The Illinois College of Photography and Bissell College of Photo Engraving was a college in
Effingham, Illinois
Effingham is a city in Effingham County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. It is in South Central Illinois. Its population was 12,252 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Effingham micropolitan statistical area.
The ...
opened in 1893 and closed in 1931,
with a focus on practical, vocational photographic training.
The college was founded by photographer Lewis H. Bissell,
and was located initially on the Austin College campus in
Effingham County, Illinois. It later moved to its separate studio and buildings in 1900 at 910–945 Wabash Ave in Effingham. At one time the school had several hundred students from the U.S., Canada and 52 countries.
The college closed in 1931, due to poor enrollment during the
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...
.
Graduates were expected to "go out fully equipped and the fact that they are alumni of the Illinois College of Photography is a guarantee that they are artists in their lines. A diploma from this institution assures them the most remunerative positions in the best studios in the country."
Notable graduates
*
Fred Hultstrand
Fred Hultstrand (September 13, 1888 – June 28, 1968) was a professional photographer whose work helped document life in the U.S. state of North Dakota in the early 20th century.
Background
Hultstrand was born on a farm in Fairdale, North ...
(1888–1968), graduate 1911
*
Edward Weston
Edward Henry Weston (March 24, 1886 – January 1, 1958) was an American photographer. He has been called "one of the most innovative and influential American photographers" and "one of the masters of 20th century photography." Over the course ...
(1886–1958), attended 1908–1911
*
Ellery Valdimir Wilcox (1882–1960)
*
Tomar J. Hileman (1882–1945), Glacier National Park photographer
*
Avery E. Field (1883-1955), graduated 1906
*
Otto Hillig (1874-1954), who gained wealth and respect as a photographer in the Catskills, in New York State, eventually buying a plane and becoming famous for his transatlantic flight in 1931. He enrolled in the Illinois College of Photography in 1900.
* Nell Oakes (1881-1969), founder of Oakes Vegas Studio (1922-1941) in Las Vegas, NV.
* Glenn A. Davis (1894-1980), partner of Oakes Vegas Studio, photographer of Hoover Dam construction.
* June H. Carr (1878-1960). In the same class at the College as
Otto Hillig, and briefly partnered with Hillig. Moved to Gaffney, South Carolina in 1903 and became a professional photographer there.
[''The Greenville News'' (South Carolina). Obituary for June H. Carr. May 28, 1960. Page 13.]
External links
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References
Education in Effingham County, Illinois
Art education organizations
Vocational education in the United States
History of photography
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