In 1900, the Collar Brothers store stood west of the intersection of Greenwoods Road and Maple Avenue adjacent to the Norfolk Library. The old store had been built in 1843 and occupied by a series of merchants. The Collar Brothers advertised boots, shoes and groceries, as well as dry goods and notions (sewing accessories such as needles, pins, thread and buttons). A few years after this photograph was taken, the building was purchased by Isabella Eldridge and torn down as part of improvements she made to the grounds around the library. These included the construction of the attractive wood railing with granite pillars that overlooked the railroad tracks as they passed under Greenwoods Road toward the station.

—Ann Havemeyer

Photo courtesy of the Norfolk Historical Society.