June 14, 1987
By David Buchanan
Vigo County Historical Society
Old photos picture our history
Almost 100 years ago the Eastman Kodak Co. began introducing cameras for the masses. Before that time, photographs were taken and developed only by photographers. The new cameras allowed the average person to snap pictures, then mail the film in to be developed and returned.
With the introduction of cheap cameras, people began taking thousands of pictures. Subjects ranged from a bride and groom in their wedding finery to the newfangled washing machine that worked by simple turning cranks. New homes, new businesses, funerals, picnics, vacations parties, anything that could be found in the viewport of a camera could, and often did, become the subject of a photo.
Many of the photos were stuck, unlabeled and undated, into albums or frames. Eventually they were relegated to closet shelves, basements, drawers or attics. Many finally were thrown away, but others were rediscovered, usually with cries of: “I wish they had written about this on the back!”
Over the years a number of these photos have been given to the Historical Museum. The historical treasure of the week is a photograph of the Wade Duncan Cafe, 677 Wabash. The cafe was located there from 1912 until 1920. Berkowitz Luggage later occupied the same spot.
Such photographs are of great importance to researchers and historians because they provide a wealth of information about changes that have happened in our community. Individual memories always are suspect because they, too, can change over the years. Yet a photograph always remains the same, recording that instant of time and all of the details that made that moment.
It is apparent from the photograph that the cafe was built to the best of taste for its time. It also shows that expense was not a strong factor in its construction, because construction materials appear to be the best.
Large Ionic capped stone columns frame the doors and windows. Below each window is a large slab of veined marble with matching marble supporting each of the columns. Above each of the free-standing columns are small pilasters, also with Ionic caps.
The facade is completely symmetric and very rhythmical with repeating elements. There are even two street numbers surrounded by ornately carved floral frames on each side of the cafe’s name.
All of the windows are stained glass in ornate patterns. Even the entrance doors to the upper levels have matching stained glass inserts. Above the recessed main entrance doors is a large half-domed stained glass canopy.
One of the most interesting aspects of studying old photographs is that they not only answer questions about the past, but, at times, they create questions.
Another old photograph--on page 69 in the Vigo County Historical Society’s book “On the Banks of the Wabash”--shows a half domed stained-glass canopy over the entrance door to Madam Brown’s house. It may be the same dome.
After the demolition of Madam Brown’s door, the stained glass dome was crated and became a part of the Carson Collection, given to Indiana State University in 1970.
Whether the stained-glass dome that hung over Madam Brown’s house is the same one that welcomed those entering the Wade Duncan Cafe will not be knows until the dome is uncrated and on display. But with the photograph of Wade Duncan’s Cafe facade it will be easy to tell if the two domes are actually the same.
The many other photographs in the collection at the museum will serve much the same purpose. As time passes and changes take place, these photographs will continue to be a fascinating record of our community’s past.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.