Photographs and reproduction prints of California historic sites, landmarks, buildings (including missions and adobe structures), artifacts, industry, and people who were part of the historical narrative. Subject matter includes the age of Spanish exploration, but concentrates on California in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of the images were compiled in the course of publishing activities and involvement with the Historic American Buildings Survey in California (1930s) under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) ca. 1860 - 1940, undated (bulk is 1930s and undated)

Owen Cochran Coy (1884-1952) had a long career in the field of history. He taught at Eureka High School in Northern California (1909-1913). He served as the secretary and subsequently as director for the California Historical Survey Commission from 1915-1923. He was a professor of history at the University of Southern California from 1925-1950. Following the commission’s administrative restructuring, he served as director of the California State Historical Association (CSHA) from 1923 to 1950. He served as a state technical director of the Historical Records Survey, W.P.A. in 1936. His publication work included editing Pictorial History of California and serving as editor for the CSHA serial publication, California History Nugget.

4.59 linear feet (Boxes: 11 letter)

Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder

Research is by appointment only