Gallery: Do you remember? -- April 4, 2011

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

On Dec. 7, 1939, the sternwheeler J.C. Rawn was tied up on the Ohio River at 20th Street in Huntington when one of its three boilers exploded. The entire front end of the boat was blown away, killing three men and badly burning several others. The J.C. Rawn was scrapped due to the damage from the explosion. The Indiana-built, 135-foot-long sternwheeler was originally named the H.S. Chamberlain and later renamed the Weber. It was purchased by Rawn in 1931. On Dec. 4, 1988, the 130-pound bell of the J.C. Rawn was found partially buried in the sand and gravel of the river bottom by divers. The bell and the sternwheeler were both created in 1911.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Interior view of a newly constructed public housing unit. Thanks to Paul Fulks for the identification. Date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the 1940s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Today’s Lawrence County Airpark was known as the Huntington-Chesapeake Airport in 1938 when American Airlines inaugurated regular passenger service with DC-2 airliners and, later, DC-3s. Note the parked airliner in this photograph with the “AA” logo on its left wing. American discontinued service at the airport in 1945, deeming it no longer adequate. Before World War II, there has been much talk of building a new, larger airport. But the war temporarily halted that discussion. The end of the war and the departure of American Airlines at Chesapeake gave new momentum to the idea of building a modern airport. The result was Tri-State Airport, which opened in 1952. That’s Old U.S. 52 at the bottom of the photo. Thanks to Jim Casto for the information.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Today’s Lawrence County Airpark was known as the Huntington-Chesapeake Airport in 1938 when American Airlines inaugurated regular passenger service with DC-2 airliners and, later, DC-3s. American discontinued service at the airport in 1945, deeming it no longer adequate. Before World War II, there has been much talk of building a new, larger airport. But the war temporarily halted that discussion. The end of the war and the departure of American Airlines at Chesapeake gave new momentum to the idea of building a modern airport. The result was Tri-State Airport, which opened in 1952. That’s Old U.S. 52 at the bottom of the photo. Thanks to Jim Casto for the information.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Today’s Lawrence County Airpark was known as the Huntington-Chesapeake Airport in 1938 when American Airlines inaugurated regular passenger service with DC-2 airliners and, later, DC-3s. American discontinued service at the airport in 1945, deeming it no longer adequate. Before World War II, there has been much talk of building a new, larger airport. But the war temporarily halted that discussion. The end of the war and the departure of American Airlines at Chesapeake gave new momentum to the idea of building a modern airport. The result was Tri-State Airport, which opened in 1952. That’s Old U.S. 52 at the bottom of the photo. Thanks to Jim Casto for the information.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Aerial shot of public housing project Marcum Terrace, which is located on Olive Street in Huntington. According to the Huntington Housing Authority, it is named in honor of Roy L. Marcum, whose efforts were untiring in civic duty in the community. This project was completed and ready for occupancy on Sept. 28, 1940. Thanks to George Smith and Pete Stark for the identification.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Aerial shot of public housing project Marcum Terrace, which is located on Olive Street in Huntington. According to the Huntington Housing Authority, it is named in honor of Roy L. Marcum, whose efforts were untiring in civic duty in the community. This project was completed and ready for occupancy on Sept. 28, 1940. Thanks to George Smith and Pete Stark for the identification.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Aerial shot of the Barboursville Clay/Brick Manufacturing Company. For three-quarters of a century, clay was quarried and bricks were produced here on Peyton Street. Built in 1904, the company produced 75 types and colors of brick and tile. In 1921, it supplied tile for a major remodeling project at the White House. But the industry's roots go back much further. Brick kilns lined the Guyandotte River and the mouth of the Mud River before the Civil War. Many homes that still stand in the town were made of local brick. At the height of its operation in the 1970s, the plant sold 20 million bricks a year throughout the world and employed more than 50 people, says Jim Wiseman, whose family operated it from the 1920s until it closed in 1979. The property has been redeveloped through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields cleanup program. Thanks to Pete Stark for the identification. Date is unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Aerial shot of the Barboursville Clay/Brick Manufacturing Company. For three-quarters of a century, clay was quarried and bricks were produced here on Peyton Street. Built in 1904, the company produced 75 types and colors of brick and tile. In 1921, it supplied tile for a major remodeling project at the White House. But the industry's roots go back much further. Brick kilns lined the Guyandotte River and the mouth of the Mud River before the Civil War. Many homes that still stand in the town were made of local brick. At the height of its operation in the 1970s, the plant sold 20 million bricks a year throughout the world and employed more than 50 people, says Jim Wiseman, whose family operated it from the 1920s until it closed in 1979. The property has been redeveloped through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields cleanup program. Thanks to Pete Stark for the identification. Date is unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Aerial shot of public housing project Northcott Court, located on Hal Greer Boulevard between Doulton and Charleston avenues. According to the Huntington Housing Authority, it is named in honor of Gustavais Adolhus Northcott, a civic leader, president of the State Senate during 1905-06 and an early director of the First Huntington National Bank. The unit was completed and ready for occupancy on Aug. 30, 1940. Thanks to George Smith and Pete Stark for the identification.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

The West Virginia Building, built in 1924 and originally named the Union Bank and Trust Building, sits in the 900 block of 4th Avenue. Date is unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

The building on the corner is the Dickinson Furniture building at 4th Avenue and 8th Street. Date is unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Lyell and Pauline Dunfee Douthat pose for a photo at 1400 Dunfee Hill, according to their son Wylie Douthat, who thinks the photo is from 1926 or 1927. Lyell Douthat was a professor at Marshall College and University for 46 years. He also was the lead photographer at The Herald-Dispatch/Huntington Advertiser from about 1941 until 1949 or 1950.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

James D. Francis was chief executive of Island Creek Coal Company. He was also the first president of the Huntington Galleries Board of Trustees, serving in that capacity from 1947 to 1956. Thanks to Chris Hatten of the Huntington Museum of Art for the identification.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

James D. Francis was chief executive of Island Creek Coal Company. He was also the first president of the Huntington Galleries Board of Trustees, serving in that capacity from 1947 to 1956. Thanks to Chris Hatten of the Huntington Museum of Art for the identification.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

James D. Francis was chief executive of Island Creek Coal Company. He was also the first president of the Huntington Galleries Board of Trustees, serving in that capacity from 1947 to 1956. Thanks to Chris Hatten of the Huntington Museum of Art for the identification.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

James D. Francis was chief executive of Island Creek Coal Company. He was also the first president of the Huntington Galleries Board of Trustees, serving in that capacity from 1947 to 1956. Thanks to Chris Hatten of the Huntington Museum of Art for the identification.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

James D. Francis was chief executive of Island Creek Coal Company. He was also the first president of the Huntington Galleries Board of Trustees, serving in that capacity from 1947 to 1956. Thanks to Chris Hatten of the Huntington Museum of Art for the identification.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

James D. Francis was chief executive of Island Creek Coal Company. He was also the first president of the Huntington Galleries Board of Trustees, serving in that capacity from 1947 to 1956. Thanks to Chris Hatten of the Huntington Museum of Art for the identification.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Subject and date are unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

H.R. "Punk" Pinckard worked at The Herald-Advertiser and The Herald-Dispatch from 1922 until his death Jan. 2, 1972, at the age of 74. In the late 1930s and 1940s, he was an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism at Marshall University. He had worked practically every job in the newsroom, according to his obituary. His last stint was as editorial page editor.

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

According to Ken Reffeitt, this shot was taken upon entering the driveway into the Marshall College campus at 16th Street and 4th Avenue. "The corner of Old Main can be seen on the left behind the windshield glare," he said. "Also, part of Northcott Science Hall can be seen on the right. The flagpole is dedicated in memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt, so the photo was after his death in early 1945."

Herald-Dispatch photo archive -

Date is unknown, although the photo is likely from the late 1940s to early 1950s.