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Texas Roundup: 1901
... wagon on a Texas roundup." Dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Little Joe the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:38pm -

The Lone Star State circa 1901. "Camp wagon on a Texas roundup." Dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Little Joe the WranglerIt was little Joe the wrangler He'll wrangle never more His days with the remuda, they are done It was long late in the evening When he rode up to the herd A ragged looking stray and all alone. He was looking kinda hungry, he was looking for some work But he didn't know straight up about no cow But the boss he kinda liked him So he cuts him out a mount Guess he sorta liked that little stray somehow. Taught him how to herd the horses And to know them all by name And to get them in by daybreak if he could. And to load the old chuck wagon And to always hitch the team And help old Cocinera gather wood. The fellow in the boater-- looks uncomfortably out of place. "I say, old chaps, you wouldn't happen to have any proper teacups made of china, would you?" Real cowboysAnd not a six gun in sight. Early iron supplementYou see, kids, back in the old days cowboys had to cook a horseshoe in their stew to get their daily requirement. DudeYou don't want to know how much we pay in 2010 for an experience like this! Many ranchers still move cattle a couple times a year by dogs and horseback. Chuck wagons are still sometimes still pulled by teams. And dudes from "back east" pay good money to go "out west" for a few days of pushing cattle, semi-primitive camping, and feasts by Cookie. Well equipped chuckwagonBut does it really take 11 buckets, pots, and pans to get a cup of coffee and a plate of beans? Question:Hey Dave - How many references to Blazing Saddles do you expect to get? All Hat, No CattleI think you're looking at an early dude ranch experience, or at the very best, a hunting party. Bowties? A white bowtie no less? White dress shirts? Those bundles by the wagon are obviously tents of some kids--hardly living rough. No, I think you're looking at three City Slickers and one real cowboy cooking the food. Clean Cut CowboysAll are wearing clean, freshly pressed white shirts with bow-ties. Clint and his buddies never looked that clean on Rawhide. Just saying. Blazing Saddles Any more beans, Mr. Taggart? Taggart: I think you boys have had enough! MooOther than one lonely horse, I don't see anything that needs rounding up. Sunday bestWith the exception of the one who is moist likely "Cookie" the rest are rather well dressed (and pressed) to be actually involved in a round-up. Not too many cowboys would be wearing cuff-links while herding. Either they're going in to town or they're just visiting. Also, that's rather a lot of pots set out to make one meal. Two-hour Tea"The coffee was strong enough to stand a spade in." Just the juxtaposition of the spade and the pot. I knew some wood cutters in Canada who would put a gallon of water on the fire when they got to the work site at 8, throw in six teabags, and let it boil until the 10 o'clock break. Nobody got sleepy. Sample MenuMmmm! Sourdough sheepherder's bread, coffee, bacon, stew or beans, reconstituted dried-apple pie & maybe some eggs if you weren't too far from a ranch. All liberally greased with lard. Wait, I'm not sure if that's making me hungry or not. Strong Coffee According to the Texas lore handed down by my dad a horseshoe was used to check the coffee's strength.If it floated in the coffee it was strong enough. Ding!Drawer on the right looks as if it has a timer on it. Suppose that's for a little microwave just in case the fire goes out. As for the buckets -- well, sometimes Cooky's cooking ain't so good, so ... Cast iron is the bestI have a large working collection of cast iron pots, pans and ovens just like these. My bucket collection numbers one, though. The Lodge Company in South Pittsburg, Tn, is the only foundry making cast iron cookware in the USA. Nothing cooks like cast iron. Thet Thar's What I CallTailgatin! (The Gallery, DPC, Frontier Life, W.H. Jackson)
Amorita: 1900
... M.I. Jackson -- a relative of Detroit Photographic partner William Henry Jackson, who probably took the photo. (The Gallery, DPC, Portraits) ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/26/2012 - 4:58pm -

Circa 1900. "Amorita." The beguiling lass previously seen in the guise of Thisbe, now more exotically trimmed. Detroit Publishing glass negative. View full size. Keep diggingThere has to be a Venus picture there somewhere! A tasty wrapWonder if we're meant to think that's sheets/blankets/drapes (despite the fact that she's sitting in a chair), or an actual heavily embroidered gown. Would she be on MTV?I get the feeling she would be on a reality show today. Risque BusinessShe seems delightfully prone to bad behavior. Femme de SiecleI can only imagine what men of her age thought at the time. As for me, I'm in love. Desperately Seeking AmoritaScouring old newspapers for "Amorita" --- 1901: "... The new head sails and the decrease of weight above and the increase of weight below the water line had made a wonderful change. It was found that to windward in a strong breeze she could beat the Quissetta readily...." Wait! That's Amorita the racing yacht. Let's see. . . . 1909: "... Her mantle fell upon Maasdam & Wheeler's Amorita. She is a strong, useful mare of the broody type." Wait! That's Amorita the champion horse (though I like the "broody" part).... 1911: "She is broad, deep bodied, well mounted and shows the real Percheron type." Wait! That's the horse again (I think). Let's see.... Haughty + NaughtyShe would be good for an example of "haughty"! Lovely but truly dangerous. What's the line from that movie -- "poison under the gravy"? Suits her to a T. She CouldWhip me, beat me, make me write bad checks. And all the while, I would grin like an imbecile. Just happy to be under to be under her spell. Lovely!I still think she's wonderful. I wonder if her skin was that lovely in person. MuchalikeShe looks like she stepped out of one of Alphonse Mucha's illustrations! Imagination is AllI think the point of the photos isn't for us to know whether that is a blanket or drape or gown but for us to believe whatever we want to believe. The situation might have been entirely chaste - her dress worn in such a way that her arms and shoulders could be exposed - but our eyes see this image and our minds decide for us whether she or not she was nude under that. That's the thing about art; so much of what we see in it is what we put into it ourselves. Teen AngelGood Lord in heaven, she's beautiful! ShouldersAmorita; I love your shoulders. Foy (punctuation challenged) GloomyI see, there is somewhat gloom in her eyes. Guess she just lost her man. LoveI've been in love with this young woman since first seeing her other pics sometime ago. Thisbe? Amorita? I wonder what her real name was. I suppose we will never know. Who is she?Does anyone know, who the photographer was and who she is? Please help. [Subject is unidentified; photographer is unnamed employee of the Detroit Publishing Company. - tterrace] This is Evelyn Nesbit [Not]I believe the model is Evelyn Nesbit, the original Gibson girl (and "the girl on the red velvet swing"). Although she was not a Barrymore, she was romantically linked with John Barrymore. Just a coincidence that she looks so much like Drew! [Below, two photos of Evelyn Nesbit above two pics of our model here. Not the same person. - Dave] M.I.J."Amorita" is identified on the negative as one M.I. Jackson -- a relative of Detroit Photographic partner William Henry Jackson, who probably took the photo. (The Gallery, DPC, Portraits)
Splash: 1889
... 1889. "Bathing pool in the Casino." The swimming pool at Henry Flagler's Hotel Alcazar in St. Augustine, Florida, last seen here from the other end . Glass negative by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Seeing ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/01/2009 - 5:33pm -

Circa 1889. "Bathing pool in the Casino." The swimming pool at Henry Flagler's Hotel Alcazar in St. Augustine, Florida, last seen here from the other end. Glass negative by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Seeing the room in its heyday is greatWhen we visited St. Augustine the swimming pool area was being used as the museum's lunch room. It was fun then to imagine what it was like when it was a pool and even better now to see the pictures! Thanx. High and dryHere is a view of the pool today. You might want to leave your swimming trunks at home. RegardlessA wonderful and mystical space no matter WHICH way you're looking! Thanks! Pool maintenance..seems to be a low priority for a high end hotel. I didn't notice the rust stains, peeling paint etc. on the first pic. I was here last summerI stood outside this building just last summer and admired the unique building; at that time I wondered just what the pool must've looked like that used to be inside. Now that I know I am indeed impressed! More fascinating vexillologyTo the left above the 'yacht ensign' is the flag of Persia (with the lion, sword, and rising sun). To the right of that - well, it could be any number of countries in 1889, is probably Russia, which introduced its white-on-top tricolor in 1883. The Japanese flag on the left is easy to pick out, but the others on the walls, not so much. I must visit!I once lived a few beaches up from this and didn't know it existed. This set of pictures makes me want to return to check out the hotel. SaltyDidn't seaside hotels of this era usually have saltwater pools? Re: SaltyI read somewhere that this pool was filled by an underground spring. The same source said that the pool was 12 feet deep and I don't see any depth marks greater than 5½, so I don't know how reliable the source is. splashI like the way the photographer caught the moment of impact when someone jumped in the pool (right below the railing) but if that pool's only 5 1/2 feet deep, the jumper probably hit the bottom with a thud. Cords on the left sideWhat are those codes on the left side with handles ? Hotel Alcazar / Lightner Museum, St. Augustine, FLTaken in a similar aspect as the vintage shot from this post, here's recent shot (07/09) of that location (now known as the Lightner Museum): http://www.flickr.com/photos/liquidrhino/3748563792/ I do believe that's anI do believe that's an Iranian flag up there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Early_20th_Century_Qajar_Flag.svg (The Gallery, DPC, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
The Old French Market
... "The old French Market, New Orleans." Photo by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Co. glass negative. View full size. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 03/13/2019 - 10:53pm -

Circa 1880s-1890s. "The old French Market, New Orleans." Photo by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Co. glass negative. View full size. Deutsche GroceryApparently the Old French Market had a "Deutsche (German) Grocery." Grocery is, of course, an English word; the German one would be Lebensmittelgeschäft. There must have been quite a number of German-speaking immigrants to make it beneficial use such a sign. High & Dry GroceriesThe "Deutsche (German) Grocery" is north (roughly) across the street from the French Market; the French Market is that irregular-shaped long structure in the center of the photo. Last time I was in New Orleans, 25 years ago, there was at least one long-established grocery store in about that same location. The French Market is in the high ground area, such as it is, of earliest New Orleans settlement, and probably didn't get flooded after Katrina, although I may be wrong about this. --- Almost 50 years ago, I lived on the other side of Canal Street, about two blocks toward Lee Circle from the http://Liberty Theatre, www.shorpy.com/node/5786. There was also a nearby second theatre; I remember going to both. Shorpy, thanks for the memories! Gaslight to Carbon ArcThe Southwestern Brush Electric Light and Power Company had these carbon arc streetlamps up and burning by the end of 1882. The street gas lamp pictured is about 40 years older. There were 400 electric streetlamps powered by 12 generating stations. These were the days of DC municipal power, supplied for streetlights only until Edison came to town in 1886 to provide power for indoor incandescent lamps. I am fascinated by the wires in these old photographs and the eventual "current war" between AC and DC: Westinghouse vs. Edison. LocationI'm still trying to figure out exactly where this was, since the area around the French Market has changed a lot in the last 100 years or so. It looks like the street on the left is Gallatin, now French Market Place. The building at the very end of the street is the old U.S. Mint. The street on the right would be Peters, which ran along the river. Where it's at!I took a walk down to the French Market this morning and it looks like the photo was taken from the corner of Decatur and St. Phillip streets. Decatur is on the left (I wrongly identified it as Gallatin in an earlier post and that's not the US Mint at the end of the street) and Peters is on the right. Some of the buildings on Decatur are still there and you can line them up to figure out where the photographer was standing. Love the French MarketI used to travel to New Orleans in the 1990s, and my employer at the time had a condo in the Quarter for out of town visitors. I spent a lot of time in the French Market (I didn't patronize the tourist trap bars or gift stores). The market was open 24 hours a day at that time. I brought home a lot of pecans and cajun spices, but passed on the alligator meat offered by one vendor. French Market: Same but differentThis is just up from St. Philip Street, where Decatur & N. Peters Streets split. The "Red Stores" building is at the right. Seen is a part of the French Market that used to extend upriver a bit further. There used to be several stalls beyond the Morning Call Cafe (now the location of "The Market Cafe" restaurant). In the Great Depression, the Works Progess Administration did lots of good works in New Orleans, paving streets, building parks and playgrounds, and renovating public buildings. From a historic preservation standpoint, however, the 1930s WPA work on the French Market was a mixed bag. They renovated some of the oldest structures, but also tore down several buildings that were already more than a century old at the time. The attached photo taken a short distance down and to the right from the William Henry Jackson photo shows WPA workers on North Peters on 5 January 1937; the Morning Call is to the left. --Infrogmation of New Orleans Ship's ChandleryTwo storefronts, one says "Grocery and Ship Chandlery" the other "Ship Chandlery," the latter phrase indicates they would provision ships with food. In searching around I found that another grocery and ship's chandlery farther down the street (near the corner of Ursuline's) was involved in a serious explosion in 1895: "April 6, 1895, Wednesday Page 2, 644 words NEW ORLEANS, April 5. -- Five persons were killed and a number were injured by an explosion of powder in the grocery and ship chandlery of Charles J. Salathe, Decatur and Ursuline Streets, early this morning. Following is a list of the dead" http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9803E7DC133DE433A25755C0A... Looking at the PDF of the full article I see that, among the dead, were two "saloon loungers." +120 (approx.)Like the rest of the French Quarter, much of this view is the same today. The buildings on the left side of the image, although altered, are the same. The attached image is the identical perspective from September of 2008. (The Gallery, New Orleans, Stores & Markets, W.H. Jackson)
Ponce Parlors: 1890
... "Parlors of the Ponce de Leon Hotel." Glass negative by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. The anti-Bauhaus ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:35pm -

St. Augustine, Florida, circa 1890. "Parlors of the Ponce de Leon Hotel." Glass negative by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. The anti-Bauhaus... or everything the International Style rebelled against. European elegance made possible by American industry- with tassels! No smoking?I don't see a single ash receiver or cuspidor in this room. Highly unusual for an 1890 parlor. We'll leave a light on for yaHoly cow. Motel 6 it ain't. PoshThere is no other word for the elegance of this area. From the piano stool to the chandelier and then the awesome ceiling treatments. This was not a hotel for the day-to-day tourist. WOW!!! Where are the rope swings? Add about four feet of water to this room and you'd be all set! Great roomYou can almost smell the cigar smoke and sea breezes. Curiosity SatisfiedI used to live near St. Augustine and have been riding past these hotels for years. I always wondered what they looked like in their heyday. Thanks, Dave, for giving us look inside these grand hotels. Furniture an AfterthoughtWhat an odd mix of furniture styles, and none of the pieces look very happy about being in the room. A strange atmosphere, somehow. PonceAhhh, the Gay Nineties... SpookyNot sure I would want to be here at night. Looks like a good place for ghosts. Spanish BeautyThe portraits of "exotic beauties" are great, especially the "Spanish" one over the piano. I wonder what became of them? Are they hanging in a private collection, destroyed in a storm or fire? It would be great to see them today. As Shakespeare wrote,"To gild refined gold, to paint the lily... is wasteful and ridiculous excess." Shakespeare, The Life and Death of King John (Act IV, Scene ii). The Gilded AgeA perfect illustration of the term "gild the lily." The Not So Exotic BeautiesThe portraits of the women are actually the famed Shakespeare heroines. They were a part of Henry Flagler's private collection. The hotel is now a college and the paints still hang there. Though I don't believe they are in their original locations. Also there are no ashtrays in the room because this was the parlor for the women. (The Gallery, DPC, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
Rue Saint-Jacques: 1901
... Montreal, Quebec." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Photographic Company. View full size. No es ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 06/16/2022 - 9:05pm -

Circa 1901. "St. James Street, Montreal, Quebec." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Photographic Company. View full size. No es posible mon compte is overdrawnI think the building with the six Corinthian columns survived while most or all of the other 1901 buildings did not. The columned building on the right in Google Street view is the Bank of Montreal, address 119 Rue Saint-Jacques. The columns match and the relief inside the pediment on both buildings match. Old Post OfficeThe splendid Second Empire Style building to the left of the Bank of Montreal is the Montreal Post Office, built in 1872-1876 by the Canadian Department of Public Works and designed by the supervising architect, Henri-Maurice Perrault. The Parks Canada website describes it as "one of the finest examples of Second Empire to be found in Canada," and goes on to state that "the federal government, intent on making its presence felt, chose, for the Post Office, a prominent site and sumptuous manner that would equal or surpass its neighbours." I would definitely agree with that assessment. Feeling bluesy?Isn't this just up the block from the Infirmary? Rue St. JacquesThe current name of St. James Street, in French. The six-columned building on the right with the wonderful pediment is indeed the Bank of Montreal, still open, with a bank museum inside. If you could swivel to the left ninety degrees, you would see the view featured in this Shorpy post from 2018: Place d’Armes: 1916. Carriage IDsL-R vis-a-vis and express wagon Pony UpInterestingly, the horse drawn carriages, or 'caleches' as the locals call them, were recently banned in Montreal (on January 1 2020) following a series of unfortunate incidents. 'Please, sir, I want some more.'Horse harnessed to that carriage is definitely thin according to the Equine Body Condition Score Chart. Too much rib showing; supplemental feeding for this working animal seems in order. Letters were mighty importantWe see mighty, grandiose post offices prolific in every city from the 19th Century. Just why they needed to be so massive with elaborate ornamentation escapes me, for a utilitarian purpose. Newer built post offices serve the purpose of housing a counter and sorting and holding warehouse out the back, in basic structures. I'm not removing the wonder of the older architecture, more why those magnificent buildings were designated as Post Offices? (The Gallery, DPC, W.H. Jackson)
Saltair: 1900
... Great Salt Lake." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. If you really ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:36pm -

Utah circa 1900. "Saltair Pavilion, Great Salt Lake." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. If you really want to see itCarnival of Souls can be watched online at Hulu.com. And if you are really into it, they have both the '62 version and the newer so you can compare the two. As for the Saltair Pavillion, it is baffling to me that now that we have the tools to create structures that are true works of art, such as the one pictured here, instead, contemporary architecture is quite bland. Why is is that when it took considerably more time to carve with much more primitive tools, or even when carving was done by hand, whether in stone, wood, or other mediums; those were the days of intricate details and embellishments that took more than just a casual glance to appreciate. Would that we used our current technology to make building that caused one to stop and admire the structure and drink in the details, rather than just a quick, cursory look that covers it all. Probably a firetrapBut absolutely wonderful! Scary stuffThe final scene of "Carnival of Souls," shot at Saltair. Now thatis how you build a pier. CoSFeatured in the cult classic "Carnival of Souls." In fact, the entire film was created to feature the dance hall. Carnival of Souls!This is the first of three Saltair pavilions. Their fortunes have risen and fallen with the lake level, among other factors. This one was destroyed by fire in 1925. The second pavilion met the same fate in 1970, but had been closed since 1958. It was prominently featured in the 1962 cult classic "Carnival of Souls." A creepy, low-budget film well worth seeing. A new Saltair was built in 1981, but its use is irregular. It really has a fascinating history. ByzantineIt's a very impressive pier with a look of the Byzantine about it; the end is very reminiscent of Brighton Pavilion in the UK. I love how it sweeps round in that long curve. Carnival of Souls: The PrequelIt is, isn't it? It's the pavilion in the film. OMG, as the kids say. And thankyou! (And if anyone reading this has not yet seen Carnival of Souls - the original, not the remake - please find it and see it, if only to catch further glimpses of the Saltair Pavilion.) Carnival of SoulsI knew this from the cult film "Carnival of Souls," where a bedraggled, abandoned Saltair was the scene of the final confrontation between the protagonist and her ghostly nemesis. It's a lot more impressive in this image from its heyday. WoooheeeThat would have been a PAIN to maintain. Having a swell timeA postcard sent to Miss Knudson of Bingham City, Utah, in 1906: "Salt Lake City, Utah. Aug. 4, 1906. Having a swell time wish you were here. Going to the lake to-night. Louella" Been there latelyI went to the Saltair last august. It's not nearly as cool as it is now, but still a very interesting stie to visit. I also walked into the great salt lake. It's gone down significantly in the last number of years. I walked what seems like forever, and could only get the water up to my knees. I've also edited a short video set to insturmental NIN music featuring the chase scene at the end of Carnival of Souls. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eoQjCGZXJU I've seen the latest one.I was Salt Lake 20 years ago. The water was no where near the latest Pavilion. It was surrounded by acres and acres of dead brine shrimp. To say that the smell was overpowering would be puting it mildly. Grandpa's Stomping GroundsWhen my Grandpa was a young man, he traveled from his hometown in northern Wyoming to Salt Lake City for training, before leaving to serve as a missionary in the LDS Church's Central States Mission. Apparently his training consisted of a few rides on the Saltair roller-coaster and some bobbing among the brine shrimp. I hardly think that this regimen would pass muster now... A ghost of its former self View Larger Map (The Gallery, DPC, Swimming, W.H. Jackson)
Florida Mammoth: 1890s
... the bow of the Princess . 8x10 inch glass negative by William Henry Jackson, whose photographs formed the basis of Detroit Publishing's ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/19/2012 - 12:54pm -

Florida in the 1890s. "Brown's Landing, Rice Creek." Note the enormous 18x22 inch "mammoth plate" view camera set up on the bow of the Princess. 8x10 inch glass negative by William Henry Jackson, whose photographs formed the basis of Detroit Publishing's holdings in the company's early days. View full size. He hauled it Into the mountains, tooWilliam Henry Jackson's 18x22 inch glass plate photographs are a mainstay among Colorado history buffs, particularly railfans. Some of his locations seem accessible only to mountain goats. Unfortunately, most of these do not appear to be part of the LOC collection. [The Library of Congress has the non-Western photos that the Colorado Historical Society didn't want. - Dave] The Denver Public Library has some of them. Where's Bogie and Katie? Some very pleasing visual effects on the boat. Notice the ox-yoke formed by the sculpted "Princess" plate over the wheelhouse window, much like the classic Packard grill. The curlicue shapes on each side of the bow (is there a proper name for them?) add a nice touch as well, as does the shaped wheelhouse roof---complete with eagle. UGH!What did these poor guys use for mosquito repellent back then? We honeymooned in Florida in May. Near a slow-moving body of water the mosquitoes were so big they could make one feel faint from loss of blood. The beaches - which had brisk, mosquito-repelling breezes - were wonderful! Love TriangleAnd note the 3rd camera on the tripod over on the right, keeping a jealous eye on the other two cameras. Third cameralocated to the right side of the picture on the landing. Much more conventional. One assumes it's like the one that took this shot. No turn of the keyJust think what it took to get one of those steamboats under way. No "turn the key and cast off." And if the skipper / proprietor was lucky he had help to split, haul and stow the firewood. Where's the princess? Note the running lights on that boat. They followed the rules of the road on that little river. I was in Florida in 1938-39. My mother particularly liked the flying cockroaches. The ones we were used to in New York couldn't do that. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
Horsecar Opera: 1890
... Fascinating details abound in this scene captured by William Henry Jackson: The 1-horsepower horsecar, the ancient carbon-arc lamp suspended ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/14/2012 - 3:42pm -

New Orleans circa 1890. "The Clay Monument, Canal Street." Fascinating details abound in this scene captured by William Henry Jackson: The 1-horsepower horsecar, the ancient carbon-arc lamp suspended from a complicated-looking boom, and much signage. Personal favorites: WIG MANUFACTORY, and logo of the ETV&G (East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia) Railway. View full size. Most buildings still there Though the statue was moved to Lafayette Square. View Larger Map Your Mother Dresses You Funny!Lucky kid in front of the monument. I suppose he survived peer review and eventually graduated to long pants and a human collar. +114Below is the same view from May of 2004. "If I could be instrumental . . ."Henry Clay, Secretary of State under John Quincy Adams, among other positions. Monument in N.O. circa 1890 Mr. Ceste and the French Opera HouseI believe that the baritone on the poster is Mr. Paul Antoine Ceste who was born in 1860. In 1890 he was under Durieu Management in New Orleans along with other principal singers. In January 1891 he was in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" at the French Opera House in New Orleans. He later returned to New Orleans in 1901 and was under Roverval Management. The French Opera House, whose real name was the New Orleans Opera House, took one year to build, cost $118,500 to build, and opened on December 1, 1859. It continued performances until it was engulfed by fire on the evening of December 4, 1919. In 1913 it went into receivership and became part of Tulane University. The capacity was 1800 people. The history of the French Opera House can be seen here. Trovatore ou Le Trouvère?It seems likely that Mr. Cesta, as he is billed as singing the "Comte de Luna" rather than "Conte di Luna," is participating in a performance of the French version of Verdi's opera, Le Trouvère. It was definitely in the repertoire at both the French Opera House as well as the older Théâtre d’Orléans; in fact, the French Opera Company brought the production to New York's Lyric Theatre in April, 1912. Verdi himself reworked Il Trovatore for the Paris Opera in 1856 to meet the house's requirement that operas be performed in French. Another stipulation was that there be a ballet and, unlike those he wrote for the other French versions of his operas, Verdi's 20-minute work includes themes from the opera itself. One wonders if this was also part of the New Orleans production. Mr. Ceste Made His Debut in October 1890According to the 1891 New York Clipper Annual, MM Ceste made his debut in New Orleans as "Comte de Luna", on October 22, 1890. I don't know how long the show ran, but this would certainly verify the circa 1890 date of the picture. Yes, It was moved to Lafayette SquareIt was moved ostensibly because of traffic considerations, but many times in its history it had been the rallying point for white mobs and Confederate sympathizers. It is believed that the real reason for the move was to prevent further violence. It was moved in 1901. InscriptionThe inscription on the Clay statue reads "IF I COULD BE INSTRUMENTAL IN ERADICATING THIS DEEPEST STAIN, SLAVERY, FROM THE CHARACTER OF OUR COUNTRY I WOULD NOT EXCHANGE THE PROUD SATISFACTION WHICH I SHOULD ENJOY FOR THE HONOR OF ALL THE TRIUMPHS EVER DECREED TO THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CONQUEROR" This might seem odd for a statue erected in New Orleans most prominent intersection in 1856. The inscription, however, was added during the Civil War occupation by Union General Banks who dredged the quotation from a speech made by Clay in 1827 to the American Colonization Society, which was advocating resettlement of slaves to Africa. Apparently, Banks was inspired by his predecessor, General Butler, who had added "The Union must and shall be preserved" to the Jackson statue in Jackson square. I think the Jackson inscription remains, but when the Clay statue was moved to Lafayette square in 1900, the new base was only inscribed with a innocuous statement about the date and place of the original installation and the date of the move. Eugene Robinson's Museum & TheatreNote the 5 story building at 714 Canal (since the 1894 street address renumbering), in the photo housing "Eugene Robinson's Museum & Theatre". I worked in that building in the 1980s when the bottom 3 floors housed a book store. Eugene Robinson's story is more interesting than mine, however. He was something of a P.T.Barnum wanna-be with rather dubious exhibits in his dime museum, but also a patron of the arts - at least as far as realizing that hiring a loud band was a good way to draw a crowd. The attached image appeared in a weekly scandal sheet, "The Mascot", for 15 November, 1890. The late New Orleans writer Al Rose claimed it was the earliest known illustration of a New Orleans jazz band. Apparently not everyone was a fan of the new style of music. (The Gallery, Horses, New Orleans, Streetcars, W.H. Jackson)
To Boiling Spring: 1902
... Oklawaha." Don't forget your flotation bonnets! Photo by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing. View full size. I'm Wide Awake ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/14/2012 - 8:27pm -

Florida circa 1902. "Silver Springs on the Oklawaha." Don't forget your flotation bonnets! Photo by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing. View full size. I'm Wide AwakeAnd I agree with Slump; this picture has a curious dream-like perspective to it. It's as if the figure in the background is the actual subject of the shot and the ladies in the boat just happened to be there. He seems to be posing for the picture too as if he knew he was the focal point. It looks like a still from a movie.If that movie was made by David Lynch. This gives me an ideaFor a comic strip set in a funny-named swamp with animals getting into hilarious situations, topical satire, and flat bottom boats bearing different names. Looking for the yearling...One of those ladies might be Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, searching out her muse. Movie?My take on it is David Wark Griffth filming Lilian Gish in her prime. Hatted and coiffedWell, at least the hats don't look silly. You could hide cannonballs under those things. That guy on the roof of the boatIs looking really hard for a glimpse of wrist! That man in the backThat character in the background sitting on the canopy (?) of that boat (??) looks like he might have jumped straight out of a Toonerville Trolley cartoon. Flotation DevicesLooks like the lady on the left has more than just her bonnet to keep her afloat unless that's just the wind. I'm off to bedAnd this photo has the makings of a very odd nightmare. 100 Years LaterNow there's your nightmare. Where's the sweat?Something always puzzles me about these things. Florida is so hot and humid almost year round yet in the old photos people are always dressed so hot.. I break out in a sweat just looking at this one ... did they not perspire? [Florida was a winter resort -- not many people went in the summer. As someone who was born in Miami and grew up in Florida, I can assure you that it's not "hot and humid almost year round." - Dave] HeadgearI love those ancestral sun bonnets that add to the peaceful look of the women in this picture. The only place we get to see one today, is occasionally, on a baby in a pram. We have met the enemy and he flings poo. The comment by "Walt Kelly" isn't too far from the truth, with a cast of characters suitable for lampooning. Substitute 'flat' for 'glass' bottom boat (where it was invented), consider that Tarzan made an appearance, and how the story goes that a scenic boat promoter in the 30's let monkeys loose on an island not knowing they could swim, leading to roving bands of them along the river to this day. Boiling hotWhat always strikes me about pictures of this era is how white the whites are. These bonnets practically glow! Even when photographed in the woods, on a train, at the beach, etc., these ladies all looked immaculate. Testimony (I guess) to lots of boiling water and scrubbing. I can't make it from my house to my car in white pants without having to turn around and change. Yipes. Fish CampThis is great! With better-maintained boat houses, a big wide dock with picnic tables and-of course-modern fashions, this could easily be any of the present-day "rustic" fish camps up and down the St. Johns River and lots of other places in Florida. All you need to fill the shot are some egrets and herons and a manatee floating by. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
St. Paul P.O.: 1902
... Paul, Minnesota." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Still with ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:39pm -

Circa 1902. "Post office at St. Paul, Minnesota." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Still with usNow known as Landmark Center. Look Ma, no handsThis fabulous building was finished in 1902, but still there was no clock at the clock tower. Currently named Landmark Center, thriving, reborn and renovated, but it was closed in 1970 when there were plans to demolish it. Happily, a group of determined citizens saved the building from the wrecking ball. Reopened in 1978, now is the art and culture center for St. Paul. Did St. Paul really need this monster?St. Paul in 1902 needed this ginormous structure for sorting letters and packages? What were the upper floors used for I wonder? Re: Did St. Paul really need this monster?Many post offices served as Federal Court Houses (and still do). The upper floors of this building were used as a Federal Court house. Not everything is about need.Once upon a time public buildings were not just about the need to perform certain tasks. They were also grand statements of civic pride and attempts to make something beautiful for the community regardless of how mundane the function. Our current obsession with extreme functionalism has created some of the ugliest buildings in the history of the world. Upper RoomThere would be other Federal Agencies on the upper floors. See this Post Office for an example. Don't know about back then, but in my time I've personally seen non-Federal tenants in a Federal Building. A Grand TraditionIf It Looks Like the Old Post Office in Washington, that's because both of these Richardsonian Romanesque buildings were designed by the same architect, Willoughby J. Edbrooke, who was then Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department. The St. Paul building was begun in 1894 and finished in 1902; the building was completed after Edbrooke's death by Cass Gilbert, designer of the Woolworth Building and many others. As for why the building had to be so big, that was because this building, like many Federal Government buildings of the time, combined the functions of a Post Office and a Federal Courthouse. +106Below is the same view from September of 2008. Deja VuThere were probably many Romanesque Revival post offices built around the country at the turn of the 19th century - Omaha's old post office was remarkably similar and was also threatened with demolition. The threats were real, and the building was razed in 1966. "Structural concerns" were among the various reasons given the public to justify the action. As a kid, I spoke to an adult who witnessed the demolition process, and I was happy to hear that the building put up a good fight, defiantly resisting the "headache ball." Demolition reportedly took much longer than anticipated. Multi-purposeThis building was also the Ramsey County Courthouse, so no, it was not just a big mail box. Post OfficesBy the wonderfully named Willoughby J. Edbrooke. Post offices were major buildings and critical in the days before email (and telephone). The sorting offices in New York were enormous (at 35th Street) and even a small town wanted something to stand out and show visitors their importance. Not just a post officeThis building held a lot more than just the Post Office. I toured it a few years back, and they had a display showing all of the functions it filled. It was the Federal Courthouse for a fairly large region, the custom house, plus filled a lot of other functions. I seem to remember that there were offices listed for all sorts of things-agriculture, Indian affairs, etc, etc. Plus, of course, the post office, which was a much bigger concern in those days. Extremes.The size and design of the building does seem excessive for Post Office usage. However, we as a nation appear to have gone to the other extreme when designing some of our modern structures. Purely utilitarian and flat roofed, built out of cinder block and corregated aluminum siding. Maybe a nice compromise between excessive and boring is the way to go! Surprised this beauty still exists! Return to SenderPostal officials seem always eager to abandon even the best of their old facilities. I recall a postmaster near me about 15 years ago who was gleeful at the prospect of replacing his wonderful oak paneling and furniture with modern steel office fixtures and cubicles. Federal money probably had something to do with it. Go figure. Why the Post Office is broke100 years of castle building and oh yes, that pesky Internet hasn't helped either. You could look it upThis served as not only the post office, but also the federal courthouse and customs house for the entire state of Minnesota. DoppelgangerThat building looks nearly identical to the Old Post Office in Washington DC. I wonder how many other siblings of these buildings can be found around the country. Post Office / CourthouseTo be fair, St. Paul in 1902 had over 162,000 people. This building also housed the Federal Court House for the upper Midwest. http://www.landmarkcenter.org/aboutus.html (The Gallery, DPC, Minneapolis-St. Paul, W.H. Jackson)
Cowpokes: 1901
... nattily attired gent from the chuck wagon scene. Photo by William Henry Jackson. View full size. A lot of cows to poke Photographs out ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:38pm -

Circa 1901. "A group of Texas cowboys." Including the nattily attired gent from the chuck wagon scene. Photo by William Henry Jackson. View full size. A lot of cows to pokePhotographs out in the wild like this were not undertaken as casual snapshots. Possibly Mr. William Henry Jackson arrived on the scene with his developing tent, crew of helpers, large tripod-mounted view camera, and a reputation. I can imagine him directing the "actors" in an event that lasted a fair amount of time. Almost nobody smiles in these old photographs, because having one's likeness preserved for eternity (here we are looking at the image 109 years after it was made) was a serious matter and no one wanted to look silly or insubstantial. This might be the only photograph some of these men would have taken in their entire lives, so it was a sober occasion, hence the crisp white shirts, starched collars, and even a bow tie. It's a wonderful picture - I'm going out to buy a new hat. [W.H.J. did not just travel with a tent. He had a train. - Dave] PerfectionSweet mercy Dave! How perfect is your timing? Completely, as always. In less than a month and a half, there will be a whole slew of Texas Cowboys decending upon my beloved Houston for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It wouldn't be surprising if there will be a few cowboys and cowgirls akin to these Cowpokes in this lovely photo attending the world's largest Livestock Show and Rodeo. Who knows? Mayhaps this cattle line still exists. I absolutely adore this picture! Cattle driveLooks like over a thousand head of cattle behind those cowboys. I'm curious why you can't see any guns. They would have to have some Winchester rifles and a few handguns on a long drive it seems. Unless, could it be about no firearms while on their horses so that no shots could be fired while acually driving the cattle. Maybe shots fired could cause a stampede and scatter the whole herd. Surely ChisholmI'd bet these wranglers are styling their Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. The shirts and (most) pants are clean, and there are no sweat stains about their headbands. The Texas range radiates like an oven, and it appears the steers are hogging the shade. Nattily A. TiredThe ranch owner or maybe the foreman. Bony CrittersSome of those cattle are very thin. Their hip bones and ribs are terribly visible. I am not sure why this would be -- perhaps because of the stress of heat or drought or because of a lack of nutrition in the grass. Texas cattle, taken north, got fat on the nutritious prairie grasses of the Great Plains. Many an enterprising rancher made money on this knowledge, including my own grandfather during the 1930s. (The Gallery, DPC, Frontier Life, Horses, W.H. Jackson)
Chattanooga: 1900
... at Chattanooga on Mineral Creek." 8x10 glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Railroad Tie ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 09/23/2012 - 1:55pm -

Colorado circa 1900. "Mining camp at Chattanooga on Mineral Creek." 8x10 glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Railroad Tie Down?There is an unusual tie down on every 5th tie on the railroad track. I don't think I have ever seen anything like that before. Does anyone know what this is? Past Its PeakChattanooga thrived as a staging point for ore and supplies passing between Silverton and Ouray. The arrival of the Silverton Railroad in 1888 eliminated that need. The following year an avalanche wiped out most of the town and it was not rebuilt. There's plenty of slide evidence in this photo. Today, the BLM uses howitzer rounds nearby to trigger controlled avalanches. The Million Dollar Highway passes through. This is one of the few Colorado photos by William Henry Jackson in the LOC. Most ended up with, I believe, the Colorado Historical Society. Some infoBeen through there many times, it is between Silverton and Ouray. Not much left there at all, although there was never a lot at Chattanooga, I believe most of the buildings were destroyed in a fire or flood. The railroad went up from Silverton to the mines around Red Mountain Town and Ironton, both ghost towns now. The modern highway is on top of the old railroad grade in several places. In the background down the valley you can see Bear Mountain, named after the formation the trees make of a bear licking it's paw. It is still visible to this day. Mystery SolvedNow I know where Track 29 goes. Railroad hardwareThose are "Anti-creepers" mounted to the ties every 5th one or so. They keep the rail in gauge, which in this case is narrow gauge I believe. Quite important when you don't have tie plates, (the rails are spiked directly to the ties) but do have sharp curves and rugged terrain! Here's the shot todayI found where I believe the shot to be taken from on Google Earth. The where the railroad was, now is a stretch of the "Million Dollar Highway." 37°52'33.10"N 107°43'30.72"W Facing South. July 2012I was there just this past July a took this shot from the edge of the road. The old buildings in the foreground are what remains of the Silver Ledge Mine. (The Gallery, Landscapes, Mining, Railroads, W.H. Jackson)
Ouray: 1901
... Blow-out Canyon." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Hot spring ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/30/2020 - 2:10pm -

Colorado circa 1901. "Ouray from Blow-out Canyon." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Hot springApparently, the pond at the bottom of the photo is a hot spring. From what you can see on Google Maps and from Street View which enables you to stand right beside the entrance, it seems to have been whittled down over the years and a water park has been built around it. There are some user photos which show the park and pools. Hasn't changed all that muchGreat shot of the greatest town in the west! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of how it used to be, before the townhouses and clutter! Switzerland of The WestToday, a beautiful little town tucked in the mountains given the nickname Switzerland of the West. Not much room to grow, thankfully Webcam at about the same locationhttp://www.ouraycam.com/ Big CityOuray is a veritable Metropolis compared to Silverton. Hip, hip ...... Sorry Town CelebrityI like Ouray; I've been there several times. And it's the home of a friend of mine: Bill Fries, a.k.a. "C.W. McCall" of "Convoy" fame; a country singer of the 1970s. As for Silverton, I recommend the Brown Bear Cafe. (The Gallery, DPC, Frontier Life, Small Towns, W.H. Jackson)
The Atrium: 1903
... atrium, West Baden Springs Hotel." 8x10 glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Amazing The ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/14/2012 - 2:38pm -

West Baden, Indiana, circa 1903. "The atrium, West Baden Springs Hotel." 8x10 glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. AmazingThe architecture of this place is amazing. It's still around and on the NR of Historic Places. The glass atrium roof reminds me of that of the Astrodome, only 60 years earlier. The Spirit of the place. Looks like it was haunted by ghosts even back then. Have a warmupThat is one king hell fireplace to read your newspaper beside! Largest in the WorldThis was the largest free standing dome in the world until the Astrodome was built. The roof was designed by a bridge builder. The hotel has been wonderfully restored -- except for the fountain with the seal! Visit if you canI learned about West Baden Springs from Scouting NY, and had the opportunity to visit in August. They've done a great job of restoring the buildings as well as the neighboring French Lick Resort. You can see more images of the renovated resort from my visit on flickr. Love your site, by the way. Thanks for sharing the great vintage photography! NFL SundayThe mirrors on the bases of the pillars look like big screen TVs -- some are on and others are off. They're gone in the modern photo. Unseen AngelsAt the apex of the atrium is a central hub 16 feet in diameter and 10 feet high. Its primary purpose is to join together the 24 steel trusses that support the roof. Secondarily it provides an anchor for the massive central chandelier. During renovations it was discovered that an artist had painted the interior panels of the hub with depictions of angels. Although the building had been used in its decline as a seminary, it is thought that the paintings date to the construction of the building. Photos of the angels are on view at the hotel: ZzzzSometimes I look at these photos and think to myself that life looks to have been quite damned boring back then. String quartetI see the band showed up that day for a few of the guests. Anyone notice the many spittoons on the floor around the sitting areas? Wow, and it's still open for business.Amazing what a tourist industry the mineral water craze produced. The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas, was not so lucky as the years went on (but it's now very fun to explore). Dear, does it seem a little warm in here to you?I love how there's always something interesting going on in the photos here. In this one, it's a beautiful courtyard, and everyone seems quite relaxed. Overall it's quite pleasant except ... well, there is one gentleman who might be a tad more stressed out than the others, given that he appears to be spontaneously combusting. Wonderful space to visitI performed my whip act in this space in 2001 and must say it was the longest echo my whips ever produced -- over seven seconds! Twelve-foot Australian stock whips. West Baden is glorious and is a great destination point on any trip. Have seen it both waysThis place is quite impressive now. Was impressive in the late 1980s, even though it was falling apart then. We were on a bicycle tour and the place was crumbling apart. Anyone could get in, and it was deteriorated. We wandered all over looking at things that were left behind after the seminary vacated the building. Wish I could find the pictures we took. The whole lot of us posed in the fireplace. I believe it is the largest freestanding dome in the world. "A Hidden Wonder of the World"One of the grandest features of late-twentieth-century building technology got its start in 1901 in a small Indiana town. Big, Bigger, BiggestThe TV show "Big, Bigger, Biggest" takes an architectural structure (dam, suspension bridge, ferris wheel, etc.) and uses five historical examples to illustrate the development of the art. For "Domes," I think West Baden was third in historical order after the Pantheon in Rome and Brunelleschi's cathedral dome in Florence, and followed by the Houston Astrodome and Oita Stadium in Japan. Today's FireplaceThe atrium fireplace has been reworked over the years and now features a ceramic front. The illuminated spot on the upper left is a ceramic tile displaying a skyline view of the hotel. With a little leverage you might still be able to get a 14 foot log into the fireplace. Beware the other Indiana beverageI visited in 1989 and the place was nearly deserted tho still glorious and in the middle of restoration. One of the shop stalls - the ones that look like rug merchants in this photo - was devoted to selling Indiana-produced wine, hardly a well-known vintage. But the rose seemed a bargain at $6. I took the bottle home and set it on my kitchen table. A week later, it blew its own cork and spewed itself on the ceiling. A native Houstonian speaksI look at this photo and can't help but thinking the Astros or the Oilers will be taking the field at any moment. Obviously an inspiration for the Astrodome to come. Great photo. (The Gallery, DPC, W.H. Jackson)
Spring Break: 1890
... T's and Victorian flip-flops. Dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. The Overlook ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:35pm -

St. Augustine, Florida, circa 1890. "On the roof of the Ponce de Leon Hotel." Then back down to the room, and into our T's and Victorian flip-flops. Dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. The OverlookCreepy little girl with the veil, reminds me of "The Shining"! Overheard"My card, Sir! I should like to talk to you about land opportunities in South Florida that come but once in a lifetime." MarvelousI would love to be able to see the Working Drawings for this building!! Veiled threadOBVIOUSLY just a blur .. Thanks. My chills have subsided. I Can't ImagineWearing all those heavy clothes! Strange face coveringShould have checked the comments first but I'm wondering what the strange hood is covering the little girl sitting with her mom. I can only guess covering a medical condition that in those times this was the normal way of keeping it a bit private in a formal setting, such as down syndrome or hemangenomas hemangiomas (port wine syndrome). [Netting on hats was nothing unusual, especially in a buggy climate. But what we have here looks more like motion blur. Check out the Ghost Shoe. - Dave] Supposition The ladder on the wall must be there in case of fire. PlaytimeIt looks like the man on the far right is playing a game of catch with the little girl with whatever item he has in his hand. They seem to be much more "footloose and fancy-free" than the two in the middle. Great shot! Sartorial StereotypeNow we see the origin of the stereotype that older guys in Florida yank their pants up to their ribs. It was a hot, hot timeI am so grateful I live in an era that allows me to wear, light, comfortable and loose fitting clothing. I'll bet the females are wearing woolen stockings. On a roof. In St. Augustine, Florida. Ugh! [Remember that "the season" in Florida was winter and spring. So probably not so hot. - Dave] Catch!It's a beanbag. Haven't played with one of those in years. We used to make them from a couple of squares of cloth sewn together, filled with dried beans. See how easily amused we were? Re. Pant-Yanking StereotypesIn defense of the older man: the reason that "older guys in Florida yank their pants up to their ribs" is that the male body changes shape after about the age of forty and the natural waistline migrates upward (also, a gut usually develops about this time). It happens regardless of how hard you work out. The change is slow and imperceptible at first, but by the time you're in your sixties it is just more comfortable to wear one's trousers hiked way up. Don't worry younguns, it'll happen to you too *evil laugh*! ConstructionA massive concrete building. Note the tile roof. Built for the ages and now Flagler College. The clientele 1890 were the top of society. Those in the picture are dressed accordingly. The Strange Ladder... gave access to the water tanks on the roof. They still use ladders for access today but the tanks have been replaced with loudspeakers for fake bells. (The Gallery, DPC, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
Xanadu: 1897
... de Leon, Alcazar and Cordova hotels." Glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. In Xanadu "In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/13/2012 - 7:57pm -

St. Augustine, Florida, circa 1897. "The Ponce de Leon, Alcazar and Cordova hotels." Glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. In Xanadu"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure-dome decree, where Alph, the sacred river, ran through caverns measureless to man down to a sunless sea." I stayed here last summer and my room was right over there (pointing at an unseen window on the back of the current Casa Monica Hotel). St. Augustine is an amazing little place with the most fascinating history and architecture, but these three gigantic buildings command the attention of the whole town. You just have to see it for yourself to know what I mean. Check out the lightning rods on the leftNo comment Interesting to me for aInteresting to me for a couple of reasons. I'm from the West and we usually associate Jackson with Western Landscapes. So it's interesting to see pix from the East. Also, I understand that these were hotels built by th Atlantic Coast Line Rail in order to build up the area and hence business for rail. I remember when I was a child in the fifties dreaming of exotic places that Florida was one of the LEAST populated states in America! Gargoles?I like the decorative spouts which I think were used to drain rainwater from the open second floor veranda. They also came in handy for pouring molten lead upon attacking Seminoles. Flagler's Florida East Coast RailwayThe Ponce de Leon and Alcazar Hotels were built by Henry M. Flagler, the founder of the Florida East Coast Railway, the first rail line to reach Palm Beach, Miami, and eventually Key West. He employed the fledgling architecture firm of Carrere and Hastings (designers of the New York Public Library) to design both hotels, as well as two churches and Flagler's house in St. Augustine. The Cordova Hotel was not built by Flagler, but he bought it a few years after it opened. Long tentacles of the rail octopusMany of the streets in my city were named for railroad barons, including Flagler. Two Major Reasons for Florida's Population Increase after WWII-Mosquito Control -Air Conditioning In the last year, though, Florida's population has decreased slightly, presumably due to the recession. (Orange County--Orlando--was originally Mosquito County.) Ponce De Leon is now Flagler CollegeThe Ponce De Leon hotel today is Flagler College. It still looks remarkably the same. Judging by the photo angle, it was taken from the open-air arches outside the 4th or 5th story circular ballroom. I graduated from Flagler College in 1981, and my dorm was was on the third floor, about the same place as where the photo was taken. One day while exploring, several of us tried to make our way up to the ballroom (it was closed off those years, rumor had it that the floor was full of zodiac signs), but we couldn't get past a locked metal gate at the top of the elevator shaft. The once opulent hotel rooms were our dorms. At the time I was in school, each room still had a fireplace with carved cherubs on the mantle, but all the fireplaces were closed off. (would you trust a college student with a fireplace?) Our dining hall was the hotel's dining room, with hand-carved chairs (more cherubs), a gilded ceiling (since restored) and Tiffany glass windows. It's quite a place. It also has (had?) what we were told was the first poured concrete in-ground pool in the country. We students used it between classes and on weekends. Yes, those are gargoyles on the drain pipes, that was the name of our college newspaper. The fountain in the court yard doubled as a way to aerate the water, which otherwise smelled of sulfur. The Ponce was quite the place for the swells to stay during winter until Flagler built his railroad farther south and built other hotels. (The Gallery, DPC, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
Mercado de San Marcos: 1890s
... "Portales of the market of San Marcos." Glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Watering Hole ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:36pm -

Aguascalientes, Mexico, circa 1890s. "Portales of the market of San Marcos." Glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Watering HoleHot waters. Sister city to Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. Hats off to you! Sombrero CentralThere are some mighty fine looking lids in this market. No wonder all of these guys are sporting hats. Well, maybe the sun had something to do with it. Third Hombre From RightLooks like his interest in hats is taking yours. What the???Does anyone know what the heck the protrusions from the building opposite are? I could almost imagine them being rifles pointed at the unsuspecting fellows across the way. [Those are drains. - Dave] For all your needs...As long as all you need is a hat. Location?Dave, do we know where this was taken? I mean, in which city? Thanks! [Aguascalientes, which I have added to the caption. - Dave] Prosperity!A clean local market. Swept sidewalks, plenty of goods on offer, well maintained buildings, even electric lighting! This is obviously a place of prosperity. Even the young lad in the foreground has that "I'm going somewhere" look about him. Gives lie to all the spaghetti western portrayals of Mexican towns. A Fistful of Dollarswould probably buy this entire marketplace (and the employees). I see Lee Van Cleef and Clint Eastwood in earlier days. Now I need to go to Chilino's for my favorite Mexican lunch of chimichangas and refritos frijoles. See what you started? Packing heatI bet those guys didn't have issues with concealed carry. You're in Hot Water nowThe protrusions on the building across the street are Mexico's version of rain gutters, a very common site in Mexican architecture. Having raced in the world famous La Carrera Panamericana, considered the most dangerous and grueling race in the world, I have seen many locations throughout Mexico that resemble this exact scene. In fact when I first saw this photo it looked to be an almost exact replica of the one in Morelia Mexico. La Carrera Panamericana begins near the Guatemala border and continues all the way back to the United States and Aguascalientes is one of the cities we stop in over night. When I mentioned this photo to a friend who lives near there he wrote, "It is the Old Parian, the market in downtown Aguascalientes, the picture is from the first version, that was demolished in the 50´s, then the second until the 80s and the new Parian now has many levels including underground parking." Curious GeorgeNow we know where "the man in the yellow hat" shops. TimelessThis scene could have been from the 1980s when I lived in Mexico; less has changed than MORE has changed. The blankets and hats, the portales...all there just twenty years ago. Maybe it still is. (The Gallery, DPC, Stores & Markets, W.H. Jackson)
Eager for Deer: 1901
... deer. Deer-hunting beagles." Circa 1901-1906 photograph by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Company glass negative. View full size. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:34pm -

"Eager for deer. Deer-hunting beagles." Circa 1901-1906 photograph by William Henry Jackson. Detroit Publishing Company glass negative. View full size. Muzzleloader?I love this picture. Wish I could see the receiver of the weapon he's holding, though. The shotgun looks to have a ramrod, which would indicate a muzzleloader. However, there looks to be "modern" shotgun shells in the bandolier at his waist, which would indicate a more modern breachloader. Somebody call that beagle out of the foreground so I can see it. Muzzleloader? Could be...There is also a barrel wedge on the forestock, typical of muzzleloaders, which enabled easy removal of the barrel for cleaning with hot, soapy water. (Black powder is extremely corrosive and hot soapy water was, and still is, the preferred way of thoroughly cleaning a muzzleloader.) The shotgun might be a conversion to a breechloader, but I'm not sure if shotguns or rifle were converted to modern ammunition as revolvers were. I think the "shells" in the bandolier are containers holding pre-measured loads of shot and powder. Modern muzzleloader shooters do this, and pre-measured cartridges were known in the 19th century. The gun againThat is a muzzle loader. You can see the inlay for the barrel wedge. What looks like modern shotgun shells is probably measured shot used to speed up reloading. When loading these guns the powder and shot are the same volume so one could be shot and another the powder. Right from FaulknerThis could be one of William Faulkner's characters at Frenchman's Bend. MixedSome of those dogs look like beagle-terrier mixes, possibly fox terrier from the pointiness of snout. Hunters in those days often bred their best dogs to each other with no attempt to keep them purebred. Even now, coon hunters keep mixes of coon hound with a bit of Airedale, bloodhound or pit bull in their pedigrees, as well as mixing up the different coon hound breeds. My dog was a stray and looks like a bluetick, but who knows what else might be. Beagle eyesThose beagles all share the same squinty eyes. A bit of inbreeding I think. GritMan, that's a hard face. You can tell his life hasn't been all popcorn and butter. He looks like an extra from Deadwood. The HuntI love this picture. It feels dark, they're ready for kill. HoundsSome of the dogs look more like Walker hounds. Wonder if they got anything. Some of the old brass-shell shotguns had ramrods to help remove any shells that might get stuck after firing. Wish we could hear the dogs run. (The Gallery, Dogs, DPC, W.H. Jackson)
Fine and Dandy: 1892
... latest style." Fashion-forward dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson. (UPDATE: This is a self-portrait.) View full size. ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 11/03/2012 - 6:16pm -

August 1892. "The latest style." Fashion-forward dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson. (UPDATE: This is a self-portrait.) View full size. Bowler with a center dent.That hat looks like a typical bowler worn at the time. This chap has taken it a step further and gave it a simple center crease. Instant Homburg. Proper decorumI believe the right hand in a partially unbuttoned vest is the more appropriate, sir. Oh, I see, the watch chain is in the problem. Mixed genresThe garb says Gay Nineties, the beard says Civil War general, the expression says posing for a postage stamp. Handy dandyThat tucked right gives him a "lobster boy" look. Then again, that thumb is chewed enough that the rest of the fingers may not have been photogenic. One Size LargerLooks like he's about to grow out of it. Those hands look as though they've been through quite a lot! Prince AlbertI guess someone let him out of the can. Le chapeauI rather like his hat. It's stylish, compact, well designed and sits elegantly on his head. I wish they would come back. Men used to wear fedoras until President Kennedy went sans chapeau in the sixties and started a new fashion trend for men. Butch Cassidy StylePosing like a bantam rooster but in my opinion. The jacket is too tight. Haberdashery seems to have gone the way of high button shoes and buggy whips and I don't think we will see comfort-loving modern men returning to the excessively disciplined style of dress (like this) in our lifetime. Its hard to beat t-shirts and sweatpants for easy living and I have noticed that lately the "sleep sets" look almost like the "street clothes" so we may all eventually join the infants among us in wearing the "sleep and play" one piece soft jersey zip-ups that babies wear. Heaven help us. Tiny !By today's norm that model is a very little man. Look a shoulder width, arm length, etc. Very small, but probably typical for the time. Thumbnail saysWorking man, or maybe outdoorsman. Sure looks the dandy in this shot though. [He's the photographer. - Dave] Pants matching the suitThat's a 1970s glitch. Then again, heroin was a legal substance. That's gotta chafeThose pants look a little (squeak!) high. If I'm not mistakenthis is a self-portrait. (The Gallery, DPC, W.H. Jackson)
Picket Fences: 1903
... Virginia." 8x10 glass negative by none other than William Henry Jackson. Detroit Photographic Company. View full size. Ye Olde ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:40pm -

Circa 1903. "A street in Yorktown, Virginia." 8x10 glass negative by none other than William Henry Jackson. Detroit Photographic Company. View full size. Ye Olde Main Street.This is Main Street, Yorktown. The first building on the right after the picket fence is still there. Care has been taken to protect and preserve many of the old buildings in this area. Twain StreetI'm looking to see Tom Sawyer painting the fence, or getting everyone else to paint it. What a challengeI would be stunned if someone was able to pinpoint this location. SignageCan anyone read the sign hanging out from a building right down the middle of the road? Really surprised to see any signage in what I thought was a rural area. [BARGAIN STORE J.R. Hillman & Co. General Merchandise - Dave] Main Street in YorktownThe house on the right has had the front porch removed and the shoddy looking addition to the beautiful brick house on the left is now gone as well. Both homes appear to have been beautifully preserved and most of the structures seen further down the street on the right no longer exist. Main StreetThis is Main Street at the intersection of Smith Street. The house on the right is the Cole Digges House and the Nelson House is down the street on the left. The Victory Monument is to the right and slightly behind the camera. A very nice place to visit today as it must have been 250 years ago. Main Street between Smith and ReadThe satellite view on Google Maps (alas there are no street views) shows that most of these structures are still standing. The impressive brick house on the left is the Nelson House, built ca. 1730 and home of Governor Thomas Nelson, signer of the Declaration of Independence. It faces Main St. and is located on the western corner of Main and Nelson Streets. A picture on Google Maps shows that there is a cannonball embedded between the windows in the pediment facing the camera in the photo above. The frame house with the hipped roof and the attached office on the left is across Nelson St. from the Nelson House. The house in the immediate foreground at right is the ca. 1760 Dudley Digges House, which survives today sans portico at Main and Smith Streets. The white house with 3 dormers and the "Bargain Store" sign is the Cole Digges House (father of Dudley), thought to be constructed ca. 1720ff. It is located at Main and Read Streets and now houses the Carrott Tree restaurant. Google Street View Saysthe three foreground homes are all still standing. The twin smokestacks at the left belong to the house at the NW corner of Main and Nelson. The house in front of it, obscured by the trees, is on the SW corner. The white foreground house on the right has five gables, three of which appear in the photo. It has lost its front porch. In this view the three chimneys on the left are in close alignment with the vintage photo. View Larger Map Mud streetsAs charming as this view is, it's hard to imagine what having dirt streets even on the main drag of town would have been like. Imagine just trying to walk down the road. And after a rain, the mixture of mud and horse manure must have been really ... quaint! Digges HousesThe house in immediate foreground at right is the Dudley Digges House, built ca. 1760 (portico is a later addition, and has since been removed). It has a five-bay facade with interior end chimneys, and outbuildings that were reconstructed by the National Park Service in the 1970s. The Cole Digges House (Dudley's father) is the white plaster house with the Bargain Store sign in the center background. It was built during the 1720s or later according to the historic structures report prepared by the architectural historians of Colonial Williamsburg. It is owned by the NPS and today houses a restaurant. I am trying to find something about the house immediately in front of the Nelson House in this photo. It still survives today per Google Maps (along with the attached office), on the other side of Nelson Street at Main Street. Like the Dudley Digges House, it is five bays wide and of frame construction, but with a hipped roof and exterior brick chimneys. If you look to your left you will see the lovely Addams residence, to the right the is the beautiful home of the Munsters. Sessions-Pope-Sheild HouseThe house adjacent to the Nelson House was built ca. 1692 on Lot 56 by local carpenter Thomas Sessions. It is of brick construction and not frame, as I erroneously noted below. According to the York County Historic Resources Survey (2005 update; page 4): "This one-and-a-half story brick dwelling is considered one of the finest examples of mid-eighteenth century colonial architecture. The building has remained intact for close to 300 years. During the Civil War, the building served as headquarters for Union General Henry M. Naglee following the abandonment of the town by the Confederates. The property has remained in the Sheild family since 1901, and has hosted Presidents Wilson, Harding, Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt." +112Below is the same view from April of 2015. (The Gallery, DPC, Small Towns, W.H. Jackson)
Nemo on the Tomoka: 1890s
... on the Tomoka." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Then and Now ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 07/20/2012 - 1:39pm -

Florida circa 1890s. "Boating on the Tomoka." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Then and NowThat's Florida, but could easily be a scene from "The African Queen." I'm guessing someone from the 1890s wouldn't even recognize the Tomoka today. [Below, the Tomoka today. - Dave] Looking for KateI swear, that's Humprey Bogart guiding the African Queen. S.S. AlligatorA nice selection of mascots aboard. I suppose they're full of holes. And thank goodness you don't need a stack of firewood anymore to take your launch out on the river. Finding NemoI wonder if Disney's designers found photos of the Nemo when they were putting the Adventureland Jungle Cruise together. The resemblance is pretty striking. Mirror ImageHey guys, if you look at the reflection you can almost see her ankles! A modern Odysseus passes the island of the sirens.Unfortunately, this time it seems as though the crew has decided to pay a visit. The Sirens of FloridaHad a stricter dress code than their Greek counterparts although the lead Siren seems to be ready to show a little scandalous ankle. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
Chautauqua: 1890s
... was not just a place but a movement. Glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. Uncomfortable Seats Those hard wooden ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 12/13/2016 - 5:34pm -

New York state circa 1890s. "Assembly hall, Chautauqua." Which was not just a place but a movement. Glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. Uncomfortable SeatsThose hard wooden benches look as uncomfortable as the wooden chairs that are in the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ which was built in 1894! One lonely soulall the way up in the nosebleeds. ChautauquariansThe Chautauqua Institution is still active and has an online presence: http://www.ciweb.org/historyarchives/ Education for everyoneNineteenth-century Americans valued education. The Chatauqua movement joined the earlier Lyceum movement, mechanics' institutes, agricultural extension, and land grant colleges in an attempt to bring education to as many people as possible, at any point in their lives. Public radio and television have tried to extend the success of these pioneering institutions. [And it was motion pictures, the phonograph and radio that helped bang a lot of nails into the Chautauqua movement's coffin. - Dave] VestigesThere were Chautauquas in many places. I live in the remnant of one near Carlisle, Ohio (which is to say, the middle of nowhere). Great sound system!I'm not an engineer, but it seems to me this hall was designed with sound in mind. As well as being a platform for a speaker or small musical group, the stage would also have projected sound up to those reflective wooden ceilings. I bet you could hear a whisper from the stage anywhere in that hall. This, plus the circular arrangement of the benches (or pews) would have contributed to an intimate experience for both audience and speaker. And don't miss the massive organ.There is a wonderful pipe organ custom-built to work with this stage. A highlight from two years ago was the showing of a silent movie starring Zasu Pitts while a talented and energetic organist played the complete original score, accompanying the movie scene-for-scene. Ocean GroveThe Ocean Grove Auditorium is the kid brother of the Amphitheatre in Chautauqua. The designers took all the details of the original, and adapted it to their location. Almost identical capacity. The one in Chautauqua is built in a natural ravine, whereas the one in Jersey is on the beach. So they tucked the sides in a little and put a balcony all around. The Ocean Grove one has all natual finish on the wood, which makes it look like the inside of a cello, just gorgeous. Chautauqua has that wonderfully drab yellow paint. Ocean Grove has a 10,000 pipe organ. A toss up as to which is better, they're both great venues for a concert. Sound system not requiredI saw Ethel Merman in what I believe was that same outdoor auditorium in Chatauqua, NY, in the summer of 1977. The sound system wasn't working, but of course with Ethel Merman that didn't matter. Chatauqua at the time was a picturesque vacation town packed with beautiful old houses. I expect it still is. I've performed on that stageI performed here in my youth as part of an all-county high school orchestra to an absolutely packed house. Picture "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" during a raging thunderstorm. Chautauqua vs. Ocean Grove, NJ AuditoriumJazznocracy, Thanks for adding the history about the two venues and their designs. I'm attaching a photo of the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ that shows a better view of the design. American OriginalI'm guessing that this is the original Chautauqua venue in upstate New York. Chautauqua later became a generic name for the traveling tent shows that criss-crossed America during the summers. They featured musicians, jugglers, singers, yodelers, storytellers and always finished with inspirational speakers who's most frequent topics were positive thinking and how to accumulate wealth. They were extremely popular, especially in rural America, and drew capacity crowds. Still kickingI went to Chautauqua Institute with my exwife's family one summer. A gated community in which private home owners rent their houses to visitors for weeks at a time. The Institute had weekly programs featuring a theme, and lectures, art exhibits and performers were all booked to support the theme. The lake has a beach with sand, there are numerous trails and bike paths but it is indeed a built up community of homes. Performers worked in the open air theatre/amphitheatre and it was really interesting and quaint. The biggest drawbacks were the mosquitoes and black flies. ChautauquaChautauqua is a wonderful, magical place. The PERFECT place to spend a summer! Check it out! Totally gone now!This building is now totally demolished. The Institution decided they needed an entirely new structure to go ahead into their next couple of centuries, and has raised it to the ground. They are now building a new "Amp" that will have an orchestra pit that rises and lowers, enormously improved backstage facilities, and many other features. The roof line will be virtually identical, and it will hold about 500 more people. MUCH brouhaha over this project, which I will sidestep. Here is a webcam that shows the project's progress. http://ciweb.org/amp-cam (The Gallery, DPC, W.H. Jackson)
Dragon Slayers: 1897
... last glimpsed here. 8x10 inch glass transparency by William Henry Jackson. View full size. Blase The girl in the boat seems more ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/11/2020 - 4:48pm -

Volusia County, Florida, circa 1897. "On the Tomoka." The nice people last glimpsed here. 8x10 inch glass transparency by William Henry Jackson. View full size. BlaseThe girl in the boat seems more interested in her apple than the beast. Someone's not into alligator huntingThe lady eating the apple seems completely out of place in this photo. PursuingSizing it up. Draining the Swamp?To folks brave enough to crowd aboard that obvious firetrap of a boiler-fired, awning-bedecked launch, what matter a few alligators? Could not do this nowAlligator hunting in Florida is now strictly controlled. You have to have a permit and only hunt in special seasons. It is now a class III felony to do what they did here. You can get five years in jail. Winchester '73It looks like the slayer has used his trusty Winchester 1873 model to dispatch the beast. GatorIt actually tastes like chicken, ladies. Lady with appleShe’s just hungry. Check the other photo in the link Dave provides: she’s chowing down there, too. This picture is so over the top repulsiveWhat vanity! What bravery! Goint out of your way to kill a gator, particularly a baby gator. I sure hope Karma exists. Girl in boatThe girl at eye level with the gator but seemingly a million miles away, sniffing an apple, looks like the subject of a Renoir. I can imagine the colors. Rosie and Mr. AllnuttDoes anyone else see the guy with the rifle and the woman on the boat and think this is a preview, 20 years in the future, of Charlie and his passenger on The African Queen? I bet that guy didn't like leeches, either. Presumption of InnocenceWho knows that they were, in fact, hunting alligators? Is it not possible they had the firearm for protection, and used it in self-defense? It is reasonably foreseeable that an alligator (or other dangerous reptile, etc.) might threaten a boating party. Maybe it's a small alligator, but who among us would volunteer to let it bite us? Let's give the benefit of the doubt. Better yet, the law of the land is presumed innocent until proven guilty. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, DPC, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
NCR: 1902
... department, National Cash Register Company." Photo by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Quality & ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/14/2012 - 12:32pm -

Dayton, Ohio, circa 1902. "Plating department, National Cash Register Company." Photo by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size. Quality & BeautyThere was a time when something as mundane as a cash register was made with care, detail, was pleasing to the eye and made to last. What happened? We now have ugly, plastic, disposable things that end up in the trash heap as soon as technology comes up with a newer version. Yes, our modern items are faster and more efficent, but nothing can beat the feel of real wood and brass and the sturdiness of these gorgeous machines. I would love to travel back for a month or so to this era and take in some of the buildings, businesses, shops and homes. The conductor is waitingCleanup on Aisle 15 -- we have a tray spill. Preserve your baby shoesIn 1945 on the corner of 10th street and Santa Clara in San Jose, California there was a plating shop very much like the one in the photo. It was much smaller: it had about 6 large tubs. I was 7 years old and was able to walk in off the street and stroll between the tubs and watch what they were doing. It appeared that much of their work was in plating baby shoes. Crank ItWhen I was in high school in the '80's, I worked in a small town independent hardware store in a building that had been a hardware or dry goods store since the 1880's. We still used an ancient NCR cash register with rows of giant buttons to enter the item amounts. Once you had added everything in (including the tax) you turned a crank on the side of the machine about four times and it would ring up the total amount, pop out the till, and spit out a receipt (yes, the receipt printer still worked, and you could still get paper that fit). The crank made a terrific mechanical ratcheting noise and when the till popped open, a bell rang with a bright loud "Tingg!!!". I loved that thing. Nasty BrewI can almost smell the chemical stench just by looking at it! I worked for a short time at a place that made printed circuit boards, and the plating line was home to some wicked chemicals and their aromas. Can't imagine that NCR had good ventilation in 1902. No safety glasses either. This is a nasty job.What I remember about visiting an electroplating plant and seeing workers who worked there regularly was that it was very hard on clothing. I see some workers wearing aprons here. But some are not even wearing that protection.The workers seem to be able to dip their parts without actually having to use their hands. But the system looks as if it would be easy to lose hold of the part and it would splash into the solution in the tank. Rubber gloves, full rubber aprons and rubber boots seem to be the current fashion for this sort of work. Re: Preserve your baby shoes10th and Santa Clara - probably site of the 7-Eleven, now! Watch out for old SparkyI wonder what voltage they are using to electroplate. You can see the voltage controllers and a meter on the post. I assume that the power is turned off before the plater dipped into the tank. On the left side, one of the men has his hand on the controller. As for ventilation: It looks like they are on an upper story, and all of the windows can be opened. The cross ventilation would be pretty good. Today, you better capture those fumes. I just love the "conductor."Right there in the center of the shot. Gilded AgeThis appears to be one of their top-of-the-line registers of the turn-of-the-last-century--a beauty! Caption says it was headed out of production more or less as the (Shorpy) picture was being taken: http://www.cashregisterman.com/antique/30/30.htm Re: Quality and BeautyBack in the day, furnishings were elegant and hats, eloquent. You might explore the steampunk subculture. While you may or may not be at an age where you'd be comfortable participating, you could at least take heart that there are those who still appreciate the aesthetics of bygone days. (The Gallery, DPC, Factories, W.H. Jackson)
Dr. Vedder: 1894
... circa 1894. "Treasury Street." Dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Treasury Street ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/20/2012 - 10:22am -

St. Augustine, Florida, circa 1894. "Treasury Street." Dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. Treasury StreetDoesn't the sign underneath the "Dr." say Bay Street - or is that alleyway Bay? [The "alleyway" is Treasury Street -- the subject of the photo. - Dave] Wilson's PrideOne of the great picket fences ever! Wonderful! Great marketingGotta love that sign. Dr. Vedder will make you better. Augustine, here I comeHave seen now several pictures of Augustine. I believe I should have been born there and not in in the wet-feet country Holland. Clean alleyObviously, the posts at each end kept vehicles (horse-drawn at that time) from traveling down the alley. No back door deliveries on this segment of Treasury St. Also no horse manure on the cobblestones. If men didn't pee there (forgive me, I have lived in a third-world country), it was not a bad-smelling place. The alley has a slight V-shape, so water drained to the center and may have flowed ... somewhere. A finger of the ocean was a very short distance away, if today's Treasury Street is still in its 1890s location. Clean alleys are coming back in style. They are an important pedestrian-friendly component of "New Urbanism" neighborhoods. Other elements of New Urbanism include front porches, neighborhood stores, sidewalks, parks, common areas, and smaller lots -- much like an average middle-class 1890s neighborhood. Dens of AlligatorsDr. John J. Vedder (1819-1899), seen here, was a wealthy retired dentist and business investor from Schenectady, New York, with a passion for the natural history and fauna of Florida. He transformed his residence into a private museum, Vedder's Genuine Curiosity Store, to house his displays of Florida's native species, and learned taxidermy to create his displays. His first cousin, Elihu Vedder, Jr., was the renowned American painter. Dr. Vedder eventually sold his museum to the St. Augustine Historical Society, its first home. Here is an 1886 advertisement for Dr. Vedder's museum. AmazingThis is, by far, the most amazing photo I've seen on Shorpy yet. It has a time-machine quality to it; you can almost feel what it would have been like to stand there with the good doctor. The image also has a sense of movement - when you look at the gentleman in the distance at the other end of the alley, who is strolling down the street. I'm left wondering, though, what the sign leaning against Dr. Vedder's 1st floor window says. ["Oceanic Sun Fish." - Dave] LoveThis is the kind of photo I get lost in. Wonderful. I love you Shorpy's. Family member hereI am a great-great-great grandson of Dr. John Vedder. I have seen several photos of him but this is by far the clearest. There is a similar photograph in the Rollins College Archives. You can read all you care to know about the Vedder Museum here: http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wabnoles/veddermuseum.htm... Curlicues and flourishesIt's always fascinating to see how commercial signage styles change. One thing you would never expect to see any more is the decorative detail in the D, and that thingy dangling from the V. A Great TownAn amazing photograph with the kind of clarity that glass plate negatives could give. Dr. Vedders' building was originally the Panton and Lesley office, built during the 1770s British period. They were the licensed Indian traders at the time of the Revolution. It is currently the site of the Hilton hotel, but the short wall in front is still there, retained as an historical artifact, as is Treasury Street itself, touted for years as the country's narrowest thouroughfare. Bay Street is now Castillo Drive, but is still commonly called the Bayfront. It's a great place to visit! (The Gallery, DPC, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
The Continental: 1902
... 1902. "Hotel Continental -- Atlantic Beach, Florida." Henry Flagler's massive wood-frame hostelry opened in 1901 and burned in 1919. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. You never ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/17/2014 - 11:35pm -

1902. "Hotel Continental -- Atlantic Beach, Florida." Henry Flagler's massive wood-frame hostelry opened in 1901 and burned in 1919. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size. You never come out aheadI think the most risky business during that period must have been insuring Hotels against fire. Wood, ocean breeze,and enclosed groups of people were apparently not a good idea. Replace all divots.From FloridaMemory.com, "Golf links and palm trees, Continental Hotel - Atlantic Beach, Florida". Postcard postmarked July 1 1906. The beach is definitely the place to be in July in north Florida. Show Me The MoneySweet! I love Henry Flagler! Thanks for posting one of his masterpieces. He had many. Feel free to post more! (The Gallery, DPC, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
Rice Creek: 1890s
... St. Johns River near Palatka. 8x10 inch glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. Always the artist I'm most familiar ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 05/18/2014 - 12:31am -

Putnam County, Florida, circa 1890s. "Rice Creek near Brown's Landing." A tributary of the St. Johns River near Palatka. 8x10 inch glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. Always the artistI'm most familiar with Jackson's Western photographs. He was such a consummate artist, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the composition of this photograph. Women and Children FirstBefore I left the shore in that canoe I would require three things: life jacket, large bailing bucket and a lifeboat. Make that four things-- a 16 oz. bottle of Alligator-B-Gone will come in handy. Good Deed Doers!My ex-wife, Beth Hollenbeck, runs an outfit called Eco-Action. And every weekend this group is out in their canoes hauling awful trash from these once pristine rivers in Florida. I had the honor of helping them one summer and taking photos. You can not believe what they haul out of these lovely waters! Been there. I was in this river recently and while I did not see a lot of trash, it certainly has changed. During spring break hundrerds of young people from the nearby college go in tubes and drink beer, smoke and play music... That is when, I guess the trash arrives.! Florida as it Once WasOh, for a time machine. "Down in Louisiana"Yes, I know this is Florida, but as soon as I clicked on "hi-def image" and the swamp drew me in, the lyrics to "Polk Salad Annie" by Tony Joe White (1968) popped into my mind, mainly those that say "where the alligators grow so mean" because this definitely depicts a swamp full of breeding alligators. New Orleans has similar scenes with Spanish moss and snakes draping the trees and heaven knows what may be lurking in the sultry stew of swamp water. I love all of the variety of moods and themes in America, but there is something so unique and special and earthy about the deep south, so very real and yet mysterious. It's great to be alive if you don't discuss politics. Good Deed Doers reduxOne afternoon of trash collecting and this was a slow day! Photo: Missing colorsHere's a photo that really needs colorizing. Vernacular WatercraftThat boat appears to be a dugout canoe slightly modified to be more rowboat-like, a fairly common type of craft at that place and time. Some were made into the 20th century. All it took was a cypress log, an axe, and time, all of which were in plentiful supply. At the far right, there's a tantalizing glimpse of dock pilings (Brown's Landing?) and the bow of a larger boat. I'd sure like a better look. (The Gallery, Boats & Bridges, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
Mammoth Plates: 1891
... flooding. Note the giant camera and tripod employed by William Henry Jackson in the making of his heroically proportioned photographs, the ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 08/13/2012 - 7:56pm -

Mexico circa 1891. "Ferrocarill Central Mexicano. Canal of Nochistongo," a drainage excavated in the 17th and 18th centuries to keep Mexico City from flooding. Note the giant camera and tripod employed by William Henry Jackson in the making of his heroically proportioned photographs, the largest of which were recorded on a medium the archivists call "mammoth plates" -- glass negatives that measured 18 by 22 inches. (This particular image was made on an 8x10 inch glass plate -- what modern photographers would consider "large format," but still only a fifth the size of an 18x22.) Detroit Publishing Co. glass negative. View full size. Big CamerasWere those "Mammoth Plate" cameras custom or home made or were they available commercially? ImpressiveI used to shoot a lot of landscapes in large format (4x5) before the digital age hit photography. I can identify with these gents lugging all that equipment around but not to the extent they did. I cannot imagine 18x22 in the field. My hat's off to them. That's an extremely hard thing to do. Unsteady footingOne slip, and goodbye large format camera, tripod and photographer! PerspectiveIs anyone fooled by the perspective here? It doesn't look like that ledge is tall enough for the train to look as tiny as it does! The Big Picture>> Were those "Mammoth Plate" cameras custom or home made or were they available commercially? If you were a photographer in the mid 19th century you'd most likely buy a prefab lens assembly and make the box yourself (not that complicated, as most cameras then didn't have shutters), or have one made to your specification. After the Civil War, American Optical, Scovill and the Henry Clay Co. were among the commercial makers of big view and box cameras. A nice selection here. Rapido corren los carrosMakes me think of a rolling "rrrrrr" tongue-twister a Mexican priest taught me many years ago: "Rapido corren los carros cargados de azucar de los ferrocarriles." Glass PlatesGlass plates were coated on the spot. Or at least the night before. The glass was the expensive part, the silver nitrate emulsion came in either screw top tins or light tight jars, and were coated in the field. If the plate negative was not satisfactory it was a simple matter to strip the emulsion, recoat the glass plate and try again. [You're thinking of the wet-plate negatives used around the time of the Civil War. Most glass plates made after 1880 (including this one) are dry-plate negatives -- coated with emulsion by the manufacturer and presensitized. - Dave] Little Town in the backgroundI like how you can make out the little town in the background of the photo. You can see the big church with its dome and towers. Very nice picture. I wonder where in Mexico this was taken. Nochistongo CutThe little town in the background distance of the photo is Huehuetoca, State of Mexico. The domed church that you can see in the distance is still there and can be located near the center of town on google maps. This impressive ditch called the Nochistongo Cut (El Tajo de Nochistongo) was dug by hand (mostly indigenous near slaves) starting, if I recall correctly, in about 1607 and took about 120 years to complete. It is said that up to 30,000 laborers were worked to death in the process, though I haven’t seen any historical texts confirming it. Considering the times & place it could easily be true. It’s about 45 miles from Mexico City and is visible (the ditch) in satellite view though the waterway is obscured by trees & bushes. The railroad still passes there but there are 4 lines now. The area is rapidly filling up with outer suburbs of the capital. It was dug in an effort to relieve the severe flooding Mexico City was subject to ever since the Spanish conquest, when the Spaniards as a tactic destroyed some of the protective dikes the Aztecs and their precursors had erected to regulate water flow in the Valley of Mexico and then proceeded to erect their own capital city on the ruins. Ultimately the cut was not successful at stopping the flooding, as Mexico City was sinking slowly into the mud of the ancient lake beds, leaving the drainage collectors too high to drain all of the low areas of the city. (The Gallery, DPC, Railroads, W.H. Jackson)
The Ormond: 1894
... Ormond Beach, Florida, 1894. "The Ormond." At its peak, Henry Flagler's Hotel Ormond was reputed to be the largest wooden structure ... and breezeways. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. All that wood and it did ... 
 
Posted by Dave - 04/10/2019 - 1:18pm -

Ormond Beach, Florida, 1894. "The Ormond." At its peak, Henry Flagler's Hotel Ormond was reputed to be the largest wooden structure in the United States, with 400 rooms connected by 11 miles of corridors and breezeways. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative by William Henry Jackson. View full size. All that woodand it did not burn! A Thing of BeautyWhat a beautiful and gracious building. One That Slipped ThroughDidn't burn?? How did this get past the Shorpy censors?? A Very Big Place!Here's a link to a great site that has numerous pictures of the Hotel Ormond in 1992 before it was demolished. http://www.historic-structures.com/fl/ormond_beach/ormond_hotel.php Why it didn't burnLook through the pictures that Vonderhees linked (thank you); you will see that the kitchen (and boiler I'd guess) are in a separate, masonry building, and throughout the hotel, there are sprinklers. The neatest part is that in the ballrooms--I'd presume in the older, nicer sections of the hotel--they are built into the plasterwork. If it had been a 1960s or 1970s retrofit, those pipes would likely have been visible. So I'm guessing that from the start, or soon thereafter, somebody knew what he was doing and took safety seriously. (The Gallery, Bicycles, DPC, Florida, W.H. Jackson)
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