Manhattan, Kansas carte de visite photographs, 1863-1866

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Burgoyne, George
Physical description:
1.00 Linear Feet, 1.00 Box Post-Fire Oversize Extent: Boz 1 (9x12); 509S: 19/6/4
Language:
English
Latin

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of four Carte de visites (CdV) documenting Manhattan, Kansas and spanning the years 1863-1866. The photographs have been attributed to George Burgoyne (active Manhattan 1859-1890), and were presumably taken from his studio window. At the time of acquisition (2000), all four views bore penciled identifications on the versos, each image identified as Burgoyne's work, each subject identified and dated. Some of this information was presumably transferred from an album that once included the pictures.
The earliest CdV, dated 1863, includes Manhattan's main street, Poyntz Avenue, looking towards the East. The second, dated 1864, presents the town's residences, outhouses, and dirt streets in the direction of Bluemont Hill to the North. The third and fourth images return to the easterly vantage point of the 1863 image. One shows phalanxed U.S. troops crossing the mouth of the Big Blue River as part of the Indian Expedition on 28 June 1865. The final Carte de visite, dated 1866, reveals the addition of new commercial buildings along the city's main artery.
The collection is an important one for frontier Manhattan, as it includes the earliest known views of its commercial and residential districts.

Biographical / historical:

George Burgoyne (1834-1923) was the first professional photographer to operate a studio in Manhattan, Kansas. Born in England, Burgoyne established residence in Kansas Territory in 1857. Two years later he founded his photographic studio, specializing in Carte de visite portraits. His business flourished for 31 years, until his retirement in 1890.
The earliest extant views of Manhattan have been attributed to Burgoyne.
"Early Days in Riley County." Manhattan Nationalist 29 November 1923.
1890, he sold his studio to George F. Dewey and retired to a fruit farm that he owned in California. See "Reduction in Prices." Manhattan Mercury 5 June 1890 and "George Burgoyne has sold his photograph gallery." Manhattan Mercury 6 June 1890.

Acquisition information:
Acqusition Source: Institutional purchase 2000 Acqusition Method: Purchase. Acqusition Date: 20000210
Processing information:

Finding Aid Author: Keli Rylance and Jarrod Kuckelman
Processing Info: Accessioned by Keli Rylance, August 2017
Processed by Jarrod Kuckelman, September 2017

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Note:

Preferred Citation: [Item title], [item date], Manhattan, Kansas carte de visite photographs, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.

General note:

Published

Dacs citation:

Preferred Citation: [Item title], [item date], Manhattan, Kansas carte de visite photographs, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.

Subjects

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Subjects:
Kansas life and culture
Military history

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