Every Monday we share an image on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia. Thank you to Robert Strickhart for sharing the photo above with us!
Do you recognize this building in Essex, NY? When do you think the photo was taken? What do you note that is different today?
Here’s what the community already had to say:
Lorraine Townsend Faherty: Dr Shumway house
Dianne Lansing: This house is across from St. John’s Church at the corner of Elm St. and Church St. Has had many renovations. It is the house that Koert Burnham and his still-born brother were born in and is said to have a ghost.
Curdie Gardner: a ghost?? really??
Donald Lilja Sr.: I believe my sister Linda Lilja Locascio and Dave owned this house for a number of years
Linda Lilja Locascio: No, not that one….one just down the street.
This building was identifiable to many. Known as the Dr. Samuel Shumway House (or various shorter versions of the same) this house sits at the corner of Elm & Church Street. Dr. Shumway was once a resident of house, just like B.C. Townsend was according to the photo’s caption, and as Dianne mentioned the Burnhams lived there at one point as well (John Bird Burnham perhaps being the most well-known figure.)
The home was built in the 1800s, but due to the style of the cars I would guess this photo was taken at some point in the first half of the 1900s. I don’t note much that has changed about the location, except the fence in the photo is no longer there today.
Do you have any other thoughts to share? Please leave a comment 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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