Every Monday we share a vintage image on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia. Last week we shared the photo above that captures an old scene on Main Street in Essex, New York. Since the date 1908 is on the photo I think it’s a safe guess that is the year the photo was taken.
Do you recognize this Essex scene? I’m sure the long building in the center is recognizable—the Essex Inn—especially with the sign clear on the upper porch along with the photo’s title naming it! The Essex Inn is still an inn today as well as a successful restaurant.
But do you recognize the tall building next door? What’s its story? That’s the Old Brick Block. I’m not what the building was used for—I’ve heard it was “mercantile,” but does anyone have more details? The Old Brick Block was destroyed in a fire in 1924. The space it occupied is now home a building hosting the Essex Post Office and offices of College for Every Student (CFES). That replacement building (sometimes called the Van Ornam Building) was built in 1937.
Do you recognize any of the people in the photo? Have any other thoughts to share? Leave a comment below.
Our thanks to Susie Drinkwine for sharing this photo (and others!).
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 Photo: Adirondack House and Main Street (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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