John McMullen photography tent, Burns, Oregon ca. 1900

McMullen, Photographer. John McMullen (1856- ?) was born in Wisconsin and emigrated to Oregon, working as an itinerant photographer. He visited Burns, Oregon in 1897 intending to stay a few weeks. Instead, he bought a farm and settled there. He operated his studio in a tent on the main street until 1902, when he moved into a frame building. This photograph is a test shot, he made several of them on this day to check his equipment. These photos show the final stages of his photo tent being set-up. This photograph was likely taken by Sarah Hall, who is listed in the 1900 Federal census as being a photographer who worked for him and shared his house. The location is Burns' main street. In an adjacent view, the new county courthouse (built in 1897) is visible. A building was erected on this spot in 1902.

5x8" glass plate negative

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