somerset Coal Co. Meyersdale, Pa. Photo by Clayton Walker.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
Ella Bolden operating a telephone switchboard
Ella Bolden operating a telephone switchboard
Bolden, Ella
In front of Ella Bolden is the switchboard used to connect the phone customers. The wires and plugs are in front of her hand, and notes hang above her head. She is wearing a light colored dress. Sitting in a chair, she listens with headphones to make the call connections. Transcribed from the back 'Ella Bolden at her work operating. April 1923.' 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Ella Bolden standing on a sidewalk
Ella Bolden standing on a sidewalk
Bolden, Ella
Ella Bolden stands on a brick sidewalk in front of a building with cut stone walls. She wears a white middy top with a light colored shirt. A purse hangs on her arm and she holds something in her hand. Transcribed from the back 'Ella Bolden, April 1923.' 3 3/8 x 4 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Elmer Gnagey's son in a tall tree
Elmer Gnagey's son in a tall tree
Children, Trees
A young boy sits at the very top of a tall tree with an ax in his hand. Another boy stands below him on a cut branch. A few small branches with leaves remain at the bottom of the tree. Transcribed from the back 'South tree at edge of Meyersdale being taken down. Elmer Gnagey's son.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
Emma Cook and Mary Weakland sitting in the grass
Emma Cook and Mary Weakland sitting in the grass
Children, Cook, Emma, Weakland, Mary
A shy woman stands behind a tree watching two girls sitting on the grass. The building behind them is possibly a schoolhouse. There appears to be a hammock in the background. The girl on the viewer’s left is wearing a knee length plaid dress with dark stockings and high top shoes; her hat is flat with a folded ribbon on top. The girl beside her has a knee length dress, with a dark top and light center. She is wearing dark stockings with high top shoes, and her hat has a wide flat brim with striped ribbon. Transcribed from the album page ‘Emma Cook, Mary Weakland.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Engine #847 and cars
Engine #847 and cars
Steam engines, Railroad tracks, Railroads
Engine #847, with a steaming smokestack, is rolling along the tracks. The engine is barrel shaped with a light and bell on top. The engineer is in the cab, and a cowcatcher is attached to the front of the engine. Old railroad ties lay alongside the tracks. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.