Handwritten: Pioneer Library Book Wagon, Washington County Free Library, Hagerstown, Maryland.
The original photograph had "Library Wagon 1903", written on it. The "03" is crossed out and "05" added.
Another country home visited by the book wagon.
The book wagon visits a country home.
The book wagon visits Grimm's Blacksmith Shop in Cearfoss.
Louise Frey of Ringgold identified the people in the photograph:
Man standing next to the book wagon horse -- Daniel Beard.
Lady in wheelchair -- Lottie Beard, daughter of Daniel. She had suffered from infantile paralysis (polio).
Little girl standing next to woman in wheelchair --Mary Catherine Leather (b. 1900). She, along with her two brothers, was raised by the Beards after her mother died. Mary Catherine's daughter, Louise Frey, identified the individuals.
Three means of transportation in western Washington County - the book wagon on the heights, the Western Maryland Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The Potomac River is on the far right of the picture.
Ed Klitch: Let’s talk about the Washington County Library. Tell us something in your own words about that. And do touch on this well-known lady, Miss Titcomb.
Visiting the Oakes' farm on Middleburg Pike, now Rt. 11, north of Hagerstown.
The book wagon stops at a country home, west of Hancock. A large stone house stands behind the white picket fence.
Joshua Thomas and the book wagon. Joshua Thomas, a Civil War veteran and member of the GAR, had earlier served as the janitor in the library. He was listed on the 1910 census as a "Book Missionary" for the public library.