A Southern street fair in Vicksburg gives us a "slice of life" still-frame of the citizenry. Notice the spire of the Court House rising on the hilltop behind the row of fine homes. It stands to this day as the Old Court House Museum. This photo was taken around 1906.
Source: Detroit Publishing Company, #019406, a gift from the State Historical Society of Colorado, 1949.
SIZE=209k

Looking down Washington Street in another time ... the Vicksburg of 75 years ago was still in the "horse & buggy" era. But note the trolley tracks and overhead wires ... signs of progress threatening to pass by the gentler times of another age.
Source: Detroit Publishing Company, #0500914, a gift from the State Historical Society of Colorado, 1949.
SIZE=215k

Looking the other direction up Washington Street, it's a lazy morning ... only a couple of pedestrians and a smattering of buggy traffic. Our trolley isn't here yet ... we'll just wait and enjoy the sunshine. Looking at the building on the left, does anyone recognize the symbol painted on the wall?
Source: Detroit Publishing Company, #01567, a gift from the State Historical Society of Colorado, 1949.
SIZE=172k

City Hall was a real showpiece in 1906, don't you think? This was an edifice worthy of an aggressive and modern city government ... you can almost visualize the closed door council sessions on the third floor!
Source: Detroit Publishing Company, #019401, a gift from the State Historical Society of Colorado, 1949.
SIZE=198k



 
 
 
 



 

Quite the cosmopolitan city in those days, Vicksburg sported her own Opera House ... which doubled as the Elks Lodge. Deserted at this early hour, it'll be standing room only on Saturday evening! This photo was taken in the 1910-1920 time period.
Source: Detroit Publishing Company #073336, a gift from the State Historical Society of Colorado, 1949.
SIZE=154k

This elegant entrance to the National Military Cemetery (left) was new in 1906 when this photo was captured. The memorial arch still serves as a reminder of the city's and the nation's sacrifices. A truly impressive sight was one of the new concrete observation towers (right) built to better view the battlefield. This photo was taken around 1910-1920. I remember them as a child in the mid-fifties ... yearning to be climbed, they were unsafe to climb even at that time. They were demolished shortly thereafter.
Source: Detroit Publishing Company #019402 and #073341, gifts of the State Historical Society of Colorado, 1949.
SIZE=202k ... 101k
 

SOURCE: Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress
 
 

Some graphics courtesy of Clip Art Warehouse.

© 1996 Richard Holler