
07/24/2025
LOADING CATTLE FOR THE CHICAGO MARKET, likely late 1890s. The historic shot was taken in an unspecified Montana town by a photographer whose identity remains a mystery. The view appeared on a stereograph card published by Keystone View Co.
Chicago's Union Stock Yard opened in 1865. It became a huge tourist attraction in the 19th Century. The livestock market consisted of 450 acres covered with pens, railroad chutes, buildings. The nearby meatpacking plants had workers performing one specialized task at each workstation. The organized โdisassembly linesโ were the ag industryโs predecessor to Fordโs clever assembly lines. PC users can click photo to enlarge/clarify. Commentary and digital restoration of photo by Gary Coffrin.