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Walter Thurston Photograph Collection

13 boxes, 2 oversize folders (7.75 linear feet)

(circa 1850 – 1970s)

bulk 1950s-1970s

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2016.096
Creator(s) Thurston, Walter
Acquisition See Nabb Center Staff
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Ian Post and Kate Harris, August 2019
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Separated Materials

Oversize Folders

Digital Maryland Scan, Oversize Prints

Historic Photos, Oversize Prints
Abstract

This collection contains photographs both taken by and collected by Walter C. Thurston, a skilled local photographer. Included in this collection are color and black and white photographs and negatives of aerial, street and city-scape views of Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland and surrounding regions including Somerset, Dorchester and Worcester Counties and Sussex County, Delaware. The collection of images captures local businesses, school buildings, public events, neighborhoods, and area attractions from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s.  Also included in the collection are historic photographs of Salisbury and the Delmarva Peninsula dating back to the 1850s that Thurston collected.

Biographical History

Walter C. Thurston, Jr., (1907-1980), the son of poet and author W.C. Thurston, Sr., and Anna Thurston, was a highly skilled amateur photographer who worked as a rural route United States Post Office clerk. He spent his nights, evenings, and weekends capturing the lower shore landscape. Eventually, he retired from the Post Office, and opened his own studio in downtown Salisbury, Maryland.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains photographs both taken by and collected by Walter C. Thurston, a skilled local photographer. Included in this collection are color and black and white photographs and negatives of aerial, street and city-scape views of Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland and surrounding regions including Somerset, Dorchester and Worcester Counties and Sussex County, Delaware. The collection of images captures local businesses, school buildings, public events, neighborhoods, and area attractions from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s.  Also included in the collection are historic photographs of Salisbury and the Delmarva Peninsula dating back to the 1850s that Thurston collected.

 

Arrangement Statement

The collection is arranged into two series:

Series 1:  Photographs by Walter Thurston (Digitized by Digital Maryland)

Series 2:  Original and Historic Photographs (numbered)

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Photography
  • Personal Names
    • Thurston, Walter
  • Location Terms
    • Dorchester County (Md.)
    • Salisbury (Md.)
    • Somerset County (Md.)
    • Sussex County (De.)
    • Wicomico County (Md.)
    • Worcester County (Md.)

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

Series 1: Photographs by Walter Thurston, Digital Scans (Digital Maryland)

Box 1

  1. Aerial Photos – Neighbourhoods (#369-375), 1960-1970’s
  2. Aerial Photos – Ocean City, 1960-1970’s
  3. Parades – Salisbury, 1930-1970’s
  4. Aerial Photos – PRMC, 1950-1980’s
  5. Aerial Photos – Perdue
  6. Aerial Photo – Pocomoke, MD. Rt. 13
  7. Aerial Photos – Powellville, MD.
  8. Aerial Photos – Salisbury City Park, 1950-1970’s (these are not all aerial photos)
  9. Aerial Photos – Vienna, MD./Vienna power plant, 1960’s
  10. Aerial Photos – Wicomico River, 1950-1970’s
  11. Aerial Photos – Tony Tank/Fruitland, 1960-1970’s
  12. Salisbury University, 1950-1980’s
  13. Nor Easter 1962 - Rehoboth, Ocean City, Chincoteague, 1962
  14. Delaware – Indian River Inlet, Long Neck, 1960’s

Box 2

  1. Aerial Photos – E. Salisbury, Mt. Hermon, Schumaker, 1950-1970’s
  2. Aerial Photos – Nanticoke, MD, 1960’s
  3. Aerial Photos – Snow Hill, MD, 1970’s
  4. Aerial Photos – Whitehaven, MD, 1960-1970’s
  5. Aerial Photos – UMES, 1960-1970’s
  6. Aerial Photos – Winterplace Park
  7. Wicomico Civic Center and Salisbury Mall, 1950-1980’s (includes many aerial photos)
  8. Sussex, DE – Stuckley Center, 1960’s
  9. Downtown Salisbury – Street view, 1950-1960’s
  10. Aerial Photos – Schools, 1940-1970’s
  11. Smith Island, 1970’s
  12. Seaford, Delaware, 1970’s

Box 3

  1. Still Life
  2. Aerial Photos – Westover, MD, 1970’s
  3. Aerial Photos – West Salisbury, Pemberton, Nanticoke Rd., Booth St., 1960-1970’s
  4. Ariel Photos – Unidentified
  5. Portraits and Group Photos, 1930-170’s
  6. Aerial Photos – Rt. 13 Salisbury, 1950-1960’s
  7. Aerial Photos – Rt. 50 Salisbury, 1970’s, #53-68

Box 4

  1. Aerial Photos – Annapolis, MD. 1970’s, #69-73
  2. Wicomico County, Salisbury Airport, Airports, 1950-1970’s, #74-88
  3. Aerial Photos – Apartment Complexes, 1960’s, #89-107
  4. Rt. 50 – Salisbury Armoury, Village of Hope, National Guard, Nursing Home, 1960’s, 108-112
  5. Aerial Photos – Assateague Island, 1950’s-1970’s, #113-119
  6. Aerial Photos – Berlin, MD. 1960’s, #120-130
  7. Aerial Photos – Salisbury Bypass, 1970’s, #131-142
  8. Aerial Photos – Cambridge, MD. 1960’s, #143-146

Box 5

  1. Salisbury Businesses (#147-178)
  2. Aerial Photos – Camden/Newton (#178)
  3. Cemeteries (#179-184)
  4. Churches (#185-215)
  5. Aerial Photos – Crisfield (#216-222)
  6. Salisbury, MD – Downtown Courthouse
  7. Aerial Photos – Deer’s Head (#232-238)
  8. Deal Island, MD
  9. Aerial Photos, Delmar, MD (#240-247)
  10. Aerial Photos – Downtown Salisbury
  11. Aerial Photos – Easton
  12. Aerial Photos – Elks Lodge Golf Course, Salisbury, MD
  13. Aerial Photos – Hebron, MD
  14. Aerial Photos – Holly Center
  15. Aerial Photos – Riverside Drive and St. Frances DeSales
  16. Aerial Photos – Public Works, Incinerator Rt. 50 and Sewage Plant
  17. Forestry Logging – Eastern Shore
  18. Historical Eastern Shore Events
  19. Aerial Photos – Marion Station, MD
  20. Aerial Photos – Mardela Springs, MD
  21. Aerial Photos – Laurel, DE
  22. Aerial Photos – Salisbury, MD, Marvel Road

Box 6

  1. Duplicates of Scans, Aerial Photos (1/3)
  2. Duplicates of Scans, Aerial Photos (2/3)
  3. Duplicates of Scans, Aerial Photos (3/3)
  4. Duplicates of Scans, By Location
  5. Duplicates of Scans, Misc.
  6. High Resolution Files, Digital MD (CD’s)

 

Series 2:  Numbered Original and Historic Photographs

Box 7

  1. Photographs 500-819
  2. Photographs 820-1146
  3. Photographs 1147-1463
  4. Photographs 1464-1781

Box 8

  1. Photographs 1782-2099
  2. Photographs 2100-2417
  3. Photographs 2418-2736
  4. Photographs 2737-2975

Box 9

  1. Photographs 10,000-10,327
  2. Photographs 10,328-10,643
  3. Photographs 10,644-10,903

Box 10

  1. 8x10 Historic Photos
  2. 8x10 Historic Photos, Streets (duplicates)
  3. 8x10 Historic Photos, Buildings (duplicates)
  4. 8x10 Photos, Misc. (some duplicates)
  5. 8x10 Photos, Historic (duplicates)
  6. 8x10 Photos, Red Album (1/2)
  7. 8x10 Photos, Red Album (2/2)
  8. Photos, Misc.
  9. 8x10 Photos, Misc.
  10. Post cards, Aerial Photos, Salisbury
  11. Photos and descriptions, Eastern Shore

Box 11

  1. Negatives 500-659
  2. Negatives 660-819
  3. Negatives 820-978
  4. Negatives 979-1142
  5. Negatives 1143-1302
  6. Negatives 1303-1462

Box 12

  1. Negatives 1463-1626
  2. Negatives 1626-1785
  3. Negatives 1786-1953
  4. Negatives 1954-2113
  5. Negatives 2114-2273
  6. Negatives 2274-2432

Box 13

  1. Negatives 2433-2591
  2. Negatives 2592-2784
  3. Negatives 2785-2975
  4. Negatives, Misc.
  5. Negatives 10,000-10,163
  6. Negatives 10,164-10327
  7. Negatives 10,353-10,362
  8. Negatives 10,363-10,401
  9. Negatives 10,388-10,399
  10. Negatives 10,512-10,587

Oversize Folders

Digital Maryland Scan, Oversize Prints

Historic Photos, Oversize Prints

 

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None