Mystery History: Rare & Obscure Images from Youngstown’s Past contains some never-before-seen photographs of the city. The collection includes colorized postcards, vintage photographs and advertising art.
The images also memorialize now-phantom buildings, Victorian street scenes and unusual historical events. The collection spans about 100 years – from the 1880s (Mahoning County Courthouse) through the early 1980s (Eagles Hall).
One of the most-interesting images is a postcard of East Federal Street where a newsboy straddles streetcar tracks in an attempt to reach customers. The YWCA can be seen on the left side of the postcard, but the rest of the streetscape is nearly unrecognizable to modern viewers.
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Whenever I see images of the Market Street Viaduct, the lens is always positioned looking ‘south’ to north/downtown. I’ve several images (and 1 video) of the market street bridge facing north (1934, and two from the early 1900s), but it fails to include the neighborhood, or give me a glimpse of what the area looked like heading south towards Boardman. I grew up on Kyle Street, before my family moved to Erie Street (615 off of E. Woodland Ave), then 62 Wayne Ave just where Keiser’s Food Mart used to be. I’d love to see pictures of the neighborhood circa 1960-70.
Hi Michael. Thanks for the comments. I remember an old photo of the area south of the viaduct. It was either Ridge or Woodland. It was at the Arms Museum on Wick Avenue.
Thank you very much. Funny how we spend our waning yrs, frisking through the past.
I’m searching for pictures of our old family business, owned and operated since 1952 (53?) by my grandfather, Mike Gallo, (Winchester Ave.)uncles Eugene Gallo(Rhoda Ave.), & James Gallo (Wesley Ave). The business was on Mahoning Ave. across from Westside Library which at present is Powerhouse Lawnmower Repair. Any photos, ads, related articls would so very greatly appreciated. Thank you.. Valerie A. Gallo
Hi Valerie. I’d try the Mahoning Valley Historical Society (330-743-2589) and the reference department at Main Library. Both have extensive archives. If a neighboring business included a bank, church or grocery store, there may be photos of the street. I remember seeing photos of Mahoning Avenue during the snowstorm of 1950, so there might be random street images from that year. City Directories are useful for determining years of operation. They Mahoning County Courthouse (basement) would have original deeds and property information. Hope this helps. P.S.: I knew James Gallo. He attended a lot of local history and preservation events. He was a great guy with a lot of energy. – Mark C. Peyko