What is this?????

I found this very old family photograph in a box that has been handed down several generations. It is very likely pre-1900. I have no idea what this is. Can anyone identify this object?

 

I have no clue.I can't even think of something funny to say

 

The thing in the center looks like a drill bit. Maybe for drilling a well..oil or water?

Just a guess......

 

That was one of my own guesses.....

 

kinda looks more like a culvert then a drill bit to me, but thats just my guess lol

 

It has a pizza hut roof.

 

Well drill.

 

Probably used for irrigation. You got more old pictures? Interesting stuff.

 

Here is another picture I found. I thought it might have been taken at the St. Louis World's Fair (1904) or the Chicago Exposition (1893?), but I couldn't find anything about any Hall of Mystery anywhere.

 

Intersting note in the picture, the Flags are at half-mast.

 

That was another thought, possibly a mill or something. The center shaft doesn't look like a typical drill bit, granted I was not alive nearly 150-200 yrs. ago, but it seems to wide for drilling.

 

The first image looks like a screw-press of some sort. I have an early 19th century work bench that uses a very similar screw and pitch, though much smaller, as the mechanics of a wooden vise. Could yours be a cider mill or tobacco /cotton bale compactor possibly? Neat images.

 

Good ideas....could be....I have no idea. There was nothing written on the back of the photo.

 

Do you know where your family was from, lived? May or may not have any relevance, but just seeing if we can narrow it down.

 

Check with your local historical society or museum staff. Just a thought.

 

Pretty sure this is a Civil War veterans gathering...would love to ID the flag to narrow down which unit it was.......some of the men have lapel pins with what looks like the Confederate Battle Flag on it....and the flag features an Arch supported by Three Columns with what looks like the word "CONS...?"

 

Most of my family is from The South (Alabama, Mississippi, NC, Georgia, Tennessee). The box in which I found these photos is from my McDowell and Josselyn family lines. McDowell was the first dentist in the West (at that time TN and KY) and the Josselyn's were I think from Connecticutt.

 

Cotton press - http://picasaweb.google.com/terri.tj.johnson/HartSquareTheCarolina1840Villiage20091024#5396405610733936674

 

BINGO!!!! Lost Rebel has got it!!! Thanks!!

 

It's fun! I have dozens more!!!!!!