Vintage Photo: Essex Waterfront

We invited you to play Vintage Essex Trivia when we posted this old photo on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page last week. Thank for sharing this photo with us, Mary Wade!

The photo shows us a view of a section of the waterfront in Essex, NY. Visible to the left is the Old Dock House Restaurant, and just behind that is one of the Essex-Charlotte ferries pulling out of (or into?) the dock. In the background we can make out some of the homes Merchant Row and Lakeshore Road—peeking through the trees is the Harmon Noble House, Harmon Noble Schoolhouse, Rosslyn—with the Rosslyn bosthouse jutting out into the water.

Essex Waterfront Photo Investigation

We asked the community to tell us what they thought of the photo and if they could identify the scene. Could they name Essex landmarks and guess the correct date? Take a look at a few of the comments we received about the photo and see the investigation of the photo evolve for yourself:

Sheila Jaquish: Old dock, ferry docking, road to Willsboro.

Judy Richardson: The pic looks like it was taken from my Great Grandmother Mum’s house looking at what is now the Old Dock Restaurant & ferry. I would guess the year as somewhere in the 50’s.

Linda Steinhauer: love it!! my grandparents owned a place on the lake in Essex– and I spent many summers there. It always has a place in my heart…

Tilly Close: Photo taken after Sherwood Inn front porch removed, and new ferry landing north of Old Dock.

Pam Pierce: Thank you for posting…brought me “home” for a few minutes…I believe it’s an older photo…old dock different color?

Peter Cross: I would say this was taken in the 70s. I seem to remember that brightly colored float. The ferry is also quite small, passenger deck and wheelhouse are on the same level.

Lee Bowen: I agree with Peter the float belonged to the Amber Lantern cottages. Beautiful pic…

Betsy Oliver Eads: Thanks for putting a general year on this picture. It won’t be long and it will be iced over.

Vintage Photo: Essex Flintstone Float (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Daily Doodle: Essex Ferry by Charlie Shamel (essexny.us)
Daily Doodle: Essex Stoplight by Pat Boutilier (essexny.us)
Essex Doodlebomb: Essex Horse Nail Company (essexny.us)
Essex Doodles Weekly: Historic and Contemporary Essex (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)

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