Vintage Photo: Old Stump Bridge at Whallon's Bay

Old Stump Bridge at Whallons Bay (Credit: W.H. Cruikshank; Appeared in "Essex Souvenir Letter" sent March 18, 1908) — Old Stump Bridge at Whallons Bay (Credit: W.H. Cruikshank; Appeared in “Essex Souvenir Letter” c. 1908) (Source: Geo Davis via Rosslyn Redux)

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.

Does anyone recognize the place pictured in the photo above? The photo is labelled “Old Stump Bridge at Whallon’s Bay.” When do you think the photo was taken? I don’t believe this bridge still exists and the few comments we received backed up that belief — unless you know something more?

Dianne Lansing: This was well before my time but I think I’ve been told the bridge was over the little creek that goes into the lake just a short ways down Albee Road.

Jeff Warner: Photo could be 100 years ago, give or take, as there are no trees in the swamp area in the background.

Do you know any history of the bridge? Who built it? When was it taken down and why? Or was it destroyed by accident? Does any trace of it remain?

I found one reference to the bridge online that went along with a painting of the bridge created c. 1950s by former Essex, NY resident Sid Couchey (unfortunately the image of the painting was missing from the webpage). The snippet of information that went along with that image claimed that the bridge was one that “Sid helped his grandfather build” (Seven Days). Anyone know more?

The date of the painting implies the bridge existed into the 1950s, but it is possible it was created from memory or photographic references…

Source of the Photo: Essex Souvenir Letter

Back of Essex Souvenir Letter c. 1908 (Source: Geo Davis via Rosslyn Redux)

This photograph appeared in an old “Essex Souvenir Letter” postmarked March 18, 1908, which contained other photos that we will share eventually! Though this tells us the bridge was created prior to 1908.

The front of the letter tells us that it was published by “W.H. Cruikshank, Essex – on – Lake Champlain, NY.” Has anyone ever heard of this person or that surname?

Also, the back of the letter has printed on it “The Douglas Publishing Company, Buffalo, New York. Delaware & Hudson Railroad Series A.M.R.” The former is obviously the company that published the letter and the photographs therein, but what about the D&H Railroad? That was a railroad company that operated through the region at one point (learn about the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Co. history here). Perhaps they sponsored the publication?

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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.

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Vintage Postcard: Crater Club (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Postcard: Bluff Point (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Postcard: Essex, NY from Lake Champlain (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)

About Katie Shepard

Passionate about reading and writing stories, Katie Shepard enjoys discovering more about her home while writing and editing for Essex on Lake Champlain. Katie graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2011 where she studied English literature, philosophy, and Asian studies. Her first book Essex, New York Architecture: A Doodler's Field Guide was published in 2015. Connect with her on Facebook or at Linked.in. Or email her at katie [@] essexeditions [dot] com.