Keesler Field (Keesler Air Force Base)
This extraordinary collection of Keesler Air Force Base includes 667 photographs taken between 1941 and 1951 by a single photographer, an unknown airman, with a significant photographic talent. Most of these photographs were taken during World War II and capture both Keesler Field and Biloxi at the height of the war effort. Included are images of various planes with logos on their sides, engines, various views of barracks and the Keesler campus, an image of the Mediterranean Theatre during wartime, multiple images of airmen and their families and girlfriends on the beaches, the Atomic restaurant on the base, multiple panoramic views of Keesler Field, scenes of Biloxi including downtown, City Hall, the Church of the Redeemer, the Yacht Club, Gulf Hills, the Back Bay, the Beauvoir, the Buena Vista Hotel, the Hotel Biloxi, The White House, images of Pass Christian including antebellum homes, Gulfport, including the Grand Southern Hotel, Bay St. Louis, three trips including one to Bellingrath Gardens in Alabama, one to New Orleans featuring street scenes and Jackson Square with fascinating views of streetcars, and one trip to Chicago, IL.
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Marching Band Seated Outside
This black and white photograph features a marching band in uniform, seated in metal chairs outside with the conductor facing them. The band appears to be playing their instruments. A palm tree is visible behind them.
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Marching Band Seated Outside
This black and white photograph features a marching band in uniform, seated in metal chairs outside with the conductor facing them. The band appears to be playing their instruments. A tree is visible to the left of them.
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Max Tharpe at Bellingrath Gardens, Theodore, Alabama
This black and white photograph features airman, Max Tharpe, in uniform near a pond at Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, Alabama.
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Men Cooking On the Porch of an Old House or Shed
This black and white photograph features two men on the front porch of an old house or shed. Large cooking pots are lined up on the porch and one of the men appears to be stirring something in one of the pots. The porch has a to metal chimney's or pipes running from the porch floor through the porch roof. A third man appears to be standing around the corner of the porch.
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Men in Coveralls Playing Game at Barracks
This black and white photograph features a group of men wearing coveralls in the yard of the barracks playing a game. A net appears to separate the group. The feet of the water tower appear behind them, along with several barracks buildings.
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Men in Raincoats Wading in a Flooded Street at the Barracks, Keesler Field (Keesler Air Force Base)
This black and white photograph features three men in long raincoats and hats wading through a flooded street in front of the barracks at Keesler Field. The photograph is slightly blurry.
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Men in Raincoats Wading Through Flooded Streets at the Keesler Field Barracks (Keesler Air Force Base)
This black and white photograph features five men in rain coats and bare feet wading through the rain flooded streets that connect the barracks buildings at Keesler Field.
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Men on a Boat
This black and white photograph features three men on a boat out on the water. Only the torso is visible of the man on the left. The man in the center is looking at the camera. The man on the right is wearing sunglasses and is seen in profile.
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Men on Bicycles
This black and white photograph features two men on bicycles in a field with trees behind them.
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Men on Bicycles Staring at a Pond
This black and white photograph features two men in shorts standing with their bicycles facing a pond. The men's shirts are draped over the handlebars of their bicycles. The pond is surrounded by trees and the trees are reflected in the water.
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Methodist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi
This black and white photograph features people leaving a church. Palm trees and powerline poles are seen in front of the church.
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Methodist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi
This black and white photograph features people leaving a church. Palm trees and powerline poles are seen in front of the church.
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Methodist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi
This black and white photograph features the Methodist church in Biloxi, Mississippi, with people walking on the sidewalk in front and cars parked on the street.
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Mid-Twentieth Century Car In Front of Trees
this black and white photograph features a dark mid-twentieth century car parked in front of trees.
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Million Dollar Recreation Pier, St. Petersburg, Florida
This black and white photograph features a portion of the water, sea wall, and the building associated with the Million Dollar Recreation Pier in St. Petersburg, Florida. Street lights and light poles are also visible.
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Model Air Force Airplane, Dynamite Dottie
This black and white photograph features a model of an Air Force Airplane on the grass, as seen looking down at it on the ground. The model has a star within a circle on top of the left wing that is visible and "Dynamite Dottie" with an image of a woman is on the side of the nose.
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Model Air Force Airplane, Dynamite Dottie
This black and white photograph features a model of an Air Force Airplane on the sidewalk with a row of barracks housing behind it. The model has a star within a circle on the side of the tail and "Dynamite Dottie" with an image of a woman on the side of the nose.
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Model Airplane, Dynamite Dottie, In Flight
This black and white photograph features the model airplane, Dynamite Dottie, in flight. The logo for "Dynamite Dottie" with a woman in between the words, is on the side of the front end of the plane.
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Monkey on a Leash
This black and white photograph features a monkey with a leashed collar around it's waist. A tree limb and the footings of a building are on either side of the monkey.
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Monkey on a Leash
This black and white photograph features a monkey with a leashed collar around it's waist. Tree trunks and the footings of a building are behind on either side of the monkey.
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Monkey on a Leash
This black and white photograph features a monkey with a leashed collar around it's waist. A tree limb and the footings of a building are on either side of the monkey.
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Monument of Guns Found in Biloxi Bay
This black and white photograph features a monument of gun or cannon barrels on a concrete platform in a park. A plaque is in the middle of the platform but is not readable. Trees are seen behind the monument.
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Musicians Setting Up on Stage
This black and white photograph features six musicians setting up their instruments on a stage. The visible instruments are drums and saxophones.
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Negative Image of an Airplane on the Field with the Hangar Nearby
This negative or reversed image of an airplane on the tarmac near the hangar. "Oragon Loay" is on the side of the front end of the plane.
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Nine Men and One Woman Posing in Front of a Blank Wall
This black and white photograph features nine men and one woman posing for a photograph in front of a blank wall. The men in the front row are crouched. Some of the people are wearing uniforms while others are wearing coveralls.
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Nine Men and One Woman Posing in Front of a Blank Wall
This black and white photograph features nine men and one woman posing for a photograph in front of a blank wall. The men in the front row are crouched. Some of the people are wearing uniforms while others are wearing coveralls.
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Nine People at the Beach
This black and white photograph features six women and three men all in swimwear or swimwear cover-ups leaning against and sitting on a railing at the beach.
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Nurse, Elaine Howell, Standing in Front of a Garden
This black and white photograph features a woman identified as Elane Howell, wearing a white nurse's uniform and hat, standing in front of a fence with a garden of trees and shrubs behind it.
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Panoramic View of the Barracks, Keesler Field (Keesler Air Force Base)
This black and white panoramic photograph features a view of the barracks and other residential community buildings at Keesler Field.
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Parade of Troops In the Rain Down Howard Avenue in Biloxi, Mississippi
This black and white photograph features the parade of troops down Howard Avenue in the rain. Signs for Gulf Military Stores, Jax, and Coca-Cola Bottling Company are visible on the right side of the street.
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Pass Christian City Hall
This black and white photograph features the Pass Christian City Hall. The building is two stories tall with four pillars across the front and an iron railed balcony on the second floor. A traffic light can be seen in the left side of the photograph and a column framed directory stands at the right corner of the building.
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Path Through a Park
This black and white photograph features a path through a park with Spanish Moss hung trees on either side.
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People Canoeing on the Water
This black and white photograph features a couple of people in a canoe on the water. Trees and bushes surround the water.
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People Crossing the Street in New Orleans
This black and white photograph features people crossing the street with buildings, street lights, and mid-twentieth century cars in view. Some of the visible building signs read "Seymour's," "7-Up," "Roosevelt Hotel," "Three Feathers," "Wesson Oil," "Loen's," and "Hotel New Orleans."
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People on a Service Station Porch
This black and white photograph features people standing on the porch of what appears to be a service station. A man in a suit is standing behind a microphone while other people stand around him.
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People on the Beach
This faded black and white photograph features people in swim suits standing and walking on the beach.
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People Sailing in a Sailboat on the Water
This black and white photograph features two women in white shirts and black shorts and three men in swim trunks on a sailboat out in the water. The buildings on the coastline can be seen in the distance behind them.
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People Seated in Chairs Lined Up on Either Side of a Ship's Deck
This black and white photograph features people seated in wooden chairs that are lined up on either side of what appears to be a ship's deck. The center of the deck is lined with umbrella covered tables and chairs. Men in suits and hats are walking down the right side of the deck and other people are standing in a small group near the far end on the left. United States flags are spaced in a line on either side of the deck.
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People Standing in Front of a Sailboat
This black and white photograph features a group of women wearing shorts and tank tops and men in uniforms standing on the dock in front of a sailboat. The edges of the image resemble the edges of a photograph negative strip.
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People Standing In Front of Cars
This black and white photograph features a man standing with two, possibly three, women in front of a line of mid-twentieth century cars. The man is wearing dark slacks and a white shirt. The woman in front is wearing a white romper and sandals. The other fully visible woman is wearing a dark shirt and white shorts. Another person appears to be standing in front of the woman in white, though a full face/body is not visible. Trees are in the distance behind the group.
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People Sunbathing on a Beach
This black and white photograph features men and women sunbathing on the beach with a pier visible behind them.
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People Swimming in the Gulf and Standing on a Pier and Swim Platform
This black and white photograph features a group of people swimming in the gulf and standing on a pier with a swim platform.
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People Swimming in the Gulf and Standing on a Pier and Swim Platform
This black and white photograph features people swimming in a pond or lake with trees in the background. Two men and a woman are standing in the water with their backs to the camera.
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People Walking a Park Path
This black and white photograph features people walking a narrow brick style path through a park. Trees and bushes are on either side of the path. A pond is in the distance in the background. "#4" is handwritten on the bottom edge.
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Pier at the Beach
This black and white photograph features a pier at the beach. A bench is placed in the sand facing the water. The back of the photograph has "9008" faintly stamped in black ink at the bottom right.
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Pilot in the Cockpit
This black and white photograph features the face profile of a man, presumably a pilot, in the cockpit of a plane. The controls and windshield of the cockpit are visible.
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Plaque Close-up For Cannon Monument
This black and white photograph features a close-up of a plaque that accompanies the monument of cannons. The plaque reads "These cannons from deck of ship of D'Irberville, Founder of Biloxi, Sunk in Back Bay." The bottom plaque is not readable.
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Plaque Close-up For Cannon Monument
This black and white photograph features a close-up of a plaque that accompanies the monument of cannons. The plaque reads "These cannons from deck of ship of D'Irberville, Founder of Biloxi, Sunk in Back Bay." The bottom plaque is not readable.
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Plaque Close-up For Cannon Monument--Back of the Photograph
The back of the photograph featuring the plaque of a monument identifies the subject and their history.
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Pond Beyond a Railing
This black and white photograph features a view of a pond from behind a railing of possibly a bridge. A canoe can be seen in the middle of the pond and trees are on the far side of the pond.
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Pond Surrounded by Trees
This black and white photograph features a pond surrounded by trees. The trees are reflected in the water.
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Pond Surrounded by Trees
This black and white photograph features a pond surrounded by trees with the trees reflected in the water. "#3" is handwritten on the bottom edge of the photo.
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Pond Surrounded by Trees
This black and white photograph features a pond surrounded by trees. The trees are reflected in the water. "#2" is handwritten on the bottom edge.
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Pond Surrounded by Trees with Ducks on the Water
This black and white photograph features a pond surrounded by trees. Ducks can be seen swimming in the middle of the pond.
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Pond With Spanish Moss Hung Trees on Either Side
This black and white photograph features a pond with trees on either side. Spanish moss hangs from the trees and people canoeing can be seen in the distance.
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Pond with Trees and a Rocky Bank
This black and white photograph features a pond with trees and a rocky bank.
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Pond with Trees and Reflections
This black and white photograph features a pond with trees on the far side of the pond. The trees are reflected in the pond's water.
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Pond with Trees and Tall Grasses on the Banks
This black and white photograph features a pond with trees on the far side of the pond and tall grasses on the bank in the forefront of the photograph.
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Porpoise in the Water
This black and white photograph features a porpoise in the water. The porpoise is barely visible in the center of the photograph.
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Portrait of Airman Goertz in Uniform
This sepia toned photograph features an airman in dress uniform identified as Glenn Goertz, seated for a portrait.
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Powerlines in the Sky
This black and white photograph features a series of powerlines set against the sky.
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Propeller and Landing Wheel on an Airplane Wing
This black and white photograph features the propeller and landing wheel on the right wing of an air force airplane.
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Railroad Over The Water
This black and white photograph features a railroad over water. Powerlines are to the left of the railroad. A sign where the railroad meets the water reads "Keep off Railroad".
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Railroad Over The Water
This black and white photograph features a railroad over water. Powerlines are to the left of the railroad. A sign where the railroad meets the water reads "Keep off Railroad". Fingerprints are visible on the photograph.
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Railroad Station, Biloxi, Mississippi
This black and white photograph features the railroad station in Biloxi, Mississippi. Powerline poles, cars, train tracks, and a man on a bicycle are seen in the photo. Railroad tracks run to the right of the station and railroad cars can be seen on the right edge of the photo.
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Rendering of Keesler Field's Outdoor Beverage Garden and Dance Floor
This black and white postcard features a rendering of the Keesler Field outdoor beverage garden and dancefloor which includes trees, bistro style tables, a small building, and couples dancing. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides publisher information, as well as, indication for correspondence, return address, address and postage stamp placement. "Free" is written inside the box indicated for the postage stamp. The card is postmarked Keesler Field, Mississippi, December 16, 1944. The description in the upper left corner reads "Rendering of Keesler Field's outdoor beverage garden and dance floor." The lower left corner reads "Tune in "FREE FOR ALL" all-soldier show every Thursday 7:30 p.m. c.w.t. WWL New Orleans." The card is inscribed and is addressed to Miss Mary Jane Bott in La Cross, Wisconsin.
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Rescue Boat Out on the Water
This black and white photograph features a rescue boat out on the water, waves of splashing up behind it as it moves through the water. A United States flat flies on a pole in the center of the boat. Houses and buildings can be seen on the coastline behind the boat.
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Reverend Thomas S. Carruth with His Wife and Baby
This black and white photograph features a man identified as Reverend Thomas S. Carruth holding his daughter with his wife standing beside him. The family is standing in front of a clapboard building.
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Reverend Thomas S. Carruth with His Wife and Baby
This black and white photograph features a man identified as Reverend Thomas S. Carruth holding his daughter with his wife standing beside him. The family is standing in front of a clapboard building. The back of the photograph identifies the subjects of the photo.
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Review of 398, Uniformed Airmen Marching at Barracks
This black and white photograph features a large group of uniformed airmen lined up and marching through the yard/street of the barracks community. "Patrick and Smith Review of 398" is handwritten along the bottom edge.
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Rowboats in the Water by a Pier
This black and white photograph features a group of rowboats lined up in the water near a pier. A man and a dog are standing on the pier.
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Row of Houses
This black and white photograph features a row of two story houses and people walking the street in front of the houses.
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Sailboat at the Beach
This black and white photograph features people standing on the beach with a sailboat pulled halfway up on the beach.
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Sailboat on the Water
This black and white photograph features a small sailboat out on the water, sails up. Trees are seen on the coastline behind it.
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Sailboats Docked at a Pier
This black and white photograph features two sailboats docked at a pier. Tall pilings line the pier. Trees are in the distance behind the boats.
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Series of Towers, Keesler Field (Keesler Air Force Base)
This black and white photograph features a series of towers and enclosed walkways connecting them. Other equipment is between the towers.
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Service Station on the Right of the Street
This black and white photograph features a view of a service station on the right side of the street and a car driving on the street.
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Shipyard/Boatyard
This black and white photograph features a view of a shipyard or boatyard from across the water. Various structures are visible.
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Shoreline as Seen From the Gulf
This black and white photograph features a view of the sea wall, pier pilings, and trees along the shoreline. "Shore Line" is handwritten at the bottom edge of the photograph.
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Shrimp Boat in the Water Off the Coast of Biloxi
This black and white photograph features a shrimp boat on the water off the coast of Biloxi. The photo appears to have been taken from the deck of another boat. The coastline and a boat can seen in the far distance.
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Shrimp Boats Docked at a Pier
This black and white photograph features several shrimp boats docked at a pier in Biloxi, Mississippi.
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Side of the Airplane, The Blue Streak with a Map of the Middle East Theatre
This black and white photograph features a sign for the airplane, The Blue Streak with a map of the Middle East Theatre beside it. There are wheels seen in the lower portion of the photo.
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Sign Advertising Waitress Wanted at The Atomic Restaurant
This black and white photograph features a sign advertising "Waitress Wanted The Atomic Good Food."
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Sign for Keesler Field Army Air Forces Mechanical Training Command
This black and white photograph features a sign advertising "Keesler Field Biloxi Mississippi Army Air Forces Mechanical Training Command." The sign has the image of a fighter plane. A white light tower is seen behind the sign and trees are brushing the bottom of the sign.
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Six People in Casual Beach Clothes
This black and white photograph features a man in swim trunks standing with three women in swimwear cover-ups while a man and a woman sit on a something behind them.
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Six People in Casual Beach Clothes
This black and white photograph features a man in swim trunks standing with three women in swimwear cover-ups while a man and a woman sit on a something behind them.
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Small Boat in Open Water
This black and white photograph features a small boat out in the open water with the coastline visible to the left. The back of the photograph is ink stamped "Kodatone Eastman Kodak Stores, New Orleans, April 1942" in the center right and "760U" along the bottom right edge.
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Small Boats Docked
This black and white photograph features several small boats docked near a pier. One portion of the pier is covered. The boat in the center of the photograph is named "Louis Johnson Jr." across the stern of the boat.
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Small Boats Docked Near the Beach
This black and white photograph features small boats docked in a small harbor near the beach. Trees can be seen in the distance behind the boats.
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Small Boats in Harbor
This blurry black and white photograph features a group of small boats on the water in a harbor.
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Small Boats on the Water, Docked at a Pier
This black and white photograph features two or three small boats docked at a pier. Trees are seen behind the boats.
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Small Houseboat Beside a Dock
This faded black and white photograph features a small houseboat beside a dock with tall pilings and a covering over part of the dock.
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Small Houseboat Beside a Dock
This faded black and white photograph features a small houseboat beside a dock with tall pilings and a covering over part of the dock. There are trees in the background.
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Soldiers in Uniform Stand Guard at Gate 2 Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi
This black and white postcard features three soldiers in uniform standing at the gate station at Keesler Field while a mid-twentieth century car is paused at the entrance. A sign for Keesler Field is above the gate station and buildings are seen beyond the gate. The title along the bottom of the card reads "Gate 2 Keesler Field, Biloxi, Miss." The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides publisher information as well as indication for address and postage stamp placement.
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Spanish Moss Hung Trees In Front of a Church
This black and white photograph features a group of Spanish moss hung trees that partially obscure a church. A bench sits between two of the trees. The arched stained glass windows of the church are visible.
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Spanish Moss Hung Trees In Front of a Church
This black and white photograph features a group of Spanish moss hung trees that partially obscure a church. A bench sits between two of the trees. The arched stained glass windows of the church are visible.
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Spanish Moss in Front of Water on the Back Bay
This black and white photograph features Spanish moss hanging from a tree and tall grass in front of the water of the Back Bay.
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Spanish Style Brick Structure
This black and white photograph features a Spanish style brick structure with trees on either side of it. A woman appears to be standing in the doorway of the structure.
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Squadron B-1 Building, Keesler Field (Keesler Air Force Base)
This black and white photograph features the windows of a building with shrubs in front. The sign in front of the building is in the shape of a circle with one wing and the circle is partially surrounded by stars. "Squadron B-1" is the title on the sign. The front fenders of two cars are seen in front of the building. The building is presumably located at Keesler Field.