Photos, videos and docs of Alan Mays, with the keywords: "bridges"

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

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

"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.

Golden Gate International Exposition Ticket, San Francisco, 1939

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 02:40:56 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"A souvenir of Golden Gate International Exposition, 1939. A Pageant of the Pacific. Leland W. Cutler, president. H. C. Bottorff, exec. secretary. M128027."

New and Old Clark's Ferry Bridges with Paddlewheel Coal Digger, July 26, 1925

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 13:05:00 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A bridge photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

Handwritten note on the back of this photo: "7-26-1925. New & old Clark's Ferry Bridge."

As Wikipedia explains, the current Clark's Ferry Bridge, which was built in 1986, "carries U.S. Routes 22 and 322 across the Susquehanna River near Duncannon, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania." This photo, however, shows the two bridges that preceded the current one.

The concrete bridge in front was brand new when this photo was taken in 1925, and the older soon-to-be-demolished wooden covered bridge behind it was constructed in 1859. Drivers who crossed the privately owned bridge were charged a fee (see tickets below), but that changed in the 1940s after the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased it and discontinued tolls.

In the foreground is a curious-looking boat with a paddlewheel. After a bit of searching, I learned that this was a "paddlewheel coal digger," one of many such boats that dredged the tons and tons of anthracite coal that washed down the river from mining operations farther north in Pennsylvania. For more information, see Van Wagner's article, The Hard Coal Navy of the Susquehanna River, and his 35-minute YouTube documentary, The Billy Marks: Paddlewheel Coal Diggers on the Susquehanna River.

Brooklyn Bridge Promenade Ticket

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sat, 28 May 2016 19:31:40 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"New York & Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Not good if detached. C. C. Martin, Chief Eng. and Supt. 8."

The Brooklyn Bridge was originally called the "New York and Brooklyn Bridge" when it opened in 1883. Charles Cyril Martin (1831-1903) served as its chief engineer and superintendent from 1883 until 1902. Pedestrians no longer have to purchase a ticket to walk across the bridge.

Broadway Limited, Pennsylvania Railroad

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 18:34:58 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Printed on the back of this postcard: "The Broadway Limited, the Aristocrat of the Rails, is America's foremost train. It makes the daily run over the Pennsylvania Railroad between New York and Chicago in 20 hours; Philadelphia and Chicago in 18¼ hours. Direct connections in new Union Station, Chicago, for Pacific Coast and points West."

As Wikipedia explains, "The Broadway Limited was a passenger train operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad between New York City and Chicago. It operated from 1912 to 1995." The illustration on this advertising postcard comes from a 1920s painting by Harold Brett entitled Speed and Security. It shows the Broadway Limited traveling over the Rockville Bridge, which crosses the Susquehanna River a few miles north of Harrisburg, Pa.

Merry Christmas, Metropolitan Philadelphia Railway Association, 1955

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 20:59:09 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Sewickley Bridge, Greetings of the Season, Christmas, 1911

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 20:12:23 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

This tinted real photo postcard shows the original Sewickley Bridge, which spanned the Ohio River between Sewickley and Moon Township in western Pennsylvania. Located about twelve miles northwest of Pittsburgh, the bridge was completed in 1911, dismantled in 1980 after significant deterioration, and replaced by a new bridge that opened in 1981.

A Find A Grave search identified the final resting places of "Wesley Charlton" (probably Mark Wesley Charlton, Sr., 1877-1921) and "Wm. Snowwhite" (probably William Snowwhite, 1886-1968). Charlton and Snowwhite likely lived in the area at the time the bridge was completed in 1911. I haven't been able to determine any other specific reason that they chose the bridge as the subject for the holiday postcard that they created that year.

Greetings of the Season, Christmas, 1911

This is an exceptional view of the Ohio river bridge and the only one of its kind in existence. It was obtained through an unique process by Wesley Charlton and the plate and product are the exclusive property of Wm. Snowwhite, the sender.

Motorcycle Mama and Papa

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 16:44:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of things they won't let us do any more.

In this undated photo, dad is smoking a pipe as he and mom pose with little Sidecar Susie.

Wake Up, America!

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 21:58:50 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

The sheet music for "Wake Up, America!" appeared in 1916, the year before the United States entered World War I. The cover shows Uncle Sam kneeling next to the Brooklyn Bridge with the Statue of Liberty in the background. He's preparing for war by placing a battleship in New York Harbor. The song urged Americans to "get ready to answer duty's call" in case "we are called to war."

A 1916 recording of "Wake Up, America!" is available on the Library of Congress's National Jukebox site.

--------

"Wake Up, America!" This is the song that inspired all America. Lyric by George Graff, Jr. Music by Jack Glogau. Leo Feist, Inc., New York.

Chorus:

Wake up, America, if we are called to war,
Are we prepared to give our lives
For our sweethearts and our wives?
Are our mothers and our homes worth fighting for?

Let us pray, God, for peace, but peace with honor,
But let's get ready to answer duty's call,
So when Old Glory stands unfurled,
Let it mean to all the world,
America is ready, that's all!

New York One-Price Clothing Company

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 18:36:40 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Compliments of New York One-Price Clothing Co., Westfield, Mass."

Attack of the 50 Foot Fish

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 21:48:38 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Real photo postcard, postmarked Juneau, Wisconsin, Sept. 21, 1912.

Brooklyn Bridge Valentine

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 19:11:36 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Loving thoughts."

See also Statue of Liberty Valentine.

Braving the Whirlpool Rapids at Niagara Falls

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 21:54:23 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

What appears to be a photo of tourists bravely enduring the tumultuous waves of the whirlpool rapids in the gorge below Niagara Falls is actually a composite photo concocted in a photographer's studio. For an illustration showing how the photographer achieved this effect, see "How to Visit Niagara Falls Without Leaving Home," part of the American Museum of Photography's Montages, Multiples, and Mischief page.

The Whirlpool Rapids Bridge (formerly known as the Lower Steel Arch Bridge) is visible in the background of the photo, and a second bridge, the Niagara Cantilever Bridge, is partially visible behind it.

Miniature Railway, House of David Park, Benton Harbor, Michigan

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 20:24:10 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"18. Miniature Railway, House of David Park."

Part of an amusement park that was opened in 1908 by the House of David religious commune, this miniature railway ceased operations when the park closed in 1972. Fortunately, however, the railroad was recently restored, and it reopened for rides in 2011.

For a history of the railway, see Dave Schoeffler's article, "The House of David Railroad," in Discover Live Steam: The On-Line Magazine of Rideable Model Railroading.

See also another view of the Miniature Railway, House of David Park, Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Working Out on the High Beam

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 20:49:49 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A real photo postcard, date and location unknown.

High over Zurich, Sept. 22, 1910

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 00:59:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Posted to the Vintage Photos Theme Park group for "rattan/bamboo/wicker" theme week. Although the photo is obviously contrived, the gondola--with attached ropes and sandbags--looks like a real wicker basket similar in appearance to those used for hot air balloons.

A real photo postcard addressed on the back to: "Mr. and Mrs. J. [Paules?], Oakryn, Pennsylvania, U.S. America."

The message on the back: "Sept. 22nd, 1910. We are spending the afternoon at Zurich on our way home from Switzerland, had a lovely drive. The lady in the balloon with us is the one we have been staying with at St. Gallen. Love, Leslie and Ethel."

Twin Tracks

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:26:01 +0000

Alan Mays has posted: