Here is an old-timey store photo from West Virginia. There are so many neat details to explore.

Here is a cropped version:

There are some identification details on the back: “Chalmer Peters, Gretta Peters, Thurman Shannon, Edna Grainger, Mr. Grainger, Alec McDarmont, little boy unknown, taken in McDowell CO. W.Va at English.”

I estimate that this photo was taken around 1925-1930. Here are some close-ups of there faces and some quick research guesses as to who some of these people are:

Chalmer Alva Peters (1898-1980) married Gretta Myers Peters (1901-1987) in 1920 in Jackson, West Virginia. They had three children, Wilbur, Marion, and Vera and eventually made their way to Ohio. They are buried together at the Rockland Cemetery in Belpre, Ohio.

**Photo Credit: Find a Grave Memorial #55011786**

I am not sure who Thurman Shannon was. In 1910 I believe that Edna Grainger (1908-1976) lived in Fayetteville, West Virginia with her parents, James Grainger (1879-1957) and Alice McDarmont Grainger (1880-1978). It seems a reasonable guess that the “Mr. Grainger” in this photo (smoking cigar) is James. By 1920, Edna was living in Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia, again with her father, mother, and some younger siblings: James, Charles, and Jane.

Also living with them was an “Alex McDarmont” (perhaps the “Alec” in the photo?) who was the brother-in-law of James (i.e., Alice’s brother/Edna’s maternal uncle).

Lastly we have the unknown little boy and pooch.

I was not able to connect any of these individuals to either owning or being employed at a store as depicted in the photograph. Also, I have found no evidence that connects the Peters family to either the Grainger or McDarmont families.

One last bit of evidence that leads me to believe these identifications are correct is the following side by side photo comparison with an Ancestry photo also identified as Chalmer and Gretta Peters.

Photo on right shared on **public Ancestry tree of Brian Peters**

Finally, here is a gallery of closeup photos showing products and details in the store:

Post Toasties Double Thick Corn Flakes

Standard Motor Oil Calendar

Quaker Puffed Rice

Special 2 - $1.50

The Atlantic Shoe Sign

Red Goose Shoes

Spitoon

Check out the Old Timey Store Gallery

A. Walker Co. (Santa Fe, New Mexico)

www.psychogenealogist.com/blog/2020/11/2/a-walker-co

This photo shows a group of about 16 men, four horses, and a dog in front of the “A. Walker Co.” There are no other markings on the back that would help identify the location. The photo appears similar to others from between 1880 and 1900.

Coolidge's Fruit Store - Baraboo, Wisconsin (1929)

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Lee and Stella Price and Their Danville, Georgia Store (about 1926)

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A General Store - Cienfuegos Cuba (1898)

www.psychogenealogist.com/blog/2020/11/27/a-general-store-cienfuegos-cuba-1898

Miller & Miller - The Woman's Store in Logan, Kansas (1914)

https://www.psychogenealogist.com/blog/2020/12/21/miller-and-miller-the-womans-store-in-logan-kansas-1914

"Where Economy Rules": Vintage 1930s A&P Grocery Store

www.psychogenealogist.com/blog/2021/1/4/vintage-1930s-country-store

1890s Paint Store

“1890's Antique PAINT STORE INTERIOR Photo with FOUR CAST IRON STRING HOLDERS”

Upon closer inspection with a magnifying glass it looks like they are selling cans of house and floor paint. “Bert” (center) is making a purchase. There are no markings on the back so I haven’t a clue who he is, but I sure would like to know his story.

I especially like the man on the far right as he gives a side eyed glance toward the camera, with an air of both curiosity and suspicion.

“Selden Wood - Globe Store - Public Ave., Montrose”

Fur Trader and Butcher 1 (1890s)

See blog post for full story!

Here is a cigar smoking fur trader standing outside of a butcher shop, sometime in the late 1890s or early 1900s. He is carrying some sort of animal or pelt. You can see the same man standing in the second photo. It’s hard to see but there is a “Swifts Pressed Ham” sign hanging from the ceiling. There are various cuts of meat on the counter and a scale to weigh them.

Between the hair, clothing, and type of photo mount Sherlock Cohn, The Photo Genealogist dates this photo somewhere between 1897 and 1905, most likely right at the turn of the century. There is some very faint, but as of yet unintelligible, writing on the back.

Fur Trader and Butcher 2 (1890s)

See blog post for full story!

Walllpaper Store and Clerk

This young man is standing at the counter of what appears to be some sort of wallpaper store or studio. It looks like he is measuring or cutting. There are rolls of wallpaper behind him in the shelves and leaning against the wall.

Dunn Grocery 1899

An old-timey grocery store photo taken July 4, 1899 (according to the notes on the front and back).

Kelley-Springfield Co. Miami, Oklahoma (1916)

The back of this old-timey auto parts store photograph reads: ”Kelley-Springfield Co. Miami, Okla. - Tim McGregor age 15 and owner 1916”

I am pretty sure I found a Tim McGregor from the area about that age who died in 1985. I still need to do some research but it is neat trying to find the story of this young man, the store owner, and the store.

Zahn's Shoe Store (1912)

The inscription on the top of this photo says: “My Dad’s Shoe Store — My Dad and his father”. On the back it says: “Zahn’s Shoe Store 625 S. Wayne Ave., Edward Zahn — Father, Joseph A. Zahn — Son, “Puddin” — Delivery and Errand Man (sitting), Picture taken in June 1912

Fall River, Massachusetts: Blizzard of November 26, 1898

This is a street scene on Second Street in Fall River, Massachusetts after the blizzard on November 26, 1898.

Read the full story here.

James R. Evans Co. of Bradford, PA (1930s)

The back of this old-timey clothing store photo says "The Live Wire Gang of 80 Main" and lists the following people: "Fisher, O'Brien, Stoner, Bird, Evans".

Research suggests it is the James R. Evans and Co. Store of Bradford, PA.

“Mother’s Store at 60th and Peoria”

“Mother’s Store at 60th and Peoria

Clara - Mother - Martha”

Here‘ a lovely old-timey store photo I’m guessing from the early 1900s. The only info I have is what is written on the back (quoted above). What do you think their stories are? Possibly Illinois, but just a guess.

Morris Petlock Store - 1922

The back of this old-timey grocery store photo lists the year 1922. It also includes a few names, the most legible of which is “Morris Petlock”. Some very quick research suggests there was a Morris Petlock born in Russia in 1902. He came to the U.S. with his family when he was four years old. On his naturalization record from 1924 he is listed as a “Grocer”. Other documents found list him as the proprietor of a meat market in Maine. More research is needed to confirm this, but so far the clues are promising.

I love all the grocery details and signs in this photo. Here are just a few: Puritan Ham, Heinz Preserved Sweet Pickles, Extra Fancy Barbados Molasses, Gem Nut Margarine, and a wide array of meats.

Monarch Pancake Flour - 1940s

Another old-timey store photo. I am guessing this is early 1940s but I’m not sure. Note the “Monarch Pancake Flour” boxes among the many other vintage grocery items.

I first see that type of flour in newspaper ads in the late 1910s but it stuck around for a while. The men and woman’s clothing makes me thing closer to 1940.

A. B. Clark Meats and Groceries - Springfiled, MA (1910s)

Along with this photo of A. B. Clark Meats and Groceries came a store receipt dating from 1911 and an account ledger book details several pages of customers and their purchases.

Cobbler and Men's Millinery - Kansas

I don’t know much at all about this old-timey clothing store photo, but I love it. It evocatively captures an every day moment of yesteryear. I see what appears to be a spittoon sitting on top of some newspaper in the center of the floor. What else do you see?

General Store - Norfolk, Nebraska (1890s-1900s)

A nice old-timey general store antique photo identified as being from Norfolk, Nebraska. I’m guessing from the 1890s or early 1900s.

City Drug Store - Quitaque, TX 1927-28

The back of this old-timey store photo says the following:

Olen’s (Arthur)

City Drug Store

Quitaque, Tx. 1927-28

There’s also a name that appears to read “Clyde Pipkin”. Some initial research suggests a few possibilities.

Huddleston’s Jewelry and Watch Store (c. 1930)

I believe the woman here is Dierce McMullen Huddleston (1886-1943) at her jewelry and watch store in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her name is connected to a few different jewelry stores in the 1920s and 1930s. There’s also a mention of her connected to the Oklahoma School of Watchmaking. Tragically, she was killed in a car accident at the age of 57. I’m working on writing up her story and will share it soon. Thanks to Sherlock Cohn, The Photo Genealogist for her help in analyzing this photo.

#oldtimey #store #photocollector

Tailor Shop of Joseph S. Pati (1894-1981) in New Kensington, Pennsylvania

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Lockwood's Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor - Utica, New York (1914)

All of these details offer compelling evidence that this photo from 1914 is of the A. L. Lockwood Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor at 1225 Park Ave. in Oneida Square, Utica, New York.

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"Crazy Martin and Jules"

Vintage Shoe Store - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Butcher With Cigar - Snyder, Oklahoma (1925)

A cigar chomping butcher, knife in hand, stands behind the counter of his store in Snyder, Oklahoma in January of 1925.

Herbert John Kleehammer (1899-1900) - First Job in 1913

Clay Stimple's Store at Beaver

Three well dressed gentlemen stand in front of the counter of a general store. It MAY be connected to Henry Clay Stimple (1899-1955) in New Castle, PA.

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Lemke's Cafe - Harsens Island, Michigan (1907)

This early 1900’s antique photo, picked up at an antique store near Detroit, Michigan, shows a group of men standing outside of “Lemke’s Cafe”.

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1914 Photo of Dawson House Bar Tender Joseph Michael Ridilla (1877-1961)

Here is a matted photograph of a gentleman standing behind a bar. You can see at the bottom, in red ink, it says “Dawson House Bar 1914 JM Ridilla Bartender”.

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Chalmer Peters (1898-1980) and Friends of McDowell County, West Virginia

There are some identification details on the back: “Chalmer Peters, Gretta Peters, Thurman Shannon, Edna Grainger, Mr. Grainger, Alec McDarmont, little boy unknown, taken in McDowell CO. W.Va at English.”

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Riverside Fish Co. -East Peoria, Illinois (1939)

Watchmaker Emil Krone (1858-1943) of Cincinnati, Ohio

This man is most likely Emil Krone (1858-1943), a watchmaker and jeweler, in front of his store at 1028 Central Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio in 1896. Read more …

Lamb's Bird Store - Detroit, Michigan

Here is an old-timey photo of “Lamb’s Bird Store” in Detroit, Michigan. It is one of several pet stores that was connected to a Lamb family with roots in Detroit as early as 1914.

Peninsular Net & Twine Co. - Tampa, Florida

This photograph shows J. Everett Baughman (1885-1976) standing in his fishing supply store, Peninsular Net & Twine Co., at 306 W. Fortune St. in Tampa, Florida.

Charles Boylan (1853-1931), Grocer, Columbus, Ohio

The grocery store of Charles Boylan (1853-1931) at 1011 Mt. Vernon in Columbus, Ohio. This photos was likely taking in the lat 1890s or early 1900s.

Barber Shop - Goffstown, New Hampshire (1919)

Here is a lovely old-timey New Hampshire barber shop image. According to the various calendars on the wall the year appears to be 1919. The back says "Goffstown, N.H." There are lots of neat details to see here under magnification. And I love the various mirror effects.

Edison Mazda Lamps and Appliance Shop 1930s

A key feature of this "Shop" is the poster for "Edison Mazda Lamps" on the back wall by the door. Mazda was a brand of light bulb used from 1909 through 1945. This appears to be some sort of appliance store. I see some ovens, stoves, and some other sort of stout cylindrical devices I am guessing are water heaters? I am guessing 1930s.

Rochdale Co

Rochdale Co - abt 1915

I really like this old-timey street scene outside of "Rochdale Co". The back has a pencil mark that says "1915" and that seems like an accurate year. Lots of interesting details in this photo — men, women, clothing, mud, horses. And, the side of the building says:

"Pearline - The Modern Soap" and

"S. L. Sorenson Real Estate and Insurance - Notary Public"

Drebis Bro's - Centralia, WA

Another old-timey store #foundphoto of “Drebis Bro’s New and 2nd Hand Store”. There is a lot going on in this one. They sell and repair bicycles, ranges, stoves, furniture and more! If you look closely you can also see that they re-tire go carts, file saws, and make keys “while you wait”.

I first found a newspaper mention of a “Drebis Bicycle Store” from 1929 in Centralia, Washington. Also, a 1920 U.S. Census lists a Peter A. Drebis as working at a “bicycle shop”. My confidence grew that I had the right store when I found Peter’s WWI Draft Card that lists his occupation as “merchant” and place of work as “615 Tower”. Note in the photo the “615” under the windows and awning.

After some more genealogy sleuthing on Ancestry I believe that Peter Andrew Drebis (1873-1949) and his brother, Fred Augustus Drebis (1876-1953) owned and operated this store in Centralia, WA from at least as early as 1917. It is very likely that they are the ones standing out front.

Railroad Commissioners’ Map of North Dakota

This photo shows a man sitting at a large desk with a “Railroad Commissioners’ Map of North Dakota” hanging above it. Other details include a large safe at the back of the room which appears to be from the “Cary Safe Co.” of Buffalo, NY. There are some calendars on the wall that, even under magnification, are difficult to read. Hats, lamps, a typewriter, a phone, a photograph, and even a box labeled “Hershey’s Chocolate-Cocoa” all adorn the room. Plenty of paper and ephemera litter the desk, walls, and shelves too.

1930s Piano Store with Radio Dept

Here is an old-timey piano and music store. There is one piano with the visible branding of “Lenox”. I saw several of this brand of piano in newspaper listings of the 1930s. The earliest mentions were in the late 1890s. I am guessing this photo is from the late 1930s. What do you think? Another neat detail is the “Radio Dept” room at the back of the store. Unfortunately there are no markings on the back to help with location.

Hennessey, Oklahoma Piano Store - J. J. LaValley?

This piano/music store has a notation on the back that suggests it is from Hennessey, Oklahoma. The total population of Hennessey never surpassed much beyond 1400 people for most of the 1900s. Given that, it is hard to imagine that it would have more than one store selling pianos and phonographs (note you can see one “Royal” brand phonograph in the middle of the photo). IF that is the case (and that is a big “if”), it is POSSIBLE that this is the “J. J. LaValley Music Co.” I especially love the man with the feather duster and his elbow on the Howard brand upright piano.

Passtime on the Water

I am not even sure is of an old-timey store. It depicts a small house-like structure surrounded by water and some boats. A large sign on the front of the structure says “PASSTIME” (or is it “passtine” - hard to tell). Is it a houseboat? I see the about 13 men in the image. There are a couple of faintly detailed larger buildings on the far shoreline. On the back in very small writing is the note “Dad with spy glass”. I believe I got this image at an antique store in Bay City, Michigan. Anyway ideas of what is going on here or where the location is?

W. H. French - Stoves and Tin Ware - Turner, Maine

Here is a photo of the W. H. French store, “Manufacturer of and Dealer in Stoves and Tin Ware!” of Turner, Maine. I am trying to track down more information on who the proprietor is. So far I have found an 1870 “U.S. Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedule” that lists a William H. French as having a “Tin Ware and Stove” shop in Turner, Maine. There is at least one other William French in this area at this time, so I am trying to track down which one this is. There is a good chance they are related.

Martin Bros. Grocery Store - Hillsboro, Texas

The back of this photo is marked “Martin Bros. Grocery Store”. It also lists the names: George Martin, John Patterson, and Albert Wright, presumably the three gentlemen in the photo. Also on the back is a small sticky note that says “Hillsboro” and, I think, “TX”, although it could be “TN”. A Hillsboro exists in both Texas and Tennessee.

Curtis Moon (1902-1976) Shoe Repair Shop - Waverly, Kansas

Here is Curtis Moon (1902-1976) in his shoe repair shop in Waverly, Kansas likely sometime in the mid 1930s. He had a shop there until 1938 when, per a newspaper announcement, he relocated to a Polk, Missouri farm. He and his wife, Lorena (Grafty) Moon, later retired in Arizona.

Pharmacy - Eureka, California - Early 1900s

Here is an early 1900s photo of a pharmacy interior. Purchased from eBay, the listing suggested it was from Eureka, California. What drew me most to this photo, second only to the amazing clarity, is the reflected image of the photographer in the mirror at the back of the store.

"Fish and Oysters Daily" - 1890s Butcher in Dallas, Texas

This recent eBay acquisition was listed as: “Original 1890s Photo Black Man Posing in Store with Butcher”. It is a cabinet card photograph from a seller outside of Dallas, Texas. There is nothing written on the back.

Hanshaw Mercantile Co. - Rexford, Kansas (1922)

This old-timey store photo has some very detailed notes written on the back:

“Rexford, Kansas about 1922 Population 350. Hanshaw Mercantile Co. Gen’l MDSE. Looking from front (West end) to rear down North aisle of store. Dry goods on North wall — shoes on South wall. Shirts — hats — gloves — dishes — etc. etc. in center of store. Note metal ceiling. L to R: Aunt Mildred Snell (sister to Pearl Snell Hanshaw), Mrs. Ed Williams, 2 customers, Harry E. Hanshaw.”

Augustus B. Perry & Co. - Boston, Massachusetts

Here is an image of the “Augustus B. Perry & Co.” - another old-timey store photo added to my collection. The back has a detailed photographer stamp that says: “Rand & Gould, Landscape Photographers, Office, 24 Tremont Row, Boston”. A cursory search suggests there was a business by this name at 80 Commercial St. that dealt in “Flour and Groceries”. A newspaper clipping from the Ellsworth American (Ellsworth, Maine), February 19, 1864 confirms this. A separate newspaper clipping from 1866 indicates the same store at 232 State St. in Boston.

Selvin's - The Men's Store (Bingham, Utah)

“Main Street” in Bingham, Utah showing who is likely Isidor Selvin (1886-1983) outside his Men's Store.

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Archie McVicar, Druggist, - Wichita, Kansas - Flood of 1903

Two women paddled a canoe outside of Archie McVicar’s drugstore in Wichita, Kansas at the corner of Emporia and Douglas Avenues. Men and boys stood shin deep in the flood waters behind them. Horses pulled wagons up and down the street through slop and muck.

It was the first week of June in 1903, and by the unworried looks on the townspeople's faces, it seems likely that the flood waters were receding. Damage was surveyed and cleanup began.

A. Grafe and Son

Grafe and Sons

The back of this old-timey store says “A. Grafe & Son - C.E. Rapson in Derby”. There is a calendar on the wall that I can’t quite make out, even under high magnification. It looks like it is open to April and the first day of the month is on a Friday. There are various products in the display cases and shelves, though it is not clear what any of them are. It looks too fancy to be a general store. There are lots of details to research here if you are looking for a challenge.

This photo was actually a backward image in the original. I digitally reversed it here.

Perhaps a Train Ticket Office?

Some clues to consider (some of which are only visible with a magnifying glass):

A telephone, “Underwood” typewriter, “American Adding Machine”, a calendar turned to “September” (can’t tell the year but the 1st is on a Tuesday), above the calendar (on the right wall) is a sign that says “Rock Island - 2 Points of Superiority (?) - Golden State Limited to California - Rocky Mountain Limited to Colorado”.

R. Filippone Union Shoe Repair Shop

Two men, perhaps father and son, stand outside the "R. Filippone Union Shoe Repair Shop". There are no markings on the back of this photo. I am guessing these men are of Italian decent and there is a good chance they are from New Jersey, where the Filippone surname was popular in the early 1900s.