Text and Photographs by Stephen Harmon
In the vanished days of the 1970s and 80s, it seemed to me that people loved their canes, not only because they aided mobility or guarded against falls, but because they were symbols of determination, resilience, and confidence. I hope you find something here to enjoy.
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This is a beautiful depiction of a generation that is gone, many of whom were clearly refugees and survivors from Europe. Their resilience and dislocation comes through here.
Kind words. Thanks.
I loved these‼️
Thank You!
In restless times, canes also came in handy for self-defense
Wonderful collection of beautiful photos.
Thank you.
What a beautiful tribute to this bygone era — and fun to see some of the stores of old, including Workbench!
Thank you!
I remember that Harry Truman always took a brisk morning walk – with a cane.
I love these! Notice how pretty much everyone back then was wearing some sort of actual shoes? Today, pretty much all of us, even us older folks, are wearing some sort of sneakers!
Maybe that’s why they ended up needing canes.
I absolutely love throw back Thursdays! These pictures are a wonderful trip back in time. Thank you Stephen, for sharing your incredible work!
Thanks!!
Citizens, Canes! Fine photography.
Nice allusion whether intended or not.
They wore shoes!
And the men dressed well.
Brilliant, as usual!
Very kind. Thanks!
thank you!!
Not only canes and shoes – older adult men wore hats then. I miss hats, and men dressing differently from boys.
I thought the same
Are canes less in evidence NOW? What does their appearance or non-appearance make a statement? Are people today less willing to accept being old? Do they walk better?
Pushed carts on wheels (with an awaiting flip seat) likely make an improved replacement.
Older people can also get new knees and hips, so less likely to need a cane.
These days many would-have-been cane users deploy a walker and most have sneakers or orthopedic shoes. Some have a one or two hiking poles. Some have scooters – and we have curb cuts. Balance issues and fall risk are taken more seriously as issues with large potential danger to health and quality of life. Those canes looked sharp for so many, however. Great photos.
Wonderful photos! Steve — if I am looking to buy a print of one of your photos, how do I contact you?
Tomorrow – 917 714 1681
The canes are wonderful, by I also loved seeing two bygone businesses: The Athlete’s Foot (pre-mall branding) and Living Well Lady.
Who doesn’t love a good cane! Thanks for these lovely portraits –
Thank you@
Sweet pictures—I miss all those geezers—today knee and hip replacements have pushed off some of the cane necessity—imagine how many ppl would need a cane or a scooter without those procedures being available
Thank you! In those days, there was a lot more socializing as these photos show….people actually talking to each other! I miss that. It was beautiful and yes to the shoes!
Lily Goldstein
“Everybody loves a cane.”
I use a cane proudly. And one of the incidental benefits is people often jump up to give me a seat on the subway.
More wonderful photos, Steve. What an evocative collection of canes and characters! I’ve grown very fond of my walking stick, an L.L.Bean Trekking Pole, which is lightweight, strong, fully adjustable in height and has a comfortable hand grip. Great for hailing taxis or getting a seat on the subway. Also not bad for waving at drivers trying to turn a corner in front of you, or kiddies scootering in your direction.
Thank you!!
I always try to explain to my wife that I grew up in this weird mix of a neighborhood of Blacks, Hispanics, intellectual Columbia-types, lefties who wouldn’t, or couldn’t move out (my family), and Holocaust survivors.
The islands in the middle of Broadway were these incredible microcosms of that pastiche. People congregated and mixed on those island benches. You never knew what language you would hear, what music would come out of boomboxes, sometimes you’d have three or four cultures and generations all sitting shoulder-to-shoulder.
I’m romanticizing it, and, of course crime was rampant, mass transit and garbage collection were unreliable, and no one yet believed they had to pick up after their dogs or themselves, but the old ladies always had candy in their purses for us little kids, the “aunties” who knew the whole neighborhood’s business kept us in line (I’m gonna tell your momma you were out here acting a fool!), and we were all sort of in it together.
Notice how everyone was wearing SHOES – no sneakers (except one guy).
Absolutely wonderful photos. Have been enjoying this feature in the West Side Rag immensely, thank you!
Thank you!!
All these people bemoaning sneakers. I don’t get that. I have a foot injury – if not for sneakers, I’d be house bound. And even before that happened, sneakers just feel better. Why seek pain?