I saw this gorgeous and intriguing picture on Shorpy.com, a popular photo blog that posts old pictures and invites comments from readers. The picture was submitted by Scott Allen, the grandson of the photographer, Howard McGraw, who worked a long time for the Detroit News. I … [Read more...]
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Stories From The Dowlin Block (December 2013)
CHAPTER ONE The year this photograph was taken (1911), Jason Braman and his wife Theresa moved into apartment 616, on the top floor of the Dowlin Block, a six-story building which has now been a fixture in North Adams since 1902. About 37 at the time, Jason was working as … [Read more...]
Lonnie Cole, Birmingham, Alabama
Lewis Hine caption: "OUR BABY DOFFER" they called him. Donnie Cole. Has been doffing for some months. When asked his age, he hesitated, then said, "I'm Twelve." Another young boy said "He can't work unless he's twelve." Child Labor regulations were conspicuously posted in the … [Read more...]
Making “Misty”: The Legendary Johnny Mathis Recording (2010)
"I heard Erroll Garner play it when I was in my teens. There were no lyrics yet. I blurted out, ‘Mr. Garner, I am going to record your song if I ever make a record.'" -Johnny Mathis "Look at me/I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree." I was sitting in my favorite diner … [Read more...]
The Courriers: Still Carrying On (2014)
"When he (Pete Seeger) sang 'Wimoweh,' and he got the whole audience to sing, I had an epiphany. I knew that this is what I wanted to hear, what I wanted to know more about, and what I wanted to play." -Mark Max, co-founding member of the Courriers "We did a gig at the Bitter … [Read more...]
Lalar Blanton, Lincolnton, North Carolina
This little girl, identified by Lewis Hine simply as "spinner," has been staring out the window for 105 years, waiting for someone to give her a name. The waiting is over. Her name is Lalar Blanton. "Granny was my security, my safe place to fall. She was the softness and the … [Read more...]
Padgett Family, Weldon, North Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: A menace to Society. The Padgett family. The entire family including the mother totally illiterate. No one could read or write. The mother does mill work some. Alice, 17 years has steady job. Makes from $5 to $6 a week. Alfred, 13 years now, worked here when … [Read more...]
Pearl & Viola Turner, Gastonia, North Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: Spinners. Smallest girl - Pearlie Turner, 408 East Long Ave. Been at it 3 years and runs six and seven sides. Her Sister (largest girl) runs only four sides. I found other cases where youngest sister did much more work than oldest and family stimulated her by … [Read more...]
Mamie, Eglantine & The Laberge Family, Winchendon, Massachusetts
Lewis Hine caption: Mamie La Barge at her Machine. Under legal age. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts, September 1911. The first time I saw this picture, I thought it might be the best photograph Lewis Hine ever took. More than two years later, I haven't changed my mind. … [Read more...]
Quabbin Boy Rescued From Obscurity (2011)
"Well there's one kind favor I'll ask of you/Well there's one kind favor I'll ask of you/There's just one kind favor I'll ask of you/You can see that my grave is kept clean." -from a song by Blind Lemon Jefferson On July 31, 1927, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorialist F. … [Read more...]
The Real Dr. Frankenstein
The following articles appeared in the Westphalia Times (Kansas), in 1885 and 1886. November 12, 1885 M.F. Moore sold his drug store to Knapp & Son, and Dr. Frankenstein will conduct it. Dec 17, 1885 Dr. Franckinstein showed us Tuesday, pieces of a frog or snake … [Read more...]
Yetta Finkelstein & Family, New York, NY
Lewis Hine caption: Mrs. Finkelstein, 127 Monroe St. Bessie (age 13), Sophie (age 7). Girls attend school. Making garters for Liberty Garter works, 413 Broadway. Mother, a widow, earns 75 cents a day by working all day until 12 at night. Bessie works until 10 P.M. Sophie until 9 … [Read more...]
Capps Family, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Lewis Hine caption: Capps family at Columbia vaudeville. Baby of 21 months (been on stage for 6 months). Girl of 5 years (been on stage for 2 years). Boy of 7 years (been on stage for 1 year). Girl of 8 years (been on stage for 5 years). Boy of 12 years (been on stage for 8 … [Read more...]