Curious Advertising Photo From The East Lycoming Historical Society

The East Lycoming Historical Society shared this photo on their facebook page, but they know nothing about where nor where the photo was taken, nor why the women are in costumes.

Here's a closer look, in an attempt to find more information about this event.

Note that the women are not just in costume, they are in costumes to match their advertising sign.  This woman, advertising Jacob Per for clothing shoes and gents, is wearing a dress adorned with ties, bow ties, and what appears to be vest material. She's standing beside a dummy of a young boy, such as would likely have stood in a shop window for advertising.

1902 Advertisment for Jacob Per Clothing, Laporte PA

This woman advertising the Hughesville Furniture Company appears to have photos of furniture and wood grains adhered to her dress.

More about the Hughesville Furniture Company:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-rishel-furniture-fire-november-1965.html

This woman advertising Wm. Frontz & Son General Merchandise, is holding a sign for the Star Soap Company.  She's adorned with clothespins, and bags are pinned around the bottom of her skirt.  

I'm not sure what exactly her necklace is made out of.

The sign reads "W.F. Reedy, Painless Dentistry a Specialty"

The 1912 business directory lists a W.T. Reedy, Dentist, in Hughesville

William T. Reedy, born about 1830, the son of Conrad & Catherine Reedy.  In 1880, age 30, he lived at home with his parents, occupation listed as Dentist.   He married Harriet Keller in 188, at the age of 37.  William Reedy is buried in Hughesville Cemetery.  My best guess is that the advertising sign in this photo mistakenly has an F instead of a T.  

A women wearing saw blades on her dress advertises the John R. Swartz planing mill.

I found a John R. Swartz Jan 6 1853- Aug 29 1913, occupation given as clerk in a drug store, until 1900 when he was listed as justice of the peace, and then in 1910 as a druggist.

He married Sarah Elizabeth Holt, and they lived appear to have lived their entire lives in Hughesville.

This woman advertises  W.H. Angstatd, Leading Barber

Listed in the directory as a barber in Hughesville Pa, in 1896

First National Bank

Capital $50,000

Surplus Next Under Profit $20,000

(Those exact numbers could possibly help pinpoint the year this photo was taken?)

1894

1903

The Eagles Mere Railroad was leased by the W&NB in 1902 - meaning this photo was likely taken prior to 1902.

C.W. Reeder & Co. Coal

Charles William Reeder, 1864-1930, was the son of Peter & Sarah Francis [Ritter] Reeder.

He married Arielle Crooks, and was a coal and lumber merchant up to his death at age 66.

J.H. Fague General Merchandise

John Harvey & Hanna [Tallman] Fague were the parents of Laura Fague, who married Frank Truckenmiller.  I have a variety of items that belonged to Laura, including a speech she wrote for a Bucknell commencement, letters, post cards, etc.  I'll have to look closer - I wonder if this is her holding the sign?  Laura was born in 1875 and married Frank in 1910.

Poust & Houseknecht Farm Implements

Baker And Palmer (Flooring?)

E.S Culliver Printer (No Prints?)

??? Reliable Dairy Prices

Mrs M.

G.P. Frontx ??  Life

Drugs Only

J ???? s

Druggist

=========================

Not Certain What These Signs Say:

Rishel & M???  Gen ??

1910 Hughesville Advertisements

My best guess is that the original photo above is from 1900 - or somewhere thereabouts.  This list of advertisers is 10 years later, but does include some of the same names.