Here is one of the H.J.Smith's Sons General Merchandise store windows facing Columbia Street, in the old original building which is now a museum. Imagine standing inside this store, shopping. The year is 1887.
You look out this exact same window and see the street filled with horses and wagons and oxen. It's very dusty outside, because the street is just dirt. People are heading down the street to the schooner landing to welcome visitors from across the lake.
Now, here are some more windows looking out upon Columbia St. in buildings new and old.