This popular image is one in a newly discovered series by J. L. Minick, Penn State College,1899. Minick is the grandfather of PSU photographer Tom Mairs. An avid photographer, with a degree in electrical engineering, Minick created images that were black and white. He then mastered the art of hand coloring original photographs to produce the “color look.”  This 1928 likeness of Old Main was created from a Minick original, painstakingly restored, digitally analyzed and then reproduced with a new negative. In 1929, this building was demolished, partly because of a fire, but mostly because the building needed renovations.

Mt. Nittany, 1941, colorized

This striking scene, taken from New Main during October of 1941 was an original B&W negative that Minick also “hand colored.” This was a common practice in photography at that time, since color had not been perfected. During this time, the government was using the mountain as a heliography station to send messages to the College about the war effort.  

Beaver Ave - Bellefonte Train

Need description for Beaver Ave image left

The Bellefonte Train image was also created by J.L. Minick. Originally photographed as a black and white from somewhere near current day Burroughs Road (near the Beta House). The viewer is looking towards College Avenue. The building behind the train is the old power station of the Penn State College and behind that the (original) Main Engineering Building. The train had just come in from Bellefonte traveling West. If a person walks behind the current day Engineering Buildings, they could see where the original trains came in.
The image was probably produced circa 1895. If the viewer looks directly behind the engine's steam, the original train station on College Avenue can be seen. This would be across the street from present day Frazer Street and the "Ye Old College Diner.".