The Pierce Company made the leading high-speed bicycles in the early twentieth century. Here’s an example of one of their bikes from 1915, definitely similar to the one in our vintage photo, but not quite the same. erhaps even closer in style was the Triumph bicycle, who became more famous for their motorized bicycles, or “motorcycles.” The most similar bike turned up so far is this Ranger Bicycle, made in Chicago during this period. It has identical features with a similar—but not identical—diamond-spoked crank gear. The building with the awning was where Dowds Dry Goods Store was located, with the Mount Vernon Post Office just around the corner in the rear of the store. The reflection seen in our vintage photograph is probably the Mount Vernon Candy Company, just across West Gambier Street from the Post Office. This young man is ready to carry the mail through snow, rain, heat, or gloom of night on his fast bicycle. A close look at some details suggests the picture is from no earlier than 1916 and probably little later than 1920. RELATED STORIES