Large and detailed outdoor tintype capturing the Central Hotel in Blackburn, Missouri, operated by Mrs. Regan. The name of the establishment is visible scratched into the emulsion across the gable end of the structure, while a handwritten inscription directly on the plate reads: “Central Hotel, Blackburn, Mo. By Mrs. Regan.” A second inscription identifies a woman on the upper balcony simply as “Mary,” likely one of the proprietors or staff.

The two-story wooden hotel features a broad, columned front porch and a second-floor balcony with decorative trim, where guests and townspeople pose. At ground level, a stagecoach and several horse-drawn wagons wait out front, with drivers and passengers visible—offering a glimpse into daily life in a frontier-era town still reliant on horse and wagon travel. The scene is animated with nearly twenty figures, making this not only a strong architectural and occupational image, but a rare social document of rural hospitality and transport in the late 19th century.

Tintypes of commercial buildings this size and level of activity are uncommon, especially when identified to specific towns and proprietors. With strong clarity, good contrast, and legible signage and annotations, this image offers a valuable record of Missouri town life and the important role of local hotels as hubs for travel and commerce.