Rufus Janvier “Jan” Briscoe Photograph Collection

Paul Wormser
Sherman Library and Gardens
614 Dahlia Ave.
Corona del Mar, California 92625
(949) 673-1880
library@slgardens.org
http://www.slgardens.org/
2017


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)


 

Rufus Janvier “Jan” Briscoe Photograph Collection

Box 1

 

BRS-001 Debris of Sunshine II following an exploshion (Newport Beach) n.d.

 

BRS-002 Debris of Sunshine II following an exploshion (Newport Beach) n.d.

 

BRS-003 Debris of Sunshine II following an exploshion (Newport Beach) n.d.

 

BRS-004 Debris of Sunshine II following an exploshion (Newport Beach) n.d.

 

BRS-005 Debris of Sunshine II following an exploshion (Newport Beach) n.d.

 

BRS-006 Wreckage of Yacht Yours Truly. Newport Beach Engine Co. # responded to fire alarm at 6:14 p.m. March 25, 1934. March 25, 1934

 

BRS-007 Wreckage of Yacht Yours Truly. Newport Beach Engine Co. # responded to fire alarm at 6:14 p.m. March 25, 1934. March 25, 1934

 

BRS-008 Wreckage of Yacht Yours Truly. Newport Beach Engine Co. # responded to fire alarm at 6:14 p.m. March 25, 1934. March 25, 1934

 

BRS-009 Dredging in entrance to Newport Harbor ca. 1930

 

BRS-010 Highway bridge at mouth of Santa Ana River, March 3, 1938 March 3, 1938

 

BRS-011 Portrait of Life Guard Hersh

 

BRS-012 B & J Duck Camp, Salton Sea, Nov. 1932 November 1932

 

BRS-013 Corner of 1st & A Streets, Bombay Beach (Salton Sea?) November 1932

 

BRS-014 B & J Duck Camp, Salton Sea, Nov. 1932 November 1932

 

BRS-015 Mr. R. J. Briscoe, June 1932 June 1932

 

BRS-017 Mr. R. J. Briscoe, June 1932 June 1932

 

BRS-018 Mr. R. J. Briscoe, June 1932, of Perce Pellett June 1932

 

BRS-018 Newport Beach Fire Deparment Enine Co. #1. Crew posing on the fire truck. 1931

 

BRS-019 Newport Beach Fire Deparment Enine Co. #1. Men working a hand pump. 1931

 

BRS-020 Float entered by Fire Dept. in Tournament of Lights, 1932. 1st Prize Washington Bicentenial Div. 1932

 

BRS-021 Float entered by Fire Dept. in Tournament of Lights, 1932. 1st Prize Washington Bicentenial Div. 1932

 

BRS-022 San Jacinto Mt. from U.S. #99 below Banning between Whitewater & Morongo Valley. Car in foreground n.d.

 

BRS-023 San Jacinto Mt. from U.S. #99 below Banning between Whitewater & Morongo Valley n.d.

 

BRS-024 San Jacinto Mt. from U.S. #99 below Banning between Whitewater and Morongo Valley n.d.

 

BRS-025 The steam shovel (aboard a flatcar) and crew arrive to finish construction of the west jetty, Newport Harbor. September 1927

 

BRS-026 Steam shovel (aboard a flatcar) and crew arrive to finish construction of the west jetty, Newport Harbor. September 1927

 

BRS-027 Steam shovel (aboard a flatcar) and crew arrive to finish construction of the west jetty, Newport Harbor. September 1927

 

BRS-028 Steam shovel (aboard a flatcar) and crew arrive to finish construction of the west jetty, Newport Harbor. September 1927

 

BRS-029 Steam shovel (aboard a flatcar) and crew arrive to finish construction of the west jetty, Newport Harbor. September 1927

 

BRS-030 Steam shovel (aboard a flatcar) and crew arrive to finish construction of the west jetty, Newport Harbor. September 1927

 

BRS-031 Construction work on Irvine Dam. ca. 1930

 

BRS-032 Construction work on Irvine Dam. ca. 1930

 

BRS-033 Construction work on Irvine Dam. ca. 1930

 

BRS-034 Construction work on Irvine Dam. ca. 1930

 

BRS-035 151 Class Hydroplane Races on Newport Bay.

 

BRS-036 151 Class Hydroplane Races on Newport Bay.

 

BRS-037 151 Class Hydroplane Races on Newport Bay.

 

BRS-038 151 Class Hydroplane Races on Newport Bay.

 

BRS-039 151 Class Hydroplane Races on Newport Bay.

 

BRS-040 151 Class Hydroplane Races on Newport Bay.

 

BRS-041 Norwegian Steamship Evanger grounded between Newport and Huntington Beach.

 

BRS-042 Norwegian Steamship Evanger grounded between Newport and Huntington Beach.

 

BRS-043 Schooner Muriel, being burnt to remove her from the Newport Harbor entrance. 1930

 

BRS-044 Schooner Muriel, being burnt to remove her from the Newport Harbor entrance. 1930

 

BRS-045 Schooner Muriel, being burnt to remove her from the Newport Harbor entrance. 1930

 

BRS-046 Schooner Muriel, being burnt to remove her from the Newport Harbor entrance. 1930

 

BRS-047 Underwriters Laboratory Test Engines 2 & 4 July 13, 1927

 

BRS-048 Underwriters Laboratory Test Engines 2 & 4 July 13, 1927

 

BRS-049 Underwriters Laboratory Test Engines 2 & 4 July 13, 1927

 

BRS-050 Underwriters Laboratory Test Engines 2 & 4 July 13, 1927

 

BRS-051 Underwriters Laboratory Test Engines 2 & 4 July 13, 1927

 

BRS-052 Underwriters Laboratory Test Engines 2 & 4 July 13, 1927

 

BRS-053 Underwriters Laboratory Test Engines 2 & 4 July 13, 1927

 

BRS-054 Underwriters Laboratory Test Engines 2 & 4 July 13, 1927

 

BRS-055 Underwriters Laboratory Test Engines 2 & 4 July 13, 1927

 

BRS-056 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-057 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-058 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-059 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-060 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-061 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-062 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-063 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-064 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-065 Filming battlefield scene for the movie All Quiet on the Western Front 1930

 

BRS-066 Car towing aquaplaner in flooding at high tide caused construction work on the west jetty at the entrance to Newprot Harbor. 1927

 

BRS-067 Scene of street flooded at high tide caused by the west jetty construction work of summer. 1927

 

BRS-068 Boardwalk damage caused by flooding at high tide during construction of the the west jetty at the entrance to Newport Harbor. 1927

 

BRS-069 Sidewalk damage caused by flooding at high tide during construction of the the west jetty at the entrance to Newport Harbor. 1927

 

BRS-070 Waves washing over the beach during construction of the west jetty at the entrance to Newport Harbor. 1927

 

BRS-071 Boy rowing a boat on a flooded street in Newport Beach. Flooding was caused by work on the west jetty of Newport Harbor. 1927

 

BRS-072 Man rowing a boat with a woman passenger on a flooded street in Newport Beach. Flooding was caused by work on the west jetty of Newport Harbor. 1927

 

BRS-073 Waves crashing into the west jetty of Neport Harbor. 1927

 

BRS-074 Mud accumlated on a flooded street. 1927

 

BRS-075 Flood of March 3, 1938. U.S. 101 Alternate between Newport Beach and Huntington Beach March 3, 1938

 

BRS-076 Flood of March 3, 1938. Seashore Colony, Newport Beach March 3, 1938

 

BRS-077 Flood of March 3, 1938. Highway bridge. March 3, 1938

 

BRS-078 Flood of March 3, 1938. Railroad & Highway Bridge at mouth of Santa Ana River. March 3, 1938

 

BRS-079 Flood of March 3, 1938. P.E. Railway Bridge Santa Ana River. March 3, 1938

 

BRS-080 House damaged when hillside eroded. May 1933

 

BRS-081 House damaged when hillside eroded. May 1933

 

BRS-082 House damaged when hillside eroded. May 1933

 

BRS-083 House damaged when hillside eroded. May 1933

 

BRS-084 House damaged when hillside eroded. May 1933

 

BRS-085 Fire at Newport Boat Builders, Inc. n.d.

 

BRS-086 Fire at Newport Boat Builders, Inc. n.d.

 

BRS-087 Fire at Newport Boat Builders, Inc. n.d.

 

BRS-088 Fire at Newport Boat Builders, Inc. n.d.

 

BRS-089 Fire at Newport Boat Builders, Inc. n.d.

 

BRS-090 Fire at Newport Boat Builders, Inc. n.d.

 

BRS-091 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-092 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-093 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-094 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-095 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-096 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-097 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-098 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-099 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-100 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-101 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-102 Rendezvous Ballroom Fire. January 27, 1935

 

BRS-103 Garden Grove Mutual Orange Distributors packing house damaged in earthquake. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-104 McDaniel Garage building damaged in earthquake March 1933

 

BRS-105 Seal Beach Hotel damaged in earthquake. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-106 Dr. Syers House destroyed by fire. September 8, 1927

 

BRS-107 Dr. Syers House destroyed by fire. September 8, 1927

 

BRS-108 Dr. Syers House destroyed by fire. September 8, 1927

 

BRS-109 Earthquake damage to a road in Huntington Beach. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-110 Earthquake damage to a school in Huntington Beach. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-111 Earthquake damage to a road in Huntington Beach. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-112 Earthquake damage to a school in Huntington Beach. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-113 Earthquake damage to the E. W. Woolworth building in Santa Ana. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-114 Earthquake damage to the Collins Garage Service building in Santa Ana. 1933

 

BRS-115 Earthquake damage to unidentified building in Santa Ana. 1933

 

BRS-116 Earthquake damage to unidentified building in Santa Ana. 1933

 

BRS-117 Earthquake damage to the Hotel Rossmore in Santa Ana. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-118 Earthquake damage to a Long Beach home. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-119 Earthquake damage to a Long Beach bath house. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-120 Refugees from the earthquake sleeping in the street in Long Beach March 10, 1933

 

BRS-121 Earthquake damage to a school in Long Beach. March 10, 1933

 

BRS-122 Earthquake damage to the Bellflower chamber of Commerce building March 10, 1933

 

BRS-123 Cars damaged by building debris

 

BRS-124 Earthquake damage to a firehouse in Long Beach March 1933

 

BRS-125 Earthquake damage to building complex in Long Beach March 10, 1933

 

BRS-126 Earthquake damage to school in Long Beach March 10, 1933

 

BRS-127 Earthquake damage to Alexander Hamilton Junior High School in Long Beach March 10, 1933

 

BRS-128 Earthquake damage to homes in Long Beach March 10, 1933

 

BRS-129 Earthquake damage to Long Beach Continental Bakery March 10, 1933

 

BRS-130 Earthquake damage to unidentified building in Long Beach March 10, 1933

 

BRS-131 Earthquake damage to Long Beach Laundry March 10, 1933

 

BRS-132 Earthquake damage to Catholic Church in Long Beach March 10, 1933

 

BRS-133 Earthquake damage to unidentified business in Bellflower March 10, 1933

 

BRS-134 Earthquake damage to Safeway Stores in Costa Mesa 1933

 

BRS-135 Earthquake damage to Methodist Church in Costa Mesa November 20, 1930

 

BRS-136 Earthquake damage to Methodist Church in Costa Mesa November 20, 1930

 

BRS-137 Men sifting through debris of unidentified building damaged in Compton earthquake March 1933

 

BRS-138 Earthquake damage to Compton business block March 10, 1933

 

BRS-139 Men surveying earthquake damage to unidentified building in Compton March 1933

 

BRS-140 Earthquake damage to home in Compton March 10, 1933

 

BRS-141 Earthquake damage to unidentified industrial(?) building in Compton March 1933

 

BRS-142 Earthquake damage to school in Compton 1933

 

BRS-143 Cars damaged by Compton earthquake March 1933

 

BRS-144 Earthquake damage to Masonic Temple in Compton March 10, 1933

 

BRS-145 Earthquake damage to Masonic Temple in Compton March 10, 1933

 

BRS-146 Earthquake damage to unidentified building in Compton March 10, 1933

 

BRS-147 Earthquake damage to bank in Compton March 10, 1933

 

BRS-148 Earthquake damage to 3-story business building in Compton March 10, 1933

 

BRS-149 Earthquake damage to Compton Relief Building March 10, 1933

 

BRS-150 Earthquake damage to Compton City Hall March 10, 1933

 

BRS-151 Earthquake damage to Compton City Hall March 10, 1933

 

BRS-152 Earthquake damage to Aranbe Hotel in Compton March 10, 1933

 

BRS-153 Earthquake damage to unidentified building in Artesia March 1933

 

BRS-154 Earthquake damage to unidentified building in Artesia March 1933

 

BRS-155 Earthquake damage to unidentified building in Newport Beach 1933

 

BRS-156 Earthquake damage to Coast Highway in Newport Beach March 10, 1933

 

BRS-157 Earthquake damage to commercial business in Newport Beach March 10, 1933

 

BRS-158 Earthquake damage to church on 23rd and Central (now Balboa) in Newport Beach March 19, 1931

 

BRS-159 Earthquake damage to church on 23rd and Central (now Balboa) in Newport Beach March 19, 1931

 

BRS-160 Earthquake damage to church on 23rd and Central (now Balboa) in Newport Beach March 19, 1931

 

BRS-161 Earthquake damage to church on 23rd and Central (now Balboa) in Newport Beach March 19, 1931

 

BRS-162 Earthquake damage to church on 23rd and Central (now Balboa) in Newport Beach March 19, 1931

 

BRS-163 Earthquake damage to church on 23rd and Central (now Balboa) in Newport Beach March 19, 1931

 

BRS-164 Earthquake damage to church on 23rd and Central (now Balboa) in Newport Beach March 19, 1931

 

BRS-165 Earthquake damage to building at 2806 and 2808 West Ocean in Newport Beach May 24, 1933

 

BRS-166 Earthquake damage to building at 2806 and 2808 West Ocean in Newport Beach May 24, 1933

 

BRS-167 Earthquake damage to building at 2806 and 2808 West Ocean in Newport Beach May 24, 1933

 

BRS-168 Earthquake damage to building at 2806 and 2808 West Ocean in Newport Beach May 24, 1933

 

BRS-169 Earthquake damage to building at 2806 and 2808 West Ocean in Newport Beach May 24, 1933

 

BRS-170 Earthquake damage to building at 2806 and 2808 West Ocean in Newport Beach May 24, 1933

 

BRS-171 Earthquake damage to theater in Lynwood March 10, 1933

 

BRS-172 Earthquake damage to bank in Lynwood March 10, 1933

 

BRS-173 Fire at Newport Beach Refinery January 30, 1928

 

BRS-174 Damage from Newport Beach Refinery Fire January 30, 1928

 

BRS-175 Damage from Newport Beach Refinery Fire January 30, 1928

 

BRS-176 Damage from Newport Beach Refinery Fire January 30, 1928

 

BRS-177 Damage from Newport Beach Refinery Fire January 30, 1928

 

BRS-178 Damage from Newport Beach Refinery Fire January 30, 1928

 

BRS-179 Damage from Newport Beach Refinery Fire January 30, 1928

 

BRS-180 Fire at Newport Beach Refinery January 30, 1928

 

BRS-181 Fire at Newport Beach Refinery January 30, 1928