The Steamer Magnolia at the Port of New Orleans 1858 - 1861

Jay Dearborn Edwards captured this image of The Steamer Magnolia at the Port of New Orleans using a photographic process popular in the mid-19th century. The photograph shows the Magnolia, an ‘Express Line’ steamer traveling from Cincinnati, Louisville and Memphis, docked at the port, surrounded by cotton bales and barrels. This riverboat operated during a period of intense economic and social change in the American South. New Orleans was a crucial port for the cotton trade, which relied heavily on enslaved labor. The image thus presents a complex view of progress and exploitation. On one hand, the steamboat represents technological advancement and trade; on the other, the cotton bales remind us of the brutal system of slavery that fueled the Southern economy. By consulting historical records, shipping manifests, and economic data, we can better understand the social conditions that shaped this image and the lives of those involved in the cotton trade.