Allen, Bennett G. (Portland)

Bennett G. Allen (Portland)

Allen & Dollarhide

These traveling California photographers opened a temporary gallery “opposite the post office” (Pioneer Courthouse) in early 1878. They may have rented a photo studio building on the east side of 5th between Morrison and Yamhill, or another photo studio above the bakery on the corner of Morrison at 6th. It is doubtful they would use a tent in the February rains. They placed two advertisements in the February 23, 1878 Oregonian. One said “Allen & Dollarhide, proprietors” and the other said “branch of Wing & Allen in San Francisco.” They were offering baby pictures and tintype “gems” (inexpensive 1/16 plate size portraits). Simon Wing and Bennett G. Allen operated Wing & Allen in San Francisco from 1874 to 1880. Allen died around 1882. E. F. Dollarhide worked for a San Francisco photographer named George D. Moorse in 1876.