Black and white photographic images drawn from a variety of collections document the daily life, work, and activities of the residents of the California border region with an emphasis on San Diego County and Baja California, Mexico between 1850 and 1940. Images show the development of aviation, business, neighborhoods, beaches and harbors, water and transportation and include visiting dignitaries, political subjects and locally based events including the Panama-California Exposition and California Pacific International Exposition. Representing the diverse residents of the region are images of Native Americans, African Americans and American immigrants including Chinese, Italians, Japanese, Mexicans, and Portuguese. Photographs also illustrate the wide-ranging role of the United States military in San Diego.

In the course of the California Border Region Digitization Project, Historical Society staff selected, described, and digitized 3,500 photographs from more than fifteen collections. Scanning services were provided by Luna Imaging, Inc. Funding for the project was provided by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The duration of the project was September 2003 through August 2004.

3,500 items (film negatives): b&w; 4 x 5 in. 3,498 online items

All requests for publication of images in this collection must be submitted in writing to the San Diego Historical Society. Permission for use is not granted until all fees are paid.

Collection is open for research. Access to fragile items restricted, except by permission of the Photograph Archivist.