Research Assistance Needed!
In restoring old photographs, I came across this absolute gem, but, I have no idea how to caption or keyword. I know the following details "Near Indianapolis Indiana" and, that the photograph was taken in 1915. I don't know if we're looking at a hunting cabin or a wilderness home.
Any insight appreciated.
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I love the image if only I knew its story.
Maybe it's a photo of a homestead being built and they were proud of their progress. What ever it's going to be one drafty building from the looks of it. Great photo AMac keep up the good work.
Mac, the population of Indianapolis in 1915, was 282,000. My guess is that the cabin/house was already in disrepair when this photo was taken. Note open windows and door,(no covering). If it was being lived in, there would be a covering, possibly ''oilskin''. The door and one window are in a direct line with each other. This is for ventilation in warm summer months.
It could have been a home. Note the now the logs are noched.
Not much help, I know. Hope that you get more information.
you're good. didn't see any of these
All I could see was "it looks cold"
That's a good spot, Mike. The family that owned and took the Magic Lantern slides (800-1000 of them given to me), was a German family. Many of the slides that have captions handwritten on the matting between the glass plates, are in German (some I have deciphered but others, although the handwriting is attractive, are difficult, letter-for-letter, to make out.
How 'bout I scan the writing on this slide and post it. It may be the guy's name.
The picture was taken no later than 1915-20 it's possible as early as 1898 (but doubtfully earlier). There are other photos from the Indianapolis area and the city itself with some slides dated "1915". I'm guessing this was from the family's 1915 trip.
Northern Indiana and southern Indiana are quite different looking, with the northern half being squashed flat as a pancake by ancient glaciers. It looks pretty flat in that background from what I can tell...
Great ideas, Mike!
I'm thinking that since the logs are squared evenly, they were cut with a saw of some sort-- like maybe at a mill? Timing, I can't see it being built in the late 1700's, but maybe early 1800s. Around that time, Indianapolis was not there, it was Shawnee territory.
Settlement in the late 1700s, early 1800s, was down around the Ohio River or way up north...
I wonder if the chimney had fallen down. Lots of times back then, they made their chimneys out of mud and sticks.
Just some thought... Remember that Tecumseh's uprising was in 1812. My family came to KY in 1812, but there were people here so that the church they built was built with square logs, sawn at a mill.
Good luck, A. Mac!
Maybe it was a barn?
I've been looking at images of "shacks" and a lot of old MINING SHACKS have similar construction and appearances. But would there be a mining shack near Indianapolis in the time frame 1898-1920?
I know there a coal mines in that region, but it seems to me that mining shacks would be put up by prospectors, not industry.
?
Mac, this is a Gold Miners shack. 1894, Rainy Lake MN. note the notch cut on the logs. Round logs were used on the lower portion of the cabin and flat cut on the upper.
Interesting note. Gold was discovered on the Islands of Rainy Lake. This cabin is one of those built on a island.
That would be interesting to see A. Mac. I've done transcriptions, from county records, with genealogical research. It depends on various factors, like how good the original image was/is, exposure (light dark), penmanship, etc. But it can be enlightening in the right venue, like a group maybe? You must be able to exchange files safely.
One Miscreant,
Will do!
In case I missed it...has anyone noticed the dove tail joints in th corners?
Bottom: Back of slide
Since the picture is from 1915, it's probably an early cabin, perhaps from the 1820's or 1830's. It would, when it was first built, have been the farmhouse for the area around it. Chimney for a fireplace would have been at one end or the other, made of mud and field stones. It would have been removed later to use the stones in the making of another chimney elsewhere.
Constructed of squared logs and, originally, well built. If you zoom in, you can see the marks of the adze. They are regular and even, which means that whoever squared the logs knew what he was doing. Also, the door and window frames were (and to some extent, still are) well made and fitted. It looks like the right side of the building has sunk, warping the whole structure, probably because it was built without a foundation. That, plus warping of the logs due to weather, have caused the openings between the logs and has allowed the original chinking to fall out. Doors and windows have probably been removed for use elsewhere, since they were hard to make and glass was scarce and expensive.
By the time the picture was taken, it had probably been abandoned for at least 50 or 60 years. It would take that long for the damage to reach that level. it's possible that the original builder and his family may have moved farther West (as happened quite often at that time) or may have all died off from disease (which was also quite common then). It seems more probable, however, that the family prospered as farmers and built a new home not far away. The new place would have been built of cut lumber, which was readily available by the 1850's in that area. Some parts of the old structure would then have been used in the new place, and the original cabin would have been used as an outbuilding (storage shed or maybe barn). No way to be sure, of course, but it's entirely possible that the man in the picture may have been standing in front of the original cabin that his father or grandfather had built, and was having the picture made as a matter of family pride.
Not with a saw, Dowser. If you download the photo to your computer and use your photo program to zoom it in, you can see the marks of the adze that squared the logs. This one was done by hand, and it was done by an expert.
Great post, TTGA and a huge "thank you" to everyone who has taken the time to help.
I'm glad I put this in a discussion, and, if there is interest in my on-going restoration project, I'd be most happy to share the images, receive comments and "research" assistance.
If anyone would care to propose a caption based on what is known and what has been shared herein, please do.
There's nothing to mine up there around Indy, other than gravel. The coal mines are southwest of there.
Mining in IN takes place in the Illinois basin-- for coal, and minerals. There are many gravel pits and rock quarries, but this is the area of the Illinois basin. Not much up by Indy.
I checked and you're absolutely right! Carefully done, too...
Ok, the last word looked to me like "gegund". So, I looked it up.
gegund is Dutch, supposedly, and it means "awarded". Another clue!
This is written, I think, in old German script handwriting. It looks like, anyway. Or old Dutch script handwriting...
the first word looked like Auselen, does it to you? which means, in Dutch, asylum. So maybe this was a house that was a sanctuary that was awarded to someone?
Everyone else look. I think it's Auselen blen gegund... I'll look up blen, too
blen translates to bei in German, and here is what it said:
I looked up "gegund" earlier and found other meanings as well. The family that owned the slides traveled extensively and particularly in Germany -- this I determined from the slides themselves. But you could be correct about the Dutch script. It's a mystery in some respects -- tantalizing to "sort of" know the family -- but knowing more that generates questions rather than answers.
Thanks Dowser for your effort and input; I'm enjoying this discussion a great deal.
That would check out. Much of that area was settled by the Pennsylvania Dutch in the period between 1820 and 1840. That also would check with Mike's description of the corner notches being in the German style. In spite of the name, most of the Pennsylvania Dutch originally came from Germany. They're the ones who came west by land, found that Northern Ohio had been pretty much filled up by then and had a choice to make. They could swing North into Michigan or go West into Indiana. Since the land route into Michigan was blocked by a pretty nasty malarial swamp, most chose to go West. The Pennsylvania Dutch who ended up in Michigan (including my mother's ancestors) generally came in by water through Detroit, north of the swamp.
Me too!!!
It looks like something my gg grandfather wrote...
Didn't they mostly speak "low" German?
Just curious. In southern Indiana, there are still many Amish, who speak "low" German, or a more colloquial German. 1820s and 1830s would sound better, too... In case you're wondering, I got most of my info from "The Frontiersman" by Alan Eckhert. (Not sure of the spelling of the last name.)
Maybe the land was given, or "awarded" to someone who had fought during Tecumseh's battles. KY people were given a lot of land, if they fought in the battles. It seemed to be a tradition, back then.
Dowser-Those are some good points for German. Frontier Kentucky also saw Brethren, of German origin, from the main church bodyin Germantown, PA. They were early Brethren settlers in parts of Muhlenberg, Shelby, Fayette and Nelson counties. These early settlers shared their culture and religion with others in what was called Frontier Kentucky. In fact, one historian told me a story of how they were shunned by the eastern governing body for inclusion of 'outsiders' in their bible studies. When they were shunned many of them went to southern Ohio, Illinois and points west to get a newer start, early 1800's. The dress worn by them was like the Amish, too.
If anyone is interested in the Brethren link, let me know and I look for it.
Please, post the link.
Here is a start. Brethren Life on the Ohio Valley Frontier.
It's been a long time since I visited this group, but I found the historian, Mr. Rummel, very helpful in explaining this heritage and how it related to the suroundings, wherever they settled.
Hope it helps with some of the German connections.
That helps a lot! Thanks for the link!!
My German side of the family didn't get here until the 1850's and were Lutheran... They came from Bremen and Freiburg.
Another thing, just as an aside, that has nothing to do with this picture-- veterans of the Revolutionary War, including some of the officers of Von Steuben, were given land grants in KY after the war. Lafayette had a huge land grant near Lexington, (now known as Versailles, KY, and pronounced ver-sales. Stop cringing, all you French speaking people!)
anyway, it makes me think that maybe it was part of a land grant... Maybe.
I'd love to participate, but not sure that I'll be much help!!! This is like a treasure hunt...
Here is an old picture, taken and developed by Uncle Louie, of Grandpa's first car, in about 1915. This had to be before he met and married Grandma in 1916.
Who's who? In order, left to right: Not sure, may be Uncle Fred, Grandpa's father's brother, from Chicago-- Uncle Louie's camera was a big box thing that you had to sit very still for-- it had a timer on it-- Grandpa (driving), Not sure but he looks familiar, Grandpa Scherer (Grandpa's grandpa), and I think the last one is Leo Rosenblatt, who played in the band with Grandpa and Uncle Louie. Wasn't Grandpa Scherer cute? He was the German Flute professor.
It's WONDERFUL!!! Look at my handsome Grandpa and sweet little GG Grandpa!
The original has a sepia tone, and is glued to a black page in Uncle Louie's first photo album. He took allll these pictures before he left for WWI. Thank you!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Mike, I know he bought it used, in Louisville. Maybe an earlier year? Like 1912? Maybe? He worked at the L&N railroad, so he could ride anywhere he wanted to, for free, and ship anything he wanted to, for free. This is in Uncle Louie's photo album, just before my Grandma started showing up in the album...
Season-wise, it's probably early April, late March when this was taken. He met Grandma in May of 1916, and they married in July.
This looks a lot like it, doesn't it? I know that 1) Grandpa never had a "new" car, he bought used, and 2) Studebaker was one of his favorite kinds of cars, also Kaisers, and some other German named brand...
Thanks so much for looking!
I just went out and bought a new scanner, printer, etc. Hopefully, I'll be able to find and scan some more old pictures in. I know you want the Hindenburg pictures... And anything else I may find. Would you be interested in fast cars of the early 1900's at a car race? Barn-busters? Old planes? I'll look and see what I can find...
Neat, dear friend! You did marvelously well, considering the poor amount of info I gave you!
Grandpa must have had a good job. He was a telegrapher.
Thank you, so much!!!
My folks lived in Bremen, Muhlenberg Co., KY. Bremen is a german city
Mac-I'm no expert, but the raised "p", in Indinapolis,is a hint. However, I think that sytle came in and out of vogue. I remember it with confusing style of "s", where the "s" went below the line almost like an "f". I'm still looking at the writing.
Yep, that's what my mom called "Kartofel Deutch" (Potato German), used by farmers who mostly ate potatoes in Germany. Those in the professions generally spoke "Hoch Deutch" or High German. They immigrated at a later date, though. The Pennsylvania Dutch were mostly farmers who came to Pennsylvania in the 1600's and early 1700's and whose children and grandchildren went west when the land gave out in Western Pennsylvania. Same thing happened in MA and NY. When the practice of dividing the original family farm among all children didn't leave any of them with enough land to farm profitably, the eldest son got the farm and the others were given enough money to move west where there was more land available. Those were the people who settled much of the Midwest.
Not just those battles. Land Warrants were given to veterans, by States, in lieu of promised bonuses, as far back as the Revolutionary War. Those Warrants were later recognized by the US Government as valid in the Northwest Ordinances of 1785 and 1787. That was part of the Constitutional assumption of the State's Revolutionary War debts.
Interesting stuff, isn't it?? And my students thought that history was boring. HA!!
History is never boring to me...
"The key to the present is in the past." An old geology saying.
Thanks for the information, dear TTGA!
That's what made me think it was script....
Any of it and all of it Dowser. Whatever you can get to Mac and he is able to restore is super. The more, the better. If you think that Geology is interesting, try historical analysis of old photos. It is totally fascinating for those of us who are interested in history. It's like opium for an addict. We seem to have a group here that can analyze just about anything, from ships to cars to airplanes to military formations to buildings, and who love doing it. I can see us doing this for a long long time, not just because it's historically valuable (although it is), but just because it's so much fun to do.
If you're asking me, absolutely.
What type of scanner did you buy? At what size and resolution will you scan your photos?
Talk about a "Group Hug" -- anyone like the idea of a New Tab -- a Group of sorts, but not private, one open to everyone who would be interested in old photos?
Ideas for the name of such a group? Let's have 'em.
"Pix-from-the-Past"
I know there will be better names than that, but you get the gist.
Makes good sense, Mike. I for one will continue posting articles featuring old photos.
I agree with y'all!!! Front page stuff this is!
Engilman, you can then, imagine my surprise when I visited my mother in the hospital and there were lots and lots of Uncle Louie's pictures, naming my Grandparents and other family members, hanging on the wall as a historical display of Hawesville, KY. It was wonderful!!!
What fun!
Well, it is a printer/scanner. I'll have to look at the box to find out that information. I bought what I could afford, which is a step up from what I had that got zapped a few years ago...
Ok, it's a Canon Pixma MX459 . Probably not much! But better than what I had, which doesn't work any more...
And yes, I was asking you! And anyone else that might be interested!
More info:
Canon Pixma MX459 All-in-One Inkjet Scanner/Copier/Printer/Fax:
Canon Pixma All-in-One Inkjet Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax, MX459 Key Features:
Black: Up to 9.7 ipm; Color: Up to 5.5 ipm
Black: Up to 600 x 600 dpi, Color: Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi
PG-240XL, PG-240, CL-241XL and CL-241
Additional Specifications:
Print from multiple computers using the Canon Pixma Printer
USB port and Bluetooth 2.0
Color: 14 seconds
Modem Speed: 33.6Kbps
Optical: Up to 1200 x 2400 dpi; Interpolated: 19,200 x 19,200 dpi; Optical (ADF): 600 x 600 dpi
Media Types: plain paper, super high gloss paper, glossy paper, semi-gloss paper, matte paper and #10 US envelopes
System Requirements:
What's Included:
Front page then.
I'm just getting started! I have hundreds!
Everyone, show your old pix.
If I have your consent and a request, I'll try some restoration and re-post the results when possible.
At your convenience, Dowser, post one and we'll go from there.
I have yet to get it all set up, and I'm getting ready for a little nap... I'll get going!
Really, at your convenience no stress or pressure -- you've had more than your share.
Mac, I was kind of wondering about that. What level do you think is best for old pictures? I've got an HP 5500, and generally use 600 X 600 pixels for scanning. I think I can get it to go up to 1200 X 1200, but thought that it might make older photos kind of grainy.
I do agree with Mike that, If you form a group for this subject, it might not draw people who may otherwise be interested, but simply not know it's there. Of course, keeping it on the front page might discourage those who tend to avoid it (for reasons you already know). If we're able to guarantee peaceful behavior and no politics within these articles (and we already seem to have achieved that here), that word will spread and those who avoid the front page might reconsider, at least to the extent of coming here.
Mike, was the focus sharpened on a computer? It's not too far off from what you might expect from a professional photographer at that time, although it doesn't seem to show the ravages of time that you would expect from an old photo. The building itself would fit the time frame, but I tend to think that it was taken somewhat (at least 5 years) later. The reason is that there are many advertisements for pre rolled, packaged cigarettes. That part of the tobacco industry didn't get going on a large scale until the government placed a lot of orders for them to send to the troops during WWI (easier for the soldiers to use and much easier to keep dry and non muddy under combat conditions). Until that time, most people rolled their own.
TTGA,
If you're scanning to make prints, the best procedure is to scan at your scanner's highest resolution then re-size the image to your desired print size @ 300dpi.
Here's what I have found; in recent years, as digital cameras are manufactured with larger sensors, a camera with a 12 MP sensor (and higher) will take a picture of a picture or transparency that exceeds the quality of many flatbed scanners!
Of course, the lens is highly important. The idea is to shoot at the camera's highest quality setting, JPEG FINE or RAW file formats. Make sure the camera lens and subject are at 180 degrees -- straight on, no angle. Get close and fill the frame, use a tripod, shoot at the lowest number ISO/ASA (100 or lower). Once you get the technique down -- it will take a few tries, you'll find that, depending on the camera's sensor size, you can start with a small picture (i.e. 4" x 6") and create a digital file that will print nicely at 8" x 10" or larger.
Confession: I have a really good Nikon film scanner -- great for 35mm slides and negatives but useless for prints and larger slides -- like the Magic Lantern slides I've been working with. I "scan" with my Nikon D7100 digital camera (which, if you think about it, IS a scanner). I "scan" my Magic Lantern slides against a piece of white, translucent plexiglass using daylight!
Works for me.
Hope this helps.
Mike,
If the photo was taken with a medium format or large format camera, it's entirely possible it was taken, likely in the 1930's give or take. It has a professional look and may have been slightly cleaned up digitally (from a scanned negative possibly).
The Texaco pump may be 1925 or earlier but that doesn't tell how long it had been in front of the general store. The price at the pump looks like 22.9. Possibly a clue to the age of the photo -- unless the pump had been inoperable for years before the photo was taken and the price sign was just for show.
A great photo!
And since we're speaking of RESEARCH
Thanks for the link, Mike.
I'm going to contact them and see if they might have interest in some of my restorations.
It's beautiful!!!
Grandpa, and Grandpa's Grandpa... What fun!
Thank you!!!
If I were to guess,...I would have to say the gentleman looks as if he is holding a speaker phone from verison,...as the look on his face is saying,..."can you hear me now?"....just my observation