Mar. 23, 1911 A

Mar. 23, 1911 A

Pawtucket, R. I. Head of Navigation. Bird’s Eye View from Division Street Bridge.

Notes: “Head of navigation” is a phrase describing the limits of boat traffic. Above this point are the falls, some of which are seen in the ‘Main Street Bridge’ image. Here you are looking north toward that bridge (and falls) at Main Street. Today this view is nearly obscured by the bridge for I 95. So many of these boats appear to have enclosed cabins, I wonder if they were used as housing. The composition of this photo has to be given high marks. Your eyes certainly get drawn into the scene. It’s difficult to determine the relationship between Ida Amelia Atwood and Jennie Dunham. The card hints at an asymmetry, with Ida shouldering some element of material support. Ida was a native Nantucketer who lived on Quince St. and described her occupation (in a 1923 passport application) as a dressmaker. She was married to Isaac Atwood who died not long after they were married. Her father was Washington Fisher. She had a twin sister, Clara. At the time this card was written, Ida was 44.

The Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, ME, USA