Thursday, February 1, 2024

Kansas Cabinet Cards - Cities: L

Included on this special set of pages are Cabinet Card examples from just one state, Kansas. A sort of index. They are presented here in alphabetical order according to location.

Why Kansas?

In 1865, when the Cabinet Card size for photo mounts began its popularity, Kansas had only been a state for 4 years. Even today there are less than 400 towns with a population over 200. Back then, even fewer. Where a Cabinet Card carries the name of the photographer and the town where he was working, the dates of city incorporation will be one clue to the date of the cabinet card.

Cabinet Cards were so popular and well known that in some photographer’s newspaper ads of the era, they were referred to merely as “Cabs”.

Most say they eventually surpassed the popularity of the Carte de Viste format. See a brief history of the Carte de Viste.

Photographers often lived and based in a larger town and “worked” the neighboring smaller towns monthly or weekly. The passenger trains were very handy back then.

Where further information on a photographer is known, a link will be provided.

The central purpose in these pages is to help place a date on cabinet cards done by various photographers in various places. Here’s hoping you spot a card design or imprint that will help you date and identify that card in your collection.

These pages are for educational and informational purposes only. Any helpful suggestions are welcomed.

Kansas Cities, Towns, Burgs and Whistlestops in the late 19th century.

Promoting the care, understanding and collection of this unique format of 19th century photography. They are more than 100 years old. Handle with care.

Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

This page is free for educational and research purposes only but, as always, if the original owner of any of these examples objects to the use on this page, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.

See also:
Owlcation is an excellent site which examines the Kansas photographers of the 19th century. Follow the link

La Crosse, KS
photographer: Conrad and Son
La Crosse, KS
example from auction site

photographer: Halladay
La Cross and Great Bend, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Halladay
La Cross and Great Bend, KS
example from auction site
La Cygne, KS
photographer: Caman
La Cygne, KS
example from auction site
photographer: H B Ellsworth
La Cygne, KS
example from auction site
(note: this card now belongs to mj aux on Flickr)
photographer: Jno A Young
La Cygne, KS
example from auction site
Larned, KS
photographer: E A Harris
Larned, KS
example from auction site
photographer: E A Harris
Larned, KS
example from Luminous Lint
photographer: E A Harris
Larned, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Mojonier
Larned, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Smith
Larned, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Smith
Larned, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Smith
Larned, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Smith
Larned, KS
example from auction site

As you might imagine there were several photographers named Wilson in the cabinet card era and even more named Smith. When more information has been found, it will be added here.

Not only does there appear to have been
more than one "Smith"
and more than one "Wilson",
there was more than one
"Smith and Wilson"
in the area.


photographer: Smith and Wilson
Larned, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Smith and Wilson
Larned, KS
example from auction site


From newspaper items it appears the Smith and Willson were partners at least from Nov 1886 to Sept 1890.

Hanover (KS) Democrat and Enterprise -
19 Nov 1886
Pawnee County (KS) Rock Leader -
08 Sep 1890

Randolph (KS) Enterprise -
26 Nov 1896
photographer: Smith
Larned, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Smith
Larned, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Smith
Larned, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Wheeler
Larned, KS
example from auction site
Photographer: Wheeler and Nutting
Larned, KS
example from auction site
Lawrence, KS
Lawrence is the county seat of Douglas County, Kansas, and the sixth-largest city in the state.
photographer: Goodnight Studio
Lawrence, KS
example from KU Digital Library
photographer: A C Hamilton
Lawrence, KS
example from auction site

photographer: A C Hamilton
Lawrence, KS
example from Kansas Memory
Albert C Hamilton operated his gallery in Lawrence from about 1882 to his death in August 1888.
His brother William Edgar (AKA E W) Hamilton who had been working at the gallery, takes over. E W operates the same location until Feb of 1892 when he sells out to J L Morris. E W Hamilton moves to Oklahoma.

photographer: A C Hamilton
Lawrence, KS
example from K U Digital Libraries
photographer: E W Hamilton
Lawrence, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Komo Photo Co
Lawrence, KS
example from KU Digital Library
photographer: W H Lamon
123 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS
example from auction site
reverse of card at left

William H Lamon was photographer in Lawrence, KS, from 1861 to 1886 when he moved to California. His studio was on Massachusetts street about 1866 thru 1871. He died in 1895.

photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from auction site
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from pinerest
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from Blogs Library KU Spencer
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from pinerest
photographer: F F Mettner
Lawrence, KS
example from pinerest
photographer: J L Morris
Lawrence, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: J L Morris
Lawrence, KS
example from auction site

Photographer: J. B. Shane
615 Mass. St. Lawrence, Kans.
(Greatly Enhanced)
photographer> J B Shane
Lawrence, KS
example from K U Library
photographer> J B Shane
Lawrence, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Snook
67 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS
example from KU Library
reverse of card at the left
photographer: Elmer Willis of Da Lee's Art Gallery
South Tennessee St, Lawrence, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Elmer Willis of Da Lee's Art Gallery
South Tennessee St, Lawrence, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Wilson Gallery
Lawrence, KS
example from pinterest
Leavenworth, KS
photographer: Bauer Studio
Leavenworth, KS
example from pinterest
photographer: Bauer
Leavenworth, KS
example from Cabinet Card Gallery

P H Bauer had a studio in Leavenworth, Kansas, from about 1883 to 1915.

Strictly from the appearance of this card, it was likely finished well after 1900.

photographer: Birdsall
Leavenworth. KS
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: D W Cunningham
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
(greatly restored.)
reverse of card at left

There's room here for a personal rant. The owner of this card has written the price of "2--" in the upper right corner of this card. I supposed the same dealer might try to sell a 135 year old solid maple table with the price scratched in the varnish at the corner.

photographer: B Frichot
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
(Successor to Saurman)
photographer: B Frichot
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
(in very bad shape)
photographer: B Frichot
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Joseph Haag
406 Delaware, Leavenworth, KS
example from Forgotten Faces, Forgotten Places
photographer: E E Henry
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
photographer: J T Mason
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
photogrpher dated 1883
Reverse of card at left
photographer: J T Mason
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
photographer: J T Mason
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
photographer: J T Mason
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
photographer: J S Saurman
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
photographer: J S Saurman
Leavenworth, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Unknown
Leavenworth, KS
Unable to read imprint
Lebanon, KS
photographer: McNeely
Lebanon, KS
example from auction site
photographer: W H Stone
Lebanon, KS
example from LOST GALLERY
photographer: W H Stone
Lebanon, KS
example from auction site
Lehigh, KS
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Marion County was established within the Kansas Territory, which included the land for modern day Lehigh. The source of the Lehigh name was not well documented. One of the rumors is the city being slightly higher altitude which was "lay high" above the prairie, the other rumor that it was named by representatives of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania who came to Kansas and considered settling the area in the 1870s or 1880s. --- Wiki
photographer: G G Isaac
Lehigh, KS
example from auction site
Lenora, KS
Lenora was founded in 1873. It was named for Mrs. Lenora Hauser, a pioneer settler. The first post office in Lenora was established in June 1874.
photographer: Ben J Marsh
Lenora, KS
example from the Flickr Collection of mj aux
(From advertisements, Ben J Marsh was in Lenora, KS, about once a month from May of 1893 to Apr 1897. He was apparently based in Norton, KS.)
Leon, KS
Leon was founded in 1879. It was named after Leon, Iowa, which in turn was named after the Jewish "Fighting Doctor" David Camden de Leon. The first building, built in 1879, was the blacksmith shop of H. Belton. Leon was incorporated as a city in 1882. ---WIKI
photographer: F A Cooley
Leon, KS,
example from auction site
photographer> Larrick
Leon, KS
example from auction site
Augusta (KS) Weekly Gazette - 05 Mar 1897
Leroy, KS
photographer: Z Loveall
Le Roy KS,
example from picclick
(Loveall was in Le Roy, KS, in 1905)
photographer: Saunders
Liberal, KS
example from the Flickr collection of mj aux
(F L Saunders, photographer, was mentioned in the Liberal (KS) News from Dec 1892 to Sep 1895.)
Lincoln, KS
Settler George Green founded the town of Lincoln in 1870. The town was incorporated as the city of Lincoln Center in 1879.


Photographer: George E Hutchison
Lincoln, Kansas
from the collection of
rfinch on Ancestry.com
photographer: Hutchison
Lincoln, KS
example from ForgottenFacesForgottenPlaces (enhanced slightly to show name imprint)
photographer: Hutchison
Lincoln, KS
Example from auction site
photographer: Hutchison
Lincoln, KS
Example from auction site
photographer: Hutchison
Lincoln, KS
Example from auction site
photographer: Hutchison
Lincoln, KS
Example from auction site
photographer: G F Hutchison
Lincoln and Lucas, KS
example from auction site
Photographer: G E Hutchison
Lincoln, KS
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
Photographer: G E Hutchison
Lincoln, KS
example from auction site
Photographer: G E Hutchison
Lincoln, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Wide Awake Gallery
Lincoln, KS
example from auction site
(Advertised in local newspapers from Nov 1890 to May of 1894 in Lincoln KS.)
photographer: Wide Awake Gallery
Lincoln, KS
example from auction site
Lindsborg, KS


photographer: B G Grondal
Lindsborg, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Grondal
Lindsborg, KS
example from auction site
reverse of card at left
photographer: Grondal
Lindsborg, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Grondal
Lindsborg, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Grondal
Lindsborg, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Grondal
Lindsborg, KS
example from auction site
Little River, KS
photographer: M D Baxter
Little River, KS
example from auction site
reverse of the card at the left
photographer: Baxter
Little River and Genesco, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Baxter
Little River and Genesco, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Baxter
Little River and Genesco, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Baxter
Little River, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Sinclair
Little River, KS
example from auction site
(Complete resoration)
Longton, KS
Longton was founded in 1870. It was named after Longton, England. The first post office in Longton was established in August, 1870.
Louisburg, KS
"Little St. Louis" was renamed Louisburg in 1870.
photographer: C C Williar
Cor Broadway and Randolph Streets, Louisburg, KS
example from auction site
photographer: C C Williar
Cor Broadway and Randolph Streets, Louisburg, KS
example from auction site
photographer: C C Williar
Cor Broadway and Randolph Streets, Louisburg, KS
example from auction site
Lucas, KS
Lucas was established as the community of Blue Stem in 1877. It was renamed Lucas in 1887 after Lucas Place in St. Louis, Missouri.
Lucas is located in north-central Kansas at the junction of Kansas Highway 18 (K-18) and Kansas Highway 232 (K-232), Lucas is 115 miles (185 km) northwest of Wichita, 212 miles (341 km) west of Kansas City, and 21 miles (34 km) northeast of Russell, the county seat. Lucas is just 25 miles from Lincoln, KS -WIKI
photographer: G F Hutchison
Lincoln and Lucas, KS
example from auction site
Lyndon, KS
photographer: Harry Ford
Lyndon, KS
example from auction site
(Ford was photographer in Lyndon, KS, from April of 1882 to about 1889.)
photographer: Ford
Lyndon, KS
example from auction site
photographer: H Ford
Lyndon, KS
example from mj aux on Flickr
photographer: H Ford
Lyndon, KS
example from mj aux on Flickr
photographer: H Ford
Lyndon, KS
example from mj aux on Flickr
photographer: Ford
Lyndon, KS
example from auction site
Lyons, KS
photographer: Bailey's Cottage Studio
2 blks North and 1 blk East of Square, Lyons, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Brua and Glaze
Lyons, KS
example from JumpingFrog
( According to newapaper items of the time, Brua and Glaze worked as partners in Lyons, KS, from May 1887 to Dec 1896)
photographer: E W Glaze
Lyons, KS
example from auction site
(This card would have been finished before 1887 or after 1896 when Glaze was working alone.)
photographer: Brua and Glaze
Lyons, KS
example from auction site
(same drapery in next example)
photographer: Brua and Glaze
Lyons, KS
(finished about May of 1894)
example from auction site
photographer: Brua and Glaze
Lyons, KS
example from auction site
(same rock prop in next example)
photographer: Brua and Glaze
Lyons, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Brua and Glaze
Lyons, KS
example from auction site
photographer: Brua and Glaze
Lyons, KS
example from auction site

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. All the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY are listed there.

This is a work always in progress.

Additional information and New examples are always welcome. Any additional information will help narrow the time that these precious antiques were made.

All submissions should be free of glare and shadows.
Do not crop.
Leave a border around each card. The edges are sometimes an important clue to the age of the card.

Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.

Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

This page is free for educational and research purposes only but, as always, if the original owner of any of these examples objects to the use on this page, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.

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