The collection consists of over 10,000 black-and-white and color photographs, negatives, and slides, as well as pen-and-ink drawings, postcards, and ephemeral materials, dating from 1898 to 1982 (bulk 1920s-1930s), that were collected by the Automobile Club of Southern California. The materials form a general photographic reference collection, as well as a broad visual survey of topics of interest to California motorists. Included are images of sites in North and Central America (with an emphasis on California), Europe, the Pacific Islands, and portraits, as well as images related to other subjects of interest to the Club's membership. Many of the images were published as illustrations for articles in the Club's first member magazine, Touring Topics.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1900, the Automobile Club of Southern California was one of the nation's first automobile clubs. Its mission included the improvement of roads and driving conditions in the State of California, and the proposing of traffic laws. In 1909, the Automobile Club began publishing its member magazine, Touring Topics, which became Westways in 1933. The magazine chronicled landscapes and destinations that included extensive photographic coverage of the deserts and coastal regions of California, the national parks of the American West, and Hawaii. Many of the photographs included in this collection may have come from the personal files of Philip Townsend Hanna (1896-1957), editor of Touring Topics from 1926-1957, an enthusiastic amateur photographer, and a supporter of local photographers.

10258 photographs (including black-and-white and color photographic prints, negatives, and slides), drawings, and ephemera in 58 boxes (45.36 linear feet)

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.

Advance arrangements to view the negatives and slides must be made with the Curator of Photographs. Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.