Antique Fireman Group Photograph 74 People!

Hello!

I've sadly been gone for a bit after my grandfather passed. It's been a rough couple weeks. I did pick this photo up recently at a co-op sale.

It's of a large group of Firefighters. On their chest is the number 2.

The Fire Chief looks to be holding a dog on the top right staircase.

My question is, can anyone tell me which fire organization would have this many folks?
Also, maybe some guesses at the building behind them? State building?


Any guesses would be greatly appreciated!
My guess is it dates between 1885-1900.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

 

Can't help with the pic but so sorry about the passing of your Grand Father

 

Awww Thank you so much! Really appreciate it! It's been a horrible year! Lost my mother in August.

 

It certainly has. My sincerest condolences, scantic.

 

I don't know, exactly... but since some are dressed in suits, it could even be a statewide organization somewhere? For some reason the building and plant life remind me of warmer places in the U.S., like the South. But they are fully dressed in suits so I may be wrong.

 

Oh, I am so sorry for your losses. That would be a rough year for you.
Take care and I wish you a happy holiday as well !

 

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! Looking forward to 2015! I just think she's always now with me when I'm out "pickin".

Fig, Thank you! I thought it may be the south as well. I was looking at governor mansions as a possible setting. Maybe it's a college building?

I was wondering, why would they have their hats over their chest? I was thinking maybe they are at a funeral or something and they are all facing that direction? Not sure.

 

Hi,
Sorry about your loss. It is terrible to be my age since people are dropping every couple of weeks. Last week my cousin's son died in his 40s. I have 5 girl cousins all of them has lost a child in their 40s within the last two years.
The guys might have their hats on their chest after a flag salutue? Or a prayer.
greg

 

I'm so sorry to hear about you losses. It's so sad when folks pass at a younger age. My mother was in her early 60's which seems far too young to pass. I can't imagine losing family in their 40's. Too soon, just too soon. I wish you and yours all a wonderful holiday. My condolences again.

Flag salute might be the exact thing! It looks like a place where a flag would be located. Great thought!

 

That's what gentlemen did with their hats in a photo, I think. It doesn't mean anything except that men wore hats back then.

 

Men in regular suits would, but usually men in uniform would keep their hats on.

 

Good point Messilane!

 

Joe, sorry about your lost and especially at this time of the year. As to the pic, I also agree with Messi that uniformed man usually don't take off their hats so probably a band is playing the national anthem for the majority have their hats over their left side, heart. I'm thinking a convention at a resort somewhere like The Greenbriers in WV. I've looked up the front of Greenbriers and of course it isn't.

http://www.greenbrier.com
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greenbrier
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greenbrier#/image/File:2008-0831-TheGreenbrier-North.jpg

--- Susan

 

The building is very similar to the back side of the White House only a bit smaller and with different railings. Anybody know of a "miniature version?"

 

It does look like a mini version of the white house.

I saw this building in Mississippi that reminded me of it. http://mdah.state.ms.us/senseofplac...e-HISTORIC-PHOTO-OF-MANSION-MDAH-ARCHIVES.jpg

 

Just my observations and thoughts.

I don't think the men have their hats off for the flag or anthem. Not all are held over their hearts. I think the photographer asked them to remove their hats so as not to block faces. Many just did what came naturally, crossed their hearts.

It appears to be the back of the building.
The building most likely is a school or academy, or it is a very large southern plantation. I'm guessing the building to have been built in the early 1800s.

The men are in overcoats, the plants seem to have drooped from cold.
Most likely a southern locale.

@ScanticAntiques
What state are you in?

 

I'm in Mass. Purchased it at a Co-op in CT

 

I was looking at building pictures online and noticed that the cross-member design on the porch railings appear to the same as at least one set of railings on an old building at University of Virginia. Now, the building itself isn't the one in your picture, so it's probably just a coincidence of age. But it could also be something that was common to the region. South but not too far south, if you get my meaning.

 

I was thinking the same thing .
I found the McLean House in Appomatax, VA. Built in 1848. Not a match, but the same type of rails.

 

It does seem as though it's a Southern property! I've been trying to match up the windows with a building, but having a hard time finding photos around the specific period, with no modifications.