City - Ontario, Canada - Flour and Feed store 1895 - Side by Side

by Mike Savad

Title

City - Ontario, Canada - Flour and Feed store 1895 - Side by Side

Artist

Mike Savad

Medium

Photograph - Hand Colored Photo

Description

Hand colored photo from 1895
Original title: Boys and a dog on the front step of a general store
Photographer: Bartle Brothers
Location: Ontario, Canada

In the late 19th century, general stores like the one in Ontario, Canada, were central hubs for rural communities. People would travel from nearby farms and small towns, often by horse-drawn carriage or on foot, to buy essentials for daily life - canned goods, fresh produce, washboards, tools, and other household items. These stores were more than just places to shop; they were gathering spots where people could socialize, share news, and catch up with friends and neighbors.

Children played on the porch while adults shopped, often with the family dog lazily lying by their feet. General stores were crucial because they stocked a wide variety of goods that made rural life more manageable. From baskets of fresh berries to soap and cleaning supplies, they carried everything a household might need. For many families, this was a weekly or bi-weekly ritual, a break from the isolation of rural living. These stores also served as informal meeting points where people exchanged stories, bartered for goods, or simply enjoyed each other's company. The sense of community fostered at these general stores made them vital to the social and economic fabric of small-town life in that era.


Color notes
This image had some challenging shadows - I had to work to bring out the detail on the sign to the left and the chocolate logo obscured in the darker areas. I'm fairly certain those are blueberries and onions, making for an interesting combination! Also interesting is that creeper in the window, you can barely see him in the original.

Uploaded

October 27th, 2024

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