Leader Board Ad

Monday, September 29, 2014

We now pause for this brief cartoon

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Long Gone Restaurants - The Green Horn

Guests of the Urban Archeologist dine at the...

This find which came from a New York estate sale is another mystery that only a time machine might confirm. This is an advertising card, which actually a business card-sized blotter. I will be reaching out to this town's historical society for more information. In the mean-time, I love the graphics and the abundance of heat lines boldly and aggressively communicating that the food served here is indeed hot. Any guesses on the year?

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Old Ads and Current Events: First the Ukraine now Pabst!?

With the news this week of a Russian company buying Pabst Brewery, I couldn't resist my own spin when I found this ad from a 1936 issue of the New Yorker.
Is this a move by Putin as retaliation for the latest sanctions? Truthfully, I didn't know Pabst still existed. I had collected beer cans in my teens, so I will always have a a soft spot for the old guard of American mass brewers.

I like the coincidence that this is an ad for Pabst "Export" beer.  Nice piece of foreshadowing as Pabst has now been "exported" to Russia. I will have to try this brew, after reading a few reviews I am hearing that for the price it is not bad. Not a glowing review, but if you are cost conscious, finding a good Sunday dinner beer is sometimes a challenge.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Conjuring the Past (photographic and video evidence!)


The hobby/obsession allows me to see things I never would have expected to see. Old films, buried stories, books with odd titles, or things left inside them.  The search for the forgotten and the peculiar just gets better and better. This image above is only a part of what's out there - or, in there.

This is an interior doorway to a beautiful old and closed up home, that will be open for an estate sale this weekend on France St, in Norwalk, CT. I took this picture because of the unique design. Moving upstairs I found a negative that when held up to the light struck me for its similarity.
 I decided to layer both and see how well the 2 lined up, and the first image above is the result. I used the image to start off a short documentary about the home. Thanks to New England Estate Sales, Brian and Bill for giving me the green light to join them on their first look through this 120 year old home.


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Hidden Gems

Connecticut has a lot to offer the digger, treasure hunter and picker. Some may say that the kind of homes that offer great finds are becoming fewer and fewer, but I don’t see it that way.

Over the past few weeks I have visited 2 homes being readied for estate sales, these plus a third sale promise to keep offering one good find after another. Along with these discoveries I am able to see parts of the region I never knew existed.

One of these sales is happened this past weekend in Gaylordsville, CT. and was managed by my good friend Justin Krul, of Just In Antiques & More. Even though the sale is over, Just the trip alone is a scenic wonder along the Housatonic River ending near the famous restored Merwinsville Hotel.

There was more to see than I had time to explore at this sale, but the stand-out items were - A collection of books, tools and benches from what appeared to be a lifetime of Jewelry making, there was also auto racing items which included car club, and Lime Rock raceway memorabilia and two BMW engines. Antique wooden storage boxes and barrels and many other unique antiques.

Watch the video and then plan a trip through one of Connecticut’s gems to a natural setting. (Don’t forget to look both ways at the railway crossings which still dot the back roads.)


Sunday, September 14, 2014

On Tour: New City, NY "Sharing the stories of Urban Archeology"

This post is an indication that the enjoyment I get not only comes from finding, holding, and researching my discoveries, but also by sharing them.  The more I can connect with readers, the more I learn about what I have found and what has yet to be found.

September 13th, I was happy to be the guest speaker at the New City Public Library. I was given an hour to share as much as I could about my weekend obsession for finding artifacts and stories form the past.

Every time I give one of these presentations I come away with more information and a better understanding of why I love to search and share. The New City audience was chock full of experience. Some members of the audience had experienced first-hand the very subjects I was covering. 
Sharing the story of an 80 year old train journey, which took place in this region of NY

After the talk I provided time for questions and answers, and after that, many audience members stayed to chat with me personally.  These talks are more of an exchange because I learn as much from the audience as they do from me. It's a sweet deal.


I have several speaking engagements scheduled in the coming months. The next one, which is free and open to the public (With a suggested donation toward a Senior Center Van) will be in Roxbury, CT  3pm in the Town Hall.  To find out about arranging to have me visit your location email: uagregva(at)gmail.com

Thursday, September 11, 2014

NEW ADDRESS! THE URBAN ARCHEOLOGIST IS NOW EASIER TO FIND!

If you noticed the address bar (and, really, who doesn't?) you'll see that I have secured a URL (Universal Resource Locator) more in tune with the contents of this site. Please note the new address:
www.urbanarcheologist.net
What is an urban archeologist?  Good question. Please look though the site and/or come see one of my multi-media presentations on Urban Archeology:
  • September 13th at 2pm  - New City Free Library, New City, NY
  • September 28th at 3pm, Roxbury Town Hall, Roxbury, CT

More talks coming soon 

For now, please read my latest article on Patch.com here


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Take a 70 year Train Ride on the Feather River


Trains deserve a better place in history, not that they aren't looked favorably, or lovingly upon now. Every time I see an add for railway service, or see it depicted in a movie, I look at it like "Yeah, I would do that, I would travel by train."

Resurrecting a local line is discussed every few years as gas prices increase and traffic increases, but the conversation seems to come and go like a train traveling through a station complete with the Doppler effect "wwwweeeeeROOOOWWWWeeeeeeerrrrr"  

I found, still in it's brown envelope, a large floppy commemorative book someone might buy to remind them of the trip they took, or the one they want to take.  A 1944 picture book of the Western Pacific Feather River Route.


First, the book has clearly never been looked at and likely never saw the light of day.  The images are as bold and bright as the day the were printed.


The paper is a heavy bond and the images are pasted to the paper.  They claim to be photographs, but I suspect they were painted and reprinted. This was a shame because the images lose something in the translation, but not much.


Each image comes with a description about the place or geography of this San Francisco to Salt Lake City run.

The history of this railroad is interesting and you can look here to find out that it is now owned by Union Pacific, and was a line built to compete with another companies' rail line. The two were truncated after being sold to Union Pacific, but are still there.

Have you ever taken a ride through this area? Would you? Leave your thoughts in the comments.