On a wintry day circa 1943, young Jim Welch took the above photograph on Main Street in Great Barrington. At the time, he was a student and part-time employee at Harper’s Drug Store.
Flying high in an ancient elm tree at the corner of Railroad Street was the town’s World War II Service Flag (also known as the Blue Star Banner). Various numbers appeared below the star during the war years, representing the number of local men and women serving in the armed forces. At the time this photograph was taken, that number was 532 persons in active duty. Endicott Johnson’s Shoe Store can also be seen in the background. Note also that in those days, cars parked diagonally on Main Street. A present-day view of the same corner is shown below.
