Will H. Thrall Photograph Collection, Approximately 1880s-approximately 1955, bulk 1930s

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Summary

Creators:
Thrall, William Henry, 1874?-1963
Abstract:
This collection contains photographs, negatives, and some ephemera chiefly collected by California conservationist and editor William H. Thrall (1873-1963) for use in Trails magazine. The photographs primarily date from the 1930s, but also include copy prints (and some originals) of late 19th and early 20th photographs. The images depict mountain and forested landscapes and outdoor recreational activities including hiking, skiing, and camping, chiefly in the San Gabriel Mountains and surrounding mountains of Southern California, as well images of historical mountain pioneers.
Extent:
17 boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains photographs, negatives, and some ephemera chiefly collected by California conservationist and editor William H. Thrall (1873-1963) for use in Trails magazine. Thrall served as managing editor of the publication from 1934 to 1939, which was produced to encourage the use of mountain trails and outdoor recreation in Los Angeles County. The collection includes approximately 1200 prints (Boxes 1-4); 68 glass negatives (Boxes 7-8); approximately 2300 film negatives; 150 slides; and miscellaneous documents and ephemera, and a folding pocket camera.

The photographs primarily date from the 1930s, but also include copy prints (and some originals) of late 19th and early 20th photographs. The images depict mountain and forested landscapes and outdoor recreational activities including hiking, skiing, and camping, chiefly in the San Gabriel Mountains and surrounding mountains of Southern California. Many of the photographs include individuals involved in recreational activities as well images of historical mountain pioneers. The photographs chiefly consist of 4.5 x 2.75 inch snapshots and 8 x 10 and 6 x 10 inch prints, by photographers including Dan P. Alexander, Carl H. Bauer, Harlow Dormer, C. C. Vernon, and Thrall. There is also a group of glass plate negatives and film negatives, including a group of unprinted film negatives that appear to be personal photographs with views of nature, groups of people, family scenes, buildings, boating, and trips, in the 1930s-1950s (Box 15). The film negatives have handwritten numbers presumably assigned by Thrall.

Many of the prints appear in Trails magazine, which was published quarterly by the Mountain League of Southern California from Winter 1934 to Spring 1939 (Volume 6, No. 1). In Autumn 1941, the Southern California Outdoor Federation began publishing a new edition of Trails Magazine (without Thrall as editor), but only two issues were published (Volume 2, Nos. 1-2).

Biographical / historical:

William Henry Thrall (1873-1963), conservationist and editor, was born in Connecticut on September 26, 1873, and came to California in 1888. Thrall became an authority on the trails and history of the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. From 1933 to 1938 he served as head of the Division of Mountain Education of the Los Angeles County Department of Recreation. He wrote many articles about the San Gabriel Mountains and was editor of Trails magazine from 1934 to 1939. Thrall married Olive J. Fryer (1880-1952) in December 1898. Thrall died on February 20, 1963.

Acquisition information:
Gifts of William H. Thrall, April 29, 1949; March 23, 1951; and September 17, 1952. Purchase from Mrs. W. H. Thrall, May 1963.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following 5 series:

  • Prints (Boxes 1-4)
  • Negatives (Boxes 7-5)
  • Slides (Box 5)
  • Albums (Box 6 and Box 17)
  • Camera and case (Box 16)

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

The film negatives (boxes 9-15) have been placed in cold storage for preservation. Arrangements for viewing negatives must be made in advance with the Curator of Photographs.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2129
reference@huntington.org
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