John Jenkins was a prominent professional Lockport area photographer of
the mid-20th Century.
He had frequently contributed to the Lockport Home Page. He passed on, in
Oklahoma, in April 2003.
Some of his work is shared with us by Lockportian Al Goehle.
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These photos were taken at a time Lockport was still enjoying its heyday. The canal still carried daily commercial shipping. Downtown hadn't been torn down by the politicians. Crime was well under control. About the biggest police blotter news was usually from Lowertown on summer nights. Local radio station WUSJ would announce each hour when boats were approaching the locks and local folks and tourists would flock downtown to see the operation. In photography it was still mostly a black and white world. John Jenkins was here. Lockport was part of his photo world.
Folks living in the urban paradise along Market Street in Lowertown would enjoy looking out from their second and third story rooms above the bars and second-hand shops at those enjoying a bit different life style cruising along the canal such as those aboard Wing & Wing in this frame. Once in a while, a few beer bottles would be tossed out at the passing tourists.
Yes, that's a commercial vessel in the canal. And those are telegraph lines above the bridge. You won't see much of either anymore in this canal town. But the bridge is still with us.
It looks peaceful outside the rear of The Rage Bar & Grill along Market Street in Lowertown. But it's still daytime. The action here begins at night. Daytime highlights in this part of town, at this point in history, usually consisted of trying to drive a hard bargain a bit further east on Market down at Pat Nicholson's antique shop or, over across Market at John's Furniture. Or, as so many did, just hang out on porches drinking beer and waiting for night, and "action" in the bars where fights with knives were often featured.
This is a Jenkins classic, hard to reproduce with its full impact on the web. The locks are viewed from the east with the Pine Street Bridge in view and the city lights sparkling around downtown.
The article reproduced at left describes the photography career of John Jenkins who,as you know, has submitted many old Lockport pictures to your fine website.
In the last few years John worked hard to complete the development of his special techniques in his art.
Sadly, John died on April 7, 2003 and will not see his work as it is honored in the Photography Hall of Fame exhibit this spring as described in the attachment.
Perhaps your readers would like to see the article I have enclosed which John sent to me just before his death.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
Al Goehle
4-29-03