Photomechanical reproductions of photographs of Elmira, with brief introductory text.

Includes bird's-eye view panorama from Mt. Zoar, images of street views, city hall, post office, court house, fire station, armory, library, hospital, Masonic Temple, historical settler homes, parks featuring a lake, casino, and theatre, clubhouse, river, bridge, New York State Reformatory, schools, Elmira College, monuments, churches, cemetery, and homes of notable residents.

Includes photograph of Mark Twain's summer home (Quarry Farm).

Cover [1] features decorative gold border, embossed gold type, and seal of the City of Elmira, 1864.