Sunny Side Plantation

Coovert created a photo album about Sunny Side Plantation, Ark., in 1893. Its owner, New York banker, railroad magnate, and land developer Austin Corbin, created a model of industrial efficiency. Faced with scarce labor, he imported immigrants from northern Italy. The plantation had a railroad, sawmill, and several steamers, in addition to the enterprises commonly found on cotton plantations -- a gin, stores, livestock, and warehouses. It has been documented in Shadows Over Sunnyside, by Jeannie Whayne.