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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Estelle and Frances at Sand Spring
Estelle and Frances at Sand Spring
Women, Sand Spring
Estelle and Frances walk side by side down the path at Sand Spring. One is in a long dark jacket, white blouse, and wide brimmed hat, and the other is in a light colored long coat with buttons, and a small hat. Transcribed from the album page ‘A walk to Sand Spring. April 1916.’ 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Estelle by a mailbox
Estelle by a mailbox
Women
With the wind blowing her long dark, decorated, dress, Estelle pauses by a flower bed with a mailbox in it. Her large brimmed hat does not shield her eyes from the sun, as she is squinting against it. Transcribed from the album page ‘Estelle. Morning of their departure. 1916.’ 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Evlin Hocking
Evlin Hocking
Hocking, Evlin
In this lovely profile of Evlin Hocking, she is wearing a fur stole over the shoulders of her dark coat. She finishes her outfit with a hat decorated with a mix of ribbon, braided ribbon, and feathers. Transcribed from the back 'Evlin Hocking.' 4 1/4 x 6 in. black and white photograph.
Falls at Ohiopyle in 1897
Falls at Ohiopyle in 1897
United States-Pennsylvania-Ohiopyle, Rivers, Waterfalls
A protective wooden fence runs along the river leading to the falls at Ohiopyle. This photo shows houses in the background and a building of unknown purpose. The falls flow swiftly into the river. Transcribed from the album page ‘Ohio Pyle [sic] July 5-97.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Family of five
Family of five
Portrait photographs, Men, Women, Children
A mother sits holding her baby. She is wearing a long dark dress with a pendant at the neck, and the baby is in a white dress. The tall man to her right wears a dark suit and white shirt. At her left, a young boy stands tall in his dark suit. A younger boy in a dark suit with a white collar and a ribbon tie stands at her knee. 4 x 5 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
Family on the hillside
Family on the hillside
Men, Women, Children
Sitting in the grass on the side of a small hill, a lady in a dark skirt and white top holds a baby between her and a man. The man is in dark trousers, a white shirt, and a bow tie. The baby is barefoot in a long white dress. A young girl sits curled up beside the lady. Another small child looks away. 3 3/8 x 5 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
Field of rubble after a storm in 1910
Field of rubble after a storm in 1910
Building failures
A pile of wood and other debris can be seen in a field after a storm passed through in 1910. 4 1/2 x 2 5/8 in. black and white photograph.
First football team in Meyersdale
First football team in Meyersdale
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Football players, sports, athletes, Barner, Dixon, Joe, Gatesman, Staub, Frank, Spence, Rol, Haer, Fred, Austin, Ray, Bowman, Earl, Hittie, Orville, Reiber, Homer, Donges, George, Reich, Jerry, Machins, Ray, Shultz, Carl, Shipley, Barron, Schrock, Clarence
The young men of the first Meyersdale football team sit on the steps in front of the high school building in their uniforms. Seven men with their arms crossed over their knees are seated in the front, and the man in the middle holds a football with the number 22. The middle row shows four men holding the same position. The top row has three players who are standing, and a man in a dark suit, white shirt, and tie standing with his hands behind his back. A man in a tan topcoat with his hat in his hand is on the viewer’s top right. Transcribed from the back '1st football team of Meyersdale High school 1922. Barner, Joe Dixon, Gatesman, Frank Staub, Rol?Spence, Fred Haer, Ray Austin, Earl Bowman, Orville Hittie, Homer Reiber, George Donges, Jerry Reich, Ray Machins, Carl Shultz, Barron Shipley, Clarence Schrock.' 10 x 8 in. black and white photograph.
Five people standing on a board sidewalk
Five people standing on a board sidewalk
Women, Men
A gentleman with his back turned stands with four ladies on the boarded sidewalk at H. Staub's residence. The two ladies on the viewer’s left wear fancy dark dresses with full skirts and puffed sleeves. Their hats are round with flowers and feathers. The other two ladies are in fancy white dresses with full skirts and puffed sleeves, and also have round hats with flowers and feathers. Transcribed from the album page ‘Same Place.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Five young men in suits
Five young men in suits
Portrait photographs, Men
He was put on a pedestal, but only for this portrait. He wears a light suit with a bow tie. To his right stands a young man in a dark suit and white shirt with no tie. The young man on his left is in a suit and tie. Sitting on a stool in front, a young man wears a dark suit, dark shirt, and tie. They all have their hair parted the same. An adult man sits on the end with his hands folded on his knees. He also wears a dark suit, white shirt, and tie. 3 3/8 x 5 5/8 in. black and white postcard.
Flaugherty Creek
Flaugherty Creek
Flaugherty Creek, Streams, United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale
Trees and bushes grow near the edge of a rock-filled Flaugherty Creek in Meyersdale, Pa. Homes are seen off in the distance. Transcribed from the front 'view along Falugherty [sic] Creek, Meyersdale, Pa.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. color postcard.
Flaugherty meets Casselman
Flaugherty meets Casselman
Rivers, Streams
Flaugherty Creek flows through Meyersdale, and meets the Casselman River under the bridge on Broadway Street. The waters here are prone to flooding, and often threaten the surrounding property. Transcribed from the front 'Flaugherty Creek & Casselman River. Meeting of the waters, Meyersdale, Pa.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in black and white postcard.
F.O. Weller's Feed Store in Summit Mills
F.O. Weller's Feed Store in Summit Mills
Weller, F.O., Feed stores, United States-Pennsylvania-Summit Mills
F.O. Weller of Summit Mills, Pennsylvania was a general merchandiser. The store was known as a feed store, but other items like flour could be purchased there. Horse drawn wagons could pull up to the front of the wood framed building to be loaded. Transcribed from the back 'Weller's Store Summit Mills, Pa.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
Formal portrait
Formal portrait
Men, Portrait photographs
Either friends or brothers, the two men sit shoulder to shoulder for this portrait. The gentleman on the viewer’s right has his hair parted in the middle and combed back. He is wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and tie, and is looking straight ahead. The other gentleman has his hair combed neatly to the side and is in a dark suit, white shirt, and bow tie. He looks straight ahead with a hint of a smile. 5 1/4 x 3 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
Four boys in knickerbockers
Four boys in knickerbockers
Women, Children, Sand Spring
A lady in a dark dress stands behind four young boys at Sand Spring. The boys are in newsboy hats, and all are wearing long dark jackets, white shirts, and ties. Knickerbockers with knee high dark stockings and high top shoes complete their outfits. One young boy checks the top of his head with his hand, as if checking for a lost hat. Transcribed from the album page ‘A walk to Sand Spring. April 1916.’ 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Four boys on a bridge
Four boys on a bridge
Children, Bridges
Four boys stopped on a bridge and sat on the railing for a photograph. The boy on the viewer’s right is wearing a dark suit with long slacks, vest, white shirt, bow tie, and high top shoes. He wears a flat brimmed straw hat with a dark band. The other three boys are wearing knickerbockers with knee high dark stockings and high top shoes. All three have dark suits with white shirts and a long tie or bow tie. The two boys on the end have newsboy hats. Long umbrellas with pointed tips are carried by two of the boys. A small stream is flowing below the bridge, and homes are seen in the distance. 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. glass negative.
Four people in front of J.M. Olinger's porch
Four people in front of J.M. Olinger's porch
Houses, Men, Women
At J.M. Olinger's residence, four people stand by the porch. A young man in a top coat and bowler hat rests against the porch post with his hand on his hip. The lady on the top step has a long stole around the neck of her light jacket, and her skirt is dark. The other two ladies are in dark outfits. All are wearing hats. Transcribed from the album page ‘JM Olinger Residence.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Four people on porch steps
Four people on porch steps
Women, Children
They seem to be ready to go somewhere. The older lady on the bottom step has a long, cool, white summer dress with dots. On the step above, a woman in a dark dress with buttons holds a very young girl in a white knee length dress, with long white stockings and high buttoned shoes. A very prim young girl sits on the top step. Her white dress is pulled over her knees, but her white socks and black buckle shoes are visible. She has her hair cut short with bangs, and wears a large white bow in her hair. 3 3/8 x 5 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
Four women and a man sitting on J.M. Olinger's porch
Four women and a man sitting on J.M. Olinger's porch
Houses, Men, Women
Four ladies sit on the steps at J.M. Olinger's home. They are joined by a gentleman in a light colored jacket, high top tied shoes and a bowler hat. The ladies, with their stoles, have warm jackets, gloves, and hats with flowers and feathers. Transcribed from the album page ‘JM Olinger Residence.’ 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
Four women and one man stand under a porch
Four women and one man stand under a porch
Men, Women
One lady in a long dark dress is sitting on the porch steps. Standing behind her to her left is a lady in a long dark dress. A gentleman in a dark suit, white shirt, and tie stands in the back and is leaning on a post. To his left is a lady in a striped top with a high collar. Standing on his right with her hand on her hip is a lady in a white top with a black belt and black bow around her collar. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.