Turning the arch before 1887

"Turning the Arch" is a photograph by George P. Hall & Son, contained within the pages of an album. The image captures a moment of engineering and ambition, yet it also prompts us to consider the narratives of labor, identity, and progress interwoven within the building of structures. Hall & Son invite us to look at the grand construction, an arch, but who were the people who built it, and what were their stories? This photograph serves as a reminder of the hands and bodies involved in shaping our environments. The notion of “turning” in the title suggests not only the physical act of construction, but perhaps also a turning point in history or a shift in societal values. As you consider this image, reflect on the stories behind such monumental achievements—stories of labor, sacrifice, and the complex identities that shape our shared history.