Photograph album of Santa Cruz, California, approximately 1904

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Summary

Creators:
Aydelotte, Charles L. (Charles Leon), 1868-1924
Abstract:
A photograph album of Santa Cruz, California, dating from approximately 1904, depicting the pleasure pier, people at the beach, redwood trees, and other scenic views.
Extent:
1 Volume
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Photograph album of Santa Cruz, California, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A suede-covered photograph album dating from approximately 1904 containing 48 mounted photographs of Santa Cruz and environs by local photographer Charles L. Aydelotte. Subjects include beachgoers at Santa Cruz beach and views of boardwalk attractions such as the first "Neptune's Casino" (built in 1904 and destroyed by fire in 1906) and the "Electric Pleasure Pier." Other subjects include the "Wave Motor," a motor-driven water tank structure that stored salt water used to wet down dirt roads; the Big Tree Grove of redwoods; a bird's-eye-view of the town; and photographs of crashing ocean waves that appear to take on the form of human faces, with titles such as "Maid of the Mist" and "The Old Man of the Sea." Most photographs have brief captions identifying the subject and location.

Biographical / historical:

Charles Leon Aydelotte (1868-1924) was born in Indiana. He became a professional photographer and relocated to Santa Cruz, California, around 1900 where he operated "Aydelotte's Photographic Studio" until his death in 1924. Many of Aydelotte's scenic views of Santa Cruz were reproduced by major postcard publishers of the day.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Cherokee Bookstore, March 1973.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff, circa late-20th century. In 2020, Suzanne Oatey created a finding aid derived from a collection file.

Physical facet:
(48 photographs in 1 album)
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]. Photograph album of Santa Cruz, California, 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
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