Vintage Photo: Construction of the Van Ornam Building

The construction of the Van Ornam Building (Credit: Unknown; Shared by Rick & Karen Dalton)

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. Thanks to Rick & Karen Dalton for sharing the photo above with us!

When do you think this old photo was taken? What do you recognize? Where is the location? What do you think is happening? Do you recognize anyone in the photo?

A few people correctly identified the site:

Dianne Lansing: Are they building the “Post Office” building after the brick building burned?

Nicholas Bailey: I think you’re right…that’s the Fine house with the full front porch and the Haskel house with the second story wellness porch.

Tilly Close: Yes, Geri’s Dad’s Movie Theater and PO

That’s right, this photo was taken during the construction of the Van Ornam Building on Main Street, which was a movie theater and post office when it opened (and several other businesses have occupied it since). Today it is still the town’s post office and also contains offices of the College for Every Student organization.

The photo most likely dates to the late 1930s. The Brick Block that previously occupied the space burned down in 1924 and the construction of the new building finished in 1937.

In the background you can see some homes across the street. What changes do you notice? The Hascall House with the lacy eaves has significantly changed with the removal of the upper and lower porches and its exterior has been restored to its simpler (original) Georgian style. What else do you notice about the scene?

I even got involved in some discussion…

Catherine DeWolff What the heck is the guy in the front doing?

Katie Shepard: I think he’s shoveling too, but his hand is moving so it’s hard to see the top of the shovel, but you can see the bottom half of it more clearly by his calf.

Catherine DeWolff: Cigarette in left hand, right hand in his pocket. I think he is resting on the blade, actually.

Katie Shepard: Hmm, could be.

What do you think?

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.

Vintage Photo: Essex Post Office (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Photo: Essex Diner & Movie Theater (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Photo: Snowy Main Street (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Photo: Main Street (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Photo: Essex Main Street Looking South (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 Twitter, Facebook, or at Linked.in. Or email her at katie [@] essexeditions [dot] com.