Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Rufus Janvier “Jan” Briscoe Photograph Collection
Dates: 1927-1933
Collection Number: 2017_08
Creator/Collector:
Briscoe, Rufus Janvier "Jan"
Extent: 179 photographic prints.
Repository:
Sherman Library and Gardens
Corona del Mar, California 92625
Abstract: This collection contains photographs of Newport Beach, Long
Beach and Compton, primarily relating to natural disasters, such as fires, floods
and earthquakes.
Language of Material: English
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Sherman Library. Literary
rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The Sherman
Library do not hold the copyright.
Preferred Citation
Rufus Janvier “Jan” Briscoe Photograph Collection. Sherman Library and Gardens
Biography/Administrative History
R. J. Briscoe was a member of the Newport Beach Fire Department starting in 1931. He
retired as Fire Chief.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains photographs, primarily of Newport Beach, but also including
Long Beach and Compton, California. The bulk of the photographs relate to natural
disasters, such as fires, floods and earthquakes. Other subjects of the photographs
include dredging of Newport Harbor, Newport Beach Fire Department Engine Company #1,
construction of the Newport Harbor west jetty, and hydroplane races.
Among the more
notable images are several documenting the burning and removal of the the schooner
Muriel from the entrance to Newport Harbor.
Muriel, which was used during the
filming of the 1924 silent movie
The Sea Hawk, ran aground at the entrance to
Newport Harbor in 1925. The wreck was declared a hazard to navigation, and in 1930
the hulk was burned and removed.
Other notable subjects are the filming of battle
scenes of the motion picture
All Quiet on the Western Front, damage to Newport
Beach, Long Beach and Compton from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, and fires which
destroyed the Rendezvous Ballroom and the Newport Beach Refinery fire.
Indexing Terms
Earthquake - Long Beach
Newport Beach Fire Department
Newport Beach - Orange County - California
Long Beach - Los Angeles County - California
Compton - Los Angeles County - California
Photographic Prints
All Quite on the Western Front (motion picture)
The Sea Hawk (motion picture)