Saw Mill in Washington Mounted Photograph -

Tacoma: J. T. Wagness. Mounted gelatin silver photograph likely from the late 19th century. Photograph measures 6" x 8" and mount measures 8" x 10". Photographer's information is printed on the mount: State of Washington Views. J. T. Wagness, Portrait and Landscape Photographer, Tacoma, Wn." The photographer has written "J. I. Halls. CPT 145 (?)" in the negative. No content on verso. Photograph has light silvering and minor chipping to bottom edge and has some minor defects in the negative. Mount has moderate toning and foxing. Overall good. This view depicts a late 19th century saw mill in Washington state. The image depicts milled logs in the foreground, mill buildings and machinery in the background, and about a dozen men posing on a chute. The photographer of this image, John T. Wagness, operated studios out of Tacoma, Washington from about 1887 to 1900 and Stanwood, Washington from about 1901 to 1918. His original name was Johan Torbjorn Viknes and he emigrated from Norway to the U.S in 1875. He took studio portraits, logging and gold rush photographs. More research is needed to identify the location of this mill; nevertheless, it is a nice view of Washington's early lumber industry. .