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| Over the years, the main business district on Broad Street in downtown Camilla has been captured many times on film. What is amazing is that almost every photograph of that area has been taken from the same location - from the corner of Scott and Broad. Here are a few samples. Note the many changes shown. |
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 | | This high-quality photo of downtown was taken in approximately 1902, based on the electric lights and other key factors. The original photo is located at the DeSoto Trail Regional Library. Note the old courthouse in the background, and the well in the back right. The purpose of the building on the left side of the street beyond the courthouse is a mystery. |
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 | | This photo is archived in the DeSoto Trail Regional Library, and shows the downtown area in the approximately 1906 timeframe. This estimate is based on the presence of the "J.F. Clark Job Printing" company, which is thought to have been the source of the "Camilla Clarion(?)", which was only printed during this one year. Noteworthy are the Wade & Co. Saloon, (according to Tom Cullens Jr., this was owned by George Lycurus Wade, his dad’s grandfather; his great-grandfather.)
We also notice the presence of an electric light on the right side which also appears in the 1902 photo. A mystery is the missing power pole in front of the last store on the left, which is present in the 1902 photo. Another mystery is the purpose of the large tripod near the courthouse (also shown in the 1902 photo). We think that this may have been used to drill the hand well at the courthouse.
The small unidentified building beyond the courthouse in the 1902 photo does not appear to be present in this shot (but may be hidden behind the horse and buggy). |
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 | | This photo is estimated to be from the early 1940s, based on the automobiles present. The one on the left side of the street is thought to be a 1942 Chevrolet. This photo was provided by Diane Dixon and is thought to be a copy of a Warren Kirbo photo. Note the presence of the Hawthorne Trail monument in the middle of the road, where it resided prior to being moved out to its present location. Also noteworthy are the "Frenchy Cafe", and the "Lido Hotel". |
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 | | Here is another photo from this same general camera angle, and from the same approximate timeframe. Note the police station on the right. Things were a little busier in this photo. |
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 | | This photo is of present-day downtown Camilla, taken by Warren Royal. |
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