Browsing through antique and thrift shops, I come across so many photographs I hate to leave behind. Any with names written on them come back with me. My hope is to get that photo back ‘home' to its current family. Occasionally a few do come home with me to add to my collection. This one made me curious as I had never heard of the Boston Railroad Photo car.
In the 19th century, the Boston Railroad Photo Car traveled the rails all decked out with cameras, studio, darkroom and living quarters. This gave people in smaller, more rural communities the opportunity to have professional pictures taken. Not every town had a resident photographer.
Wisconsin photographer H. H. Bennett also had a portable photography studio.
When you find vintage postcards from the Wisconsin Dells area (originally Kilbourn City), you are likely seeing the work of H.H. Bennett. He developed ground breaking equipment and photographic techniques through which he documented the area’s breath-taking scenery. He also portrayed the stories of the people who made Wisconsin’s wilderness their
home.
Bennett was 14 years old when he arrived in Kilbourn City with his father and uncle in 1857. He worked as a carpenter until he joined the 12th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment when the Civil War broke out. He accidentally shot himself during the war, the wound prevented him from returning to carpentry. He purchased an existing photography shop in Kilbourn City that launched his career. He married Francis Douty in 1866 and they had three children. When she passed away in 1884, he married Evaline Marshall in 1890. They had two children.
Bennett crafted all of his equipment except the camera lenses. He also built a portable darkroom and towed his equipment through the wilderness. He even loaded his equipment onto a boat to photograph the Dells. (Photo: Wisconsin Historical Society)
I could not find out whether he took his family along often on many excursions. The photo at left was taken by Bennett in 1886. He captured his son Ashley in a mid-air jump to Stand Rock.
There is so much more to know about Mr. Bennett and I will do a bit more research about him in the future. In the meantime, you can visit his shop in Wisconsin Dells today. It is thought by many to be the longest running photography business in the country.
To find more information about the man who made the Wisconsin Dells famous, click on the link below.
If you are interested in purchasing the Boston Railroad Photo Car cabinet photo, please contact me at ryan3@tds.net
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