James E. Baggs photograph collection, 1894-1914.

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  • Collection ID 1989.0203
  • Title James E. Baggs photograph collection [graphic].
  • Dates 1894-1914.
  • Physical description
    • 108 photographic prints : b&w ; 11 x 14 in. or smaller.
    • 1 photomechanical print : plan, cyanotype ; 120 x 26 cm. (58 3/4 x 10 in.)
  • Collection summary Photoprints relating to the career of James Edward Baggs, superintendent for the Kelly-Atkinson Construction Company (Chicago, Ill.). Photographs focus on ironworking activities, primarily bridge building. Includes scenes about building bridges from the Des Moines, Monongahela and Snake Rivers as well as unidentified locations. Also includes progress photographs of the dismantling of the Ferris Wheel in Chicago after the close of the World's Columbian Exposition (1894), construction of an unknown building, a power winch designed by Baggs, scenes from the construction of the elevated railway in Chicago, and a portrait of Baggs. Some images show workmen, generally posed for the camera rather than actually working. The company foreman, Mr. Turnipsee, is often shown, similar to Baggs, in bowler hat and tie. A few snapshots show a trip to Key West, Fla. The plan shows an elevation for the Boone County Railway Bridge (1900) over the Des Moines River.
  • Finding Aids Note Container list available (1989-203).
  • Acquisition information Gift of Doris and Lois McWhorter, 1989 (1989.0203).
  • Names
    • Baggs, James Edward, 1864-1915.
    • Turnipsee, Mr.
    • Kelly-Atkinson Construction Company (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Subjects
    • Bridges Pennsylvania. lctgm
    • Bridges United States. lctgm
    • Bridges Washington. lctgm
    • Construction industry Illinois Chicago. lctgm
    • Elevated railroads Illinois Chicago. lctgm
    • Ferris wheels Illinois Chicago. lctgm
    • Railroad bridges Iowa. lctgm
    • Industries Illinois Chicago.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Des Moines River
    • Key West (Fla.) Pictorial works.
    • Monongahela River (W. Va. and Pa.)
    • Snake River (Wyo.-Wash.)
  • Genre
    • Card photographs. tgm
    • Plans. gmgpc
    • Progress photographs. gmgpc
    • Snapshots. gmgpc
    • Albumen prints. gmgpc
    • Cyanotypes. gmgpc
    • Gelatin silver prints. gmgpc
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
  • Finding aid URL Finding aid available online http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/fa/1989/203.htm