Tooby and Prior Photo Album
Finding aid created by Humboldt State University Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
Humboldt State University Library
2018
One Harpst Street
Arcata, California 95521-8299
707-826-3419
http://library.humboldt.edu/humco/
Title: Tooby and Prior Photo Album
Dates: 1903-1915
Collection Number: 1999.21
Creator/Collector:
Tooby Family or Prior Family
Extent: .5 cubic foot; 1 photo album (29.8 cm x 20.9 cm)
Repository:
Humboldt State University Library
Arcata, California 95521-8299
Abstract: The album consists of 129 photographs pertaining to the Tooby and Prior families who ran a cattle company in Blocksburg, Humboldt
County, California, during the early 20th century. Most images include Tooby or Prior family members, social gatherings, ranching
activities, landscapes, and the Blockburg area.
Language of Material: English
The collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to Humboldt State University Library. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce in any
format, please contact the Special Collections Librarian.
Tooby and Prior Photo Album. Humboldt State University Library
The album was in the possession of the Humboldt State University Library Special Collections prior to 1997.
Biography/Administrative History
The Tooby family's association with the Prior family began in 1902. In 1903 the Tooby brothers, Frank, Ernest (E. N.), and
Ira purchased the Western Livestock Company's ranch land in Blocksburg and started a cattle company with the Prior family.
The cattle company's holdings were known as Tooby and Prior, Inc.
Scope and Content of Collection
The photographs in the album document the everyday lives of two families in the ranching business around 1903 in Blocksburg.
The majority of the images contain a member of the Tooby or Prior families as well as friends and other local residents. Most
photographs are either of social gatherings or ranching activities.
The album is in fair condition with one loose image, one partial image, and five spaces that probably once had images. The
majority of the images are black and white. The images do not appear to be arranged in chronological order and only a small
portion of the photographs have been labeled. In order to preserve the context in which the photographs were created and arranged,
the album was left intact.
Blocksburg (Calif.)
Ranch life - California - Humboldt County