Welcome Arch, Roseburg, on Decoration Day - c. 1908
Roseburg's welcome arch has been dressed up for Decoration Day - the original name for Memorial Day.
Started in 1868 as a day to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War, Decoration Day activities in many towns rivaled those of the Fourth of July. Citizens gathered for band concerts, speeches, picnics, and decorating the tombs of Civil War veterans.
In this view we see the dates 1861 - 1865 have been added to the arch, as well as representations of the medals worn by G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) veterans - on the left pillar, and the Women's Relief Corps auxilliary - on the right. Mrs. William Smith, a Roseburg photographer, has somehow found a time - perhaps very early in the morning - when the street was empty, except for the man with the hose pictured in detail view 1.
-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.
Photographer | Mrs. William Smith |
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Location | Roseburg, Douglas County |
Subject | Town Views |
Decade | 1900s |
Print Maker | Old Oregon |
Original Type | Cabinet Card |
Size of Original | 3.9 x 5.5 inches |