This is a work in progress to compile as comprehensive as possible a listing numbers and titles of individual Daniel F. Mitchell stereographs of Arizona. If you have examples that are not on this list, or valiant titles for any of the numbers or captions I would appreciate hearing from you. Ideally I would like to obtain either a xerox copy or scan for my files as well. Thanks in advance for your time and assistance.

Daniel Francis Mitchell (June 1843–December 28, 1928) was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, the son of Daniel and Catherine Mitchell. By 1850, he is listed as living with his father and family in Plymouth, Massachusetts. By 1870, the census lists him as a Deputy County Clerk working in Junction City, Kansas, where he is identified as having $4,500 in personal and real estate assets in 1875. Apparently preparing for his move to Arizona, Mitchell sold his interest in the Lawrence [Kansas] Standard newspaper.

D. F. Mitchell arrived in Prescott in June of 1876 on the C. & A. stagecoach. By September, the Arizona Weekly Miner noted:

"D. F. Mitchell Esq., the photographer, has sent us two handsomely taken and artistically executed stereoscopic views of the Prescott schoolhouse. Proud as we are of this magnificent building, it brightens our admiration and increases our veneration to know that we have a man among us capable of transferring its shadow indelibly to paper, in order that we may admire it at home and send it abroad. Mr. Mitchell has a large number of Arizona scenes suitable to send away, and we are told by those who have had experience that nothing is more highly prized in California as coming from Arizona than these views. Human likenesses, true to nature, he makes a specialty of. Go and “secure the shadow, etc.”

By October, Daniel began advertising his photographic business, The Capital Art Gallery. This advertisement ran regularly until April 1881. Mitchell built a strong business, producing both studio portraits and a portfolio of images of the Territory that were broadly marketed. Mitchell formed at least a temporary collaboration with fellow Prescott photographer William H. Williscraft.

The 1880 Prescott Census listed Daniel as photographer living with his mother and sister Angeline Mitchell, a teacher. The following year he became employed as the clerk of the Board of Supervisors.112 He served in the position for at least the next seven years.

Mitchell made a small change in his advertisement, reflecting a name change for the gallery, dropping the “Capital” to reflect the move of the Territorial Capital to Phoenix, becoming simply “The Art Gallery” and slightly simplifying his offerings. The lure of mining was incredibly powerful and affected most men who came to Arizona during this era. Mitchell was no exception. In the
spring of 1882, he began to draw away from his photographic business.

As the 1888 Presidential election neared, feelings ran high. Daniel placed a $500 bet on the presidential
race, backing Republican William Henry Harrison against another equal bet for Democratic Candidate Grover Cleveland. No specific references have surfaced about what Daniel did with his winnings. However, in January the following year, “D. F. Mitchell will shortly let a contract for sinking a fifty-foot shaft
on the Good Luck mining claim on Lynx Creek.”

Mitchell continued to make photographs during this era, with additional operators assisting in his studio. Notes about his increasing mining activities periodically appear in the local Arizona Weekly Journal-Miner. It appears that his interest in mining finally began to supersede Mitchell’s
interest in photography, though it appears that the studio remained active with other photographers and operators. The Mitchell & Baer partnership
dissolved and Mitchell increased his involvement in daily operations. He hired California artist J.E. Everett to work as a retoucher and refinisher in
the Mitchell studio in March 1895.

In 1896, MItchell made the final decision to divest himself of his photographic business. The Arizona Weekly Journal-Miner carried the notice: “A bill of
sale has been filed for record from D.F. Mitchell to H. L. Hammaker for the east side photograph gallery.”

(from Arizona Stereographs 1865-1930 by Jeremy Rowe, 2014)

If you have additional information about Daniel F. Mitchell, examples of stereographs that are not on this list, or variant titles I would appreciate hearing from you. Ideally, I would like to obtain either a Xerox copy or scan for my files as well.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance.

Please feel free to use this information but please credit this source and reproduce only with full credit information.
Thank you.

Jeremy Rowe
jrowe@vintagephoto.com

©Jeremy Rowe 2017

 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: orange/lavender 
DATE: c. 1875–1882 
SERIES: D.F. MITCHELL,/PRESCOTT, A.T. (Outline Type) 
Courthouse, Prescott 
Old Gubernatorial Mansion, Prescott 
(Studio portrait of armed Apache) 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: orange/lavender 
DATE: c. 1875–1882 
SERIES: D.F. MITCHELL,/PRESCOTT, A.T. (ornate script on front of mount) 
Freighting Team, Prescott (Gurley St.) 
Freighting Team, Prescott, Fall 1876. 
Freighting Team, Prescott, Feed Yard. 
Ft. McDowell Quarters. 
Gatling Gun Packed – Ft. Whipple. 
“Hole in the Wall” Art Gallery, Ft. Verde. 
“Moving” Prescott (family with wagon of household goods) 
Mired Down (freight team caught in the mud on the trail) 
(Outdoor view of 6 Apache Scouts). 
Officer’s Quarters, Ft. Verde. 
Old Apache Squaw. 
Old Apache Squaw – Over 102 years old 
Sunday Morning Inspection. 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: orange/lavender 
DATE: c. 1875–1882 
SERIES: D.F. MITCHELL,/PRESCOTT, A.T. (large letters on front of mount) 
50. (Saguaro cactus) 
Arizona Democrat façade 
Birds Eye View of Prescott 
Bowen Knowles – Prescott, A.T. Jan 1879. 
Bowen Knowles Store, Prescott. January 1879. 
Cerbat – looking down the Gulch. 
Concentrating Works, Cerbat. 
Curtis’ Saw Mill 
Ft. McDowell Quarters. 
George Becker’s Deer, Junction City Kansas, 1874 
Goldwater Building East side of Plaza 
Main St., Cerbat 
Mineral Park (overview). 
Nigger Head, Mineral Park. 
Officer’s Quarters, Fort McDowell 
Plaza Stable, Prescott 
Post Office – Washington St., Phoenix, 1877 
Saloon & Court House – Washington St., Phoenix. 
Silver Hill, Mohave County. 
West Side Plaza Montezuma (Prescott) 
West Side of Plaza (Montezuma street) 
Williscraft’s Steam Arastras, Cerbat. 
(Overview of Prescott) 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: orange/lavender 
DATE: c. 1875–1882 
SERIES: D.F. MITCHELL – Artist/PRESCOTT, A.T. 
Big Bug (overview) 
Camp of Indian Scouts, Ft. Verde (same as Williscraft). 
Ft. Whipple (overview). 
Headquarters & Offices, Ft. Whipple (prior to Jan 1881 fire). 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: orange/lavender 
DATE: c. 1875–1882 
SERIES: D.F. MITCHELL/PHOTOGRAPHER/PRESCOTT, A.T. (in oval pattern on reverse) 
(Composite copy view of 24 notable Apache cabinet cards) 
(Studio view of Mickey Free, armed) 
2 white scouts w/19 Apaches (same as Williscraft) 
Camp in the Woods (3 white scouts, 13 Apaches 
Freight Team, Prescott Feed Yard 
Gatling Gun – Ft. Whipple 
Group of Apache Scouts (interior view of 6 scouts) 
Headquarters, Officers, Ft. Whipple 
Hospital, Ft. Whipple 
Prescott from the North West 
Prescott from the South East

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: yellow, buff, orange/lavender 
DATE: c. 1875–1882 
SERIES: VIEWS/-OF-/ARIZONA SCENERY/D.F. MITCHELL,/PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST (on back of mount) 
Enterprise Office (Prescott) 
Great Rock North Stoneman Lake 
Group of Indian Scouts at Verde 
Gurley St., Prescott, Granite Mt. in Distance 
Headquarters Offices, Ft. Whipple 
Hospital, Ft. Whipple 
Mexican Teams, Prescott 
Old Ruins, Aztec Mound, Mouth of Oak Creek 
Plaza Stable, Prescott, A.T. 
Prescott in 1864 (painting) 
Prescott from the South East 
Prescott from the North West 
Squaw & Papooses in Wickiup (same as Williscraft of Mohave and children in dwelling) 
Stoneman Lake 
Stoneman Lake 
Street in Florence, 1878 
Street in Phoenix, 1879 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: orange/pink 
DATE: c. early 1880s 
SERIES: VIEWS/-OF-/ARIZONA SCENERY/D.F. MITCHELL,/PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST (on back of mount) 
Freighting Team, Prescott 
Freighting Team, Montezuma St., Prescott 
Gurley St. and Teams, Prescott 
Mineral Park 
Nigger Head, Mineral Park 
Officer’s Quarters, Ft. Whipple 
Prescott in winter from the North West 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: orange/lavender, orange/pink 
DATE: c. 1880s 
SERIES: D.F. Mitchell/Prescott, A.T. (gothic lettering) 
A Group of Mohave Indians near their Wigwam. 
After the Fire, Fire on July 29, 1880. 
After the Fire of the night of July 29th 1880. 
Camp at Stoneman’s Lake. My camp at Stoneman’s Lake – Mogollon Mts. 
Democrat Office, Cortez St., Prescott. 
From Peck w/him looking forward, May Bean Mine 
Giant Cactus – Saguaro I 
Goldwater Building, East Side of Plaza, Prescott 
Heads Block – Gurley St., Prescott 
Left of Main Alter, San Xavier Mission 
Main Alter, San Xavier Mission 
Mountain in background is Granite Mt. 
Officer’s Quarters, Ft. McDowell 
Prescott in Winter – 1880 – from the southeast. 
Prescott in Winter – 1880 – from the northwest. 
Prescott in Winter – 1886 from the southeast 
Right of Main Alter, San Xavier Mission 
San Xavier Mission 
San Xavier Mission near Tucson 
Tiger Mine, Mill and Hoisting (bare mount) 
Tiger looking down the gulch (bare mount) 
Tiger looking North or up the gulch 
West Blake Residence, 1878 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: buff, cabinet size 
DATE: c. 1880s 
SERIES: VIEWS OF/ARIZONA SCENERY./D.F. MITCHELL,/Photographic Artist,/ 
PRESCOTT ARIZONA – (on back) 
5. Freighting Team, Gurley St. Oct. 1877K 
Foster House, West Prescott 
Madigan’s Ammunition Box, Open 1878 Ft. Whipple 
Montezuma St., Prescott. 
School House, Prescott 
[?] Prescott from NW 
[?] Peck Mill & Ledge 
[?] Aztec Mound, at mouth of Oak Creek, Verde Valley (Williscraft negative) 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell 
MOUNT COLOR: buff 
DATE: c. 1880s 
SERIES: VIEWS IN ARIZONA/D.F. Mitchell/Prescott, Arizona (on back) 
(1–12 Appear to be pieced “Panorama” from roof of building due to same railing in foreground of each) 
Prescott No. 1. (looking North, Gurley St.) 
2. Pres.(cott) from Rocks 
Prescott No. 3 (looking northwest, Montezuma St.) 
Prescott No. 5 (looking Southwest, Montezuma St.) 
Prescott No. 6 (looking Southwest, Goodwin and Montezuma) 
Prescott No. 7 (looking South, Goodwin St.) 
Prescott No. 8 (looking Southeast, Cortez and Goodwin) 
Prescott No. 9 (looking Southeast, Cortez St.) 
Prescott No. 10 (looking East, Cortez and Union) 
Prescott No. 11 (looking Northeast, Cortez St.) 
Prescott No. 12 (looking Northeast, Cortez and Gurley) 
Crook City 
Ft. Whipple (overview) 
Ft. Whipple (overview) 
Gatling Gun at Ft. McDowell 
Howell Smelter 
St. James, Lynx Creek 
Stoddard, A. T. 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel F. Mitchell and Erwin Baer 
MOUNT COLOR: buff 
DATE: c. 1880s 
SERIES: VIEWS IN ARIZONA/Mitchell & Baer,/Prescott, Arizona(on back) 
Agua Fria Smelter, Yavapai Co. Ariz. 
Camp Apache (exterior View of Apaches gaming) 
Castle Rock. In Red Rock Country near Verde, Arizona 
Company Quarters, Ft. Verde 
Hassayampa Bridge – 10 miles from Prescott, (Northwest) Yavapai Co. Ariz. 
Overview, Officer’s & Corral, Ft. Whipple 
Palace Station – 15 miles from Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona 
Prescott No. 8 Cortez St. – Goldwater Store – Plaza Fence 
Prescott No. 9 S. Cortez 
Red Rocks, Oak Creek 
Salt River Valley 
Senator Mill (10 stamps Silver) near Prescott (12 miles North) Ariz. 
Smith’s Mill near Phoenix 
Smith’s Mill near Phoenix 
(Adobe building w/whites and Apaches near Camp Grant) 
(Officer’s Quarters, Camp Grant) 
(Studio portrait of Apache Squaw) 
(Studio portrait of Apache Man) 
(Studio portrait of Apache Woman) 
(Studio portrait of armed Apache Scout) 
(Studio portrait of 2 Apache men (1 armed) 
(Studio portrait of 5 young Apache men) 
(Studio portrait of Mickey Free, armed) 
(Unidentified Adobe Building near Grant w/photographer’s Wagon) 
(Unidentified Building, Camp Grant) 
(Unidentified house and family group near Ft. Grant) 
(Unidentified Indian Police at Ft. McDowell) 

©Jeremy Rowe 2017

jrowe@vintagephoto.com - HOME  - Comments