Group of People in Front of Building
Datec. 1905
MediumPaper
ClassificationsDocumentary Artifact
Catalog number1987.1.356
DescriptionThe location of this photo and the identities of the people pictured are unknown. The photo is part of a group of images that have connections to the 1st Christian Church of Tempe, which was located at the northeast corner of Forest Avenue and University. The people in the photo may be affiliated with the 1st Christian Church.It is likely that this building was in another city in the region, such as Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Globe, Bisbee, or any number of communities (particularly mining centers) that had substantial commercial districts. The adjacent building to the right appears to be a two-story adobe, which suggests that the city is in southern Arizona, as adobe construction was more common in the region than seen in the northern part of the territory/state (and multi-story adobe buildings are fairly uncommon). The building’s masonry construction is distinguished by the fact that the stone courses alternate in size in what appears to be a rather random pattern. Many other masonry buildings around Arizona in the 1890s to early 1900s tend to show more symmetry to the course work.
There are 49 people in the photo, most of whom are children or teenagers. The summer dresses and lack of heavy coats suggests a warmer time of year. One of the persons wearing a dress on the right of the image appears to be a teenage boy, which would be surprising for a church group in this time period given the Euro-American culture. A man with a long beard stands at left and wears a long frock coat, suggesting that he might be a priest, although he could also be a veteran of the Civil War.
Status
Not on view
c. 1920
August 24, 1907
