The Square, Chester, N. Y.

Postcard

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Chester Historical Society

The Square, Chester, N. Y.: This monochrome photo postcard depicts a vintage view of "The Square" in Chester, N.Y., featuring a streetscape with several old buildings including Murray's Garage, adorned with signage and a couple of early automobiles parked in front. The photo, characterized by its aged and faded appearance, captures the historical architecture and early 20th-century small-town vibe, seemingly frozen in time. The details and textures of the buildings along with the quiet street scene reflect an era long past but preserved through this photograph.
The Square, Chester, N. Y.

This monochrome photo postcard depicts a vintage view of "The Square" in Chester, N.Y., featuring a streetscape with several old buildings including Murray's Garage, adorned with signage and a couple of early automobiles parked in front. The photo, characterized by its aged and faded appearance, captures the historical architecture and early 20th-century small-town vibe, seemingly frozen in time. The details and textures of the buildings along with the quiet street scene reflect an era long past but preserved through this photograph.

Name/Title

The Square, Chester, N. Y.

Entry/Object ID

chs-014081

Description

This monochrome photo postcard depicts a vintage view of "The Square" in Chester, N.Y., featuring a streetscape with several old buildings including Murray's Garage, adorned with signage and a couple of early automobiles parked in front. The photo, characterized by its aged and faded appearance, captures the historical architecture and early 20th-century small-town vibe, seemingly frozen in time. The details and textures of the buildings along with the quiet street scene reflect an era long past but preserved through this photograph.

Subject Person/Organization

Murray's Garage

Subject Place

* Untyped Subject Place

Chester (Village) - Orange County - New York

Context

Photo postcard of the "The Square" - intersection of Main Street and Academy Avenue, opposite the Durland Store. The wooden Murray’s Garage structure was moved to the Murray’s residence back yard and replaced with a concrete block garage in 1916. (per Betty Murray Carey)

Collection

Ann Roche Collection

Category

Murray's Garage
Businesses

Lexicon

Legacy Lexicon

Category

Chester Views

Postcard Details

Postcard Type

Post Card

Date Published

circa 1915

Transcription

H. L. Murray Garage Murray's Garage The Square, Chester, N. Y.

Dimensions

Height

8.9 cm

Width

14.1 cm

General Notes

Note

Imaging queue 5 1/2 by 3 1/2 inch monochrome photo post card Photo postcard of the "The Square" - intersection of Main Street and Academy Avenue, opposite the Durland Store. The wooden Murray’s Garage structure was moved to the Murray’s residence back yard and replaced with a concrete block garage in 1916. (per Betty Murray Carey) - - - Date: February 28, 2012 12:22:44 PM EST To: Gregg D. Merksamer <merks62@warwick.net> Though the car on the street in photo 1748 is too small to be fully-identified, its wood-spoke wheels and low-cut touring car body would indeed be something you'd see in 1915, and certainly no earlier than 1911 or 1912. Whatever make it is, it's definitely a big, prestigious car, given that the hood is long enough for an in-line six-cylinder engine (the first truly successful, commercially-viable V-8 car in the U.S. was the 1915 Cadillac). Another neat touch are the twin spare tires on the rear of the tonneau - good thinking at a time when tire punctures were much more common! I could imagine this car belong to a wealthy out-of-towner who was "passing through" or taking advantage of the local hotel.

Create Date

August 1, 2024

Update Date

January 26, 2026