The title of this post is just an exact transcription of what was cursive handwritten on the back of the print. I know nothing more than what was in green ink, no clue as to transcriber or time that was written. But of course Lock 52 is the location of the current Heritage Park, and therefore the setting for a lot of Dispatches posts.

As much as I enjoy looking at the contemporary images of lock 52 on a site like eriecanal.org, to round out what today’s eyes see, these archival photos trigger my imagination, help me see lock 52 and other places back when they were the current reality. The sci-fi fan in me looks at details here and wonders about the enigmas we’re left with. Who was this man and where did he live? What was he transporting and for what and whom? The photographer in me wonders who the photographer was, what was the event, why was the photo taken, and what apparatus and process were involved in the photography.

What was the name of the piebald horse? How unusual were those markings in that context? What connection did the man on the conveyance have with the two men on either side of the meat market door, or those two with each other? If the time travel fan in me were to enter the scene, what conversation would we have? How hospitable might they be? Would it make any difference if I arrived in a wagon or in a canal boat?

Is there a connection among these three folks? What socio-economic distinctions existed in this crowd?

What day of the week was it? What were the two women engaged in? How common was it back then for a woman to hold the reins, as here?

I have more of the same questions, but I’ll add some: what goods were in the carriage and piled in the opening behind the man to the left?

More of the same, but to add, how would a person of the time assess the health and age of these horses?

I’d love to hear what questions you would add as well as what answers you might have to mine.

Many thanks to Bill Hecht for enhancing and sharing this photo.

Got an image of your favorite area of NYS Canals, past or present? Share it and why it’s your favorite.