James Stevens

James Stevens

Stagecoach drivers

Hoosac Tunnel (Mass.)

North Adams (Mass.)

A cabinet card photograph taken at the Hurd & Smith's Excelsior Gallery. James Stevens was one of the stagecoach drivers who took passengers over the Hoosac Mountain before the Hoosac Tunnel opened in 1875. He is mentioned in Washington Gladden's book From the Hub to the Hudson (1869), p9. 97-99. On the back (printed): "Henry Y. Porter/Hurd & Smith's/Excelsior Gallery,/Main Street, 2 doors east of Wilson House/North Adams, Mass."; (in ink): "I send this as a fair/sample of a Hoosac Mountain/Stage Driver. It is a/photograph of Jas Stevens/O.T. Ruggles/Dept of the RR" O.T. Ruggles, who makes the identification on the back of the card, was purchasing agent and assistant superintendent for the Vermont and Massahusetts Railroad at the same time that James was driving the stagecoach.

Hurd & Smith's Excelsior Gallery

MCLA

1860-1880

2018.225.1

Print

6.56" (h) x 4.25" (w)