Vintage Postcard: Train in Boquet

Vintage Train Postcard-Front — Vintage Train in Boquet Postcard-Front (Source: Geo Davis via Rosslyn Redux)

Every Monday we share an image on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia.

What do you recognize in this photo? What has changed? When do you think it was taken?

Here’s what the community has already had to say:

Dwayne Cross Jr.: I’d say Boquet crossing because I remember the watertower and say it’s around 1920s or 30s. lol!

Chuck Moynan: Sure looks it. With the milk plant and the mail bag post next to the track. And faintly see the station on the right.

Marc Hayward: My great grandfather was a postal clerk on those rail lines…

This photograph was taken by the railroad tracks by the crossing in Boquet! (Which are the tracks crossing Route 22/Station Road as you head toward Whallonsburg from Essex.) There was a train station located there in the past —does anyone know when it closed?

The back of the postcard reveals some more details. See it below.

Vintage Train Postcard-Back — Vintage Train in Boquet Postcard-Back (Source: Geo Davis via Rosslyn Redux)

The writing on the back of the postcard reads: “Delaware & Hudson #1082 2-8-0 on 14 Reading Co cars from Phila Troop train passing Essex N.Y. Aug. 40.” The back is also stamped with the date “Aug. 18, 1941.”

If the writing on the back of the postcard is correct then the date the photograph was taken was in August of 1940. Unless I’m misunderstanding the text? It was certainly that taken on that date or before. What’s your opinion?

Do you have any thoughts to share? 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.

Vintage Photo: Old Stump Bridge at Whallon’s Bay (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Photo: The Little Jennie (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Photo: Cannon Point Bay (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Photo: St. John’s Church (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Vintage Brochure: Sherwood Inn (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.