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My latest article in Picturing PA, a short history of Pennsylvania Saloons. But I could only choose one photo to include, out of more than a dozen from the PA State Archives! So I wanted to share the rest in this thread 
1/19
1/19
Allentown, PA
These photos were taken in 1905-06 by Charles and Linnie Ross of Stroudsburg while on their honeymoon. 2/19
These photos were taken in 1905-06 by Charles and Linnie Ross of Stroudsburg while on their honeymoon. 2/19
Allentown, again
The Ross’s took pictures in every town they visited, hoping to sell enough to help them start their own business. 3/19
The Ross’s took pictures in every town they visited, hoping to sell enough to help them start their own business. 3/19
Monterey, PA
They took photos of the most popular and noteworthy places in each town. Saloons being the social hub of many communities, its no surprise there are so many in this collection. 4/19
They took photos of the most popular and noteworthy places in each town. Saloons being the social hub of many communities, its no surprise there are so many in this collection. 4/19
Pottsville, PA
The Ross's actually opened a photography studio with the money they made taking these pictures. 5/19
The Ross's actually opened a photography studio with the money they made taking these pictures. 5/19
Pottsville, again
All the saloon photos in this collection are interior shots. Really great to see, but really hard to identify. Each photo only has the town name written on the back. 6/19
All the saloon photos in this collection are interior shots. Really great to see, but really hard to identify. Each photo only has the town name written on the back. 6/19
Shamokin, PA
But some of these shots have clues in the background that help ID them. You can see “Central Hotel” on the window in the back here, so we can find its location thanks to this period map: https://digital.libraries.psu.edu/digital/collection/maps1/id/23615/ 7/19
But some of these shots have clues in the background that help ID them. You can see “Central Hotel” on the window in the back here, so we can find its location thanks to this period map: https://digital.libraries.psu.edu/digital/collection/maps1/id/23615/ 7/19
Shamokin, again
From the sociological study 'Anthracite Coal Communities,' 1904: “The saloon has devoured the substance of our people, reduced their bodies and debasing their souls, …destroyers of youth and chastity.” 8/19
From the sociological study 'Anthracite Coal Communities,' 1904: “The saloon has devoured the substance of our people, reduced their bodies and debasing their souls, …destroyers of youth and chastity.” 8/19
Shamokin
“The saloon opened for business…in the morning the foreign-born element from mining towns not far distant began to pour into the village. The streets were full of drunken men committing indecencies…like hogs in the mire” - PA Anti-saloon writer H. Chalfant, 1902 9/19
“The saloon opened for business…in the morning the foreign-born element from mining towns not far distant began to pour into the village. The streets were full of drunken men committing indecencies…like hogs in the mire” - PA Anti-saloon writer H. Chalfant, 1902 9/19
Shamokin, yet again (there are a bunch from here)
Since many saloons served as informal ethnic clubs and social spaces, a lot of anti-saloon vitriol targeted immigrants and ethnic minorities just as much as they attacked the dangers of alcohol. 10/19
Since many saloons served as informal ethnic clubs and social spaces, a lot of anti-saloon vitriol targeted immigrants and ethnic minorities just as much as they attacked the dangers of alcohol. 10/19
Shamokin, still
For a while, PA had a local option law where individual counties could vote to be wet or dry. The counties that voted the most to keep saloons open were in coal country, where immigrants and mining communities depended on saloons for social services. 11/19
For a while, PA had a local option law where individual counties could vote to be wet or dry. The counties that voted the most to keep saloons open were in coal country, where immigrants and mining communities depended on saloons for social services. 11/19
Shamokin
But in 1920 the 18th amendment was passed and alcohol was prohibited state-wide. Most saloons, (probably including all of these), were shuttered and never reopened. 12/19
But in 1920 the 18th amendment was passed and alcohol was prohibited state-wide. Most saloons, (probably including all of these), were shuttered and never reopened. 12/19
Still Shamokin
So although these photos look a little staged, they give us a good glimpse of what the saloons really looked like on the inside all those years ago, or at least how the saloon keepers wanted them to appear. 13/19
So although these photos look a little staged, they give us a good glimpse of what the saloons really looked like on the inside all those years ago, or at least how the saloon keepers wanted them to appear. 13/19
Shamokin (last time I promise)
I’m always struck by how colorful these saloons were, from the wallpaper and posters, to colored glass bottles, and even the hardwood floors and walls. 14/19
I’m always struck by how colorful these saloons were, from the wallpaper and posters, to colored glass bottles, and even the hardwood floors and walls. 14/19
West Leesport, PA
Also the saloon-keeper and patrons, I imagine they were quite colorful too. 15 /19
Also the saloon-keeper and patrons, I imagine they were quite colorful too. 15 /19
Williamsport, PA
I also wonder if saloon-keepers cleaned up for these photos, or if the Ross's were allowed to just walk in and take their photos. You can spot some spilled drinks/dirt/who knows what under the brass foot rail. 16/19
I also wonder if saloon-keepers cleaned up for these photos, or if the Ross's were allowed to just walk in and take their photos. You can spot some spilled drinks/dirt/who knows what under the brass foot rail. 16/19
Williamsport, again
And, notice the spittoons by the rail too. There are a ton of little details in each photo you’ll notice if you look long enough. 17/19
And, notice the spittoons by the rail too. There are a ton of little details in each photo you’ll notice if you look long enough. 17/19
And Williamsport again
And also, children! I assume they’re the daughters of the saloon keeper, if only the Ross’s had written some notes about each saloon! I wonder what their story is? 18/19
And also, children! I assume they’re the daughters of the saloon keeper, if only the Ross’s had written some notes about each saloon! I wonder what their story is? 18/19
Last Williamsport
I picked this festive-looking one for last, hope you enjoyed these saloon photos.
Honestly, I agonized for a long time over picking just one for the article, let me know which saloon is your favorite! 19/end
I picked this festive-looking one for last, hope you enjoyed these saloon photos.
Honestly, I agonized for a long time over picking just one for the article, let me know which saloon is your favorite! 19/end
