Most of the photos on this site were extracted from reference images (high-resolution tiffs, 20 to 200 megabytes in size) from the Library of Congress research archive. (To query the database click here.) Many were digitized by LOC contractors using a Sinar studio back. They are adjusted by your webmaster for contrast and color in Photoshop before being downsized and turned into the jpegs you see here.

Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1906. "Lincoln Savings Bank." An interesting sampling of signage here, including the second appearance on Shorpy in recent weeks of an advertisement for Capt. Woodward's trained seals. View full size.

I don't know much about the photo other than it was taken in Holland, Michigan, at my great-grandpa's business where they made and installed cement septic tanks. You can see some toward the right of the photo. The car is a 1957 Oldsmobile. Also note the boat in the building. 35mm color slide. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1916. "Convention of former slaves. Annie Parram, age 104; Anna Angales, age 105; Elizabeth Berkeley, 125; Sadie Thompson, 110." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Circa 1907. "The 'W' --- Walden's Ridge, Tennessee." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Circa 1900. "U.S.S. Kentucky -- forward gun turrets." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by Edward Hart, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

"H. Kazenarek, woman baseball player." Her teammates included Belle North and Regina Gross. 5x7 glass negative, Bain News Service. View full size.

Circa 1906. "City Hall, Louisville, Kentucky." Continuing our survey of public buildings in the Derby City. 8x10 inch glass negative. View full size.