The New East River Bridge

by Louise Smith Posted on June 3, 2012
“This is our new East River Bridge, opened in 1905. Wish you could see the real bridge. Lovingly, Jessie F. Hill.” Postcard courtesy of Mary A.

Three suspension bridges were built across the lower East River in New York City to connect lower Manhattan with Brooklyn.

The above postcard to Mort and Jennie Austin is of the Williamsburg Bridge, the second one to be built after the Brooklyn Bridge.

Williamsburg was started in 1896, and opened December 19, 1903, according to one source, though Jessie Hill wrote it opened in 1905.

Manhattan Bridge, the third to be built, was opened to traffic in December 1909.The five ferry routes at the Brooklyn Landing between Grand Street and Broadway went out of business by 1908.

Jessie Hill wrote on the front of the postcard because before 1907, no written material could be on the address side of a postcard.—wikipedia.org

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Eldred early 1900s

by Louise Smith Posted on May 30, 2012
Turn of the century photo of Eldred, NY, courtesy of Chuck M.

View of Eldred from the east in the early 1900s. A.S. Myers owned the Orchard Terrace boarding house on the far left behind the Congregational Church.

The house in the distance, past the Congregational Church, was originally owned by the Slonek family.

The house on the right, past the bridge, was C.C.P. Eldred’s.

    C.C.P. Eldred had the Post office in his home (located near Halfway Brook Village) starting around 1850—except when the political party was different.
    I have read that the Post Office wanted a shorter name than Halfway Brook. Depending on which story you choose, Charles C.P. Eldred named the village after his father James Eldred or himself.

The Methodist Church in about the middle of the photo, is still without a steeple.

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Sunshine Hall, 1904

by Louise Smith Posted on May 23, 2012
Sunshine Hall and Congregational Church, October 2, 1904. Postcard courtesy of Mary A.

Sunshine Hall
A 1904 postcard of Sunshine Hall in the Austin Collection, is an invitation for a Congregational Church Reunion, October 2, 1904. The Hall was next to the Congregational Church, and was also used for the men’s Bible study meetings.

A couple letters from Jennie Crawford (Crandall) to Lillie Austin (Calkin):

Jennie Crawford to Lillie Austin
August 7, 1904
Dear Lillie,
Lillie, I am going to teach at Eldred; wages $10. I was surprised Isaac Sergeant said I had his consent the very first one. I hope I make a success of it.

Would you send me the address to get a “Milna’s Arithmetic?” I want to get an arithmetic and key. Success to you in exam and school matters in general.

Bertha is much better, so is Dad, but he lacks much of being well yet. George Parker and May Hammond have just been here to see Dad, also Nels Hulse and Fred Myers. Continue reading →

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Cochecton Teacher 1902

by Louise Smith Posted on May 22, 2012
Lillie Austin, teacher in Cochecton, school year 1902 to 1903. Booklet courtesy of Katherine T.

Cousin Lillie Austin taught in School District No. 9, in the Town of Cochecton, in the 1902 to 1903 school year.

The souvenir booklet listed the names of 26 students.

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Tourists in NYC, early 1900s

by Louise Smith Posted on May 21, 2012
Postcard from 23rd Street, New York City, courtesy of Mary A.

The back of the postcard is written on, so 1907 is the earliest it could be.

“How would you like to get into one of these big vehicles and ride all over New York? They pass this house every day. The trip costs one dollar. Merry Christmas!”

The back of the postcard is written on so the earliest it could be is 1907.
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