Visual History Tour of the United States: The Oldest Photos taken in Each State

A man named Edmund King made a promise to himself back in the 1850s: he vowed to become one of Alabama’s most prosperous businessmen, and ultimately in all states. He had four sons.

This group of young men dates back to 1850 and is called “Sons of Edmund King of Montevallo, Alabama: William Woodson King, E. Thomas King, Peyton King, and Nathaniel King.” The group photo is from the Department of Archive & History of Alabama, which dates back to 1850. The photograph is considered to be one of the, if not the oldest picture that was taken in the state.