About Olan Mills Sr.
Lived 1904 – 1978 (aged 73). Olan Mills Sr. was an American entrepreneur.
Olan Mills Sr. (May 9, 1904 – April 15, 1978) was an American photographer and entrepreneur known for co-founding the company Olan Mills with his wife, Mary Mills.
Life and career In 1932, Mills and his wife launched their business in Selma, Alabama. They used an old shed which they converted into a darkroom. To improve business they started going door-to-door. In 1938, the couple opened its first permanent studio, located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
The first Olan Mills plant opened in 1940 in Springfield, Ohio.
Mills died at his home in Dallas on April 15, 1978, from head injuries sustained in a fall.
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Important facts
People in Olan Mills Sr.'s life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Olan Mills Sr.?
Co-Founder of photo-studio chain Olan Mills.
When was Olan Mills Sr. born?
Olan Mills Sr. was born on 9 May 1904.
When did Olan Mills Sr. die?
Olan Mills Sr. died on 15 April 1978 in Dallas.
What was Olan Mills Sr.'s occupation?
Olan Mills Sr. was an entrepreneur.
What nationality was Olan Mills Sr.?
Olan Mills Sr. was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Olan Mills Sr.. https://biography.guide/olan-mills-sr/
MLA: "Olan Mills Sr.." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/olan-mills-sr/.
Chicago: "Olan Mills Sr.." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/olan-mills-sr/.
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