The buildings may have been ruined during ACW but the costumes of the people are from a later time. The photographer very well may be "your" WG Weatherup. Perhaps @Di1961 should contact Harvard or UKy or Hagley museum.I tried to look up the photographer. The only WG Weatherup I could find was born around the time of the Civil War. Could he have been Canadian? There is some tie into NY stare I keep seeing.
There are examples of his work at Harvard, Hagley and a third museum.
My first thought was Charleston. But, if this was a staged photo years later, as a fellow member mentioned the clothing was not what would have been worn in the 1860’s and this photographer was born in 1865, I think it was... where was damage not repaired within 25 years or so? That might also help in pinpointing the location.Richmond received a lot of damage. Library of Congress photos.
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As did Charleston. Library of Congress photos.
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Richmond and Charleston came to mind as I remember seeing more photos of these cities showing damage compared to the number of photos showing damage to other citiesMy first thought was Charleston. But, if this was a staged photo years later, as a fellow member mentioned the clothing was not what would have been worn in the 1860’s and this photographer was born in 1865, I think it was... where was damage not repaired within 25 years or so? That might also help in pinpointing the location.
What a horrible event- the destruction is just incredible.If I had to place a bet, I'd say that it's probably not a Civil War photograph at all - the photographer was too young (and he was based in Western New York), and the clothing in the image isn't CW era. It kind of reminds me of images of a 1905
catastrophe in my hometown of Brockton, Mass, when a boiler exploded and took out the Grover Shoe Factory. Fifty eight people were killed, the roof crashed down through all 4 floors, and the boiler itself landed a couple of blocks away See images of that below.
Before
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After
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