West Shore, Utica, NY (1950 & Present)

Picture # 1: NY Central No. 1823 crossing Genesee St, South Utica, on the West Shore in 1950 (Photo: Oneida County Historical Society).

Picture #2: The same location a few days ago.

Looking a what's playing at the Uptown Theater, Young Man With a Horn, staring Kirk Douglas, was released in early February 1950 and Perfect Strangers a month later in March. By the appearance of the leaves on the trees, I would guess we're looking at mid-May l950. How many of you remember elm trees and double features?

Old & Weary:

Interesting you noticed the elm trees!!! I noticed them fairly quickly upon first seeing that photo.

Utica lost nearly all its stately elms along Genesee St to Dutch Elm disease (which, of course, decimated the elm tree population everywhere else too). There are still a few mature ones around here, not many though.The city planted Dutch Elm-resistant elms along Genesee St about 15 years ago; a number of them fell victim to the disease but many are doing well.

And, Kirk Douglas is still alive, he's 102!