Lignières: Then and Now
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Lignières: Then and Now |
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Move mouse over image for contemporary view; move mouse outside
for historical image.
If image doesn't change, click image to toggle between “then”
and “now” views.
The historical photograph is courtesy of M. Louis Chiffelle of Lignières, who kindly contributed images of his post card collection to the archives of the Fondation de l'Hôtel de Commune de Lignières.
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by John Walker May, 2007 |
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Here is what was behind us at the last stop. A volte-face has us looking at the point where the Rue du Montilier curves left before the church (Place de l'Eglise, RACN 010-6456-00197). To the right is a residence (Rue du Montilier 8, RACN 010-6456-00042), which was built at the start of the 20th century on the site of a farmhouse which attached to the adjacent building (RACN 010-6456-00043) whose roof is just visible at the right of this picture; the latter building housed livestock as recently as 1980. The free-standing garage is a more recent addition whose date of construction I do not know.
This card was mailed in 1908, at which time the building at the right was fairly recently constructed. Note that the telephone/electricity wire insulators hadn't been installed at the time of the “then” photo; they're still there today, but nothing connects to them any more—technology marches on. The church seems little changed, but appearances can be deceiving; we'll explore its eventful history in the years since 1908 when we arrive there at the next stop.
Note the postmark; this card was sent by a member of the militia during his yearly training exercises in the vicinity of Lignières. Army personnel on duty were then, and still are, allowed to send mail for free, and mail addressed to them at their military address may be sent without postage.