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Horton's/Ballard's Studio photographs

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-0480

Scope and Content

The largest portion of the photographs contains portraits, mostly of students. Boxes 44-53 contain group and individual portraits, local scenes, and similar photographs, arranged alphabetically by subject by the photo creators. A container list was made presumably prior to accession and is transcribed in this guide.

Dates

  • circa 1929-1952

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

Open. All materials in this collection are available for research under supervised conditions in the Research Room.

Copy Restrictions

Copyrights associated with materials in this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.

Organizational Sketch

James and Martha Ann Ballard opened Ballard’s Studio, at 119 S. Main Street in 1929. The building that housed the studio still stands today. Originally from Kentucky, the Ballards came west in an attempt to overcome Jim Ballard’s tuberculosis diagnosis. The Las Cruces climate proved beneficial and Ballard had a long career here as a photographer, farmer, and breeder of champion Hereford cattle. The couple worked together to run the studio, a film processing lab, and a photography supply store for 33 years, making portraits of thousands of Mesilla Valley residents. They also photographed area businesses, events, and students at the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now NMSU). The Ballards retired in 1963 and their business eventually was taken over by the father and son team of Enrique and Victor Berroteran, who operated the studio under the name Ballard’s Photo Shop until the late 1990s.

Extent

32.00 Linear Feet

Abstract

Prints and negatives from a photograph studio based in Las Cruces, NM. Includes portraits and local scenes.
Title
Guide to the Horton's/Ballard's Studio photographs, circa 1929-1952
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Processed by Lenny Silverman and Charles Stanford, 2010.
Date
© 2016
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Branson Hall
PO Box 30006
MSC 3475
Las Cruces New Mexico 88003 USA