Vintage Photos – Part 001
By Don Taylor
I encounter photos from many sources. Today, I look at five photos I recently came across.
Store with 17 people in front, Cornish, Maine, c. 1885-1895.
Photographer: Unidentified
Inscription: “G. H. Snip | Cornish, Maine”
Description: An apparently large staff of 17 people in front of a large general store. store
Research:
- Based on the clothing, storefront design, boardwalk, and hitching posts, I believe the photo is circa 1885-1895.
I am providing this historic photo here; however, I have also shared it with the folks at the Cornish Historical Society.
Teamster Hauling Wood, Dover-Jackman, c. 1895.
Photographer: C. A. Smith Photo Co.
Inscription: None.
Description: A sepia photograph from the C.A. Smith Photo Co. shows a teamster on a wooden wagon loaded with firewood, drawn by two horses, before a classic New England farmhouse. Likely taken around 1890–1895 in the Dover–Jackman region, the image offers a rich glimpse into rural Maine life and invites further identification.
Research:
- The back of the photo includes a note about a picture taken on June 15th, 1892, indicating this photo was taken after that date.
- The Rockland Courier-Gazette has advertisements for C.A. Smith Photo Co. into 1897, but I haven’t found any mention of the company after that date.
I provide this historic photo here only.
Grocery Store Interior, Probably Allston, MA, c. 1895-1905.
Photographer: Commercial Photo Co., 14 Broadway Extension, Boston, Mass.
Inscription: Handwritten: allstn
Description: Professional interior of a grocery or dry-goods store. Ten men stand throughout the space. A sign in the back advertises “There is none better – Corner Stone Flour.”
Research:
- Commercial Photo Co. operated in Buston during the 1890s to 1910s.
- “Allstn” probably refers to Allston, a Boston neighborhood.
- The gas lighting suggests the photo was taken before 1906.
- Corner Stone Flour was made from the mid-1890s through about 1901.
I provide this historic photo here only.
Public House, Probably Pendleton, Salford, England, c. 1900-1908.
Photographer: Unidentified
Inscription: On back: This is the house you were born in Jan 3rd 1872 | John Holden.
Description: A corner pub with:
- Street sign: Steers Street.
- Banner Sign: Walkers Warrington Ales. Also, two window notices reading Walker’s Warrington.
- Banner Sign: British and Foreign Wines
Research:
- Walkers of Warrington was a brewery in Warrington, Lancashire, England.
- This is likely a Walkers of Warrington Pub.
- There was a Steers Street in Pendleton, Salford, (historically in Lancashire) near Manchester.
My initial search did not find a Holden family in Pendleton or Salford with a child born on 3Jan 3rd, 1872. Further research would be necessary to confirm the likely location.
I provide this historic photo here only.
Unidentified Man, Lewiston, ME, circa 1890
Photographer: Colpitts & Co. 52 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, ME.
Inscription: Mary A Smith | F-1109 | F-1295
Description: This is a classic late-Victorian cabinet card portrait of a well-dressed young man, taken in a professional studio in Maine. The combination of clothing, props, and printing style firmly places it around 1885–1895.
Research:
- Colpitts & Company was operating by 1889 and moved by 1891 when I. L. Hammond & Co. operated at that location.
- The 1890 Census – Veterans Schedules lists a Mary A Smith, the widow of John Smith, living in Auburn, Maine. However, I have been unable to determine the date of John Smith’s death.
- My search of the internet failed to locate this photo.
I am unable to identify this young man.
Conclusion
I am sad that I was unable to positively identify any of these photographs. I would love to hear your reaction if you can identify any of these people or locations. If so, do you have a story you can share? If so, please use the comment form below. Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the pictures with the descendants of the people portrayed here.