Old picture of a Martin House

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
Tim in VA
Posts: 38
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:29 am
Location: Virginia/South Prince George

I love local history and have had this picture for a long time. It is of a man with his prize possessions (A white mule, his carriage and his Martin house). The picture was taken in Sussex County, Virginia. That is pretty much all I know about it. Don't even know when it was taken but sure would like to know. It's nice to know Martin Host of old were proud of their colonies too. Hope you enjoy.
Attachments
Prize Possessions
Prize Possessions
Prize Possessions (3).jpg (214.24 KiB) Viewed 5744 times
Tim
2014 - 36 gourds, 163 fledged, F.R. 83%
2013 - 18 gourds, 61 fledged, F.R. 87%
2012 - 14 gourds, 29 fledged, F.R. 74%
PMCA Member
Top
Louise Chambers
Site Admin
Posts: 6208
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

What a neat photo, Tim - thanks for sharing it here. Do you have the actual print? I've seen many older martin photos but never seen this one before.
Top
royW
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri May 29, 2015 9:09 am
Location: Salado Tx

That is very cool. Must of been like back in the 19th Century.
2007: Nada
2008: Bupkis
2009: Kein vogal
2010: 1 lonely male visitor
2011: And he returns and leaves
2012: Cant remember what a Martin looks like
2013: The sky is crying
2014: 1 lonely male stays for 4 days
2015: 3 pair now!!
Top
Tim in VA
Posts: 38
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:29 am
Location: Virginia/South Prince George

Yes Louise, I have the actual print. I scanned it, then downsized it so I could post it. Glade you liked it. It's one of my favorites.
Tim
2014 - 36 gourds, 163 fledged, F.R. 83%
2013 - 18 gourds, 61 fledged, F.R. 87%
2012 - 14 gourds, 29 fledged, F.R. 74%
PMCA Member
Top
Tim in VA
Posts: 38
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:29 am
Location: Virginia/South Prince George

Hi Roy, I would hope it is from that time period. Don't know when hats like that went out of style. :wink:
Tim
2014 - 36 gourds, 163 fledged, F.R. 83%
2013 - 18 gourds, 61 fledged, F.R. 87%
2012 - 14 gourds, 29 fledged, F.R. 74%
PMCA Member
Top
~Ray~Gingerich
Posts: 2122
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
Location: Delaware/Dover

Very nice, I love old pictures, wish we had more showing martin houses.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
Top
Tim in VA
Posts: 38
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:29 am
Location: Virginia/South Prince George

Hi Ray, I like most things old, especially pictures. They tell a story of a certain place in time. My wife thinks those black dots around the house in the picture are actually Martins flying. If I was gong to have my picture taken of my Martin housing, I would want the Martins flying around it too.
Tim
2014 - 36 gourds, 163 fledged, F.R. 83%
2013 - 18 gourds, 61 fledged, F.R. 87%
2012 - 14 gourds, 29 fledged, F.R. 74%
PMCA Member
Top
Craig Dyer
Posts: 500
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 2:24 pm
Location: Nevada, TX
Martin Colony History: Area is rural. Offer 28 compartments...metal housing (Lonestar Goliad) & Supergourds all w/crescent entrance holes. Purple martins are abundant here and eager for quality, well maintained, safe housing. Expect near 100% occupancy this season.

Great picture!

Civil war era maybe?
Craig Dyer
Top
tim414
Posts: 247
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2014 10:52 am
Location: NorthTX/Pottsboro/Lake Texoma

Craig Dyer wrote:Great picture!

Civil war era maybe?

I agree. It would be my guess as well.


Thanks for posting. I like seeing old pics. You might also be able to tell by having a photo specialist look at the paper and see if it's the old silver process. I would say 1875-1905.
Top
M.Stephens
Posts: 1130
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:14 pm
Location: Texas/Texarkana

Cool picture........ Thanks for sharing!
Malcolm
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
____________
PMCA Member
Top
Tim in VA
Posts: 38
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:29 am
Location: Virginia/South Prince George

Thanks everyone. I thought is was just to nice of a picture to keep stored away in my files. If it is 19th century that would be way cool.
Tim
2014 - 36 gourds, 163 fledged, F.R. 83%
2013 - 18 gourds, 61 fledged, F.R. 87%
2012 - 14 gourds, 29 fledged, F.R. 74%
PMCA Member
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”