From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library
Webb City Area Genealogical Society
Stereoview photographs, also known as stereoscopic views, were introduced in the early 19th century.
These stereoscopes use two nearly-identical images, each taken a few inches to the side of the other.
When viewed through two lenses set 2.5 inches apart, the result is the illusion of a three-dimensional picture.
A traveling photographer made his way to Webb City in the town’s early days, most likely in the early 1880s. F. Hardesty produced a series of stereoviews containing images of Webb City and Carterville mines, businesses and residents. The WCAGS has four of these views.
Little is known about F. Hardesty. Apparently he had a partner in St. Louis at one time, as it is noted on the back of one of our stereoviews.
There is a well-known photograph of Geronimo taken at Fort Sam Houston in 1886 by Hardesty, as well as a popular series taken in San Antonio, Texas, that includes the Alamo.
The WCAGS is always on the lookout for more of the Hardesty stereoscopic views. If you have one, we would love to copy it for our archives.
