For Whom the Bell Hanger Tolls

If you look through old City Directories, you'll see advertising for occupations that no longer exist, and businesses that have morphed into some new fangled vocation. The following ads come from Portland City Directories between 1869 and 1891.

This ad leads one to believe that people must have been really into pickles.


Nitrous Oxide is this dentist's main marketing tool.


No longer are the terms "eating house" or "refreshment saloon" in everyday language.


This one I find the most fascinating. Does the occupation of Bell Hanger still exist? I love that Currier invented his own bell system for hotels. And he also installs speaking tubes? Fantastic!