Appleyard Photography

The Appleyard Photography Studio was originally built in the early 1900's. The building stood alone with no obstruction to the north so that studio photographs could be made with daylight from a north skylight.  Ray S. Appleyard bought the business in 1924, and was active until his death in 1966. His son, Richard (the author) entered the business in 1929 and continued until his retirement in 1975. In the early 1930's, Mr. Arthur D. Moore began collecting historical photographs of South Haven and had Rich Appleyard produce glass lantern slides for him to show to various clubs and organizations. On several of these shows, Rich was asked to run the projector while Mr. Moore explained the photos, and Rich thus developed an interest in South Haven history. After Mr. Moore's death, Rich was asked to preserve and continue the collection. Much of the content of Photographic Memories of South Haven, Michigan began to be compiled in these shows.



Miss Nan L. Brown Miss Nan L. Brown was an early photographer of South Haven. She operated a studio and also made on the scene pictures. Many of the photos of the early 1900's in this book came from her camera.

The photo to the left is the wreck of the Annie F. Morse, taken in 1904. Miss Brown copyrighted this picture, and at the time the story and the photo were widely publicized. The photograph was produced from an 11" by 14" glass plate negative.