Inventory of the African American Photograph Collection SPC.2021.003

Karen Clemons
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2021-02; 2022; 2023
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu


Contributing Institution: California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: African American Photograph Collection
Creator: Varner, Josephine
Creator: Patterson, Evelyn G.
Creator: Bowie, Albert L.
Creator: Washington, Mary Lou
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2021.003
Physical Description: 6 boxes (one document box, four photograph album boxes, one oversized box, one oversized panoramic photograph)
Physical Description: 5.33 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): circa 1880s-2010s
Date (bulk): 1940-1980
Abstract: This collection contains photograph albums, as well as single and loose photographs featuring images of African Americans. Images depict families; children; soldiers; and infants in a variety of settings and participating in many activities such as parties and events; holidays such as Christmas and Easter; inside and in front of homes; in front of cars; birthdays; churches; parks; vacations; and others. Also included in this collection are school, graduation, and military portraits; and some news clippings, brochures, flyers, postcards, and other ephemera in a few of the photograph albums.
Language of Material: English .

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material  guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Scope and Contents

The African American Photograph Collection (circa 1880s-2010s) contains 6 boxes and 4.42 linear feet consisting of photograph albums and some loose photographs featuring images of African Americans. Photographs in this collection include images of: families; children; infants; soldiers; school, graduation, and military portraits; people inside and in front of homes; people posing in front of cars; candid photographs of people participating in a variety of activities such as reading, talking on the phone, gathering around a table for a meal, and sitting on couches. There are also images of people in parks, gardens, and fields; images of celebrations and events such as birthdays, weddings, attending church; and photographs taken around holidays such as Christmas and Easter. This collection contains ten series. Series 1 contains photograph albums compiled by Albert L. Bowie; Series 2 contains a photograph album compiled by Evelyn G. Patterson as well as a few loose items related to her education such as report cards, a certificate, and diploma; Series 3 contains a photograph album regarding the Richardson, Henry, and Barnett families and contains mostly portrait style photographs as well as a few loose items such as funeral and graduation programs; Series 4 contains a photograph album compiled by Josephine Varner, as well as a folder of loose photographs, documents, and postcards; Series 5 contains one photograph album belonging to Mary Lou Washington, as well as a military patch; school letterman patches; business cards; thank you notes and cards; funeral and event programs; a student progress report and report card; and a handwritten love letter; Series 6 contains eleven photograph albums in which the album compilers or creators are unknown. A majority of the photograph albums in this series do not have any dates or any other descriptive information such as names of people featured in the photographs, or the location where the photographs were taken; Series 7 contains single and loose photographs that were not part of any album; Series 8 contains black-and-white photographs of soldiers presumably taken in the 1940s; Lastly, Series 9 contains seven postcards featuring images of people and locations in the Los Angeles, CA. area.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Photographs located under "Cabinet Cards, Tintypes, Cartes des Visites, Postcards, and Portraits" are courtesy of the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI)

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Scrapbooks
Photographs
African American families
African American soldiers
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Friendship
Holidays
Parties
Portraits
African American children -- Photographs
African American families -- Photographs
Photography -- United States -- History
Los Angeles (Calif.)
Postcards
Philadelphia (Pa.)
Daughters of Improved, Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of the World

box 3

Bowie, Albert L. Photograph Albums circa 1950s-1970s

Creator: Bowie, Albert L.
Physical Description: 2 Albums(198 photographs, 12 clippings, 1 postcard, a souvenir napkin, and other ephemera)

Scope and Contents

This series contains 198 photographs, 12 clippings, 1 postcard, a souvenir napkin, and other ephemera belonging to Albert L. Bowie. The first album in this series contains mostly color photgraphs and polaroids of friends and family taken during small gatherings, celebrations, Christmas, and birthdays; images taken in front of and inside homes; school portraits; and photographs taken while playing tennis and fishing. This album also contains newspaper clippings announcing the retirement of Jerald Wright and Vernon Durley from their jobs.
The second album titled "US Army Manheijm Karlsruhe Germany Albert L. Bowie San Francisco California 1954 Album 2" contains black-and-white photographs presumably of Bowie and his friends, Army buddies, and girlfriends taken while he was stationed in Germany. This album also contains a souvenir napkin painted with flowers and "Germany" with the names "Helen Fenely, Dorthy Mae Williams, and Jeanie Brown"; magazine cutouts of girls in bikinis; images of men in Army uniforms; cars; military vehicles and tanks; a $1 military payment note; and a postcard of the USS General H.W. Butner which was the ship Bowie returned from Germany to the [United States] aboard.

Processing Information

Material was removed from two photograph albums and placed into an acid free enclosure for preservation.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Germany
United States Army
African American soldiers
African American families
 

Patterson, Evelyn G. Photograph Album circa 1940s-1990s

Creator: Patterson, Evelyn G.
Physical Description: 1 Album(220 photographs, 2 newsclippings, 9 postcards, and ephemera)

Scope and Contents

This photograph album contains 220 black-and-white and color photographs, 9 postcards, and other ephemera belonging to Evelyn G. Patterson. Images in this album consist of portraits; photographs taken in front of homes and cars; images taken at birthday parties and holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; images taken at Disneyland, Rosarito Beach, Mexico and Hawaii on vacations; family and friends in St. Louis, MO.(1948) and Detroit, MI.(1950); images taken during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots of burned buildings; photographs of children and pets; photographs taken in Sacramento (1973), images taken of a lot owned by Evelyn in Perris, CA.; Evelyn's home; Pomona Fair; Sunset Plaza "where I worked" presumably as a caretaker for a family; Aragon Ballroom (Santa Monica) on Evelyn's 25th birthday; and photographs taken at an African Marketplace (1991). Also included are images of Evelyn skiing; a high school graduation class photograph (1956); images of Evelyn's parents, grandfather, aunt, and niece; images of Evelyn's first car (1941 Chevy); and images taken of Evelyn in front of a ham radio. This photograph album also contains nine postcards including a photo postcards of Evelyn's father, James Patterson in a U.S. Army uniform (1919); a postcard sent from the Phillipines of African American soldiers (1946); and postcards sent from a friend Evelyn met during her travels. The album also contains a graduation tassle; and a few loose items: Los Angeles City Evening High School credit certificates for U.S. History, English, Civics, and Physiology; Los Angeles City High School District graduation diploma; L.A. Trade-Technical College progress report PBX department; L.A. Trade-Technical College report cards; and Los Angeles City Schools Division of College and Adult Education Adult Education Branch achievement awards for 72 hours of instructions in hospital clerical training.

Processing Information

Photographs were removed from the album and placed into protective sleeves for preservation purposes. Pages that contained descriptive information were photocopied and placed into Box 1, Folder 3.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Hawaii
Mexico
African American families
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History
Rodney King Riots, Los Angeles, Calif., 1992
Los Angeles (Calif.)
box 1, folder 2

Diploma, report cards, certificate 1956, 1968, 1969, 1973

Scope and Contents

Folder includes Los Angeles City Evening High School credit certificates for U.S. History, English, Civics, and Physiology; Los Angeles City High School District graduation diploma; L.A. Trade-Technical College progress report PBX department; L.A. Trade-Technical College report cards; and Los Angeles City Schools Division of College and Adult Education Adult Education Branch achievement awards for 72 hours of instructions in hospital clerical training.
box 3

Photograph album circa 1940s-1990s

 

Richardson and Henry Family Photograph Album 1922-2008; undated

Physical Description: 1 Album(139 photographs; and ephemera)

Scope and Contents

This photograph album contains 139 images, as well as funeral programs, graduation invitations and programs, and other ephemera belonging to members of the Richardson, Henry, and Barnett families. A majority of the photographs feature images of Jacqueline "Jackie" Barnett (nee Henry) and other members of the Henry family, as well as her children and grandchildren (members of the Barnett family). Other images in this collection feature the Richardson family, such as Helen Richardson; and Reba Brown's (nee Richardson) family- her husband Percy Brown, and children Benjamin and Bernice Brown. A majority of the photographs are portrait style, but also include candid photographs of people in front of buildings, posing in yards, attending various events, and images taken of Jackie Barnett during a Disney Land trip and in a classroom, where she worked as a teacher's aide.

Processing Information

Photographs were removed from the album and placed into protective sleeves for preservation purposes. Pages that contained descriptive information were photocopied and placed into Box 1, Folder 8.

Biographical / Historical

Alice Sandra Bedford (1905-1987) married Charles Greysand Henry and they had two daughters Jaqueline Barnett (1939-2008), and Desiree Thomas. Jaqueline Henry Barnett was born in Philadelphia, PA. She worked as a library assistant at Philadelphia's Action Library, and was a musical director at Canaan Galilee Baptist Church, also in Philadelphia. Later, Barnett would become a teacher's Adie in the Pasadena Unified School District in Pasadena, CA. She had five children: Vincent Charles, John Dee, Alicia Penrose, Raymond Arnold, Michele Renee; three daughters from her union with Charles Mapp; Jean, Gail, and Celese Mapp; and Evelyn grandchildren: Travon, Jocelyn, Lacy, Fernando, Brent, Rayvon, Raylene, Stacy, Cheryl, Latanya, Sean, Walter, and Eric.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Philadelphia (Pa.)
Portraits
Barnett, Jacqueline
Brown, Percy
Riley, Inez
box 5

Photograph Album 1922-1987, 2005, undated

Scope and Contents

This photograph album contains 139 photographs featuring images of the Richardson, Henry, and Barnett families. Featured images include: school class photos, school portraits, images taken at a graduation party, prom or formal dances; and photographs of Inez Richardson, Helen Richardson, Percy Brown, Mary Henry, Marcus Henry, Alice Henry, Bernice Brown, Benjamin Brown, birthday party, Mildred Henry, Michelle Barnett, John Barnett, Fernando A. Thomas Jr. , Raymond Barnett, and others.
box 1, folder 8

Ephemera 1980-2008; undated

Scope and Contents

This folder contains funeral programs for Jaqueline Barnett, Eduardo Thomas, Alice Henry, Hazel May Bedford (sister of Alice Henry), Inez E. Riley; graduation dinner invitation for Desiree Thomas; and graduation programs for Watterson College and Cheyney State College. This folder also contains a poem entitled "Family"; genealogy notes; illustrations of cartoon characters; and a drawing presumably done by a child. Photographs were removed from the album and placed into protective sleeves for preservation purposes. Pages that contained descriptive information were photocopied and placed into this folder.
 

Varner, Josephine Photograph Album 1952-1955; 1960; circa 1970s-1980s; undated

Creator: Varner, Josephine
Physical Description: 1 Album(136 photographs, 42 postcards, 3 clippings, and other ephemera)

Scope and Contents

This series contains one scrapbook of 136 photographs, 42 postcards, 3 clippings, and other material compiled by Josephine Varner. A majority of the material in this scrapbook was collected during her time while living in Germany when her husband, SFC Jeremiah Varner was stationed presumably in Berchtesgaden. Images include: photographs of Thanksgiving 1953 with the Young family; a M.P. customs unit captain dinner in Berchtesgaden, 1953; portraits of friends and family; a group photograph of soldiers in uniform; a photograph of "Jerry checking border passes Berchtesgaden 1953"; cars; images taken while shoveling snow, with dogs, in front of homes, an image of the 48th group chapel talent show taken at Fort Eustis, Virginia; and other images taken at gatherings and events presumably circa 1970s. Postcards in this scrapbook are mostly of locations in Berchtesgaden, Germany and Salzburg, Austria including Obersee Recreation Center, salt mines, Hitler's Eagle's Nest, Watzmann mountain, General Walton H. Walker Hotel, Hellbrunn Castle, Alpine Inn, and other locations such as Thule Airbase in Greenland, Mount Rainier, Washington, and postcards featuring the U.S.N.S. General Maurice Rose naval ship. Also in this scrapbook are clippings regarding Chaplain George W. Williams' promotion to Major, and Josephine's noncommissioned officers wives club woman of the year award; booklets entitled "Last Stop USA" (undated) and "General Information for Dependents Going Overseas" (April 1, 1952) to assist dependents in their journey; an Order of the Top of the World" certificate for Jeremiah Varner, July 27, 1957, and other ephemera.

Biographical / Historical

Jeremiah Varner was born in 1928 and resided in Chilton, Alabama. He enlisted in the Army at Ft. Benning, Georgia in 1946. Jeremiah was married to Josephine Varner and they had a daughter named, Candace. Josephine was a longtime resident of Warwick Lawns, Virginia and was a mother to Gabrielle Drake. She was a member of Pastors Aide, church choir, and the Willing Workers Club. Josephine passed away in June 2008.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Salzburg (Austria)
Berchtesgaden (Germany)
African American soldiers
Varner, Jeremiah
box 1, folder 4

Loose photographs, documents, postcards 1953, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1970, 1985; undated

box 4

Scrapbook 1952-1955; 1960; circa 1970s-1980s; undated

 

Washington, Mary Lou Photograph Album 1952, 1958, 1960s-1970s, 1985, 1991, 1992; undated

Creator: Washington, Mary Lou
Physical Description: 1 Album(137 black-and-white photographs,32 postcards, and other ephemera)

Scope and Contents

This photograph album contains approximately 137 black-and-white photographs,32 postcards, and other ephemera belonging to Mary Lou Washington, an African American woman living in San Bernardino, CA. Images in this album consist of photographs taken at church; formal events; after funerals; images taken in houses and yards; school portraits of friends and family; graduation portraits; group photographs of friends and family; images taken presumably on vacations; and images of cars. There is also an image taken at presumably a family barber shop, and one image taken at the Coco Club. There are also postcards mostly of the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego. Most postcards are blank, but others have inscriptions on the back and were presumably sent from a boyfriend who was stationed there. Other blank postcards feature images of Fort Worth, TX., Guadalajara Mexico, Portuguese Bend, CA., Redlands, CA., and Drew County Historical Museum. This album also contains a military patch; school letterman patches; business cards; thank you notes and cards; funeral and event programs; a student progress report and report card; and a handwritten love letter sent from Patricia Lang (on behalf of Mary Lou) to Charles Edwards.

Processing Information

Photographs were removed from the album and placed into protective sleeves for preservation purposes.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

African American families
San Bernardino (Calif.)
Riverside (Calif.)
Naval Training Center San Diego (Calif.)
box 5

Photograph Album 1952, 1958, 1960s-1970s; 1985; undated

Scope and Contents

Images in this album consist of photographs taken at church; formal events; after funerals; images taken in houses and yards; school portraits of friends and family; graduation portraits; group photographs of friends and family; images taken presumably on vacations; and images of cars. There is also an image taken at presumably a family barber shop, and one image taken at the Coco Club. There are also postcards mostly of the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego. Most postcards are blank, but others have inscriptions on the back and were presumably sent from a boyfriend who was stationed there. Other blank postcards feature images of Fort Worth, TX., Guadalajara Mexico, Portuguese Bend, CA., Redlands, CA., and Drew County Historical Museum. This album also contains a military patch; school letterman patches; and business cards.
box 1, folder 7

Ephemera 1965, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1991, 1992; undated

Scope and Contents

This folder contains funeral and event programs; thank you notes and cards; a student progress report and report card; funeral notice newspaper clipping; and a handwritten love letter sent from Patricia Lang (on behalf of Mary Lou) to Charles Edwards.
 

Untitled Albums circa 1940s-1980s

Physical Description: 11 Albums

Scope and Contents

This series contains eleven albums of mostly photographs, as well as some clippings, brochures, and other ephemera. Images include: cars; houses; school, graduation, military, and wedding portraits; celebrations such as parties and weddings; holidays such as Christmas and Easter; buildings; men in military uniforms; people gathering around tables having meals; parks; camp sites; horseback riding; children; infants; images taken at Lake Washington; candid photographs taken in homes and in yards; promotional photographs for what is presumably a band called "Vette"; modeling photographs of Dorothy Gaillard; and others. Also included in these albums are a brochure and flyers for shows and a restaurant in New Orleans, LA.; clippings featuring Miss Watts Summer Festival 1973, a police dog, a modeling show, and others. A majority of these photographs are undated and also do not have any descriptive information such as locations or names.

Processing Information

Material was removed from photograph albums and placed into an acid free enclosure for preservation.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Families
African American families
Friendship
New Orleans (La.)
Detroit (Mich.)
Parties
Holidays
Dallas County (Tex.)
box 2

Photograph Album 1 circa 1950s?

Scope and Contents

This album contains 44 black-and-white photographs of children; infants; cars; people posing in gardens and in front of houses; people in homes gathering around tables, sitting on couches, and posing in front of televisions; and other images. None of the photographs have names, dates, or any other descriptive information.
box 2

Photograph Album 2 1964; 1977; 1983; circa 1960s-1980s

Physical Description: Some images in this album are dark or damaged.

Scope and Contents

This album contains 52 photographs, as well as 1 brochure, 2 programs, 6 clippings, and 1 certificate. Images include: churches; cars; an anniversary cake; images taken possibly at a wedding; bowling; school portraits; a Christmas tree; yards with snow; horses; parks; and others. Also included in this album is a brochure and flyer for "Top of the Mart" in New Orleans, LA.; a flyer for the Chris Owens show which also was located in New Orleans; a Detroit Public Schools Safety Patrol certificate for Johnny Parker, June 19, 1964; a wedding announcement for Harolyn Berry and Terry Lee Townsell, 1977; and clippings regarding a police dog (1983), General MacArthur arriving to Washington D.C. from San Francisco, and a brief article regarding the Tulsa Race Riots entitled "First U.S. City to be Bombed from Air" (March 13, 1983). A majority of these photographs are undated and do not have any descriptive information such as locations or names.
box 2

Photograph Album 3 1959-1962; undated

Scope and Contents

This album contains 97 photographs. Images include: portraits; men wearing military uniforms; images taken possibly at a wedding; people having meals at tables; children; people posing in front of buildings and cars; images taken at parties and events; images taken possibly at a birthday party and Christmas; and others. A majority of these photographs are undated and do not have any descriptive information such as locations or names.
box 2

Photograph Album 4 1942, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1959; undated

Scope and Contents

This album contains 89 photographs. Images include: infants; children; people posing in fields, gardens, and in front of their homes; images taken in homes; images taken at Lake Washington and other possible vacation spots; and others. A majority of these photographs are undated and do not have any descriptive information such as locations or names.
box 2, box 1, folder 5

Photograph Album 5 [Dorothy Gaillard] 1964-1973; undated

Scope and Contents

This album contains 98 photographs, and 7 clippings possibly belonging to Dorothy "Dot" Gaillard or a member of the Gaillard family. Images include: people horseback riding, in homes, in front of homes, in front of cars, and other candid photographs. Other images were taken at events, birthdays, at an airport, one image taken at Tijuana, Mexico, and one image was taken at Fort DeRussy, Oahu, HI. There are also portraits, images of children, one wedding portrait (1963), one image of a girl in a cheerleading outfit, and a few modeling photographs of Dorothy. There are also a few clippings in this album including one entitled "Putting on a show" which discusses and contains an image with Lena Gaillard; and advertisements for businesses featuring photographs by Bertram X. Gaillard. A majority of these photographs are undated and do not have any descriptive information such as locations or names.

Separated Materials

Clippings are located in Box 1, Folder 5.
box 2

Photograph Album 6 [Dorothy Gaillard] circa 1970s

Scope and Contents

This album contains 104 photographs and one clipping possibly belonging to Dorothy "Dot" Gaillard or a member of the Gaillard family. Images include: candid photographs taken in a home; photographs taken outside of homes; postcards from Lady Luck Casino Las Vegas, NV.; photographs taken at celebrations; images of cars and motorcycles; wedding photographs; infants; people reading, talking on the phone, and having meals; and others. Also included is one clippings entitled "Queen Crowned for Festival" regarding Miss Watts Summer Festival 1973, Andrea Phillips featuring an image of Phillips taken by Bertram Gaillard. A majority of these photographs are undated and do not have any descriptive information such as locations or names.
box 2, box 1, folder 1

Photograph Album 7 [Dorothy Sheppard] 1947, 1957-1968; undated

Scope and Contents

This album contains 122 photographs possibly belonging to Dorothy Sheppard, or the Sheppard family. Images include: people sitting around a table having meals; images taken around Christmas; children in yards; school, graduation, and wedding photographs; a man in a U.S. Navy uniform; men in military uniforms; infants; one image taken in Colorado; cars; images taken at Easter; and promotional photographs of what is presumably a band named "Vette". A majority of these photographs are undated and do not have any descriptive information such as locations or names.

Separated Materials

Oversized images of "Vette", and one oversized portrait are located in Box 1, Folder 1.
box 5

Photograph Album 8 [Nash family] 1954-1959; 1969; 1972; undated

Scope and Contents

This album contains 198 black-and-white photographs and 49 color photographs possibly belonging to the Nash family. Images include: people in homes, yards, clubs featuring live music and dancers, photographs taken in bars or restaurants, at events, at a wedding, images taken in front of cars, at the zoo, swimming, at the beach, images of women in nursing uniforms, photographs taken at a recreation or camp site; and others.
box 6

Photograph Album 9 [Jackson Family] 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968; circa 1960s; undated

Scope and Contents

This album contains 60 color and 28 black-and-white photographs possibly belonging to the Jackson family. Images include: people in homes and yards; people posing in front of cars, in kitchens, living rooms, and on couches; images taken presumably in a hospital; and photographs taken at a wedding, in front of an Eastern Airlines airplane. Also included are portrait style photographs and graduation portraits of Gregory J. Moore, Willie Pickett, Gloria Jeanette, and others. Two of the portraits are addressed to Mrs. Jackson.
box 6

Photograph Album 10 1952-1959

Scope and Contents

black-and-white photographs of groups of people taken in front of yards; at the beach; and a few portrait style images.Most of the images are unlabeled, except for a few that contain the names: "Sam Houston"; "Rev and Mrs. Fergerson"; and "Chevon G. Ricks".
box 6

Photograph Album 11 1942, 1947-1948, 1952, June 1973; undated

Scope and Contents

This photograph album contains thirty eight black-and-white, six color, and eighteen negative photographs. Images include portraits; photographs taken in front of yards, cars, homes, in homes, fishing, and store fronts. A majority of the photographs are untitled, undated, and unlabeled but some contain descriptive information on the back of the photographs with the names: Gertrude and Lester Sanders; Lonnie Sanders; [Monzell] Wilson; Lionel [Konigan]; Sydney Rose [Konigan]; Virginia [Bostie]; and others. Some of the photographs were taken in Beaumont and Dallas Texas; and there is one photograph taken of the Mechanics Monument located in San Francisco, CA.
box 6

Photograph Album 12 1986; circa 1970s-1980s

Scope and Contents

This photograph album contains forty three color photographs; mostly polariod featuring images of people in homes; in yards; in front of cars; at school during a presumable track meet and basketball game; and possibly at a construction job site. A few of the images are dated 1986, but the majority are undated. None of the photographs have any descriptive information such as location or names. Two of the images feature a yard that has snow, so the location is presumably in the midwest or east coast of the United States.
box 5, box 4, case 4, box 1

Single Photographs circa 1880s-1950s; 1907, 1912, 1939-1957; undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains single photographs that were not part of any album. A majority of these photographs are undated and do not have any descriptive information such as locations or names. Photographs in this series feature images of groups of people; infant, school, and military portraits; infants; a postcard of the musical group, "Grand Rascals"; a colorized style photograph; a photograph of a family at the beach in Los Angeles; people posing in front of homes and buildings; and others.
box 4

Elks Club Members, Hiawatha No #91 (photograph) circa 1925

Scope and Contents

One black-and-white photograph of Elks Club members, Hiawatha No #91 Los Angeles; in front of sign "Headquarters State Association I.B.P.O.E. of W. [Convention] May 25th-[28th]".
case 4, drawer 5

Buffalo Soldiers Brass Band Photographs circa 1943-1944

Separated Materials

This photograph is oversized and located in Map Case 4, Drawer 5.

Scope and Contents

two panoramic photographs featuring images of 65 musicians of the 92nd Infantry Division band during World War II, presumably taken at Fort Huachuca, AZ. In one photograph, the musicians are wearing their side caps, and in the other photograph, the musicians are wearing their combat helmets. In both images, the musicians are in four rows and holding various instruments. The division's logo which features a single buffalo can be see on the bass drum that is in both photographs.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Fort Huachuca (Ariz.)
Brass bands
African American musicians
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 92nd
box 1, folder 6

"OES Sunday April 5 14 Los Angeles Cal." [photograph] [April 5]

Scope and Contents

one black-and-white photograph with the inscription ""OES Sunday April 5 14 Los Angeles Cal." Photograph is a portrait of a large African American church congregation gathered in front of a Los Angeles area church. A small number of men are posed together with several women, many wearing white dresses and sashes.
box 5

Watts Savings and Loan Association [photograph] circa 1950s

Scope and Contents

black-and-white image depicting the Watts Savings and Loan Association, a financial institution that served the African American community of the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA. Photograph was taken by Maceo B. Sheffield.
box 5

Portrait Photographs 1955-1957; undated

Scope and Contents

twenty four black-and-white and one color portrait style photographs. Some images are presumably school portraits; while others look as if they were taken in a photo booth or studio.
box 6

Cabinet Cards, Tintypes, Cartes des Visites, Postcards, and Portraits circa 1880s-1950s; 1907, 1912, 1942, 1945, 1946, 1953; undated

Scope and Contents

Fifty two black-and-white photographs. A majority of the photographs are portrait style and include images of children, men and women (separately, and together), and groups of people. Three of the portraits feature men in military uniforms including one with the inscription: "[Decato] Jamison to Miss Dorothy Andrews with love to you". There are also images taken at a wedding, a child with a Santa Claus, outside of homes, swimming in a lake/ocean, posing in front of cars, and in other locations. A majority of the photographs are undated and also do not include names of people or locations; or inscriptions. Photographs with inscriptions include: "Leland Stanford Wharton Compliment of Seola Cecelia Martin, 11/22/12"; "Yours Truly F.B. Kamp Indianapolis, May 14 19__"; "Lola V. of Los Angeles Calif."; "Mable Whittington 162 Franklin St. Baltimore MD."; "Theodor Jenkins"; "Jan 23 1907 Don't get frightened its only 'me' E.B.S [front of photo] "Dixie Spencer, P.E. Thorne #122 McDougal St. Brooklyn NY" [back of photo]; "Easter Sunday 1946, F.S. Helen Simpson"; "Baby Donald"; "Sharlet Ruth, Helen [Glass Mato]"; "We Are at Mrs. Nickersons 4228 Compton Ave. Dorothy and John"

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Courtesy of the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI)
box 5

Military Photographs December 1944; circa 1940s

Scope and Contents

This series contains 18 black-and-white photographs of soldiers presumably taken in the 1940s. Images depict men in military uniforms, as well as a few military vehicles. At least two images were taken in New Guinea (December 19, 1944; undated) of Ernest Wright. One image features a soldier standing in front of a 571 Military Police Company sign. A majority of these photographs are undated and also do not have any descriptive information such as locations or names.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

African American soldiers
box 5

Los Angeles African American Community Postcards

Scope and Contents

Seven postcards featuring images of people and locations in the Los Angeles, CA. area. Images include: Second Baptist Church, Henrietta Beauty School, Golden State Insurance Company, Deloy Edwards, Lela Murray, and an image taken in a store of a crowd of people. A majority of the postcards are unused and undated.
 

Black-and-white photo postcard with an image of Lela Murray, co-founder of Murray's Dude Ranch and civil rights activist, holding a heart with text reading, "The Little Daughter Ruler with the Great Big Heart. Hiawatha Temple No. 91 Los Angeles, Cal." Back of the postcard has address of the temple and Murray's name written in pencil. undated

 

Black-and-white photo postcard portrait of a railroad porter standing in front of the Santa Fe Railroad station. On the back of the postcard is a note from a grandmother to her granddaughters in Wisconsin. 1919

 

Image of a crowd of presumably shoppers. Written on the back is the text: "Thousands of these shoppers are looking for your services and products. 1000 cars a day stop at Fantastic Fair - Discount Department Store - in the Heart of Los Angeles...." undated

 

Color postcard featuring the image of employees of the Deloy Edwards, Realtor. circa 1970s

 

Black-and-white photo postcard with an image of the Second Baptist Church of Los Angeles and Pastor Dr. T.L. Griffith. undated

 

Color postcard with an image of beauty school students entitled a "Partial View of the Henrietta School of Beauty Culture," in Los Angeles. undated

Biographical / Historical

Text on the back of the postcard states: "Henrietta Beauty School. Largest oldest and most efficiently operated colored Beauty School on the Pacific Coast. Recent graduates have successfully passed examinations in the States of California, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Kansas, Texas, Missouri, New York, Arkansas, and other states. 100% placements assured. Enrollments are open the year through. For further information address: Henrietta Beauty School 4309 1/2 South Central Avenue."
 

Color postcard with an image of the Golden State Insurance Company and the text "Home Office Building - Golden State Insurance Company, Los Angeles, Calif. / Guarantee Fund. The 'Golden State' is a Life and Disability Insurance Company incorporated under laws of California in 1925. Owned by Black Americans". undated