Collection of photographic postcards of the Los Angeles Times building bombing, 1910

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Abstract:
Thirteen photographic postcards depicting the aftermath of the Los Angeles Times building bombing, carried out by labor union activists on October 1, 1910.
Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Collection of photographic postcards of the Los Angeles Times building bombing, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A group of 13 photographic postcards documenting the destruction of the Los Angeles Times building after it was dynamited on October 1, 1910, by labor union activists. John J. McNamara of the International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers union, and his brother James B. McNamara were convicted of the bombing. Most of the photographs feature different angles of the building destruction, some with firefighter wagons, fire hoses, and smoke still visible. One photograph shows the destruction in Ink Alley, where the bomb was set off, and another shows a printing press. An unidentified photograph appears to be of James and John McNamara and a woman standing in front of a house, possibly theirs. One of the photographs is captioned "Where first bodies were found ... raising debris to recover the dead." Some postcards have correspondence and stamps on versos.

Biographical / historical:

The 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times building by unionists was a major criminal event in Los Angeles history, killing 21 people and injuring dozens of others. James B. and John J. McNamara, brothers and labor activists, were convicted of the bombing, which was a response to publisher Harrison Gray Otis' fierce opposition to labor unions. The explosion and fire destroyed the second Los Angeles Times building at 1st and Broadway; a third building was built in 1911 at the same location, and the fourth was completed in 1935 at 1st and Spring streets.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Vigilante Rare Documents, November 2023.
Processing information:

Processed by Suzanne Oatey in December 2023.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Collection of photographic postcards of the Los Angeles Times building bombing, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2129
reference@huntington.org
Website