Views of old Cuba



LaRC Manuscripts Collection 610 is a small group of personal papers of Charles O. Thomas and his son, Charles O. Thomas, Jr., which feature descriptions and photographic views of Cuba at the end of the nineteenth century.  Included are numerous photographs of buildings and street scenes in Cuba, especially Matanzas and Havana, as well as typed and handwritten captions and descriptive text about Cuba. Also included are photographs relating to the 1898 Spanish-American War and the military activities of Charles O. Thomas, Jr.  One photograph depicts a cemetery in Cuba with a marker declaring "Victims of the Maine."

Charles Oscar Thomas (1838-1905) was an American businessman who ran flour mills; letterhead stationery in this collection is printed with heading, "Chas. O. Thomas, Gen'l Manager, Havana Flour Co., Importers, 73 Zulueta Street, Havana, Cuba." Charles Oscar Thomas, Jr. (1871-1966) served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War.   

This collection will be of interest to students of U.S. and Caribbean history and economic relations, as well as to photography appreciators. 

Caption:  (you have to look for the horses)   "Matanzas, Cuba, May 10, 1899 ... This picture represents two native horses, covered over with a load of green corn forage going to market; this is the way it is brought to the market and sold in small quantities from house to house."    Manuscripts Collection 610, Box 1, Folder 3.    Images of items held in the Louisiana Research Collection may not be re-published without permission.


Posted by Susanna Powers

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