Hoyt earthquake photograph collection
Finding aid created by Sonoma State University Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
Sonoma State University Library
2021
Special Collections
1801 E. Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, California 94928
(707) 664-4152
specialcollections@sonoma.edu
http://library.sonoma.edu/specialcollections/
Title: Hoyt earthquake photograph collection
Dates: 1906
Collection Number: Consult repository
Creator/Collector:
Hoyt, Henry A. and
Hoyt, Frank L.
Extent: 2 boxes and 1 binder
Online items available
Repository:
Sonoma State University Library
Rohnert Park, California 94928
Abstract: These vintage photographs of the extensive earthquake and fire damage to downtown Santa Rosa once belonged to Henry’s daughter,
Frances H. Gove (d.1993 in Monterey, California). The envelope and its contents were found in a Monterey bookshop by a dealer
in 2002 and obtained by the library in 2005. Henry and Frank are presumed to be the photographers.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research by appointment.
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Hoyt earthquake photograph collection . Sonoma State University Library
Biography/Administrative History
Henry A. Hoyt was a building contractor in business with his brother Frank L. Hoyt in Santa Rosa, California at the time of
the 1906 earthquake. The Hoyt Brothers were integral to the rebuilding of the city, including the new Sonoma County Courthouse
and the post office which now houses the Sonoma County Museum.
Henry and Frank were born in Galway, Saratoga County, N.Y. in 1877 and 1881. They trained in architectural design and engineering
in Wisconsin, where the family had moved in 1891. In 1901 the brothers moved to California, and by 1903 were settled in Santa
Rosa. Henry married Ora Mabelle Smith in 1901, and they had one child, Frances Louise, born in 1907. The family lived in
the house he built at 827 Spencer Street in Santa Rosa. (Gregory. History of Sonoma County, bio. sketches 1911.)
Scope and Content of Collection
Thirty-two photographs (plus three duplicates) of the damage to the downtown area of Santa Rosa, California from the earthquake
and fire of April 18,1906. They are 8” X 10” black and white photographs. The collection also includes one original Press
Democrat issue, April 19, 1906 and two clippings of newspaper articles using Hoyt photographs on earthquake anniversaries.
They are accompanied by a compact disk of high resolution tiff files of the photographs.
The contents of the collection are organized in two boxes and one binder.
The photographs are numbered according to their order in the original binder and correspond with the numbering used in the
North Bay Digital Archive (http://northbaydigital.sonoma.edu/).
Earthquakes -- Sonoma County (Calif.) -- History.
Earthquake damage -- Sonoma County (Calif.)
Sonoma County (Calif) -- History -- 20th century.
Hoyt, Henry A.
Hoyt, Frank L.
Sonoma County (Calif.)