Description
Photographs of lime kiln ruins in northern and central California, documenting a critical 19th century industry producing
lime for the construction of cities in the area. The collection includes 16 photographs (16 X 20 in.) and text documents by
the photographer on the history, significance, and environmental impact of the region's lime kiln industry. The photographer
and donor, David Dawson, provides technical information about the photographic process used to prepare the prints.
Background
Photography is now “a long-awaited career” for Dawson, following service as an officer in the United States Navy and 28 years
in California state government, from which he retired in 1995. David has been taking photographs for about 45 years, but began
serious study of the medium through workshops and personal study in 1989.
The subject matter for David Dawson’s camera most often consists of old, fragile, and unusual historic structures in northern
California. He typically seeks out, studies, and documents buildings and other constructed works, about which little is generally
known. Working exclusively with a large format camera, using black and white film, David attempts to document clearly his
subject matter in a way that is historically useful, but esthetically pleasing as well.