Donald A. DAmato - Block Island

The steamer G.W. Danielson is at the landing in Old Harbor in the early 20th century. Capt. Martin Van Buren Ball was the owner of the G.W. Danielson , which carried the mail to Block Island from Newport for 25 years. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

Teams of oxen performed many duties on old Block Island, from hauling seaweed from the slippery shore, to being on-hand for the heavy freight in the late 19th century. For many decades, the sure-footed oxen were more popular for this type of work than the horses, and were a common sight on the island. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

Large groups gather at the Old Harbor dock eagerly awaiting the ferry arriving with needed supplies. Once the Old (or Government) Harbor was created, supplies, as well as paying guests, could come to the island in great abundance. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

Henry Littlefield (far right) and his friends are aboard his fishing boat, the Madilene , in 1934. The group was about to leave Old Harbor in pursuit of a sensational trip, hopefully resulting in a catch of fish. This sturdy vessel survived the Hurricane of 1938. (From the Sandy L. Strickland Collection.)

The Age of Steam brought many fine vessels to New Shoreham. This one, the Block Island, was one of the finest of the day. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

During the Age of Sail, the basin was resplendent with masts silhouetted against the horizon. Many of these were fishing vessels that plied the seas during the Civil War, when fish from the island brought high prices. A quintal (a bundle weighing 112 pounds) sold for $10.55 during that period. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

Main Street, now Water Street, appears complete with horse-drawn wagons; this scene was common when the 19th century was giving way to the 20th. Cassius Clay Balls store can be seen here. This is where bartering was the order of the day on the cash-poor island. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

This photograph shows early Main Street (now Water Street) at a time when the National Hotel was the most fashionable summer place for politicians and the in-crowd. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

Mary Geers tells us that her uncle can be seen on this horse-car, which made its way on Block Island in 1911. The vehicle is stopped before the Cassius Clay Ball House, Harbour Cottage, at the major intersection at Old Harbor. The horse-car was used each summer for 15 years and ran between Old Harbor, Crescent Beach, and New Harbor. From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

The New National House, built in 1903 by Frank Hays, was one of Block Islands most famous hotels at the turn of the century. Guests were able to descend from the hotel to the beach via a wooden set of stairs. This 20th-century structure replaced the 1888 house that burned in 1902. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

A handsome team of white horses leads the way down Main Street on Block Island, in 1894. Note the horse-car tracks. This was the beginning of the period when quick, efficient transportation (for the era) came with the nostalgic Block Island Electric Trolley, which horses powered, not electricity. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

Departing day-trippers had time for a sumptuous clam bake at Berbers Bake House, shown in the foreground. This was one of the many special attractions on the island. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)

The famous New National Hotel and the Surf Hotel are in the background as a moored catboat, grounded at low tide, awaits its owner in 1913. (From the Henry A.L. Brown Collection.)