THE LATE Walter Jack?s interest in history and artistic eye combine in this view-camera photo of what is believed to be the Furnace Road Bridge, which once stood in Conneaut. No date was recorded for the capture, but the Furnace Road Bridge was removed by 1950.
Published October 10, 2009 01:51 am - The vintage images of Ashtabula County covered bridges on this page are the work of the late Walter Jack.
Bridges from another era Walter Jack’s images preserve Ashtabula County’s ‘forgotten crossings’ on sheets of film
By CARL E. FEATHER - Staff Writer - cfeather@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
The vintage images of Ashtabula County covered bridges on this page are the work of the late Walter Jack.
They were contact printed from 5-by-7-inch negatives owned by Jack’s granddaughter, Karen Rang, of Erie, Pa.
Jack was a prolific writer and photographer who lived in Northeast, Pa., but made frequent trips to Ashtabula County. A Hillsdale, Mich., native, Jack became connected to this area and relocated here after marrying a woman from Pierpont.
Rang, who was 10 when Jack died, recalls her grandfather as a man with a passion for history and covered bridges. He also had a great memory, which was full of details that he took to the grave.
“He knew where (the bridges) were, so he never marked (their locations on the negatives/prints),” Rang says. “He had a fantastic memory.
Jack was a professional photographer and had a portrait studio in his Northeast home. He wrote for the Erie Times, a New York paper and probably many other publications. Little of his work survived because he preserved it by pasting the articles in wallpaper sample books that were stored in the attic. Mice and time accordingly destroyed much of that work, although several of the books were given to the Jennie Munger Gregory Museum of the Ashtabula County Historical Society.
The library at the museum was named in his honor. Many of the old books that once populated the shelves of that room were from his personal library, a once massive collection that shared the second floor of his home with the studio, recalls Rang.
These days the museum’s library is more focused on providing access to local-history materials, so the books from his collection are not displayed. However, Jack’s writings on local history have been collected and are available there, says Jean Metcalf, a historical society volunteer who has worked on the project.
Jack’s photos, for the most part, did not fare as well. Rang says her grandfather’s estate included “boxes and boxes” of negatives, which were acquired by her parents, the late Edward and Hazel Jack, after his death. They were stored in the basement of their home and remained there until 2005, when her parents’ estate was liquidated.
“The boxes were totally mold. You couldn’t separate (the negatives),” she said.
A handful survived. Appropriately, they are of covered bridges.
CUSTOM FIBERGLASS MOLDER in Jefferson, Ohio is looking for applicants with composite experience in the following areas. Gelcoat, chopping, rollin...>MORE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Applications are being accepted for a part time Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity in Ashtabula Cou...>MORE
CLINIC AIDE Full time. Experience as a Medical Assistant preferred. Send resume to Community Action Wic Program, 3225 Lake Ave., Ash...>MORE
AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN A great team environment and ongoing training are just a few of the benefits you can expect in our Service Departm...>MORE
HOME VISITOR Applications are being accepted for positions in the Early Head Start Home Visiting Program for pregnant women & childre...>MORE
JOIN THE CARDIAC CATH LAB TEAM at Ashtabula County Medical Center
Ashtabula County Medical Center (ACMC), an affiliate of Cleveland Clinic, ...>MORE
Assistant to Chief Financial Officer Position performs accounting duties, including agency-wide payroll, payables and general ledger. Uses and compiles...>MORE
Business Opportunities REDUCED! 4316 West Ave. Duplex, Ashtabula, Ohio Excellent condition. Gross rents $825/mo -Fully rent...>MORE
WANTED TO BUY! Paying $250 & up for Junk Vehicles. 440-812-0716/812-2242...>MORE
Wanted to Buy Buying Wrecked & Junk Vehicles Call (440)998-7070...>MORE
MACHINERY & TOOLS SAFES- Large & small, Forklifts, extra forks, Pallet Jacks, air compressors, (1-20HP), complete torch sets, welding gass...>MORE
ALWAYS BUYING FOR CASH Vintage Barbies & Whole Doll Collections, Sterling Silver, Coins, Paper Money (Especially Confederate), Antique Costume ...>MORE
BOAT DOCKAGE AVAILABLE For 2010 Summer Season at Geneva State Park Marina. No rivers, no bridges, beautiful setting. 440-466-7565...>MORE
VOLKSWAGON 2002 VW Passat GLS wagon, 98,000 miles, front side air bags, 1.8 turbo, no rust, $5800 obo. (440)992-7904...>MORE
CARPET SALE IN STOCK CARPET ON SALE WITH PAD & INTALL $12.99 YD BARTERHOUSE 964-7770...>MORE
Wanted - Hunting Land to Rent! Wanted Hunting Land to Rent. Small group of ethical, respectful hunters are looking and willing to pay. Prefer Geauga, n...>MORE
Print this story
Post to del.icio.us
