A guide to the Walter A. Scott photographs, circa 1900-1910

Processed by: L. Bianchi and Amy Croft, May 2014.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Building E, Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone: 415-561-7030

Fax: 415-556-3540

SAFR_Historic_Documents@nps.gov

URL: http://www.nps.gov/safr

2014

A Guide to the Walter A. Scott photographs

P79-190a

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service

2014, National Park Service

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

Glass Storage

Item No. 01. Two swans in the water, circa 1900-1910

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Glass Storage

Item No. 02. Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, circa 1900

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Scope and Content Note

There is a street and yucca plants in the foreground. A few other buildings can be seen in the distance. Items 02 and 03 are very similar views.

Related Material

See P83-019a.1711 for another Walter A. Scott photograph of this building.

Glass Storage

Item No. 03. Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, circa 1900

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Scope and Content Note

There is a street and yucca plants in the foreground. A few other buildings can be seen in the distance. Items 02 and 03 are very similar views.

Related Material

See P83-019a.1711 for another Walter A. Scott photograph of this building.

Glass Storage

Item No. 04. Fillmore Street, San Francisco, California, scene showing Walter A. Scott's typewriter business location and office sign, 1906-1907

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Scope and Content Note

The signs "1811 WALTER A. SCOTT 1811" and "Columbia Visible Typewriters" are visible on the building. Scott was an agent for Columbia Visible Typewriters from 1906-1907, and their office was located at 1811 Fillmore Street. Other signs visible on the building include "CONEY DENTIST," "F.A. BROOKBANK, BUSINESS BROKER," "Cook Millinery," and "FREE EXCURSION FREE / ON THE NEW OCEAN SHORE RAILWAY / TO SALADA BEACH," among others. The photograph was taken while it was raining. There are several people on the sidewalk and some are holding umbrellas over their heads. An automobile is also in view.

Glass Storage

Item No. 05. San Francisco, California, buildings as seen from a high vantage point looking toward City Hall, showing damage from the 1906 earthquake and fire, after 1906 April 18

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Hotel Angelus is in the right foreground and there are many other buildings visible in the background. The tall dome in the middle distance is City Hall and the dome of the Hall of Records is to the left. Possibly taken from Nob Hill. Items 05 and 06 are similar views of the same scene.

Glass Storage

Item No. 06. San Francisco, California, buildings as seen from a high vantage point looking toward City Hall, showing damage from the 1906 earthquake and fire, after 1906 April 18

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Glass Storage

Item No. 07. San Francisco, California, buildings as seen from a high vantage point, showing damage from the 1906 earthquake and fire, after 1906 April 18

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Glass Storage

Item No. 08. Waterfront as seen looking down from a hill in San Francisco, California, circa 1900-1910

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Scope and Content Note

There are trees in the foreground. Pier sheds line the Embarcadero.

Glass Storage

Item No. 09. Woman standing on a hill in San Francisco, California, with the waterfront in the background, circa 1900-1910

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in. The upper right corner of the negative is missing.

Scope and Content Note

Profile view of the woman. Her outfit includes a coat and a hat with a feather. The view in the background is looking down from a hill toward pier sheds and other buildings along the Embarcadero.

Glass Storage

Item No. 10. Steam schooner underway, port broadside view, circa 1900-1910

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Glass Storage

Item No. 11. Passenger liner underway, port broadside view, circa 1900-1910

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Scope and Content Note

The steamship has two stacks.

Glass Storage

Item No. 12. Early airplane in a large field, with a crowd of spectators in the background, circa 1908

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Scope and Content Note

The plane is a couple of feet off the ground. There are several small buildings and tents in the background behind the crowd.

Glass Storage

Item No. 13. Group of men standing in front of a Southern Pacific locomotive, circa 1900-1910

Creator/Collector: Scott, Walter A.

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 glass plate negative, 4 x 5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Approximately twenty men in view. Informal portrait. Not all of the men are looking at the camera. Two men in the right background appear to be wearing Shriner hats. "SOUTHERN PACIFIC, E-69 17/26 53" visible on the locomotive.