Early Photo of Buildings in Elmira, New York (1856)

 

"Elmira, N.Y., from Haight's Hotel." Early photo of buildings in Elmira, New York, c. 1856. Taken by photographer Frederick Langenheim and originally published as a stereoscopic photo in an album.

Source: Library of Congress.

Early Photo of the General Post Office Building in Washington DC (1850)

 

Photo of the General Post Office building in Washington, D.C., probably taken in July 1850. The building appears partially draped in dark mourning bunting to memorialize President Zachary Taylor who had died on July 9, 1850. This makes it probably the earliest extant photo showing memorialization of a recently deceased US President. Taken by the Langenheim brothers and originally published as a salted paper print.

Source: J. Paul Getty Museum.

Early Photo of Parsons West Jersey Hotel in Camden, New Jersey (1850)

 

View of Parsons West Jersey Hotel in Camden, New Jersey, c. 1850. The building was constructed 1849-1850, was eventually renamed the Hotel Ridgway during the early 1900s and seems to have finally been demolished during the 1950s. Taken by the Langenheim brothers and originally published as a salted paper print.

Source: J. Paul Getty Museum.

Another early image West Jersey Hotel.

More information.

Photo of Peirce Mill and Peirce Barn Along Rock Creek in Washington DC (1855)

 

View of Peirce Mill (right) and Peirce Barn (building in background) along Rock Creek in Washington, D.C., September 26, 1855. The building between the mill and barn appears to be another barn which is no longer standing today. Attributed to Titian Ramsay Peale.

Source: National Museum of American History.

Photo of Union Soldiers of the 6th Massachusetts Militia Regiment Posing in Battle Monument Square in Baltimore, Maryland (1861)

Portrait photo of Union soldiers of the 6th Massachusetts Militia Regiment posing in front of the War of 1812 Battle Monument in Battle Monument Square in Baltimore, Maryland, July 1, 1861. Attributed to photographer William Weaver. I think it is a possibility that using a studio portrait lens to take this outdoor photograph caused the edges of it to look so out of focus.

Source: Library of Congress.

Portrait of a Family Group Posing in Front of George Washington's Mount Vernon Mansion in Fairfax County, Virginia (1859-1860)

 

Portrait of a group posing in front of George Washington's Mount Vernon mansion in Fairfax, Virginia, c. 1859-1860. What looks like a blurry family can be seen sitting on the lawn in front of the second pillar and a man can be seen looking on at far right. At least two ship masts and two wooden planks can be seen holding up the deteriorated left side of the porch. Attributed to either John Wood or Montgomery Meigs.

Source: Library of Congress.

Portrait of an Unidentified Man Posing on the Rear Platform of a Train Car (1863)

 

Portrait of an unidentified man posing on the rear platform of a train car, c. 1863.

Source: J. Paul Getty Museum.

Portrait of an Unidentified Soldier Taken by Welsh Photographer Calvert Richard Jones (1840's)

Portrait of an unidentified soldier by Welsh photographer Calvert Richard Jones, c. 1845-1850.

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Portrait of a Group of Afro-Brazilian Railroad Workers (1850's)

Portrait of a group of Afro-Brazilian railroad workers, c. 1855-1860.

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Portrait of English Stage Actress Jean Margaret Davenport (1850's)

Portrait of English stage actress Jean Margaret Davenport, c. 1853-1856. By American photographer Frederick De Bourg Richards.

Source: Library of Congress.

Portrait of Future Opera Singer Adelina Patti Pointing at a Print of Swedish Opera Singer Jenny Lind (1854)

Portrait of future opera singer Adelina Patti pointing at a print of Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind, c. 1854. By American photographer Frederick DeBourg Richards.

Source: Library of Congress.

View of the Virginia Washington Monument Taken on the Day of Its Unveiling in Richmond, Virginia (1858)

View of onlookers and the Virginia Washington Monument taken on the day of its unveiling in Richmond, Virginia, February 22, 1858.

Source: Library of Congress.

Self-Portrait of American Photographer Frederick DeBourg Richards (1850′s)

Self-portrait of American photographer Frederick DeBourg Richards, c. 1850′s.

Source: Library of Congress.

Portrait of President Millard Fillmore Attributed to Baltimore Photographer Jesse Harrison Whitehurst (1850′s)

Portrait of President Millard Fillmore attributed to Baltimore photographer Jesse Harrison Whitehurst, c. 1850′s.

Source: Library of Congress.
More information.

A Group Posing in Front of Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1850′s)

 

A group posing in front of Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, c. 1850′s. By Frederick De Bourg Richards.

Source.

A Man Posing With the Tombstone of Aaron Burr in Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, New Jersey (1850′s)

A man posing with the tombstone of Aaron Burr in Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, New Jersey, c. 1850′s. By Frederick De Bourg Richards.

Source.

Photo of Six Union Soldier Musicians of the 4th Vermont Volunteer Infantry Regiment Posing in a Camp Somewhere in Virginia (1862)

Portrait of six Union musicians of the 4th Vermont Volunteer Infantry Regiment posing in a camp somewhere in Virginia, possibly Camp Griffin in what is now McLean, Virginia, c. 1862. Taken by photographer George Houghton.

Source: Library of Congress.

Four Union Soldiers Testing a Blanket Boat on the Potomac River During the Civil War (1862)

Four Union soldiers testing a blanket boat on the Potomac River during the Civil War, c. 1862. Originally captioned: ”Blanket boats on the Potomac at some distance from shore. A pair of boats carries four men, and a single small boat made of an ordinary blanket, one man, who is sitting on the bottom. Boats of blankets of the ordinary size are too small. They have buoyancy enough to carry a man, but he must be very expert in the use of a canoe, or he will upset.” By Andrew J. Russell.

Source.

Calotype Portrait of a Group Having Tea at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, England (1843)

Calotype portrait of a group having tea at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, England, August 17, 1843. By William Henry Fox Talbot.

Source.

A Group of Ku Klux Klansmen Posing With a Human Skull and Crossbones in Watertown, New York

A group of Ku Klux Klansmen posing with a human skull and crossbones in Watertown, New York, c. 1870. By Hart.

Source.