City - Salisbury, MA - Kelleher's Kafe 1909 - Side by Side

by Mike Savad

Title

City - Salisbury, MA - Kelleher's Kafe 1909 - Side by Side

Artist

Mike Savad

Medium

Photograph - Hand Colored Photo

Description

Hand colored photo from 1909
Original title: Kelleher's Wigwam Lunch
Photographer: Unknown
Location: Broadway and Railroad ave, Salisbury, MA

Kelleher's Quick Lunch was a small eatery located along the boardwalk at Salisbury Beach. A sign advertised "Pure Spring Water," which was considered a premium feature at a time when clean bottled water was not widely available. Below that, a smaller sign offered "Fresh Kisses," a playful name for breath mints that added a lighthearted touch fitting for a day at the shore.

Kelleher's was located right by the trolley stop, making it easy for visitors arriving from nearby towns like Haverhill and Amesbury. The sidewalk in front lined up with where passengers would step off, and in the background, the trolley driver can be seen peeking out near the scale. Most of the streets in the area were still unpaved and made of sand, adding to the laid-back feel of the beach community.

Shops like this were once a familiar sight during Salisbury Beach's heyday, when the area was known for its amusement rides, dance halls, arcades, and busy shoreline. Today, Kelleher's offers a glimpse into the early seaside life that helped define the town's character.

Color notes:
I removed the shadows and sign on the right, as it adds nothing to this, and boosted the shadow in the room. There is quite a bit of detail in there, including what looks like the trolley driver just popping into the background.

Uploaded

July 3rd, 2025

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