Brick street building with BAR and café signs, beer umbrella

Share

Brick street building with the words "BAR" and "CAFÉ" painted or hung on its front, and a beer umbrella set out on the sidewalk, makes this a scene of a working drinking spot rather than a grand architectural subject. Taverns and saloons of this kind were common fixtures on American main streets, where a plain brick storefront could hold a bar, a café counter, and a few tables under a shade umbrella. Umbrellas advertising a beer brand were a familiar form of outdoor sign, and they tell us that the business relied on both passing foot traffic and brand loyalty. Look closely at the signage and window details to date the scene and to see how the owners chose to present their trade to the street.

More from the Taverns & Saloons collection

Snapshots of the Past helps heritage brands, museums, historians and storytellers tell stories with history: historic prints, image licensing and historical storytelling drawn from more than 25 years of research and curation.