Every Monday we share an old Essex image on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia. This vintage postcard is simply titled “Essex on Lake Champlain.” It was taken by a photographer out on the lake, obviously on a boat of some kind, and the photo captures a section of the village on the main shoreline. According to the back of the postcard the photo was originally published by “J.S. Wooley, Ballston Spa, NY.”
In the center of the photo we can see the old horse nail factory that burned down in 1918. Take a look at other postcards featuring this factory for a better look and to learn more. This building being present here tells us the photo was taken before 1918. As “25.8.09” is written on the face of this postcard we can assume that this may have been the date (August 25, 1909) the postcard was created or possibly the date it was sent—which do you think?
See what the community had to say below:
Christine Herrmann: The horse nail factory on Beggs Point, the Essex Marine Base on the left, and the Masonic Hall on the far right. I’m guessing it was taken in 1909, maybe August 25th? Just a guess!
Lee Bowen: It also could be Aug 25 2009…..
Susan Martini: If I’m not mistaken, we are looking directly at the Essex Marina and the old horse shoe factory.
What else can you identify in this photo taken of Essex from Lake Champlain? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Share Your Essex Artifacts
If you want to share your old photos of Essex (or brochures; postcards; menus; tickets; any artifact) on the blog please email us at editor [at] essexonlakechamplain [dot] com.
Related articles
- Vintage Postcard: Bluff Point (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Essex, NY from Lake Champlain (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Lake Champlain from Beggs Park (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: View from Steamer of Essex, NY (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Essex Bay (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Dianne Lansing says
I’m confused. If it is the Essex Marine Base on the left, what is the white building on the shore to the left of the smoke stack for the Horse Nail Factory? Is that some sort of tent where the Beggs Park dock is now? I guess the Factory was bigger than I had previously thought.
Katie Shepard says
Dianne, you can see another postcard with that white building in better quality here: Vintage Postcard: View of Essex from Steamer. I think that is the Marine Base unless I’m mistaken…Not sure what the building on the far left is.