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Albany, New York, circa 1908. "Keeler's Hotel." Next door, one category of retailing that's taken a hit over the years: "Carriage & Sleigh Robes." 6½x8½ inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
Future New York governor and presidential candidate Al Smith used to hold court here with his friends during his days as a State Assemblyman.
The awning business appears to be the one I would have bet on. They were probably real canvas too.
When compared to today's signage, it's refreshing to note the inclusion of the apostrophe in the Hotel's roof sign.
Since all those big-box and online stores starting horning in on the sleigh-robe business and put all the "little guys" out of business.
[Looks dangerous. Shouldn't Baby be strapped into a rear-facing sled seat? - Dave]
from every window, but I don't see ladders to ground level. The builders must have figured there would be a devastating fire in 1919, so better prepare for it now.
Here's the NY Times article reporting its demise.
The Keeler was gutted by fire on June 17, 1919. All the patrons escaped without harm, but a fireman was killed when he was buried beneath the crumbling walls.
On the floor above the Carriage and Sleigh Robes was another industry that would be, albeit later, in the tank.
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