Rye, Did You Know That ...?

RYE, N.Y. ‒ Residents used to travel by horse-drawn carriage to shop on Rye's Purchase Street.

They would leave their carriages at a nearby stable while they strolled past the stores, many of which line Purchase Street today.

Dust on the unpaved streets was kept down by sprinkling carts, and when the sun set lamplighters kept gas lamps illuminated.

The establishments included a riding school, Cushion’s horseshoeing, several dry goods stores, a paint store and a coal and wood shop.

Haircuts at Southworth’s Barbershop cost 20 cents. Residents could buy fish at Sniffen Brothers for 50 cents. Phonograph records at Holm and Odell were available for $10. Shirts were $1 at Halahan’s Dry Goods, and shoes were just $2 at W.L. Douglas.

Residents seeking relaxation could go to the Lyceum to hear a band playing on the second floor balcony.

The information above came from the Rye Historical Society's "Walk Rye History Trail."

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