Near the turn of the last century Stone Townwas a bustling port, atrading center, a supply and communication hub and a true International City. Travelers from many lands passed through Zanzibar and like modern tourists, many wanted to keep a record of the sights they had seen.
Karibu ya mwanzo wa karne iliyopita Mji Mkongwe wa Zanzibar ulikuwa ni bandari iliyojaa harakati, kitovu cha biashara, mtoaji wa kiungo cha mawasiliano na pia ulikuwa Mji wa Kimataifa. Wasafiri kutoka nchi mbali mbali walipita Zanzibar na kama walivyo watalii wa kileo walipenda kuweka kumbukumbu ya yale waliyoyaona .