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Curiosities, arcane and pedestrian

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USA: Texas

Stand Pipes — Vol. 2

  • by High Shrink
  • Posted on July 26, 2020
  • 1890s

Another look at historical “stand pipes” (or water towers) from picture postcards from the late-19th and early 20th century. From basic and utilitarian to surprisingly ornate.

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Wyatt Metal & Boiler Works — 1939

  • by High Shrink
  • Posted on January 6, 2019
  • 1930s

This industrial metal structure — possibly in use at a Texas oil refinery? — looks pleasingly futuristic. The winding exterior staircase is a nice touch.

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The Texas Fig Farmer

  • by High Shrink
  • Posted on September 26, 2018September 29, 2018
  • 1910s

Figs? I don’t even like figs, but I came across a great photo from about 1910 of a young Texas farmer in a derby hat, clutching a fig plant… and the next thing I knew, I was deep into a search for more photos of Texas fig farmers. See what I found.

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“The Prairie Pirates”: Electric Steampunk in Texas — 1904

  • by High Shrink
  • Posted on October 20, 2017
  • 1890s

It’s lassoes vs. electric dynamite guns in this thrilling story of a crazy armored vehicle and a battle with masked desperadoes in Texas!

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Chasing Pancho Villa on the Border in Tricked-Out Harley-Davidsons — ca. 1916

  • by High Shrink
  • Posted on July 18, 2017September 7, 2020
  • 1910s

The motorcycle was first used in active service by the U.S. military by Gen. “Black Jack” Pershing in order to chase Pancho Villa across rugged terrain — some were outfitted with sidecars and Colt machine guns.

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Perkins Windmill Couture — 1890s

  • by High Shrink
  • Posted on July 17, 2017September 26, 2018
  • 1890s

Miss Corinne Baker in her eye-popping windmill dress — perfect from the tip of her kooky hat to the bottom of her windmill-blade skirt. And everything else in between. See the full-length photo inside.

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Eating Melons Near Littlefield, Texas — 1914

  • by High Shrink
  • Posted on July 15, 2017September 26, 2018
  • 1910s

In 1914, Littlefield, Texas was luring investors and settlers to the flat South Plains area of Texas by showing off their successful irrigation wells. More photos of wells (and watermelons!) inside.

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