University of Arizona

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James E. and Barbara H. Sherman Ghost Town Photograph Collection

Photograph boxes and image of Castle Dome, Arizona 1965

Photographs, related 35 mm negatives, and research notes produced by James E. Sherman and Barbara H. Sherman for use in their books Ghost Towns of Arizona  and Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of New Mexico.   Early photographs, comprising about thirty percent of the collection, were reproduced from various Arizona and New Mexico archives.  These span from 1865 to 1953 but most were taken between 1880 and 1920.   The majority of the photographs, however, were taken by the Shermans between 1964 and 1969 during their research for their books. 

The images, from the 1960s, are well identified and mainly show abandoned buildings, mine equipment, cemeteries, and landscapes.  Earlier photographs may also show buildings and equipment but also present for some towns are images of activities, residents and founders, and newspaper advertisements.  A review of the books will give researchers a good idea of the collection.