Print, Photographic

Sepia-toned gelatin silver photo showing the smoldering remains of a building fire in downtown. Handwriting beneath the photo shows "Opera House Fire, Oct. 7, 1897." The remains of the Opera House building can be seen in the background on the left side of the photo. Several horse-drawn buggies are parked in the foreground and many spectators are also visible. A second sepia-toned gelatin silver photo is glued to the verso of the mounting cardboard. This photo shows the transom of a sidewheel steamship that is moored along the port side at a dock. The steamship is painted white, is flying an American flag, and is named "FESSENDEN." One sailor can be seen standing in the distance on an upper deck near the bow of a lifeboat. This ship belonged to the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and was based in Detroit. Another sidewheel steamship can be seen underway in the background on the right side of the photo.