Access
Publication and Use Rights
Processing Note
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Historical or Biographical Note
Collection Scope and Content
Collection Arrangement
Related Materials
Title: Walter A. Scott photographs
Date: circa 1900-1910
Identifier/Call Number: P79-190a (SAFR 23845)
Creator:
Scott, Walter A.
Physical Description:
13 items.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Walter A. Scott photographs, circa 1900-1910, (SAFR 23845, P79-190a) are comprised of photographs of San Francisco, California,
scenes as well as photographs of a steam schooner and a passenger steamship. The collection has been processed to the Item
level and is open for use.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
Access
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
Glass plate negatives may require special handling by the reference staff.
Publication and Use Rights
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other
case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Processing Note
The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include
the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter
experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide
please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.
Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.
Preferred Citation
[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item
Number], P79-190a (SAFR 23845), Walter A. Scott photographs, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Acquisition Information
SAFR-00001
GOGA-00789
SAFR-00001 is a blanket accession that was transferred from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) to the San Francisco
Maritime National Historical Park in September 1988. GGNRA had previously acquired the collection from the San Francisco Maritime
Museum when it became a unit of the National Park Service in 1977.
GOGA-00789 was transferred from the J. Porter Shaw Library to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in February
1985.
It is unknown who donated these photographs to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park or when. They were possibly
donated by Walter A. Scott or his family. The collection was accessioned by the Park on August 1, 1979.
Historical or Biographical Note
Walter A. Scott (1864-1957) was a California photographer from the 1900s-1930s. He worked professionally from 1910-1940s and
primarily took photographs of yachts and other vessels in the San Francisco Bay.
Walter Amos Scott was born in Niles, California, on September 28, 1864, to Eleanor Bein McKay Scott (1819-1894) and Captain
Caleb Cook Scott (1813-1898). Eleanor and Caleb were both born in Nova Scotia, Canada, and his father was a mariner for many
years. In the early 1860s, Caleb and Eleanor settled in the San Francisco Bay Area alongside the Alameda Creek near Niles
[now known as Fremont], in a house he named "Mizzentop" (SFMM Accession Ledger).
Walter did not go to sea like his father. He attended Boy's High School briefly and was an "outstanding middle distance runner"
(SFMM). The 1889 University of California at Berkeley Blue and Gold yearbook lists Scott as a member of the Olympic Athletic
Club, and he was later a member of the Athlete's Association. According to the biography in the SFMM Accession Ledger, Walter
joined Baker & Hamilton as a secretary and was later a court recorder. He then went into business in San Francisco, handling
typewriters and office supplies from at least 1896-1909 (earlier years not verified). He had his own businesses and also worked
for other companies at this time.
From 1896-1899, Walter and Lewis M. Bannan owned a typewriter and supply business named Scott & Bannan, located at 331 and
333 Montgomery Street in San Francisco. In 1899, only Walter's name was listed under Scott & Bannan and it appears he might
have run it this year on his own. In 1900, Walter was listed as a general agent for Columbia Bar-Lock Typewriter, typewriters
and supplies and cameras, at 325 Montgomery Street, Rooms 7-8, San Francisco. From 1901-1905, Walter was Manager of The Columbia
Typewriter Manufacturing Co.; from 1901-1903 the address was 319 California Street, San Francisco; from 1904-1905 the address
was 207 Montgomery Street, San Francisco. From 1906-1907, it appears that he had his own business selling "typewriters, desks,
office supplies" and he was also an agent for Columbia Visible Typewriters at 1811 Fillmore Street and 523 Market Street,
San Francisco. He had his own business at 517 Market Street, San Francisco (1908) and at 531 Market Street, San Francisco
(1909).
Scott's interest in photography increased after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake (SFMM Accession Ledger). Walter was a prolific
amateur photographer until 1910, when he made the shift to commercial photography (San Francisco City Directories for 1909,
1910). He had photograph studios in three different San Francisco locations throughout the years, including 558 Market Street
(1910-1916), 583 Market Street (1917-1936), and 55 Stevenson Street (1937-1941). In the September 1941 issue of Camera Craft,
Walter A. Scott listed many cameras and photograph equipment for sale at his 55 Stevenson Street studio, and it appears that
he was downsizing. From 1942-1946, he was listed as a commercial photographer at his home address, 1234 10th Avenue, San Francisco.
In addition to his commercial business, Walter A. Scott was involved in photography associations: the California Camera Club
of San Francisco and the Photographers' Association of America. On April 12, 1909, he was elected the President of the California
Camera Club in San Francisco (Photographic Times). He was also Treasurer for the Photographers' Association of America from
1922-1923 (Camera Craft, Vol. 29; Camera Craft, Vol. 30).
In 1886, Walter married Jennie Ann Bannon (October 19, 1864-June 16, 1940) (her name has also been seen spelled as Jenny Ann
Brannon and Brannan). They had two children together: Walter George Scott (October 31, 1895-September 20, 1951) and Lloyd
Allan Scott (April 4, 1901-January 9, 1979). Walter George worked for C & H Sugar Refinery in Crockett, California, from at
least 1917-1920, and at the S & T Photographic printing and developing shop at 562 Market Street, San Francisco, from 1930,
1937-1940 (years outside these ranges have not been verified) (WWI Draft card; 1920 census; Crocker-Langley San Francisco
City Directories). He was married to Betty Meyrs and they had a son named Walter A. Scott, Jr. (September 29, 1916-January
9, 2000). Walter A. Scott, Jr. lived with his grandparents in San Francisco from 1937-1940 (Crocker-Langley, 1937-1940). Walter
and Jennie's other son Lloyd Allan Scott worked as a Master for Matson Steamship Company for 50 years and also as a furniture
handler. He
married Virginia D. (Sutton?) (1905-1975) in the 1920s and it does not appear that they had any children.
Walter was a Mason and member of California Lodge No. 1, F. & A.M., in San Francisco. Walter lived in San Francisco for most
of his life at the following addresses: 2210 Steiner, San Francisco (1886); 2532 McAllister, San Francisco (1896-1897); and
1234 10th Avenue, San Francisco (1898-1946).
Mr. Scott died at the age of 93 in Novato, California, on October 2, 1957. He was laid to rest in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park
in Colma, California. Walter A. Scott was survived by his son Lloyd Allan Scott, grandson Walter Amos Scott, Jr., and great
grandchildren Lois and Donna Scott.
Other potential information about Scott:
Some sources say that for a short period of time Scott attended the University of California at Berkeley, although this could
not be confirmed in any of their yearbooks for the years 1878-1888, 1890-1899. However, there was a Walter A. Scott listed
in the 1889 Blue and Gold yearbook as competing athletically as part of the Olympic Athletic Club, which is true according
to the biography in the SFMM Accession Ledger.
Walter Scott's family information:
Walter A. Scott's parents were Eleanor Bein McKay Scott (1819-1894) and Captain Caleb Cook Scott (1813-1898). Eleanor and
Caleb were both born in Nova Scotia, Canada; Caleb was born in Yarmouth and Eleanor was born in Pictou. According to the biography
in the SFMM Accession Ledger, Caleb was master of the British barkentine EMPRESS, which was later made into a grain barge
in San Francisco. In 1861, Caleb sailed from Yarmouth to Boston, Massachusetts, aboard the schooner EAGLE. Caleb "sailed his
way around the Horn of Magellan in South America on his way to a new life in the [San Francisco] Bay Area, and settled alongside
the Alameda creek near Niles" (City of Fremont's website). He was naturalized on June 24, 1867.
Caleb and Eleanor lived in the Washington Township, Alvarado Precinct, and Caleb was a farmer from at least 1867-1894 (later
dates not confirmed). Caleb was listed as a farmer on the 1860, 1870 and 1880 U.S. Censuses and the 1894 Oakland City Directory.
Eleanor died in 1894. From 1896-1897, Caleb lived in San Francisco with his son Walter at 2532 McAllister Street. The 1896
California Voter Register indicates that Caleb was missing his left leg at this time. Caleb died in 1898. Eleanor and Caleb
are buried in the Centerville Pioneer Cemetery in Fremont, California.
Sources:
- Boston, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1954 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006. Original
data: Boston, Massachusetts. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, 1820-1891. Micropublication M277.
RG036. 115 rolls. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Accessed September 3, 2013.
- California, Death Index, 1940-1997 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Accessed September
3, 2013.
- California, Voter Registers, 1866-1898 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Accessed September
3, 2013.
- California, San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1895-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations,
Inc., 2010. Accessed September 3, 2013.
- Camera Craft, Vol. 29, No. 11, November 1922, page 542.
- Camera Craft, Vol. 30, No. 7, July 1923, page 349.
- "Centerville Pioneer Cemetery." Resources. City of Fremont, California. http://www.fremont.gov/BusinessDirectoryII.aspx?lngBusinessCategoryID=26
Accessed September 3, 2013.
- Crocker-Langley San Francisco City Directories (accessed via archive.org).
- Photographic Times; an illustrated monthly magazine ... v.41 no.6 1909, page 228: accessed from http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015073185590
- Walter A. Scott biography. SFMM Accession Ledger, 381/17.
- U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
Accessed September 3, 2013.
- U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Oakland, California,
City Directory, 1894. Accessed September 3, 2013.
- Eleanor Bein McKay Scott grave marker. Find A Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=15310848. Accessed
September 3, 2013.
- 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Accessed September
3, 2013.
- 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Accessed September
3, 2013.
- 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census
Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Accessed September 3, 2013.
- 1900-1940 United States Federal Censuses [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Accessed September
3, 2013.
- 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Accessed September
3, 2013.
- 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Accessed September 3, 2013.
- 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Accessed September
3, 2013.
- 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Accessed September
3, 2013.
Collection Scope and Content
The Walter A. Scott photographs, circa 1900-1910, (SAFR 23845, P79-190a) are comprised of photographs of San Francisco, California,
scenes as well as photographs of a steam schooner and a passenger steamship. The collection has been processed to the Item
level and is open for use.
Contains photographs taken by Walter A. Scott of various locations around San Francisco as well as photographs of an unidentified
steam schooner and an unidentified passenger steamship, circa 1900-1910. There are 13 glass plate negatives. The San Francisco
scenes include the Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park, Fillmore Street showing Walter A. Scott's typewriter business, 1906
earthquake damage, and the waterfront. There are also two photographs taken in unidentified locations showing an early airplane
and a group of men in front of a Southern Pacific locomotive.
Collection Arrangement
No arrangement due to the small size of the collection.
Related Materials
Related photograph collections:
Walter A. Scott photograph collection, 1877-1939, bulk circa 1900-1935. (SAFR 19105, P83-019a).
Consists of 2520 unique photographic images in 4331 physical forms (mostly nitrate film, contact interpositives, contact negatives,
glass plate negatives, and photographic prints), mainly of pleasure yachts, both sail and power, underway in the San Francisco
Bay, California.
Captain Lloyd A. Scott collection of Walter A. Scott photographs, [c. 1929-1930]. (SAFR 15240, P79-040a (SCR 32a-d)
- Consists of four albums of photographs taken by Walter A. Scott, 1929-1935 and four loose photographic prints. Most (likely
all) of the original glass plate and nitrate negatives used to create the prints in the albums can be found in P83-019a.
- Album 32A: Motorboat album, circa 1929-1930. Photographer numbers 2270-2862.
- Album 32B: Yachts, 1929-1930. Photographer numbers 2623-2881.
- Album 32C: Yachts, 1933. Photographer numbers 2967-3036.
- Album 32D: Yachts, 1935. Photographer numbers 3037-3077.
Walter A. Scott photographs, circa 1920-1925. (SAFR 19212, P78-268a)
Consists of six black-and-white photographic prints, 3.5 x 4.5 in. to 8 x 10 in., showing F.A. DOUTY (tugboat); ARTIC (steam
schooner); portrait of Capt. O. Seidelhuber who worked for the Admiral Lines; an unidentified freighter; two prints of an
unidentified steam schooner; and a scene on the San Francisco Bay with a floating pile driver on the left (photographer number
131).
Walter A. Scott photograph, undated. (SAFR 19041, P78-225a)
Consists of one black-and-white photographic print, 13.25 x 10.5 in., showing JAS BYRNES (scow schooner) underway.
Walter A. Scott photographs, circa 1880-1940. (SAFR 19479, P78-436a)
Consists of glass plate negatives, nitrate negatives and a small photograph album of work boats (scow schooners, Chinese Junk,
Italian fishing boats) on San Francisco Bay, California, photographed primarily by Walter A. Scott. The album has photographer
numbers 101-131. In addition to his photographs, Mr. Scott acquired the photographs of T.H. Wilton and reproduced them for
his own catalog of images.
Walter A. Scott photographs, circa 1870-1916. (SAFR 19544, P79-091a)
Consists of fifteen nitrate negatives and seven black-and-white photographic prints, 8 x 10 in. to 5 x 7 in., showing Alaskan
towns and vessels in Alaskan waters and a few images of the steamship STANLEY DOLLAR.
Walter A. Scott photograph collection, 1900-1920. (SAFR 14394, P85-042)
Consists of (40) glass plate negatives, 6 x 8 in. and 5 x 7 in. showing photographs of S.I. ALLARD (auxiliary schooner) and
unidentified passenger vessels, freighters, schooners. Only the photographs of S.I. ALLARD have photographer numbers written
on the negatives; they are: 2, 4-8, 52-55, 58, 59.
Researchers should note that there are thousands of other Walter A. Scott photographs in the San Francisco Maritime Classified
photograph collection.
- This material is located at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Ships, boats and San Francisco views from the Walter Macarthur collection, circa 1880-1939. (BANC PIC 1905.04415-.04541--PIC)
Some photographs by Walter A. Scott. Collection includes 35 photographic prints (many copy prints from 1890s).
- This material is located at University of California, Berkeley. Bancroft Library.
There are Walter A. Scott photographs in several publications, including the Pacific Marine Review (Volume 16, No. 9, September
1919) and the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association Year Book for 1925. It also appears that he wrote an article titled "Cheap
Trays and Other Hints" in the Photographers' Association of California publication "Camera Craft" (Volume 15, No. 12, December
1908, published in San Francisco, pages 471-472).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, Calif., 1906
Passenger ships
Steam schooners
Golden Gate Park Memorial Museum (San Francisco, Calif.)
San Francisco (Calif.)
Glass negatives