H.C. Tibbitts Photograph Collection, 1909-1915

Stephanie Waslohn
Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0147
Phone: (408) 808-2064
Email: research@sourisseauacademy.org
URL: http://www.sourisseauacademy.org
©2012 Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History. All rights reserved.

H.C. Tibbitts Photograph Collection, 1909-1915

Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History

San Jose State University

Contact Information:

  • Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History
  • San Jose State University
  • One Washington Square
  • San Jose, CA 95192-0147
  • Email: research@sourisseauacademy.org
  • URL: http://www.sourisseauacademy.org
Collection processed and guide prepared and encoded by:
Stephanie Waslohn
Date Completed:
March 2012
©2012 Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: H.C. Tibbitts Photograph Collection
Date (inclusive): 1909-1915
Collection Number: 07.01
Creator: Tibbitts, Howard Coffin
Extent: Containers: 3 boxes

Volume: .68 cubic feet
Repository: Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History, San Jose State University
San Jose, California 95192
Abstract: The H.C. Tibbitts Photograph collection contains 114 black and white photographic prints taken by H.C. Tibbitts during his employment as a contract photographer for the Southern Pacific Railroad's magazine Sunset. The photographs predominately depict landscapes and agricultural views of the Santa Clara Valley between 1909 and 1915.
Language: English

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Neither the original photographs nor the digital images in the catalog may be reproduced, published, or used on the Internet without the expressed, written permission of either the Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History. Rights assessment is the responsibility of the researcher. The credit line, "Courtesy of Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History" should accompany any such use.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], H.C. Tibbitts Photograph Collection, 07.01, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to the Sourisseau Academy by Les Amis de Sourisseau in 2012.

Biographical History

Howard Clinton Tibbitts (1863-1937) was a San Francisco based photographer who worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 40 years starting in 1892. He photographed extensively in the American West, Canada and Mexico, documenting landscapes, towns, agriculture, parks, and other local scenes to help promote the railroad. His work as used in the railroad's magazine Sunset starting with the first publication in 1898. Sunset attempted to change the "wild west" perception of California and Nevada through depictions of the beauty and grandeur of the West. The magazine especially featured locations on the Southern Pacific's Sunset line running from New Orleans to San Francisco.

Indexing Terms

The following terms may be used to index this collection.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Agriculture -- History
Boulder Creek (Calif.)
Casa del Rey Hotel (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Dunne Ranch (Morgan Hill, Calif.)
Historic agricultural landscapes
Hotel Del Monte (Monterey, Calif.)
Los Altos (Calif.)
Los Gatos (Calif.)
Martinez (Calif.)
Morgan Hill (Calif.)
Muir-Strentzel Ranch (Martinez, Calif.)
Orchards
Pacific railroads -- California
Santa Clara County (Calif.)
Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County, Calif.)
Santa Cruz
Saratoga (Calif.)
Southern Pacific Railroad Company
Sunset
Tibbitts, Howard Clinton (1863-1937)
Vallejo (Calif.)

Scope and Content

This collection is comprised of 114 black and white photographic prints taken by H.C. Tibbitts between 1909 and 1915. The photos are organized numerically mirroring the chronology of his travels. The majority of the photographs are geographically focused on the Santa Clara Valley, though additional photos of Vallejo, Martinez, Santa Cruz, and Big Basin State Park are included in the collection. The photographs generally feature beautifully composed landscapes of the Santa Clara Valley, focusing on agricultural scenes including orchards in blossom. Several panoramic prints have been created through the composite of multiple photographs. Popular historic photographic subjects include the Catherine Dunne Ranch in Morgan Hill, the Casa del Rey Hotel and golf course in Santa Cruz, and the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey.

Box 1

3137-3170

Box 2

3171-3200

Box 3

3201-3250