Hi everyone, here are the Local History Photos of the week!
(Click on the photos for a larger view!)
Photo 1: Students & Instructor
Our first photo for this week appears to have been taken in the sixites or seventies, at least it does if you look at the clothing!
But I don’t recognize what type of equipment the instructor is adjusting…
If you know what type of equipment is seen in the photo and/or recognize who one or more of the people seen in the photo are – let us know!
Photo 2: Crystal City Clothing
Our second photo is of a store on a corner block in the City of Corning at some time in the past. The awning above the store clearly says “Crystal City Clothing”, and I believe the last part of that awning sign says “& Merchant Tailoring House.”
The building housing the store looks familar and I may have to take a walk up Market Street and look for it!
Our records don’t indicate when or exactly where the photo was taken, but I’d guess by the fact that most of the men posing for the photo are wearing bowler hats that the photo was probably taken before 1930.
Even if we don’t know when the photo was taken or who the men are seen in the photo – it sure is cool!
We can see that if we could step back in time and walk down Market Street on that day we could “Get Suited” at the store and rent a room next door before walking a few feet down the block to the Gerber City store!
Bonus Photo: Steuben Postcard
Our bonus photo this week is of a postcard showing a Steuben glassworker engraving a Steuben bowl.
And again, we don’t know who the man seen in the postcard is – so if you recognize him please let us know!
Have a great weekend!
Linda, SSCL
Corning History is a Southeast Steuben County Library blog.
Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.
Also of note, we have the local paper, at times called the Corning Leader, Corning Journal or Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!
And…
And if you find any old photos or postcards of the Corning area that you don’t know what to do with – you can always donate them to the library!
Corning History 
Hi Linda,
The store to the right, Gerber’s, belonged to the mother of my Dad’s best friend, Bob Gerber. I remember going into the store, well after it closed, with my Dad. Bob Gerber donated the space to the City Democratic Committee to be used for their campaign headquarters. I remember moving old boxes of women’s silk stockings, gloves, etc. to a storage area, so she obviously sold women’s clothing. This was in the mid-1960’s. The store was located on the eastern end of Market Street, southern-side. I cannot remember exactly where, but it’s either near Market & Wall, or it was in the next block east, and was consumed by the Corning Radisson property acquisition. If you can compare the exterior of Market St Antiques & Collectibles to Crystal City Clothing and the shop to it’s west to Gerber’s — that may be the spot. Otherwise, I think they were consumed when the Radisson moved in.
The Gerber family also owned the original Palace Theater, which was located on the corner of Market & Walnut. It was a very small building, tucked in next to Rockwell’s. Corning purchased it from Bob Gerber and tore it down to make room for the old Main Plant mosaic entrance & time capsule.
Bob Gerber was a WWII hero who earned several medals, including the Purple Heart. He was one of many soldiers who landed on the beaches of Normandy.
Best,
Susie A.
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Thank you so much for the information and what a great story – it offers a great look at a slice of local history of the recent past.
Thanks for sharing!
Linda Reimer, SSL
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