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New York circa 1900. "Waiting for the train, Depot near Poughkeepsie." 5x7 inch glass negative rescued from an Upstate attic. View full size.
After the comments on the adults, I can't help but notice the kids seem to be dressed up in their best summer clothes for the trip. The oldest boy looks like Bobby Driscoll has escaped from the Disney movie "So Dear to My Heart" that I just recently watched on TCM.
A successful young family on their way down to NYC? Could that be the Nanny on the left? Or is the Lady traveling with the Fellow sitting inside the door?
Thank you Shorpy for this Amazing Channel to The Past!
The Gentleman standing at the far right has a haircut that caused me to look twice. For a moment I thought he was wearing his eyeglasses atop his head as many of us do to rest our eyes.
[He seems to be holding a conductor or stationmaster-type cap. - Dave]
Okay, none of these folks are particularly fashionable, but there are a number of clues indicating a date later than 1900.
1. The lady on the left with her tiered skirt and angular hat - both typical for around 1914/15.
2. The lady with no hat (a remarkably casual way to appear in public at the time) has a flat top loosely marcelled hair-do most popular in the mid nineteen-teens - her loose comfortable looking dress - same period.
[This is from a batch of glass negatives dated 1900 to 1902. - Dave]
I predict that some Shorpy Sleuth will have an identity for this station in a short time because of its distinctive architectural features:
* Brick construction. (Most RR stations are wood frame.)
* Curved, corbelled lintels on the windows.
* Wrought iron eve braces.
I know of only three RR's near Poughkeepsie on the east side of the Hudson: the New York Central, the Central New England , and the Newburgh, Dutchess, and Connecticut RR.
Of these, my first hunch is that it is _one of_ the Poughkeepsie stations which preceded the current ex-NY Central station. The substantial construction supports this. However, this would be "in", rather than "near" the City of Poughkeepsie.
My second hunch is that it will be the station of the Central New England Rwy. I surmise this could be their station on the Poughkeepsie Bridge Route, which would put it on high ground overlooking the City of Poughkeepsie, thus perfectly fitting the caption.
One interesting aspect is the height of the platform upon which they are sitting, and the bare ground in front of it. This looks for all the world like the BACK of a station, the side facing away from the tracks.
Now, the challenge is to come up with another old photo with a matching station, positively identified!
That guy inside gives me the creepers.
for Will Parker to arrive on the 9:10 and sing "Everything's Up to Date in Kansas City"
Waiting for the Beefcake Collegiate Rowers in wool shorts to arrive?
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