Attention: History Detectives

Earlier this week, I was asked if I knew what the occasion was for this gathering at the Hudson Fairgrounds. I don't, but I asked permission to publish the picture, which is part of Historic Hudson's photo collection, and see if readers had any ideas.

Here are some hints for dating the photograph. The fairgrounds closed in 1909, so this had to have been before 1909. The men's hats--a mix of straw boaters (traditionally worn only from Memorial Day to Labor Day), fedoras, and bowlers--suggests that, whatever event this was, it took place either on or soon after Memorial Day or on or shortly before Labor Day. In 1900, Stanley E. Couse, whose general repairing business is advertised on the banner on the side of the platform, was listed in the Hudson city directory as a tinsmith residing at 432 Carroll Street. 

It's unfortunate the photograph doesn't provide a better view of the stars on the flags. That could make the dating more precise. In 1908, the number of stars on the flag increased from forty-five to forty-six after Oklahoma joined the Union in November 1907. Prior to that, the flag had been unchanged for twelve years.

Photo: usflagstore.com

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