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February 27, 2008
April 1865 panorama of Petersburg - UPDATED
[UPDATE: For a larger image with greater detail, click here. And if you hover over the larger image, you should be able to zoom a bit by left-clicking, to see even further detail.] [Moderator's note: I removed the link to the large-format image at the copyright holder's request.]
In April 1865 a Brady photographer, standing on Archers Hill, exposed four images of Petersburg, looking south across the river. Perhaps the photographer originally intended to create a panorama from all four images, but it was not done until 2002, 137 years later, when Michael Vaughan stitched the images together in a large, high-resolution print. In this print, one can make out details such as a horse grazing across a footpath, wash hanging on clothes lines and fluttering in the breeze, and a couple of people on the banks of the Appomattox. One can also see the architecture of mid-19th century Petersburg in glorious detail.
Thanks to Michael Vaughan for sharing his copyrighted image with us.
Folks, I micro-size photos for loading on this site, but suffice it to say that the detail on the larger, high-res version is right impressive. (I’ll see if I can’t figure out a way to link the photo to a somewhat larger version, so you can appreciate how tasty this pic is.)
Credit to Brian Caldwell of Petersburg for the initial technical work of stitching together the Petersburg photo-mosaic panorama using pano tools software. Brian introduced me & others to the wonders of creating photo-mosaics.
OK, so when do we get to see the current view from the same location!?
I’m tempted to try to find that spot myself but I bet it’s in someones back yard by now.
I think he moved his camera & tripod several times to get the photo series. Its likely one or more of the shots would now be within someone’s house…. but it would still be fun to try to replicate the panorama.
My cousin and I, both native to Petersburg, have been trying to spot various landmarks. So far we have these:(left to right)
Bollingbrook Hotel
Odd Fellows’ Hall
Courthouse
Tabb Street Presbyterian
Custom House
St. Paul’s Episcopal
First Baptist
Can anyone spot others?
Frank Fitzgerald
High Street townhouses
Southside Station
Peter Jones Trading Post and The Golden Ball hotel in front of it(?) That would be on a line south from the 18th Century stone house on the north side of the river. I think Peter Jones Trading Post is just above the low building with the long side gable roof.
How can I get a copy of this photograph ?
*nods* what Allen said. That would look AWESOME mounted and framed in my hallway!
Can we get pictures? I own the house Peter Jone’s great grandson built and would love to display the photo
How can I purchase a copy of this photograph? I have much family history in the city, as well as I myself grew up there and attended its public schools.
Please email me - jw2719@msn.com
Thanks.
I appreciate the interest of those expressing interest in owning a copy of the Petersburg 1865 Panorama. The cost of reproducing large format photgraphs is pretty steep. Perhaps too steep for the market. I am going to explore options, including size, mounting,framing and whether only a limited issue of prints should be numbered and sold. If I decide it is feasible to sell the prints, earnings from the sale will be contributed to help in the stabilization & restoration of 19th Century houses in Petersburg. Thanks again for your interest. The Petersburg panorama is indeed remarkable!
Wasn’t sure where to put this but…another picture from 1865 Petersburg….really neat.
http://chuckinabox.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/pburg-courthouse-1865.jpg
Now that’s interesting.
I’ve often wondered what the buildings looked like that stood where the parking lot is now. You can still see the shadow of them on the existing walls.
Did they become what is now the parking lot as a result of the ‘93 tornado, or unrelated?
Check out the cobblestone street…no doubt still under the asphalt on Sycamore.
Brenda,
The courthouse parking lot has been like it is for many years. I remember as a boy that there was as service station. I think it is where the right parking lot is. It was there sometime in the 60s.
What some may find interesting is the fact that underneath the pavement of Franklin Street between Adams and Sycamomre is brick. The brick was yellow in color. I forgot when it was paved over. Perhaps in the early 70s? Sometimes you can see the brick when a hunk of asphalt is missing.