On the back of the photo: "Old Orchard Beach and Pier. Photo take in --- (blank), before the fire of August 15, 1907. See Cape Shore Sentinel #4. March 5, 1888, Federal Government granted permission for pier construction. Work not actually started until Jan. 17, 1896. Swept away by disastrous storm in fall of 1898. Again, the reconstructune of the pier was swept away by a terrific storm in 1914."