Posted 11 years ago
moonspenders
(2 items)
These two stereoviews depict scenes along the tracks of the Valley Railway in the Cuyahoga Valley between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. They are original and in good condition, purchased at different times via online auction.
The top stereoview (with red trim) was photographed by G. F. Gates of Syracuse, NY in the 1880s. Part of his "Gems of American Scenery" series, it shows a long trestle originally built around 1879 over the Ohio & Erie Canal north of downtown Akron. The view is looking west from near Howard Street. Part of the Schumaker Mill (the forerunner of Quaker Oats) is slightly visible on the right. It measures 6 15/16" x 4 1/2".
The second stereoview (with green trim) is a smaller Gates photograph from the same series showing Brecksville Curve just north of Station Road beneath present-day State Route 82 east of Brecksville, Ohio. Given the freshness of the cut through the valley hillside, the photograph is likely from closer to 1880. This image appears to be more faded than the previous, likely due to exposure to light for a longer period of time. It measures 6 7/8" x 3 7/16".
Gates photographed several Valley Railway scenes in this series: View at Peninsula, Long Trestle in Akron(pictured), Brexville [sic] Curve (pictured), and View at Boston.
