Historian Keith Lockhart is digging deep into his file cabinet of photos, postcards and photo-based illustrations from yesteryear in Delaware County.
He’s cataloging these markers of our past, and that’s where your expertise comes in.
This week, it’s a photo of Chester Pike in Darby, possibly near Pine Street. What do you think?
It looks like a group of lads are delivering a newspaper, hopefully the Chester Times.
Keith’s email is keith106@rcn.com. Check out more from Keith at delawarecountyhistory.com.
Here’s what you had to say regarding last week’s mystery of the Barker Building in Lansdowne:
• “The Barker Building is still partly there. NW corner of Baltimore and Lansdowne. Now only 14/16 N. Lansdowne Ave. that used to be part of it.” — Kate Clifford
• “The Barker building was built around 1900 by R.K. Ingram at the north west corner of Lansdowne and Baltimore Avenue. It was partially replaced in the 1930s. It still stands today as retail space.” — Kevin Ostien
• “This is the NW corner of Baltimore Pk & Lansdowne Ave. The big clue is the bell tower of the former Episcopal Church. Part of the Barker Building is still standing at 14 & 16 N Lansdowne.” — Paul Kane
• “The Barker Building was located at the northwest corner of Baltimore Pike and N. Lansdowne Avenue in Lansdowne. Today’s building occupies the same footprint but has changed significantly since it was built in 1896. Now, only the very north end of the building contains the original architect as shown in the photo. The building’s address is 2–16 N. Lansdowne Avenue.” — Dennis & Jack McKnight
• “The Barker Building is at the northwest corner of Baltimore and Lansdowne Avenues. It was erected by William H. Barker in the 1890s and Morgan Bunting was the architect. It appears that the building is still there today but looks very different except for the far right part of the building which looks to be original. I believe the front part of the building is a restaurant today. There are a few businesses located in the center part.” — Scott Carter
• “This photo looks like it’s at Baltimore Pike and Lansdowne Avenue. Reason being is the church next door I believe is St. John’s Episcopal Church which I was confirmed over 60 years ago along with being married there 49 years ago. At first was thinking it was St. Philomena’s Catholic Church down the street on Baltimore Pike but the side street seemed too wide. Virginia Donuts would have been on that corner. Will be interesting to see what others think or know.” Elizabeth Finocchiaro
That’s definitely not a mystery anymore.
From last week: The Barker Building in Lansdowne. (COURTESY OF KEITH LOCKHART)