Browse Items (10044 total)

Illinois Terminal Bridge Construction

Photograph of the Illinois Terminal Bridge construction over the Sangamon River. J. K. Stafford was probably Decatur's first industrial photographer. For 26 years he was employed by the Decatur Bridge Company and during this time took hundreds of…

Bachman Bros. & Martin Co. Building

Photograph the construction of the Bachman Bros. & Martin Co. building. This building was constructed in 1912-1913 with the formal opening in Sept. 1913. The name was changed to Bachman Co. in 1923. In October 1924 Linn & Scruggs moved into this…

Citizens National Bank Building

Photograph of the Citizens National Bank Building, no date on negative, but this building was started in the early part of 1909. Note old Masonic Temple and the Nickelodeon Theater in this photo. Print from J. K. Stafford Collection of negatives…

Photo of Old Post Office

Photograph of Old Post Office Located N. Main and Eldorado Streets. Print from J. K. Stafford Collection of negatives taken in the late 1890's and early 1900's which were in the possession of Mr. and Mrs. Jack French of Cerro Gordo in 1954--recovered…

Photo of St. John's Episcopal Church Consecration 1912

Photograph of St. John's Episcopal Church Consecration in 1912. Photo shows procession leading into the church. Print from J. K. Stafford collection of negatives taken in the late 1890's and early 1900's which were in possession of Mr. and Mrs. Jack…

Photographs of President William McKinley standing on speakers platform at the Wabash R. R. Station, Oct. 15,, 1898.

Photos of Pres. William B. McKinley speaking to the crowd at the Wabash R. R. station, in first three photos. Photos of unidentified speakers at President William McKinley's rally. These photos were taken on October 15, 1898.

Photographs of President William Howard Taft.

Photographs of President Howard Taft during his visit to Decatur February 11, 1910.
VS33: "William Howard Taft, far left, favored greeters with a fine sample of the famous Taft smile as he stepped off the train for his Decatur visit in 1911. And…

Photo of City Government Nominating E. S. McDonald for Mayor.

Photograph: "Politics, Nominating E. S. McDonald for Mayor. Photo taken March 22, 1907 at 5 p.m. Print from J. K. Stafford collection of negatives taken in the late 1890's and early 1900's which were in possession of Mr. and Mrs. Jack French of Cerro…

J.A. Fisher and Family

Photograph of J.A. Fisher and family. The group is standing in front of a house in Decatur, IL

Photographs of Fire Department Steamer

Photographs of the Fire Departments steamer, taken around the time of the Morehouse & Wells fire on August 22, 1909. One photograph taken on East Main St. The arrival of fire equipment on the square often brought crowds of curious onlookers.