JAMES E. BAGGS PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION, 1894-1914

Storage: Box Lot (2 11 x 14 in. boxes); 1 oversize folder (H+)

Accession number: G1989.0203

Biographical sketch

James Edward Baggs, construction superintendent of the Kelly-Atkinson Con-

struction Company (Chicago, Ill.), was born September 2, 1864. He first worked

on the Sante Fe Railroad bridge over the Illinois River which was completed in

1877. He was superintendent of construction by the time of the dismantling of

the Ferris Wheel in 1894, after the close of the World's Columbian Exposition.

Baggs was reportedly very fond of the workmen he supervised. He died on May 30,

1915 of overexertion after rowing a sick employee across a river to receive

health care. Baggs had married Rosa Felick of Winona, Minnesota on September 19,

1891. After his death she returned to Winona. They had no children.

Description of the Collecttion

Photoprints relating to the career of James Edward Baggs, superintendent for the

Kelly-Atkinson Construction Company (Chicago, Ill.) Photographs focus on

ironworking activities, primarily bridge building. Includes bridge building

scenes from the Des Moines, Monongahela and Snake Rivers, as well as unidentified

locations. Also includes progress photographs of the dismantling of the Ferris

Wheel in Chicago after the close of the World's Columbian Exposition (1894),

constuction of an unknown building, a power winch designed by Baggs, scenes from

the construction of the elevated railway (Madison St., Montana St.) in Chicago,

and a portrait of Baggs. Some images show workmen, generally posed for the

camera, not in the act of labor. The company foreman, Mr. Turnipsee, is often

shown--like Baggs--in bowler hat and tie. A few snapshoats show a trip to Key

West, Fla.

Container List

Box 1

1 Baggs, James Edward, 1864-1915

2 Bridge construction job

3 Bridges--Boone Co. Bridge (Des Moines River Crossing), 1900-1901

4 Bridges, Monongahela River, 1904

5 Bridges--Snake River

6 Bridges--Unidentified 1

7 Bridges--Unidentified 2

8 Building construction job

9 Buildings--Mormon Temple

Box 2

1 Cityscapes [possibly St. Louis, Mo.]

2 Elevated railroad construction, Chicago

3 Equipment--Power winch designed by Baggs

4 Ferris Wheel--Dismantling process 1

5 Ferris Wheel--Dismantling process 2

6 Key West, Fla., 1898

7 Key West, Fla.?, 1898?

Photographer log

Box 1

A.F. Isler, Lake Linden, Mich. (2)

W.L. Jenkins, Marquette Building, Chicago, Ill. (2)

Stadler & Dovale Engineering and Architectural Photography (Chas. Stadler, O.E.;

Arthur Dovale, C.E.), 1627 Monadnock Block, Chicago (14-16)

Burgert Bros, Key West, Fla.

Moffat, Key West

March 25, 1989

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