The Valdosta Daily Times Photograph Index is an online gateway to thousands of historic photographs and negatives documenting Valdosta and the surrounding South Georgia region from the mid-20th century onward. This digital resource is built on the original “photo morgue” of the Valdosta Daily Times—a working archive of photographic assignments preserved in labeled envelopes and film negatives by the newspaper’s staff photographers, and now housed at the Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.
To have a photograph digitized, search the index, select an envelope, and click “Request Digitization” on the record page. Our staff will scan the images and notify you when they are available online.
Access Digitized Photos Online
Digitized photographs from this collection are hosted by Flickr and can be accessed directly on the Valdosta Daily Times Photograph Index Album.
Images may be downloaded directly from Flickr. To request high-resolution master files, please contact the Archives.
Valdosta Daily Times. (Year, Month Day). Photograph or Envelope Title [Photograph, Photo ID: XXXX].
Valdosta Daily Times Photograph Index, Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, Valdosta, GA.
Questions or need assistance? Email the VSU Archives.
Acquisition of the Photo Morgue
In 2022, the Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections received an invaluable donation from the Valdosta Daily Times—thousands of photographic negatives documenting decades of local history. These negatives, preserved in their original archival envelopes, offer a unique window into the past, covering community events, personalities, landmarks, and daily life in Valdosta and the surrounding region.
Digitization and Preservation
This photographic collection is digitized on demand by dedicated student workers and volunteers. Each image is scanned as a 48-bit TIFF at up to 4800 DPI according to Library of Congress standards, with access copies provided as JPEGs via Flickr for ease of public use.
The original film negatives are carefully stored as physical archival materials. Digital master files are securely preserved in our digital repository, where they are regularly checked for data integrity.
History of the Valdosta Daily Times
(Source: Valdosta & Lowndes County: through our eyes, 2017)
The Valdosta Daily Times traces its origins back to March 20, 1867, when it began as The South Georgia Times. Founded by Philip Coleman Pendleton, the newspaper initially served as a weekly publication aiming to support Valdosta's growth and community life during a critical period of regional rebuilding following the Civil War.
In October 1905, prompted by intense public interest in local events such as the Rawlins murder trial, the newspaper officially became The Valdosta Daily Times, expanding its publication to daily frequency. This shift enabled it to provide timely, comprehensive coverage of important news and events in Valdosta and Lowndes County.
Acknowledgments
The creation and ongoing success of the Valdosta Daily Times Photograph Index would not be possible without the generous donation of the original photographic negatives and envelopes from the Valdosta Daily Times. We extend our sincere gratitude to the newspaper for entrusting the Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections with this remarkable record of local history.
Special thanks to the late Sarah Davis, whose commitment and careful indexing form the backbone of much of this database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Search the index, select an envelope, and click “Request Digitization.” Our staff will process your request and notify you by email when the images are available.
To help us serve everyone promptly, we typically limit digitization requests to no more than 3 envelopes at a time per user.
For non-commercial, educational, or personal use, you may reproduce or share photographs provided you give appropriate credit:
“Courtesy of Valdosta Daily Times Photograph Index, Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.”
Page last updated: July 30, 2025
