by
Ruth
Categories: PhotographyTags: bootscrapers, bricks, city sidewalk, colonial americsAmerican History, fences, Philadelphia, shadow photography, Society Hill, travel, walk, wrought iron
20 Comments
Bootscrapers and Philly Sidewalk Shadows
I imagine this was all in one road, a Victorian terrace maybe?
I wonder whose job it was to clean the areas around the bootscrapers?
Good question.
Practical and interesting.
“Those Boots Were Made for ..Scraping!” Maybe Ben Franklin used one! ?????
Beautiful photos, Ruth.
These are such fun and gorgeous photos. I sure enjoy looking at your blog daily. 😀
Glad you enjoyed them, Cee. Thanks for your visits, likes and comments. Your photography is always inspiring to me.
Were boot scrapers used for horse poop, or snow? (My mind immediately went to snow, but then I thought for a minute and said, “Hmm, I bet those were actually for a different purpose…”) 😉
Horse manure and mud I believe. Perhaps a bit of snow in winter and the crazy thing is, you can still purchase them!
What? That IS crazy!
Here is what Isobel wrote about the boot scrapers “We had industrial sized boot scrapers outside the doors of my Victorian primary school. It was in the middle of farm land when I attended, but when it first opened, the children would have trekked to the school across the fields. they are still very useful if the snow is on the ground, or if you have been out walking somehwere muddy.”
Great collection, Ruth. Interesting designs. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia. Unusual sunny day in winter made good shadows, too.
What a fabulous sequence! I love them 🙂
Thanks Jo. Of all people, you know the best how one sees things on a walk. Especially in a new place!
Good eye, Ruth. So glad to live in a time where boot scrapers are more ornamental than functional.
No sh#*, John.
We had industrial sized boot scrapers outside the doors of my Victorian primary school. It was in the middle of farm land when I attended, but when it first opened, the children would have trekked to the school across the fields. they are still very useful if the snow is on the ground, or if you have been out walking somehwere muddy.
Oh that is so cool and I have to share your comment with Stef, Isobel.