Finding Aid to the Atkinson Family and Atkinson Construction Company Photograph Collection,
circa 1865-circa 1975, bulk 1890-1940
Finding Aid written by James Eason, August 2007
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2007
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid to the Atkinson Family and Atkinson Construction Company Photograph Collection,
circa 1865-circa 1975, bulk 1890-1940
Collection Number: BANC PIC 2007.007--PIC
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
- Finding Aid Written By:
- James Eason, August 2007
- Date Completed:
-
September 2007
© 2007 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Atkinson family and Atkinson Construction Company photograph collection
Date (inclusive): circa 1865-circa 1975,
Date (bulk): bulk 1890-1940
Collection Number: BANC PIC 2007.007--PIC
Creators :
Atkinson family
Extent:
Number of containers: 2 cartons, 2 boxes, 3 oversized boxes (circa 900 photographic prints, 6 negatives,
and 1 watercolor).
Repository: The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: Chiefly family portraits and snapshots of the Atkinson family (of Colorado Springs and
Los Angeles), with some views related to their construction business. Construction photographs are chiefly
related to the Pardee Dam and Coolidge Dam projects.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice
may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the
Library's online catalog.
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research, with the following exceptions: glass negatives are RESTRICTED. Inquiries
regarding these negatives should be directed, in writing, to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft
Library.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or reproduce
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of
The Bancroft Library 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 by the user. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Atkinson Family and Atkinson Construction Company Photograph Collection, BANC PIC
2007.007--PIC, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Separated Material
Manuscripts and ephemera have been transferred to the Manuscripts Collections of The Bancroft Library and
cataloged as the Atkinson family and Atkinson Construction Company records (BANC MSS 2007/204).
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public
access catalog.
Atkinson family--Archives.
Atkinson family--Pictorial works.
Blackman family--Pictorial works
Marks family--Pictorial works
Atkinson, George W., 1836-1905--Family--Portraits
Atkinson, Lynn Samuel, 1864-1923--Family--Portraits
Atkinson, Walter W., 1871-1917--Family--Portraits
Atkinson, Guy F., 1875-1968--Portraits
Atkinson Construction Company--Pictorial works
Guy F. Atkinson Company of California--Pictorial
works
Pioneers--Colorado--Portraits
Architecture, Domestic--California--Photographs
Architecture, Domestic--Colorado--Photographs
Interiors.
Construction industry--West (U.S.)--Photographs
Dams--Design and construction--Photographs
Pardee Dam (Calif.)--Pictorial works
Coolidge Dam (Ariz. : Dam)--Pictorial works
Cave Creek Dam (Ariz.)--Pictorial works
Colorado Springs (Colo.)--Pictorial works
Photographs.
Portraits.
Photograph albums.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Atkinson family and Atkinson Construction Company Photograph Collection was purchased by The Bancroft
Library in November, 2006.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
System of Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level.
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Bancroft Library staff in 2007.
Biographical Information
Lynn S. Atkinson, Walter W. Atkinson, and Guy F. Atkinson were three of at least ten children of stone mason
George W. Atkinson (1836-1905) and Nancy J. Wilson Atkinson. All three brothers were involved in the
construction industry, and Lynn and Walter relocated from Colorado to Southern California early in the 20th
century. Guy Atkinson founded Guy F. Atkinson Construction in the 1920s, specializing in dam projects and other
major infrastructure projects in the West. Lynn S. Atkinson was responsible for construction of numerous schools
and public buildings in Colorado Springs and the Los Angeles area and, later, dams and public works. Lynn S.
Atkinson, Jr., eldest son of Lynn Atkinson, became head of the Atkinson Construction Co., based in Los
Angeles.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection consists chiefly of portraits, snapshots and photograph albums of the Atkinson family (of
Colorado Springs and Los Angeles), with some views related to their construction business. Atkinson Construction
views include single images of several Colorado Springs buildings constructed in the 19th century, and several
dozen professional views of major 20th century projects. Pardee Dam, Coolidge Dam, and Cave Creek Dam (Arizona)
construction are most notable, with between six and several dozen views of each. A few dam-related public event
photographs picturing Atkinsons with Roy Rogers, Calvin Coolidge, and Franklin D. Roosevelt are present.
Family photographs include several hundred studio portraits (chiefly taken in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Los
Angeles, 1885-1935), primarily of the Walter W. Atkinson and the Lynn Samuel Atkinson families. Guy F. Atkinson
and family are also represented by a few portraits. Some relations from the Marks, Shirk, and Warner families
(of Indiana, Illinois, and Colorado) and the Blackman family (of Louisiana) are pictured. Of note are numerous
professional photographs of Atkinson family homes in Colorado Springs and Los Angeles, with exteriors and
interiors pictured. Family gatherings and celebrations, outings and other activities are also well
represented.
Series 1
Atkinson Construction Company photographs
circa 1898-circa 1940,
bulk 1920-1935
Physical Description:
Approximately 80 photographic prints.
PIC Box 1, Folder 1
Dam projects
circa 1920-1940
Physical Description:
circa 40 photographic prints.
Scope and Content Note
Professionally produced 8x10 inch photographs of dam construction sites and official visits or opening
dedication ceremonies. Pardee Dam and Coolidge Dam are documented, with some images of Cave Creek Dam
(Arizona). Group portraits or event photographs include several Atkinson family members as well as Roy
Rogers, Pres. Calvin Coolidge, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Guy F. Atkinson and sons are pictured, as well
as Lynn S. Atkinson, Jr. and daughters. Snapshots and other photographs of other works projects (some
unidentified, some represented by a single image) are also present.
PIC Box 1, Folder 2
Dam project albums
circa 1925-1935
Physical Description:
2 albums (circa 30 photographic prints).
Scope and Content Note
Two albums of photographs of the Pardee Dam spillway and Atkinson equipment and machinery, apparently on
the Pardee Dam project.
AX Box 1, Folders 1-3
Granite quarry
circa 1900-1910
Physical Description:
3 photographic prints.
Scope and Content Note
Three mounted photographs of a stone quarry, captioned as Lynn S. Atkinson's granite quarry.
C Box
Colorado Springs City Hall
circa 1907
Physical Description:
2 photographic prints.
Scope and Content Note
Two photographs (mounted on 1 sheet) of the construction of Colorado Springs City Hall, circa 1907.
Carton 1, v. 1
Lynn Atkinson, Jr snapshot album
circa 1898-1912
Physical Description:
1 album.
Scope and Content Note
Personal snapshot album of Lynn Atkinson, Jr., with spine title "Lynn Vol. II". Includes several
annotated snapshots of Colorado Springs buildings built by Lynn S. Atkinson, Sr. (or perhaps his father
George W. Atkinson) in the 1890s and 1900s. Includes the City Hall, Washington School, the Alamo Hotel
addition, the De Graff Building, the Alta Vista Hotel, the Rouse Block, several residences, and ruins of
the Antlers Hotel, 1898. Also present are snapshots of Long Beach Polytechnic High School and Ramona High
School (in Alhambra, Calif.) under construction. Each building mentioned is generally represented by a
single snapshot. (Note: this album also listed under Family Photographs, below.)
Series 2
Atkinson family photographs
circa 1865-circa 1975,
bulk 1890-1940
Physical Description:
Approximately 800 photographic prints, 6 glass negatives, and 1 watercolor.
Carton 1, v. 1
Lynn Atkinson, Jr. snapshot album
circa 1898-1912
Physical Description:
1 album.
Scope and Content Note
Personal snapshot album of Lynn Atkinson, Jr., with spine title "Lynn Vol. II". Includes some Colorado
Springs buildings built by or lived in by Atkinson and Marks relatives, but chiefly snapshots of family
members and friends at informal gatherings or outings, and home and bedroom interiors during Lynn's
boyhood. "One of Dad's gold mines" is also pictured. Well-captioned. (Also listed under Construction Co.
photographs, above.)
Carton 1, v. 2-3
Snapshot albums
circa 1900-1920
Physical Description:
2 albums.
Scope and Content Note
Two small Atkinson family snapshot albums, chiefly of family members, homes, outings, leisure activities,
etc. One belonged to Thelma Atkinson, daughter of Lynn S. Atkinson, Sr. (and sister of Lynn, Jr.)
Carton 1, v. 4
Walter & Ellen Atkinson album
circa 1900-1912
Physical Description:
1 album.
Scope and Content Note
Snapshot album of Walter Atkinson (Sr. and Jr.) and Ellen ("Nell") Blackman Atkinson, with many childhood
photographs of Walter, Jr. Also includes many sights from travels in California, Colorado, Louisiana,
Hawaii, and other North American locations. Includes some Blackman family relations in Louisiana. Most
well-captioned.
Carton 1, v. 5
Unidentified snapshot album
circa 1915-1940
Physical Description:
1 album.
Scope and Content Note
Snapshot album with many photographs of Nell (Mrs. Walter Atkinson?) and other women and girls.
AX Box 1, Folders 4-9
Atkinson homes
circa 1890-1910,
bulk 1904-1910
Physical Description:
6 folders (circa 30 photographic prints).
Scope and Content Note
Professional larger-format photographs of Atkinson homes, chiefly in Colorado Springs. Includes group
portraits of the family at the 50th wedding anniversary of George W. and Nancy J. (Wilson) Atkinson at
their home on Nevada Avenue, circa 1904. Most views are of the Lynn S. Atkinson home at 1629 N. Weber. A
noteworthy series of interiors includes bedrooms as well as parlors and other social rooms. Other homes
pictured are an earlier family home in Pennsylvania, Walter W. Atkinson's home and "Uncle Doc's" home on
Nevada Ave., both in Colorado Springs, Many views are photographed by [A.J.?] Harlan, with one by H.S.
Poley.
AX Box 1, Folders 10-12
Home exteriors and outdoor group portraits
circa 1900-1960,
bulk 1900-1910
Physical Description:
3 folders (circa 5 photographic prints).
Scope and Content Note
Miscellaneous larger-format photographs, chiefly of family members in carriages or automobiles or in
front of residences. Also several horse-related images and one of a very young Walter Atkinson, Jr. in a
donkey-drawn miniature covered wagon in front of the Plaza Hotel.
AX Box 1, Folder 13
Watercolor
undated
Physical Description:
1 painting on paper.
Scope and Content Note
Floral watercolor: roses.
PIC Box 1, Folder 3
Home exteriors
circa 1885-circa 1915
Physical Description:
1 folder (5 photographic prints).
Scope and Content Note
Atkinson (and one Marks family) homes (exteriors) in Los Angeles & Colorado Springs. Includes
exterior of 609 S. St. Andrews St., Los Angeles. Also, one view of a home in Kansas (circa 1885?).
PIC Box 1, Folder 4
Home interiors
circa 1920?
Physical Description:
5 photographic prints.
Scope and Content Note
Home interiors in Los Angeles, with arts and crafts or art nouveau furnishings. Four of home of Lynn
Atkinson, Jr (on St. Andrews St.), and one of home of Walter W. Atkinson (on Oxford St.)
PIC Box 1, Folders 5-9
Family snapshots & outdoor group portraits
circa 1890-circa 1925
Physical Description:
5 folders (circa 30 photographic prints).
Scope and Content Note
Informal family photographs, chiefly taken outdoors. Includes mounted snapshots (circa 1890-1910) of
family members in California, Colorado, and a few in Iowa. Includes some home exteriors with people posed,
a horse-drawn trap, and an electric automobile. Chiefly pictured is the Lynn Atkinson family, with some of
Walter Atkinson family. Some unidentified posed outdoor group portraits (8x10 in.) at a cabin and in the
desert (circa 1925?).
Carton 2, Folders 1-30
Studio portraits and family snapshots
1865-1970,
bulk 1900-1930
Physical Description:
30 folders (circa 325 photographic prints).
Scope and Content Note
Studio portraits of Atkinson and Marks family members, dating from an 1864-1866 carte de visite of
"mother" (Atkinson? or Marks?) to a color portrait of a girl, circa 1970. Most are of the Lynn S. Atkinson
and Mary ("Pet") Marks Atkinson family or the Walter W. Atkinson and Ellen ("Nell") Blackman Atkinson
family, although many cousins and siblings are represented. The great majority date from about 1900 to
1930, and are in studio portfolios from Los Angeles or Colorado photographers. About two dozen cabinet
cards of the late 1880s, (many by Colorado, Illinois, or Indiana studios), are also present. Most
photographs are identified, and many are present in multiple copies with variant captioning indicating
they were once distributed among cousins and later reunited. (For example, "Uncle Lynn" or "Father" used
to identify copies of the same portrait.) Many portraits are of excellent quality. A few snapshots are
also present (in Folders 1 & 28). Portraits have been rough-sorted by library staff and arranged
somewhat chronologically, but also grouped by family or individual.
Carton 2, Folder 31
Miscellaneous photographs
circa 1930-1960?
Physical Description:
1 folder (circa 20 photographic prints).
Scope and Content Note
Photographs of a medal, furniture and art works.
Carton 2, Folder 32
Doris Atkinson wedding album
1942
Physical Description:
1 album (circa 12 photographic prints + typescript pages).
Scope and Content Note
Wedding album of (daughter of Lynn S. Atkinson, Jr.) Doris Marie Atkinson and John Emil Kettler, June 19,
1942. Includes wedding portraits, photographs of gifts, and typescripts of detailed accounting of wedding
expenses. Also includes wedding portrait of grandparents Lynn Atkinson and Mary ("Pet") Marks Atkinson,
whose dress was altered to make Doris's dress.
AX Box 2
Studio portraits
circa 1890-1960
Physical Description:
circa 50 photographic prints.
Scope and Content Note
Oversized studio portraits of Atkinson family members, Most are of the Lynn S. Atkinson or the Walter W.
Atkinson family. The earliest are a group portrait of five of the six Atkinson brothers as young men
(circa 1890), and the Marks sisters (Mary "Pet" Marks Atkinson and sisters). Most are 20th century studio
portraits of the next two generations, or this older generation later in life.
C Box
Studio portraits
circa 1890-circa 1950
Physical Description:
circa 12 photographs.
Scope and Content Note
Oversized studio portraits and group portraits, chiefly duplicates of those in AX Box 2, with one or two
exceptions. One crayon enlargement (retouched photograph) portrait.
NEG Box
Glass negatives
circa 1910-1920?
Physical Description:
6 negatives.
Scope and Content Note
Glass plate negatives (4x5 in.) of family members, informally posed. Some negatives broken. Some
duplicates or near duplicates, to total approximately four different images.
