The collection consists of 3511 photographs, negatives, and ephemeral items in various formats circa 1850s-1982. Compiled from the gifts of various donors to the Historical Society of Southern California, the collection covers a wide breadth of subject matter. The images provide comprehensive information about many activities and events important to Southern California in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Volume 1 comprises one portion of the Historical Society of Southern California (HSSC) Collection, which was donated to the Huntington Library in 1992. The HSSC Collection as a whole contains approximately 15,000 photographs and negatives covering the period circa 1870 to circa 1980, and almost exclusively depicts Southern California. As such, it is an important visual record of the growth and history of the region.

24 boxes, 22.42 linear feet

All requests for permission to publish photographs must be submitted in writing to the Curator of Photographs. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Huntington as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Access is granted to qualified researchers and by appointment.