Album York and York County, Pa. from Alan Mays

City Band of York, Pennsylvania, 1915

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:18:02 +0000

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of stripes.

Drumhead: “City Band of York, Pa."

Credit line: "Photo by M. J. Murnane, York, Pa., 1915."

Printed on the back: "M. J. Murnane, No. 227 W. Market St., York, Pa. At the Bridge."

This is a divided-back real photo postcard with an Azo stamp box design (four corner triangles pointing up) on the other side. The time frame of 1907 to 1918 is commonly associated with this type of design, and that matches the 1915 date of the photo.

The name of "Elwood Slaugenhaupt" -- he was born in 1917 and died in 2000, according to Find A Grave -- is written on the other side. Slaugenhaupt would have been too young to have been one of the musicians pictured in the photo.

York Rolling Mill Explosion, York, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1908

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 03:58:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of a factory, warehouse, or any other example of an industrial building.

Caption on the front of this real photo postcard: "York Rolling Mill Explosion, Aug. 10, 1908, 2:45 P.M., in which 8 10 were killed and 13 19 injured. Photographed by Daniel J. Diehl, 712 Prospect St., York, Pa."

Handwritten message on the other side (no address, date, stamp, or postmark): "I guess you know this place. Baby's cough is much better. Your postal received to-day. Emily."

The explosion of a boiler at the York Rolling Mill in York, Pennsylvania, on August 10, 1908, resulted in 10 deaths and hurled pieces of metal into the surrounding neighborhood.

For additional details about the rolling mill disaster, see Jim McClure, 1908: ‘Boiler Explosion At York Rolling Mills Kills 9 Men; 20 injured’, and Stephen H. Smith, #7 York Rolling Mill in Spring Garden Township; Site of a Massive Explosion in 1908.

Steamboat Mary, Wrightsville and Columbia, Pennsylvania, ca. 1907

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 16:18:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Steamboat Mary, Wrightsville and Columbia, Pa. B. D. Beittel, Columbia, Pa."

An early postcard of Steamboat Mary, which evidently ran on the Susquehanna River between Wrightsville, York County, and Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The card dates to the first decade of the twentieth century (circa 1907, based on the postmark of another copy I spotted elsewhere on the web).

In the background is the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge, a steel truss bridge that was built in 1896. It carried railroad and automobile traffic over the river until it was dismantled in 1963.

Harvesting Corn in the 1940s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 03:58:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of fields or forests.

Photo shop ink stamp on the other side of this snapshot: "Sweigart’s, 278-80 W. Market St., York, Pa., Oct. [11?], 1943."

A farmer on a tractor pulls a corn harvester and a wagon through a field of corn in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1943. It appears that the photographer is riding in the wagon among the ears of corn. On the left, someone's hand is reaching toward the front of the wagon.

For an earlier harvest photo, see Bringing in the Corn.

Henry Swartz, Dealer in Dry Goods, York, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 18 May 2020 02:31:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A late nineteenth-century business card for Henry Swartz's dry goods store in York, Pennsylvania.

The typeface used for "Henry Swartz" is Antique Extended. Thanks go to Florian Hardwig for the identification.

Henry Swartz,

Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Notions, Queensware, &c., &c., &c.
No. 229 South George Street, York, Pa.

Experience in the business and strict attention enables him to render general satisfaction.

Country produce bought and sold.

Dry Goods. Gazette, Pr.

Young Woman with Gnarly Tree

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 02:32:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of curious photographer props (huge urns or plants, strange objects, taxidermy animals, etc.).

"Shadle & Busser, 20 S. George Street, York, Pa."

A young woman poses next to a gnarly tree in the photo studio of James Monroe Shadle and Oscar W. Busser in York, Pennsylvania. Shadle & Busser operated their studio at 20 South George Street from 1887 to 1902 before moving to a different location.

For other curious studio props, see Women in Ladder CDV and Rasputin and the Amorphous Enigma.

E. S. Ilgenfritz (1897-1937), Photo Developing and Printing, York, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 05:30:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"E. S. Ilgenfritz, Developing & Printing, 34 N. Albemarle St., York, Pa."

This is the photographer's stamp on the back of a curious photo of four men. One of the men is sitting in the driver's seat of an automobile, and the other three are standing next to the auto with pies in their hands. See Simply Simon with Some Piemen Going to a Fair?

Edward Samuel Ilgenfritz (1897-1937) was only 40 years old when he passed away. His obituary doesn't mention photography, and his stamp only specifies photo "developing & printing," but I'm guessing that he was also a photographer.

Simply Simon with Some Piemen Going to a Fair? (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 05:30:06 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Four men, three pies, a single hat, and one automobile. I wonder what Simon and his piemen were doing that day.

For more information, see the full version of this photo.

Simply Simon with Some Piemen Going to a Fair?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 05:30:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Is this simply some guy named Simon meeting up with his piemen on their way to a fair (to make a tedious comparison to the nursery rhyme)?

Otherwise, I'm not sure why these three gents are awkwardly holding pies and standing next to the guy in the automobile. Looks like one of the fellows has removed his hat and stashed it on the car's running board during the photo shoot.

This is a larger photo mounted on cardboard, so presumably it recorded some especially memorable or amusing occasion. Take a look at a cropped version of the photo for a better view of the pies.

The photographer's stamp on the back of the photo says, "E. S. Ilgenfritz, Developing & Printing, 34 N. Albemarle St., York, Pa."

Star-Shaped Logo with Extracted Teeth, Dr. A. A. Wasson Billhead, Dental Surgeon, York, Pa., April 22, 1893

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 03:52:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A portrait of Dr. Andrew Aikens Wasson (1844-1918), a dentist from York, Pennsylvania, is the main feature of this star-shaped logo from the billhead he used in the 1890s. The design also includes a heart, a pair of pointing hands (manicules), and—holy molar!—two extracted teeth.

For the full billhead, see Dr. A. A. Wasson Billhead, Dental Surgeon, York, Pa., April 22, 1893.

Dr. A. A. Wasson Billhead, Dental Surgeon, York, Pa., April 22, 1893

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 03:52:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Dr. Andrew Aikens Wasson (1844-1918) used this billhead in his dental practice in York, Pennsylvania, in the 1890s. I can't quite decipher the handwriting to determine what service he provided for Lewis Shriver on April 22, 1893, but it's notable, I suppose, that it only cost $10.00.

A unique part of the billhead is the star-shaped logo that includes Wasson's portrait, a heart, a pair of pointing hands (manicules), and—yikes!—two extracted teeth (see a cropped version for a better view of the design).

"Dr. A. A. Wasson, Dr. Dental Surgeon, 214 W. Market Street. Terms cash. York, Pa., April 22, 1893. Mr. Lewis Shriver. [????], $10.00. Rec'd payment, A. A. Wasson, D.D.S."

Haines Shoe House Snapshot (Detail)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 03:49:08 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Haines the Shoe Wizard" is visible on the side of this car, which is parked in front of the Shoe House in York County, Pa. For more information, see the full photo.

Haines Shoe House Snapshot (Cropped)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 03:49:10 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A 1950s snapshot of the Shoe House in York County, Pa. See also a close-up of the car parked in front of the building.

For more information, see the full photo.

Haines Shoe House Snapshot

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 03:49:12 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

I chose shoes in order to pick a theme about things—objects, artifacts, or items (or any other topic) for the third week of Wild Card Month—Pick Your Own Theme! in the Vintage Photos Theme Park. I thought about posting an actual photo of shoes but decided that a shoe-shaped house might be more interesting.

Handwritten caption on this snapshot, which probably dates to the 1950s: "Haines Shoe House, Hellam."

This is a photo of the Haines Shoe House in Hellam Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Businessman Mahlon Haines, who called himself the "Shoe Wizard," built it in 1948-49 to promote his shoe stores. The Shoe House is still standing and is open for tours.

See also a cropped version of the photo and a close-up of the car parked in front of the building.

Combination Chemical and Hose Wagon, York Fire Department, Vigilant Engine House, York, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 04:32:20 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"York Fire Department, York, Pa. Vigilant Combination Chemical and Hose Wagon. Engine House, 267 W. Market St."

Combination Chemical and Hose Wagon, York Fire Department, Vigilant Engine House, York, Pa.

Standard Pattern Works, York, Pennsylvania

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 20:18:06 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Men pose in their work areas at the Standard Pattern Works in York, Pennsylvania, sometime early in the twentieth century.

As Wikipedia explains, "In casting, a pattern is a replica of the object to be cast, used to prepare the cavity into which molten material will be poured during the casting process.... The making of patterns, called patternmaking..., is a skilled trade that is related to the trades of tool and die making and moldmaking, but also often incorporates elements of fine woodworking."

Pansies' Playtime

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 17:35:18 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A colorful Victorian-era advertising trade card for the Standard Sewing Machine Company.

Stamped on the other side: "Horace Brillinger, Emigsville, Pa."

Standard Rotary Shuttle Sewing Machine

The highest priced lock stitch machine made. But the cheapest, because the best. The nation's pride. Compliments of the Standard Sewing Machine Co., Cleveland, O., U.S.A. Pansies' Playtime. M. F. Tobin, N.Y.

Pure Apple Cider Vinegar Label, Flora Orchard Company, Wrightsville, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 20:27:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Pure Apple Cider Vinegar. Flora Orchard Co., Wrightsville, Pa. 5-2."

Continental Congress Session at York, Pa., 150th Anniversary Celebration, Poster Stamp, 1927

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 23:01:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A poster stamp advertising the celebrations in 1927 that commemorated the 150th anniversary of the sessions of the Second Continental Congress that were held in York, Pennsylvania, after British troops occupied Philadelphia.

"150th Anniversary, York, Penna., of the session of Continental Congress at York, Pennsylvania, from Sept. 30, 1777, to June 28, 1778. Big celebration, Oct. 13, 14, 15, 1927."

Clarence E., York, Pennsylvania

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 18 May 2015 22:45:48 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Clarence E., York, Penn'a."

I think that this roughly cut card is intended to be a calling card with a puzzling last name in the form of a rebus.

I haven't been able to figure out what the name might be--Clarence E. Eishart ("Eyes-heart") is one possibility, I suppose. Any other ideas?

Update: This is probably Clarence E. Eisenhart (eyes and heart). See my note below in the comments section.