T209-2 Roanoke Question

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Posted By: Zach Rice

The brief discussion on the T209 Contentnea set yesterday sparked my interest in posting a question I had on the type 2s. I recently acquired my third example of a Roanoke player from the set. My first two are in less than deplorable condition and so is my new example, however, despite its condition, the background of the card is clearly visible. My question is does anyone know where these player’s pictures were taken and what is in the background of the Roanoke player’s cards?


The players are obviously seen posed and standing on thick grass but what’s that behind them. It appears that the player’s pictures were taken almost in front of some type of bridge, possibly the bridge spanning over the Roanoke Sound?


Here are pictures of two Roanoke cards:



Here is a closeup on the background of Andrada's card:

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Posted By: Jay

What do you think? This is a current picture of the Roanoke Sound Bridge

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Posted By: barrysloate

Is the bridge a hundred years old?

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Posted By: dstudeba

The earliest bridge I could find was built in 1928.

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Posted By: scott brockelman

it certainly looks like they are at the waters edge, as you probably know from colecting the set all of players of each team appear to have had their picture taken the same day time and place.

It sure look like it could be an early version of the bridge.

Scott

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Trestles on an approach to a rail road bridge?

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Posted By: Brian Weisner

Hi Guys,
The team from the T209-2 set was located in Roanoke, Virginia near the Mountains,while the Roanoke Sound and Bridge are on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It's more likely to be one of the many old bridges that still cross the upper Dan River system which runs thru Roanoke, Martinsville, and Danville. I'll try to do some research on a few of the bridges and old ball parks when I have a chance. Be well Brian


PS I've never noticied "the Bridge" background before, nice work.

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Posted By: Zach Rice

Thanks for the response, everyone, it is appreciated.

Brian-you make an excellent point. Roanoke's team pictured in the T209 set was not from Roanoke, NC but Roanoke, VA. I should have known this as the T209 Roanoke players are members of the VIRGINIA league, not the Carolina Association or Eastern Carolina League. This means that the bridge in the card's backgrounds cannot be the bridge going over the Roanoke Sound.

Now that I know what I need to be looking for, I’ll try to look around through a few sources for any new information.

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Posted By: Brian Weisner

Hi Zach,
The city of Roanoke has several dozen old railroad bridges that cross land and water, so it's very possible that it may still be standing. If not there is probably a newer one in it's place. The entire Dan River basin is full of "Vintage railroad bridges" as they served as the supply chain for the industries which were exploding at the time, such as Textile mills, and Tobacco factories. Good luck Brian

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Posted By: Todd Schultz

Looks like you'll cross that bridge when you get to it, and that your initial premise was "un-sound". (Sorry, it's been a long day). Your cards are pretty cool though. Please keep us posted on any updates-I'd help but I spent an hour messing around tring to help on that minor league/town team photo in another thread and its clear you've got far better sleuths than me on this board to help solve the mystery.

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Posted By: Joe Pelaez

The photographer, whoever he was, was creative and imaginative in selecting that background.
When I first spotted the background, my initial thought was that it was a viaduct/aquaduct.
It could be anything, but most of all, it's interesting.

Brian, or anyone, if you find out more info about this background, we love to hear it.

Thanks in advance.
Good question Zach.
jOE

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Posted By: Jon Canfield

It may be the original Wasena Bridge? The original was built in the 1880s and a new one was constructed in the 1950's.