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Reuben Sallows - Evolution of a Farm BoyWhen Reuben Sallows began with R.R. Thompson he learned how to take a traditional portrait but as time went by, he created his own style. While most portraits continued to be taken in the photographer's studio in the 2nd floor at the corner of Montreal Street and the Square, he did begin to take photographs off the premises. Contrast the traditional portraits with ones taken later in Reuben's career.
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"Great Grandpa Blake" - traditional style of portrait in 1800s1880s
R.R. Thompson studio, Goderich, Ontario Canada
Credits:Reuben R. Sallows Gallery, Goderich, Ontario
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Cornelius Joseph O'ReillyCirca 1880s
Reuben R. Sallows Studio, Goderich, Ontario Canada
Credits:Reuben R. Sallows Gallery, Goderich, Ontario
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Mrs. Captain Andrew Bogie1916
Colborne Township, near Goderich, Ontario
Credits:Reuben R. Sallows Gallery, Goderich, Ontario
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Postcards & StereographsStereographs, often kept in the front parlour and approved as a diversion for young and old on Sundays, were very popular. Local scenery and events, as well as landscapes from far-away were avidly collected. Sallows' second display ad in 1881 notes that he had them available for sale. - "The UNIVERSAL VERDICT is that our 99 ct Photographs are unsurpassed in the Dominion for TRUTHFULNESS TO LIFE AND BEAUTY OF FINISH. R. SALLOWS, Photographer. Montreal St. Goderich, Ont. A fine selection of Stereoscopic and Card Views of Goderich and vicinity always on hand." (June 10, 1881, p. 4 of the Huron Signal). The ones that Sallows would be selling may have been his own, as well as those taken by R.R. Thompson & the photographers before him that resided in the stock Sallows had just purchased.
One of Sallows' competitors, E.L. Johnston, made front page news in the August 5th, 1881 edition of the Huron Signal when he sought to obtain even better views of Goderich than what currently existed. "Mr. E. L. Johnson, the well known photographer has presented us with copies of views of Goderich, recently taken. The erection of St. George's Church spire gave Mr. Johnston (sic) an excellent opportunity of getting "a bird's eye view" of the town, and the series of fifteen pictures taken from a perilous perch upon the scaffolding of the steeple, make a collection that it would be impossible to surpass from any other coign of vantage. The lofty position gave the photographer a splendid scope of territory, and the entire town is presented in panoramic style as it came within range of the artist's camera. The views looking south, southeast and east are particularly good, and the execution generally is fully up to the mark. The collection is one which should be in every house, and as the views are arranged for the stereoscopes they will doubtless make their way into many Goderich drawing rooms. We hope that Mr. Johnson's enterprise in risking life, limb and instruments in his endeavor to give some good pictures of the town from the highest pinnacle in the place, will be rewarded by rapid sales. He invited an examination, and at their low price the views of Goderich should go off like the proverbial hot cakes."
Perhaps spurred on by Johnston's deed, Sallows began to document the area in photographs taken outside of the studio. It was a practice he continued until the end of his life. Through the years, his photographs were sold as postcards, stereographs and even envelopes.
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One of the entrances to Goderich's Courthouse park1881-1887
Goderich, Ontario
Credits:University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
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Grand Trunk Railway Station, Goderich, Ontario1900s
Goderich, Ontario
Credits:Reuben R. Sallows Gallery, Goderich, Ontario
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Goderich Harbour, taken from the hill above1880-1900
Goderich, Ontario
Credits:Reuben R. Sallows Gallery, Goderich, Ontario
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Dr. William "Tiger" Dunlop's Tomb - Dunlop is one of the founders of Goderich, Ontario1880-1900
Goderich, Ontario
Credits:Reuben R. Sallows Gallery, Goderich, Ontario
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Goderich Courthouse - taken from Sallows' 2nd floor studio1880s
Goderich, Ontario
Credits:Reuben R. Sallows Gallery, Goderich, Ontario
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Sunset on Lake Huron - taken from the hill above the Goderich harbour1880-1900
Goderich, Ontario
Credits:Reuben R. Sallows Gallery, Goderich, Ontario
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Envelope featuring Sallows photographsCirca 1908
Goderich, Ontario
Credits:George Hoy
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Reuben R. Sallows - As News Reporter?As Sallows became better known and involved in the community, he was often the first on site when there was a "happening" in the community. He recorded events for not just himself but the public. Some of those photographs were either mentioned or featured in the local paper.
December 19, 1884 - Goderich Signal - advertises outside scenes
News About Home - "We are indebted to R. Sallows for a large and well executed photograph of the harbor mills. It is a splendid picture." p.1
-Sept 16, 1904 - Goderich Star - p. 1 -
The First Sod - "Yesterday afternoon on the invitation of Contractor Pigott, citizens representing the Board of Trade and Town Council witnessed the commencement of work by the steam shovel along the north bank of the Maitland. The big machine scooped out the earth by wagon loads and gave a good idea of how railroad work is done. Sallows photoed the crowd, so that the occasion might go down in the town's history." p.1
-Feb 27, 1908 - The Signal - p. 1
Local Topics in Brief - "R.R. Sallows has an interesting series of photographs in his window showing Craigie Bros. ice harvest from the start with the plow to the storing of the material in the ice house." p.1
-The June 18th edition features the Sallows photos of "First CPR Train crossing the Maitland River, Goderich, August 26,1907." It also features a Sallows photo of the layout of the military camp with 3,500 men under canvas. Goderich military camp hosted regiments from around the area.
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Hill leading to the mill in Goderich Harbour - note the imprint- R. Sallows1881-1887
Goderich, Ontario
Credits:University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
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