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Looking Back At Purchase Street In The 1900s

RYE, N.Y. -- Walking along Purchase Street, one would pass many of the buildings still here today dating back a century ago, according to a placard outside of Chase Bank at 73 Purchase Street. 

Purchase Street in the 1900s

Purchase Street in the 1900s

 Photo Credit: Rye Historical Society
by Carol Bloom Stevens

Composed by the Rye Historical Society, it describes the town in the early 1900's. The street then was lined with horse drawn carriages and gas lamps were lit at dusk. Water had to be sprinkled on the roads to cut down on the dust from the horses.

Prices were much cheaper then. At Southworth's Barbershop, a haircut cost 20 cents. At Sniffen Brothers on Boston Post Road, a fish cost 50 cents. At Holm & Odell's Hardware Store at 39 Purchase Street where Belle Cleaners stands today, a phonograph record cost $10. Men's dress shirts cost $1 at Halahan's Dry Goods on Purchase Street while shoes cost $2 a pair at W.L. Douglas.

The Rye Historical Society, at 1 Purchase Street, has a map of a walking tour of Rye for interested residents.

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