Henry A. Schmidt Photographs

Collection

Identifier: Ms-0333

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of 90 photographic images produced by Henry A. Schmidt between the 1880s through 1915. They depict mining activities in the Lake Valley, New Mexico area. There are 31 original prints, and the remainder of the images are in the form of 4X5 inch copy negatives.

Dates

1880 - 1915

Creator

Schmidt, Henry A. (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Born in Germany, Henry A. Schmidt moved to the United States in 1878. In 1882, as part of a survey team, he took up residence in Chloride, New Mexico. He served in the militia during the Apache uprisings of 1885. Mining was his primary work, but he was also an assayer, chemist, and metallurgist. Though a miner, his heart was in photography. As an avocation, he operated a photographic studio in Chloride, New Mexico. He produced hundreds of portraits, and also did landscape work of excellent quality. His photographs were made on glass negatives. There are 1000 glass negatives in Special Collections, Zimmerman Library, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; 25 in Museum of New Mexico. In 1885, and during his last few years, he was state commander of the Indian War Veterans of New Mexico. He died in 1944 at the age of 83 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A.J. Duriez, of Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2 Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Photographic images, primarily of the Lake Valley Mine in Lake Valley, New Mexico. Also, photographic images of the surrounding mining areas in and around Chloride, New Mexico. The collection contains the photographs of Henry A. Schmidt, who lived and worked in the area. Photographs document general mining operations: building, equipment, miners and surrounding area views. The collection consists primarily of photographs of the Lake Valley Mine operation, ca. 1880s-1915, Lake Valley, New Mexico. The collection contains loose photographs and photostatic copies, as well as detailed biographical information.