This collection of photographs centers around the family of James De Barth Shorb (1842-1896) and his "San Marino" ranch in the San Gabriel Valley, California. There are also photographs of Shorb's family home in Maryland, as well as his parents, siblings and children; photographs of female students and nuns at Ramona Convent, Alhambra, and Convent of Holy Names, Oakland, California; Shorb family at picnics and recreational events; and Shorb family friends.

James De Barth Shorb (1842-1896), an attorney and civil engineer from Maryland, came to California in 1864. After his marriage to Maria de Jesus Wilson in 1867, Shorb joined his father-in-law, Benjamin Davis Wilson, in the development of their extensive land holdings in San Marino and Pasadena, and in the founding of the San Gabriel Winery. Shorb constructed and was president of the San Gabriel Valley Railroad and the Alhambra Railroad. In 1871, Shorb created the Lake Vineyard Land and Water Company, and in 1874, Shorb acquired a large tract of land consisting of parts of present-day San Marino, Pasadena, and Alhambra. He was active in many business ventures and served as Los Angeles County treasurer in 1892.

Approximately 350 photographs and 1 photograph album in 8 boxes : albumen prints, gelatin silver prints, photographic copy prints ; images chiefly 20 x 25 cm or smaller, album 27 x 34 cm.

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