North Country At Work

Clara Grant working on a straw hat inside her Millinery and Hitchcock store. Around her are hats on display and posters of different hat styles. 1906. Hermon, NY.

Clara Grant’s Millinery and Hitchcock store interior, featuring displayed hats. Pictured left to right: Lena Cook, Clara Grant, and an unnamed man sitting in a chair. 1906. Hermon, NY.

A crowd of people and a horse drawn wagon pose in front of the Fine post office, which was built in 1888 and had three floors. Circa 1890-1900. Fine, NY. Check out this North Country at Work story on early mail delivery in the Adirondacks.

Interior of the Ellsworth Shoe Store. Pictured left to right are: John Ellsworth, Richard Ellsworth, Stanley Ellsworth, Ellsworth Poste. April 3, 1907. Canton, NY.

The Redwood Peddler makes a transaction with Mrs. Henry Schmerhorn at her home on the Calaboga Road. Her son Paul stands behind the wagon. Peddlers like this one traveled from home to home, farm to farm at a time when travel to town was sometime difficult for those who lived on the countryside. Circa 1900. Hammond, NY. […]

Six people sitting on the porch of the W.M. Whittakers Store, which sold automobile tires and other dry goods. Circa 1920. Fine, NY.

Workers Henry Jones (owner, right front), Davis (2nd from right), Lewis Jones (left). They are standing near blacksmithing tools and equipment. Circa 1907. Richville, NY. Donated by Mr. Judd.

Men and horses in front of the Henry Jones General Blacksmith and Machine Shop. Circa 1900. Richville, NY.

In front of the F.B. Beaman Drugstore, Jim Tripp holds a bowsaw. The identities of the other men is unknown. Circa 1890. Richville, NY. Donated by Mr. Judd.

William Little John, proprietor, stands behind the counter of his store. Canned food is stacked on the shelves behind him, there’s a large tin of Malted Milk Crackers on the counter, and several boxes of cigars (sold singly) in a glass case. Circa 1920. South Colton, NY.