Around the year 1910, there were over 215,000 persons employed in the shoemaking business, making over 250 million shoes across the country. One of those shoemakers was Theodore Romig Lauder, pictured here in 1910 at his Three Rivers shoemaking store.

photo courtesy of Sandra Lanham

Today, the United States Postal Service is one of the largest employers in the nation. Some famous former postal workers include: Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman, Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, Rock Hudson, Charles Lindbergh, and many more. To the right are some Three Rivers postal workers ca. 1910.

photo courtesy of Sandra Lanham

Cigar stores were popular hang out places for men in the 20's and 30's. The Rhorer Cigar Shop in Three Rivers had a back room where men would play pinochle and enjoy their cigars including Chet Shafer, well known columnist in the 30's and 40's. In this photo is Bill Smittendorf (on the right) who bragged that the women folk in his family were the best bread makers in the county. Also pictured are self proclaimed champion hog-killer "Butch" Mooney and Elmer Avery. Don't know which is which though. Photo is stamped May 2, 1937.

Do you have any historic photos of Three Rivers or St. Joseph County that you would like to share? Please drop me an email to include them on our photos page!

 This page was last modified <Saturday, 05-Aug-2017 20:04:12 MDT >

This website is created and copyrighted 2008 by Joel Newport