Old LSJ paper boy photo gives glimpse into 1920s

Richard and Sue Torgerson of Lansing were going through old photos and came across a particularly interesting one that had been given to them by Richard's father, Robert Torgerson.

It was black and white, three feet long, curled with age.

The photo shows 27 Lansing State Journal paperboys lined up on their bicycles, wearing LSJ paper delivery bags. Richard Torgerson's father is one of them.

He's the 10th boy from the left, wearing a suit and tie.

Robert Torgerson was a paper boy for the LSJ. He was born in 1910, so his son estimates the photo was taken in the 1920s. Robert died in 2000.

"That was when the Lansing State Journal gave out bikes to the paper boys," Richard said. "Dad lived in the Beal Avenue area and that's where his route was, most likely."

Both Richard, 74, and his son were paper boys, also. Richard lived on Snow Road and says they had to go pick up the papers at about 3 a.m. each day.

The Torgersons have donated the photo to the State Journal.

Richard Torgerson is the 10th boy on the left in the top photo below: