Severely Damaged Photo -- No Caption

[YoreLocal]

Over the past few days, I've been sorting through family pictures, and I found this one in a Civil War collection. As I stated above, this picture has no captioning. I'm guessing this is some sort of mine or railroad, but as far as I know, nobody in the particular family worked on either of those. Looking at the hats: I think this is most likely a mine. But what I'm wondering about more is if anyone can determine whether or not this is a Civil War photo.

Also, I'm not an expert on the subject, but I think this is a copy, not the original.

 

[Seduzal]

It's not Civil War but early 1900's coal mining maybe in Pennsylvania!

 

[Story]

Who moderates the Railroad forum these days? Someone could probably identify that cart, possibly down to the serial number.

Railroads & Steam Locomotives

civilwartalk.com

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

Does the gentleman on the left ear's look a little out of proportion to anyone?

 

[elmira64]

Who moderates the Railroad forum these days? Someone could probably identify that cart, possibly down to the serial number.

Railroads & Steam Locomotives

civilwartalk.com

I don't believe that has anything to do with a railroad. It is a mine car. As stated above, probably early 1900's.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Does the gentleman on the left ear's look a little out of proportion to anyone?

If you look closely, there is a piece of wood with a light-colored patch behind his ear which makes the ear look wider.

 

[lupaglupa]

Definitely post Civil War. Can you guess at where the people in the picture lived?

 

[Story]

I don't believe that has anything to do with a railroad. It is a mine car. As stated above, probably early 1900's.

And where would you most likely find folks who know about mine cars on CWT?

(Hint - in the rail forum)

 

[Story]

Does the gentleman on the left ear's look a little out of proportion to anyone?

I think I saw him in Harper's

 

[elmira64]

And where would you most likely find folks who know about mine cars on CWT?

(Hint - in the rail forum)

If you think so. One has nothing to do with the other. I suppose it's possible.

 

[tbuckley]

They are coal miners and probably before 1920. My grandpa was working in coal mines when he was 12.

 

[elmira64]

They are coal miners and probably before 1920. My grandpa was working in coal mines when he was 12.

The fellow on the left has his arm resting on the mast. It was raised to make contact with the power cable. It is an electric car.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Looks like the cart vehicle is sitting on a track at the entrance to some type of mine.

These workers don't have any mining gear or show any signs of mine dust on their skin.

Maybe they are operators of outside mine transport or mechanical equipment

 

[Stone in the wall]

Does the gentleman on the left ear's look a little out of proportion to anyone?

Picture could have been taken in West Virginia

 

[Stone in the wall]

Who moderates the Railroad forum these days? Someone could probably identify that cart, possibly down to the serial number.

Railroads & Steam Locomotives

civilwartalk.com

Hey @Lubliner Know anything about mining cars?

 

[tbuckley]

Picture could have been taken in West Virginia

Or Ohio.

 

[Mike Serpa]

Is the man on the left wearing bib overalls? Wikipedia says: In 1911, Harry David Lee made the first bib overalls, made of pants with pockets with a bib and straps over the shoulders. The photo is not before 1911 if his clothes are store-bought.

 

[Stone in the wall]

Is the man on the left wearing bib overalls? Wikipedia says: In 1911, Harry David Lee made the first bib overalls, made of pants with pockets with a bib and straps over the shoulders. The photo is not before 1911 if his clothes are store-bought.

Good hit. Hardhats came out about 1920. All the soft hats pictured have a pocket? on the front for a light?

 

[Story]

Good hit. Hardhats came out about 1920. All the soft hats pictured have a pocket? on the front for a light?

Frederick Baldwin is credited with developing the first carbide mining lamp, holding U.S. Patent number 656,874 for an Acetylene Gas Lamp that was granted August 28, 1900.

Carbide Lamps

Carbide lamps are powered by the reaction of calcium carbide (CaC2) with water (H2O). This reaction produces acetylene gas (C2H2) which burns a clean,…

americanhistory.si.edu

See also

Carbide Lamps | Smithsonian Institution

www.si.edu

 

[YoreLocal]

If it's possibly a stone quarry, then this picture might be near West Union, Ohio. Otherwise, I have no idea who they are or where they are. But I do think I recognize the person in the middle.