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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Al Eisfeller
Eisfeller, Al
Al Eisfeller has his hair parted in the middle, and is wearing a suit jacket and a shirt with a rounded collar. He has a slight smile as he looks off to his left. Transcribed from the back 'I think this is Uncle Al Eisfeller.' 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
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Altfather Mill in MacDonaldton, Pennsylvania
Mills, United States-Pennsylvania-MacDonaldton
The Altfather Mill in MacDonaldton, Pennsylvania was a large structure. A dormer was on the rooftop, and off to the side a chimney rose high above the building. Across the front of the building eight windows were seen, and an extended roof sheltered a wood pile. There were outbuildings and a house on the other side of the road. A unique feature showed a photographer, with his camera, standing in the street. Transcribed from the back 'This was taken from a glass negative by Connie Glessner. Owned by Solomon Engle 1879-1890. G. Grandfather of Marguerite Lepley Cockley. Altfather old mill.' 4 7/8 x 3 7/8 in. black and white photograph.
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American Legion Jr. Drum Corps
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Bands, Musical Instruments, Drums (Musical instruments)
There are 43 members in the American Legion Junior Drum Corps No. 112 of Meyersdale, Pa. In the front row are six young boys in their uniforms who play the drums. Behind them, 11 other drum players are lined up. The drum major in a dark hat and dark trousers is standing in the middle of the boys who play the bass drum. The other 25 members play instruments. The boys all wear the same uniform of white trousers, V-necked long sleeved sweaters with a white shirt and tie showing. They wear a beret type hat. Transcribed from the front 'Junior Drum Corps, Meyersdale, Pa.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
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Amy and Richard Sipple on butchering day
Sipple, Richard, Sipple, Amy Kretchman, United States-Pennsylvania-St. Paul, Butchers
Butchering day was in November for Richard and Amy Sipple of St. Paul, Pennsylvania. To support the large iron kettle over the fire, a log was suspended and supported by crossed wood at each end. A smiling Amy Sipple stands in front of the kettle in an apron type dress with long sleeves. Richard Sipple stands off to the right in a long sleeved shirt, and pants with suspenders. Behind is an array of items needed for butchering. Transcribed from the back 'Butchering day-November. Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sipple. Amy Kretchman Sipple. St. Paul, Pa.' 4 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
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Amy Kretchman Sipple with a hint of a smile
Sipple, Amy Kretchman
Amy Kretchman Sipple has her hair pulled back, and in the front above her forehead, she curled the hair back. The dark dress she wears is buttoned to the high neck, and the white collar is fastened with a clasp. With just a hint of a smile, she looks off to her right. Transcribed from the back 'Amy Kretchman Sipple.' 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
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Anna Dibert Bates in a toy car
Bates, Anna Dibert
A very tiny Anna Dibert Bates bundled in a white coat and a white cap is driving a metal car with a rounded front. A man walks away in the distance. Transcribed from the back 'Anna Dibert Bates, Dec. 1922.' 4 1/2 x 2 5/8 in. black and white photograph.
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Anna Snyder Truxal
Truxal, Anna Snyder
Anna is the adopted daughter of Cyrus W. Truxal. She is standing behind a decorative chair in her long, dark garment, with extra-large puffed sleeves. Anna's hair is dark and curly, and is parted in the middle. Transcribed from the back 'Anna Snyder Truxal adopted daughter of Cyrus W. Truxal.' 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
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Apple orchard after a storm in 1910
Apple orchards
In a 1910 storm, an apple orchard was devastated, as can be seen by the uprooted trees and dismantled fence. Transcribed from the front 'June storm 1910, apple orchard.' 4 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. black and white postcard.
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Apprehensive young boy
Portrait photographs, Children
Sitting for his portrait in a sailor suit with a large white ribbon tie, he seems like he is not sure about the camera. 4 x 5 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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At Edith's
Women, United States-Pennsylvania-Chambersburg
Visiting Edith at Chambersburg, Pa. everyone gathered under the canopy for a fun photograph. Transcribed from the album page ‘At Edith’s. Chambersburg, Pa. 1919.’ 3 1/8 x 2 1/8 in. black and white photograph.
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Austie Horn
Horn, Austie
Austie Horn, in a pinstriped dress, and high collar with lace draped over shoulders, strikes a pose looking to her right. She wears her hair pulled back and tied with a ribbon. Transcribed from the back 'Austie Horn.' 2 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
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B. & O. Depot Meyersdale, Pa.
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Railroad stations
The depot is a wooden building with a large slanted roof, and on the roof is a small room with a weather vane outside the window. A big 'M' is on the side of the room. Waiting on the station platform is a lady in a dark skirt and white top. She is watching a young boy sitting on some bags in the corner. A man in a coat and hat sits on the steps with a young boy next to bags piled on the platform. The train tracks run right in front of the depot. Transcribed from the front 'The B.& O. Depot, Meyersdale, Pa.' Transcribed from the back 'Etta Lepley, Meyersdale, Pa. R.F.D. No. 2.' 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
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B & O Trestle in West Salisbury, Pa.
United States-Pennsylvania-West Salisbury, Railroads, Railroad bridges
The trestle winds in a wide curve and three men are standing on it. Debris is scattered at the base of the trestle, and part of a rail is standing in the debris. A section of tracks is in the foreground, and off in a distance is a barn. Transcribed from the back 'B & O Trestle near West Salisbury, Pa.' 4 1/4 x 4 in. black and white photograph.
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Baby in chair
Portrait photographs, Infants
A beautiful baby, with no hair yet, is dressed in a long white dress. A bit of the ruffled underskirt is showing. The chair is draped in a dark cover, and the baby sits quietly. 7 x 4 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Baby in dress on board walkway
Infants
He may be tiny, but his happy smile is huge. In his long white dress he holds his arms out to balance himself. He is standing on the board walkway beside the porch steps for his photograph. 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. black and white postcard.
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Baby in furry nest
Infants, Portrait photographs
In a rug shaped like a furry nest, the baby in a white dress with tiny black shoes, is nestled safely inside. 3 3/8 x 5/3/8 in. black and white postcard.
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Baby in the middle
Infants, Women, Men, Children
The small baby with curly hair and a white dress seems to be floating between the two adults. On the baby's left, a lady sits very straight, and is wearing a light colored, long sleeved, pleated dress. Around her neck is a V-shaped collar. Sitting in a decorative chair on the baby's right is a man in a dark suit, high collared white shirt, and dark tie. 8 7/8 x 6 7/8 in. black and white photograph.
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Badland rocks piled precariously in Meyersdale, Pa.
United States-Pennsylvania-Meyersdale, Badlands, Rocks
Boulders piled in a precarious heap show how this area could be named the ‘Badlands.’ Several rocks have initials painted or carved on them. Transcribed from the front 'Rocks, Meyersdale, Pa. Photo by Clayton Walker.' 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. black and white postcard.
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Baltimore & Ohio railroad cars
Railroad cars, Railroad cabooses
An engine with a coal car and caboose sits on the train tracks, and printed on the caboose is ‘Balt & Ohio’ with a number underneath. The engine is barrel shaped with a large light and bell on top. The engineer is seen in the cab, and a man is leaning out of the caboose window. The two men standing by the stones strewn along the railroad track seem to be taking pictures. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Barron Shipley at Laurel Falls
Shipley, Barron, Laurel Falls
Accompanied by a man in a white shirt and light slacks, and two young boys in white shirts and knickers, Barron Shipley stands at the edge of the lake in a dark suit, white shirt and hat. It is a rough but scenic location with the rocks jutting out sharply and broken branches scattered nearby. The two young boys stand on a flat rock near the edge of a small stream. The side where Barron Shipley is standing shows layered rocks and rhododendron bushes. 9 3/4 x 7 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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