Last week I had the opportunity to review a fascinating book on the photography of an early Indiana photographer, Otto Ping. The collection of his 1900 to 1940 photographs provides great insight into life of the rural American in the first part of the 20th Century. Now, by happy luck and coincidence, I get to review another great book about another photography from early 20th century Indiana. The Photography of Ben Winans of Brookville, Indiana, 1902–1926, by Donald L. Dunaway.
Benjamin Franklin Winans ran a printing business, from 1891 until 1947, in Brookville, the county seat for Franklin County, Indiana. In 1902, Winans grew his business, purchasing a state-of-the-art camera and add photographic services. He quickly became an expert, both in shooting photographs and in his darkroom skills. Most of his pictures depict life in and around Brookville. However, unlike Brown County where Otto Ping shot his pictures, Brookville was an archetypical, self-sufficient small town. The town had only two thousand residents, but included “doctors, dentists, undertakers, bankers, grocers, blacksmiths, shoemakers, druggists, saloon keepers, newspaper publishers, cigar makers, cabinetmakers, and artists.” The town had running water and electric street lights. Ben Winans captured the lives of these people and this small town with resounding clarity.
Ben’s best work was done during the period from 1902 to 1916, where he produced over 3,000 glass negatives in various sizes. These pictures were almost lost and destroyed after his death in 1949. Fortunately, Eugene Brock, and Anderson newspaper man, saved the glass negatives. These were later given to this books author. Dunaway, a Brookville resident himself, carefully restored many of these images. This book contains 130 of Winans best works, selected to not only show his skill but also to show Brookville’s place in Indiana history.
The book is published by the Indiana Historical Society, and includes some of the clearest and cleanest 100 year old photos I have ever seen. Having been a publisher myself, I can attest to not only the overall quality and crispness of these photos, but also to the sheer skill Ben Winans uses to frame and capture life and events of all types throughout his community. Every picture is captioned with what and where the photo was taken. Historical information is also provided to most photographs. Added to the pictures, each chapter starts with a brief history as it pertains to the chapter. Dunaway has done an exceptional job at making this book an historical treasure for the people of Indiana, as well as for those with a love of photography and American history.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter One: The World of Ben Winans
Chapter Two: People
Chapter Three: Significant Town Buildings and Businesses
Chapter Four: The Whitewater Canal
Chapter Five: Street Fairs and Parades
Chapter Six: Bridges
Chapter Seven: Log Houses
Chapter Eight: Churches
Chapter Nine: Schools
Chapter Ten: Ben Winans and the Hermitage
Chapter Eleven: The 1913 Flood
Chapter Twelve: Country Scenes
Chapter Thirteen: Trains and Railroads
Chapter Fourteen: Automobiles
Grab a copy and enjoy The Photography of Ben Winans of Brookville, Indiana, 1902–1926, available from Family Roots Publishing; Item #:IHS035, Price: $14.97, Reg. $24.95.