New Historical Photographs of Pittsburgh added to the Brady Stewart Collection Website – Vol. 4

New Images were added to the http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-list on Sunday March 20th.

Advertising and Products

1) Westinghouse Electric Appliances.  At one time, Westinghouse Electric was one of the leading manufacturer of household appliances.  Naturally the appliances were all-electric and along with other manufacturers competed   against appliances that operated by natural gas.  We added images of Westinghouse Color and B&W Television sets from 1968.  The photographs were taken at the annual Westinghouse Showcase.  We also included Westinghouse Electric ranges and washers from 1962.

2) Kenmore Gas Ranges:  On Location photography for Ketchum McLeod and Grove at the Sears and Roebuck Store on the North Side of Pittsburgh – 1963.

3) Kenmore Wringer Washer:  On location photography at the Stewart house on Summit Street in Bethel Park – 1954.  Marjorie Stewart was the model for this advertisement for the new Kenmore Washer from Sears.  Marjorie still complains today that she did not get paid for the modeling assignments for Brady Stewart Studio… as you will see in later posts, there were a lot of them.

4) All Gas Starter Homes:  Location Photography for Ketchum McLeod and Grove of new homes in the North Hills.  One set of All Gas homes were located in Robinson Gardens and the others were built in the North Hills by Kaylor Builders – 1961.  In the 50s and 60s, the regional Electric and Gas companies partnered with local contractors to build and promote All Gas and All Electric homes.

5) Lady Schick Electric Shavers:  Studio photography of Schick products for a Christmas Catalog – 1960s.

6) Reymer’s Lemon Blennd:  New packaging for my favorite drink of all time.  On location photography for the Hamburg Brothers of the weekly drawing  for an electric phonograph.  Lemon Blennd was served.

7) New Images of the Golden Triangle/Point

8) Misc. images of a woman shopping for the new Evenflow baby bottles, Cooking with Gas, and a Guide to Entertaining with Westinghouse Electric Appliances

If you are interested in downloading an image or to purchase a print, please contact Brady Stewart Studio by phone (724.554.9813) or email bstewartphoto@aol.com.  Additional Images can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-list.

New Images were added to the http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-list on Sunday March 20th.

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New Historical Photographs of Pittsburgh added to the Brady Stewart Collection Website – Vol. 3

New Images were added to the http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-list on Sunday November 14th.

Pittsburgh Buildings that are Gone

1) Syria Mosque:  The Syria Mosque was located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.  Constructed in 1912, it was designed by Huehl, Schmidt & Holmes architectural firm of Chicago. Syria Mosque was torn down in August 1991, and the site is now a parking lot.  http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery/Pittsburgh-Buildings-That-Are-Gone/G0000u6LTlRWbLk0/

2) Montour Motor Inn:  View of the Montour Motor Inn on Route 60 in Robinson Township – 1962. Drivers saw Montour Motor Inn sign every time you went to the Greater Pittsburgh Airport.

3) Greater Pittsburgh Airport:  We found more images of the original Greater Pittsburgh Airport (Moon Run Airport).  In 1944, Allegheny County officials proposed to expand the military airport with the addition of a commercial passenger terminal in order to relieve the Allegheny County Airport, which was built-in 1926 and whose capacity was quickly becoming insufficient to support the growing demand for air travel.  The new airport, christened as Greater Pittsburgh Airport opened on May 31, 1952. The first flight occurred on June 3, 1952. http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery/Pittsburgh-Buildings-That-Are-Gone/G0000u6LTlRWbLk0/

4) Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station:  View of the Grant Street station of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad company.  The building was torn down and replaced with the Pittsburgh National Bank’s (PNC) operations center in 1969.

5) Fort Pitt Boulevard: View of businesses along Fort Pitt Boulevard.  Acme Janitor Service and Hyle and Patterson were two of the businesses on Fort Pitt Boulevard in 1966.

6) Baum Boulevard in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh:  View of East Liberty Motors on Baum Boulevard.  The company was owned by Babe Aronson and Mel Cummings. View Marbetts Restaurant in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. View of Stanford Motors Used Car lot in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery/Pittsburgh-Area-Businesses-that-Are-Gone/G0000Lwd.yRmewhk/

7) 725 Liberty Avenue:  View of the Gamble/725 Liberty Avenue building and Dimlings Candy – 1963.  Brady Stewart Studio occupied the 4th floor of the Gamble/725 Liberty Avenue building for 25 years.

8) Jones and Laughlin Steel Plant:  View of the J&L Steel Mill on the Monongahela River. Billowing smoke coming from the blast furnaces.

9) University of Pittsburgh’s Pitt Stadium:  View of Gate 19 at an empty Pitt Stadium – 1960. Pitt Stadium was located on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1925 to 1999.

10) 1963 Pittsburgh Railways Streetcar:  View of the Knoxville Street Car (Trolley) emerging from the Mount Washington Tunnel into the South Hills Junction – 1963.  In the early 1960s, Pittsburgh had the largest surviving streetcar system in the United States. The Pittsburgh Railways Company operated more than 600 PCC cars on 41 routes. In 1964 the system was acquired by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, which rapidly converted to buses. By the early 1970s, only a handful of streetcar routes remained, most of which used the Mt. Washington Tunnel just south of the Monongahela River to reach the South Hills area.

If you are interested in downloading an image or to purchase a print, please contact Brady Stewart Studio by phone (724.554.9813) or email bstewartphoto@aol.com.  Additional Images can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-list.

New Historical Photographs of Pittsburgh added to the Brady Stewart Collection Website – Vol. 2

William Swindell & Brothers/Swindell-Dressler Corporation

Brady Stewart’s business relationship with William Swindell & Brothers started in 1925.  Brady Stewart was contracted to photograph engineering designs and steel furnaces at Swindell’s offices and on location at area steel mills. The business relationship for photographic services continued for another 45 years (1970).  We added 26 Swindell Dressler images to the Collection.

History of William Swindell/Swindell-Dressler Corporation

The following information was obtained from the Swindell Dressler International Company’s website.  Swindell Dressler is based in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . We were founded by Phillip Dressler in 1915 as American Dressler Tunnel Kilns, Inc. The first whiteware tunnel kiln – developed by Dressler – was built for Universal Rundle in 1915. The first oil-fired refractory tunnel kiln was built by Dressler for Norton Company in 1919.

In 1930, American Dressler Tunnel Kilns, Inc., merged with William Swindell and Brothers to form Swindell-Dressler Corporation. The Swindell brothers designed, built, and repaired metallurgical furnaces for the steel and aluminum industries. The new company offered extensive heat-treating capabilities to heavy industry worldwide.

Pullman Incorporated of Chicago purchased Swindell-Dressler in 1959. The company expanded into the fields of heavy engineering and construction. By 1970, Swindell-Dressler was called Pullman Swindell. By 1980, Pullman Swindell had designed and built a variety of plants in countries such as Poland , Saudi Arabia , Iraq , Iran , Indonesia , Colombia , Venezuela , Mexico , Canada , and the USA .

In 1980, Wheelabrator-Frye acquired Pullman, Inc. Pullman Swindell was teamed with The Rust Engineering Company, the sixth largest engineering firm in the USA . The Swindell furnace group was sold. The original ceramic group, under the name Swindell-Dressler, moved to our present location just outside Pittsburgh in Coraopolis , Pennsylvania in the mid-1980’s. Swindell Dressler’s facilities include sales, administrative, and engineering offices, as well as development laboratories and assembly shops.

In 1991, Swindell Dressler International Company (SDIC) was purchased by private investors from Pittsburgh . The revitalized company has expanded into worldwide markets as well as continuing to provide services to American markets. With satellite offices in Melbourne , Australia and Mexico City , Mexico , SDIC can ride the wave of development in the global marketplace.

Additional Photographs added to the Website

1) Two Images of Tasa Coal’s Marion Steam Shovel.  Zelienople, PA:  The images show views of a Tasa Coal Company’s Marion Power Shovel in 1956.  The Tasa Coal Co. operated its Mine No. 8 in this area. It was a strip mine operation due to the thinness of the area coal seams.

2) Four images of office and home furnishings from the 1950s and 1960s.  Two images are from a Unistrut Products Company photo assignment;  Office and home furnishings of the Future on the showroom floor – 1953.  And two images are from a photo assignment for a local Ad Agency.  The new office cubicles of the 1960s.

3) Two images of Forbes Avenue businesses in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh – 1962.

4) One image of the Duquesne Steel Plant on the Monongahela River – 1960; one image of the Pittsburgh Skyline from one of the Mt Washington Overlooks; One image of the Twentieth Century Club Building in the Oakland Section of Pittsburgh – 1965; One image of an aerial view of the IDL Building in Monroeville PA – 1970;  and One image of Pittsburgh Coke and Chemical barges on the Ohio River – 1959

Photographic Images can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com

New Historical Photographs of Pittsburgh added to the Brady Stewart Collection Website – Vol. 1

October 4th 2009

Beginning in October 2009, we began adding photographs to the Bradystewartphoto.com and bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com websites.

The Bradystewartphoto.com website was designed to educate individuals on the history of the Brady Stewart Studio, Brady Stewart Sr, and Brady Stewart Jr and provide a select list of portfolios for review. 

ABOUT Section:  Click on the About tab at the top of the page to view an automated presentation on the history of the Brady Stewart family and Brady Stewart Studio. 

PORTFOLIOS Section:  Click on the Portfolios button to select a portfolio of photographs; Advertising and Products, Buildings and Churches, Children, Duquesne University, Homesteading in Idaho, Lake Chautauqua and Lake Erie, Manufacturing Equipment and Military, Niagara Falls and Washington DC, People Lifestyles and Sports, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Views, Transportation, Hand-colored Lantern Slides 1900-1910.  Each portfolio includes between 20-32 images.

In the portfolio section, there are buttons above the photographs; Add to Cart, Prices, Image Info and Play.  By clicking Add to Cart, the photograph will be automatically moved to the shopping cart.  By moving your mouse over the Prices button highlights print sizes and the associated cost.  By moving your mouse over the Image Info button, a caption with information will appear below the image.   By clicking on the Play button, a presentation begins and continues until all the images in the Portfolio are played.

CONTACT Section:  Click on the Contact section to obtain information on how to reach Brady Stewart Studio Inc.

HELP AND SUPPORT Section:  Includes a few Frequently Asked Questions about the site and the company.

SEARCH ARCHIVES Section:  By clicking on the Search Archives button, you will link to the Bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com website.  This website includes the photographs in the Brady Stewart Collection and additional photographs from the Brady Stewart Studio archives.  As of August 25th 2010, we have digitized over 844 images for the combined websites.

The Bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com website was designed to manage and store all the photographic images in the Brady Stewart Collection of 20th Century Photographs.  The site includes a list of buttons on top of the page; Galleries, Search, About, Contact, Blog, Lightbox, and Cart.

The Gallery Section includes a collection of Galleries with specific themes for your viewing pleasure.  The list of Galleries include; Pittsburgh Area Businesses, 20th Century Boats, Planes, and Streetcars, 20th Century Automobiles and Trucks, Early 20th Century Children 1901-1940, Mid-20th Century Children 1945-1970, Advertising and Products 1900-1949, Advertising and Products 1950-1970, Western PA Steel and Coal Industries, Pennsylvania Railroad Images (Pittsburgh Area), Buildings/Architecture Pittsburgh, City of Pittsburgh Street Scenes, Brady Stewart Family, Pittsburgh Point Photographs, The Battle of Lundy’s Lane 100th Anniversary (Niagara Falls), Brady Stewart Homesteading in Idaho (1909-1912), Wabash Railroad Construction (1903), Pittsburgh Area Sports, US Presidents and Washington DC, North East PA and Lake Erie Vacations 1904-1924, US and Canadian Armed Forces, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 1930s, Hand-Colored Positive Slides, Girls Scouts and Camp Youghahela – 1925, Churches/Architecture of Pittsburgh, Tour of Duquesne University – 1932.

The Search button allows individuals to search for images by keywords or any other specific information.  Each image was created with a list of keywords and other information to make it easier to locate images within the website archives.

The About button provides more information on the Brady Stewart Collection, Brady Stewart, Brady Stewart Jr and the Brady Stewart Studio.

The Contact button provides information on how to contact Brady Stewart Studio, Inc.

The Blog button connects individuals to the Brady Stewart Collection blog on the WordPress.com website –   bradystewartphoto.wordpress.com.

The Lightbox button connects user to a selection of images specifically designed for that user.  To add images to your individual lightbox for further viewing, click on a Gallery, select an image and click on the Add to Lightbox.

The Cart button connects a user to their individual shopping cart.  To add an image to the Cart, you click on the images and there will be three buttons above the image.  Click on the Add to Cart to move that image to your individual shopping cart.

Photographic Images can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com

The Brady Stewart Collection of 20th Century Photographs – Portfolios 1981-1991, 2009+

1981-1991

3^rd Generation Commercial Photography Business During the 1980s, the Studio continued to evolve into visual communications company.  The studio continued its core competencies of studio photograph and custom B&W and Color prints and added computer-generated slide presentations. The Studio maintained many of the traditional customers with Ketchum Communications being the largest and most loyal.

The Brady Stewart Collection

 Due to the deterioration of the business climate in Pittsburgh, the Studio invested to expand with opening the Brady Stewart Collection.  After 3 years of cataloging and printing, the Collection was launched in 1987.  The Studio hired Yonke and Richardson Inc. for design and public relations.  The firm did a good job getting the Collection a spot on WTAE TV, announcements in all papers, and a feature article in the Mt Lebanon Magazine.  For over a year, Brady Stewart Photographs were featured in each issue of the Pittsburgh Business Times.

After two years, it became clear that the Collection needed more focus and investment to take hold in the market.  Studio management made a decision to suspend operations until the resources and technology were available to re-launch the Collection.

2009-

4^th Generation Commercial Photography Business

 Early in 2009, Brady Stewart III and Michael Stewart made the decision to investigate re-launching the Brady Stewart Collection.  Due to significant technological innovations, lower costs and available manpower, it was feasible to re-launch the Collection.  With Brady Stewart’s retirement, Michael Stewart and his two sons, Kevin and Dan, there were enough resources to get started.

The Brady Stewart Collection Online

 After 9 months of scanning, digitizing, categorizing content, the Brady Collection was ready to be launched online.  We used Livebooks to drive website development due to their experience in the photographic market.  We linked the Livebooks site to another website called Photoshelter to provide the archive database needed to house the entire collection of images.

Photos can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com. All images in the blog and web site are copyrighted by Brady Stewart Studio Inc.  If you are interested in downloading an image or to purchase a print, please contact Brady Stewart Studio by phone (724.554.9813) or email bstewartphoto@aol.com.

Forbes Field 1970

The Brady Stewart Collection of 20th Century Photographs – Portfolios 1966-1980

1966-1980

 Brady Stewart Studio Clients The studio maintained its list of key customers while restructuring the business based on the realities of the local market.  The Studio focused on studio photography and custom B&W and Color prints.  The clients during this period evolved into more Advertising-oriented Agencies, Public Relations and Graphics firms.

Advertising:  Ketchum Advertising, Lando Inc., Burson Marsteller

Corporations:  Calgon, Atlantic Refining, Railway Express, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Regional Planning Association, WW Patterson, Minnotte Manufacturing

Graphics and PR:  Pittsburgh Ad Art, Graphics Studio, The Animators, Gil Goodwin Studios, Bob Casey and Associates, WF Minnick and Associates, Frank Knat Studios, Geyer Printing, Colonial Press

Other:  Allegheny Valley School, Salvation Army, First Lutheran Church

Sports Photography

 During the 1950’s Brady Stewart Jr. worked as a part-time for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers.  He worked filming the games and taking some still photographs.  This experience served him well during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Michael Stewart was very active in sports at Bethel Park High School and also at the College of William and Mary.  Brady Stewart Jr. attended and photographed nearly every high school football, baseball and basketball game and every college football game.  The collection includes photographs of high school games played from 1969-1971 including the last high school championship baseball game played at Forbes Field.

The William & Mary football photographs are from the 1972-1974 seasons.  The teams include; Virginia Tech, Virginia, Wake Forest, Richmond, East Carolina, Colgate, VMI, Vanderbilt and the Citadel.

East Liberty Presbyterian Church

In 1976, Brady Stewart Jr. was contracted to photograph the interior and exterior of the famous East Liberty Presbyterian Church.  The church is one of the most spectacular churches in the United States.  Built during the depression, the Mellon family financed the church at the cost of over $3M.

Brady Stewart Jr. and Carmen Sabatasso used all of their collective experience in photographing the inside of the church.  They rented large movie set lights in order to photograph the ceilings and other areas of the church.   The work is featured in the book; The Art And Architecture of East Liberty Presbyterian Church 1977.

End of an Era

 At the age of 60, Brady Stewart Jr. passed away from Cancer in early 1981.  By design, Brady pushed all of his children into any profession other than photography.  But upon his death, Brady Stewart III, Michael Stewart and Carmen Sabatasso decided to keep the business going.

Photos can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com

External View of The East Liberty Presbyterian Church - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 1976

The Brady Stewart Collection of 20th Century Photographs – Portfolios 1950-1965

The Photographers of Brady Stewart Studio; Dave VanDeVeer, James Garvey, Bobby Pavuchak, Ross Catanza

1950-1965

The Brady Stewart Photographers

To help support the growth of the Studio, Brady Stewart hired young and energetic individuals who wanted to learn the photography business.  Six talented photographers worked for the studio during this time; Ross Catanza, James Garvey, Bobby Pavuchak, Carmen Sabatasso, Bill Tyhurst, and Dave VanDeVeer.

Each of the photographers “learned the ropes” from Brady Stewart Sr.  He would work with each new hire on all the fine points of being a messenger, darkroom technician, and studio and/or location photographer. 

Ross Catanza left the Studio in 1965 to become an award-winning photographer for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.  Bobby Pavuchak left the Studio in 1965 to become an award-winning photographer for the Pittsburgh Press.  Dave VanDeVeer left the studio in 1968 to start his own commercial photography business.  James Garvey left in 1962 and became an ordained Catholic Priest.  Bill Tyhurst left in 1964 to become a staff photographer for one of the local advertising agency.  Carmen Sabatasso was the longest tenured non-family employee.  He started work at the studio after serving his country as an Army Photographer in Vietnam.  Carmen started as a messenger in the early 60s, served in Vietnam and returned to the studio in 1965.  Carmen was a very important part of the business until the doors closed in 1991.

Brady Stewart Studio Clients

From 1948 thru 1965, Brady Stewart Studio was the largest commercial photography studio in Pittsburgh.  The studio did work for a wide array of customers including:

Advertising firms: Ketchum MacLeod and Grove, Fuller Smith and Ross, Batten Barton Durston and Osborn, Daniell Sapp and Borne

Corporations:  Alcoa, Heyl and Patterson, A.M. Beyers Company, Swindell Dresser Company, Pennsylvania Railroad Corporation, Harbison Walker Refractories, Pittsburgh Coke and Chemical

Graphic Designers:  The Animators, Town Studios, Peter Muller-Monk, Andrew Gamble (Interior Designer)

Other:  Daniell Sapp and Boorn, Salvation Army, United Way, Catholic Charities

Duplicating X-Rays for Medical Books

During the early 1950’s, Brady Stewart Jr. started working with work-renown Rentonologist, Doctor Lewis E. Etter.  They worked together to devise a way to duplicate X-rays for use in Medical Books.  At this time, there was not an effective way to include X-rays in text books for medical students.  Brady Jr. and Dr Etter experimented for over two years to develop a process to duplicate X-rays that could be reproduced perfectly in medical text books.  Brady Jr. worked with Doctor Etter’s on two of his most famous books; Atlas of Roentgen Anatomy of the Skull 1955 & Roentgenography and Roentgenology of the Middle Ear and Mastoid Process 1965.

Over the next 15 years, Brady Stewart Studio won contracts for duplicating X-Rays for Medical and Industry Books: the First National Study on Breast Cancer for the US Department of Health, Mammography by Doctor L. Egan 1964 and Eastman Kodak’s Radiography in Modern Industry 1969.

 Brady Stewart Jr. mastered the triple masking technique developed by Eastman Kodak and William Martin using the Log-E-Tron for copying and printing X-rays.

 End of an Era

 In 1965, at the age of 83, Brady Stewart Sr. passed away in his sleep.  The 60’s brought many changes to the business of photography and the Studio.  35MM cameras from Japan were beginning to take hold in the United States.  The quality was good enough for a number of commercial applications and the ease of use created a new wave of 35MM photographers that eliminated the need for professional photographers in a number of applications.  The 35MM and lower cost 2 ¼ format cameras created a new business opportunity for freelance photographers.  To support this new business segment, Kodak created new equipment for Photographic Labs.  Photographic Labs emerged as the go to place for volume color prints and color film processing. 

The overall impact on the traditional commercial photography studios was significant.  Studios could not afford to maintain its staff of location/studio photographers and darkroom staff.

Photos can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com

The Brady Stewart Collection of 20th Century Photographs – Portfolios 1940-1949

1940-1949

World War II

After one (1) year of college at Penn State, Brady Stewart Jr. left school to work with his father at BW Stewart Studio.

Brady Stewart Jr reading the paper on his honeymoon - Martha's Vineyard MA 1944

The business was located at 812 Market Street (corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street) and was starting to take shape when the war broke out.  Brady Stewart Jr. was drafted in 1941 and was an Army photographer stationed Camp Shanks in Orangeburg New York. A camp shank was an embarkation center for soldiers leaving for Europe.

Brady Stewart was introduced to Marjorie Zapp Stewart by another soldier during a dance at Camp Shanks.  Marjorie was born in New York City and raised in Valley Cottage New York.  Marjorie is the daughter of Catherine Dilworth Zapp and Jacob George Zapp.  Marjorie was working at the Martin Beck Theatre for Louie Lotito.  Marjorie previous worked for Burgess Meredith at his home in Pomona New York.

Brady and Marjorie were married at the Zapp’s residence in Valley Cottage NY on June 3^rd 1944.  After the wedding, they traveled to Martha’s Vineyard MA for their honeymoon.  Two days into the honeymoon, Sergeant Brady Stewart received a telegram from base canceling his leave due to the D-Day invasion.

Brady Stewart Studio Inc.

After the war, Brady Jr. returned to Pittsburgh with Marjorie to work at BW Stewart Studio.  Brady Stewart contacted one of his longtime business associates, George Ketchum, for advice on growing the business. George Ketchum first recommendation was to change the name from BW Stewart Studio to Brady Stewart Studio.  The rationale was to take advantage of the Brady name, as it related to photography (Mathew Brady).  The various Ketchum companies; Ketchum & McLeod, Ketchum MacLeod & Grove, Ketchum Advertising and Ketchum Communications, were the biggest and longest tenure customers. 

Brady Stewart was a business acquaintance of George and Carlton Ketchum.  Brady Stewart was instrumental in helping the brothers secure their first major account, the Colonial Trust Company.  Brady Stewart’s father, Homer Stewart, was Treasurer of the Colonial Trust Company from 1901-1926.  The Bank needed an advertising firm in 1922 and agreed to give a local advertising firm an opportunity.  The opportunity paid dividends for both companies.  Ketchum Advertising became one of the largest Advertising firms in the country and Colonial Trust Company (Pittsburgh National Bank – PNC) became one of the largest banks in the United States.

Photos can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com

The Brady Stewart Collection of 20th Century Photographs – Portfolios 1900-1911

 

Family Photograph at the North East Pennsylvania Train Station near Lake Erie - 1904

1900-1911

 

Lake Chautauqua/Lakewood New York (1901)

Clark & Helen Stewart and schoolmates visited Lake Chautauqua/Lakewood New York on a school field trip in 1901.  Alice Brady Stewart was one of the chaperones and Brady Stewart came along to photograph the trip.  They traveled by train from Pittsburgh to North East PA train station. The group chartered carriages and traveled to Bemus Point Pier where they boarded the City of Cleveland Steamer to Lakewood.  The Stewart family and students stayed at this Lakewood Boarding Houses during their field trip.

Large Hotels like the Kent House were built to accommodate the hordes of people who flocked to western New York every summer. For the wealthy of every major city in the northeast, a summer at Chautauqua Lake became the epitome of the good life.  Telephone lines were installed in 1901 to accommodate businessmen vacationing at the Kent House.

North East Pennsylvania Vacations

From 1901 thru 1905, the Stewart family vacationed on Lake Erie near the town of North East Pennsylvania.  Due to the lack of nearby hotels or cabin rentals, they camped out near Lake Erie.  Similar to the Lakewood field trip, the Stewarts boarded a train in Pittsburgh for the North East Pennsylvania station.  It took a few wagons to transport all of the camping gear to the campsite.

Wabash and West Virginia Railroad

The Pittsburgh and West Virginia Railway was a railroad in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Wheeling, West Virginia areas. The railroad was originally built as a Pittsburgh extension of George J. Gould’s Wabash Railroad. The Pittsburgh, Toledo and Western Railroad Company, part of the Gould’s railroad system, hired Brady Stewart to provide railroad progress photographs. This progress photo assignment was Brady Stewart’s first commercial photography job.  From 1903 through the completion of the project in June 1904, Brady Stewart photographed the building of the Spellacy, Warren, Hanna and Wabash Tunnels along with the tracks and bridges between Hopedale Ohio and downtown Pittsburgh.

Southwestern Ohio

Brady Stewart was very affected by the untimely death of his brother, Clark Stewart, in 1905.  He purchased a car, a 1906 Buick Model F, and traveled to Southwestern Ohio to visit Brady family relatives.  He spent the spring visiting family and taking photographs of the area.

Homesteading in Idaho

Brady Stewart and three friends went to Idaho on a lark from 1909 thru early 1912. As part of the Carey Homestead Act of 1894, they received a land grant of 160 acres north of the Snake River.  The Carey Act set forth guidelines for the Federal Government, State, Development Companies, Operating Companies and the Homesteader.  A number of the Western Development Companies were funded by investors from Pittsburgh PA. To secure a final deed for the property, the Settler needed to link his or her land to the irrigation system, build a livable building (farmhouse), and cultivate 1/8 of the granted property.  For 2 ½ years, Brady Stewart photographed the adventures of farming along with the spectacular landscapes.

The amazing part of photographing while in Idaho was the lack of facilities to load and develop film along with making photographic prints.  Brady Stewart constructed a field studio near the Jerome farmhouse.  The darkroom consisted of a hole covered by a large tarp.  After his initial supplies ran out, he would mix a batch of emulsion from scratch and evenly coat the film and load film holders once the film dried.  After taking photographs, he would mix film developer, load the film into film holders, develop the film and fix the image with hypo.  The last part in the process is to make a print.  He would mix the paper developer and fixer, contact a negative with photographic paper, process the contact print and hang to dry.

Brady Stewart returned from Idaho in early 1912 due to another family tragedy, the death of his youngest brother, Homer Kuhn Stewart.

Photos can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com

The Brady Stewart Collection of 20th Century Photographs – Portfolios 1920-1939

 

Helen Stewart helping Grandfather in the garden - 1919

1920-1939

 

Brady Stewart Children

Brady and Sarah had three children, Helen born in 1916, Brady Wilson Stewart Jr. born in 1920 and Sally born in 1923.

Helen married Ed Belknap and had two children; Ann and Marne Belknap.  Ann Winters is married and living in Alaska and Marne (Margaret) Coldwell is married and living in Indiana.

Brady married Marjorie Zapp in 1944.  Brady and Marjorie had five (5) children; Cathleen Brady, Brady Wilson III, Michael Dilworth, Patrick Mathews, and Timothy Gray Stewart.

Sally married Pittsburgh restaurateur Bill Kramer.  Bill and Sally raised Bill’s two children from a previous marriage; Chip and Polly.

Weekend Day Trips

During the children’s formative years, the family was on the road most weekends visiting sites throughout Central and Western Pennsylvania.  Traveling along the popular highway Route 30 was one of the favorite weekend trips.

City of Pittsburgh Photographer

Brady Stewart was a full time City photographer for 16 years (1920-1936).  During his time working for the city, Brady met and worked with a number of prominent politicians.  One of his favorite people was Mayor David L. Lawrence.  It was not uncommon for Mayor Lawrence to delay news conferences and/or photo opts if Brady Stewart was in the crowd.  They would chat about the old days and tell of few jokes before getting back to the business at hand.

B.W. Stewart Studio Assignments

While working for the city, Brady took on a number of freelance assignments from Ketchum McLeod and Grove Advertising Agency, corporate firms and local newspapers.

Duquesne University

In 1932, Brady Stewart accepted a freelance assignment to photograph the grounds and classrooms of Duquesne University.  Brady Stewart used a large format Deardorff camera for the job and the files include 27 8×10 negatives of the university.

Brady Stewart Jr.

During the 1930s, Brady Stewart Jr., became very interested in photography.  Brady Jr. went to Wilkinsburg High School and was a member of the marching band (tuba).  Brady Jr. accompanied his father on a number of photographic assignments and also leaned to developed film and enlarge photographic prints.

Photos can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com