From Google, here’s the location more or less in the present, at the corner of James and Black River.

From the time of steam shovels, here’s a scene from a century ago and longer. I can think of lots of machines–from mega scale to nano–that capture our attention today. Back when digging and trenching involved shovels and draft animals, these hot, steamy machines must have mesmerized, an emotion that might have animated the photographer.

Folks still used shovels, as we do even today.

Puffing with power, the person whose hands on the controls would have been regarded as king of the work site.

I wonder who the well-dressed folks on the ridge were. Contrasting their attire with that of the four men in the trench, it was likely a hot day.

Is it true that no trace of these steam machines exists? If so, that’s a shame. Imagine how this steam shovel might look at the corner of James and Black River!