Laumann Yosemite Collection, bulk circa 1908,, 1923, (bulk circa 1908)

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Summary

Creators:
Laumann, Frank E., 1888-1957 Laumann, Una C., 1921 -
Abstract:
The Laumann Yosemite Collection consists of photographic prints and glass plate negatives of two of the Laumann family's visits to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra, the first in circa 1908 and the second in 1923. Photographs taken by Frank E. Laumann include familiar landmarks such as El Capitan, Mirror Lake, Vernal Falls, Half Dome and Hetch Hetchy as well as Laumann family and friends. The Laumann family donated the collection in 2006.
Extent:
3 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Laumann Yosemite Collection, Special Collections, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Background

Scope and content:

The Laumann Yosemite Collection contains 39 photographic prints and 32 glass plate negatives of locations in Yosemite National Park and the Sierra.

The collection documents two trips to Yosemite and the Sierra by the Laumanns, the first about 1908 and the second in 1923. The Laumanns traveled to Yosemite, probably circa 1908, in a Mark West Stage, a horse-drawn surrey. The journey from their home in Fulton, California, took more than five days, with a horse dying on the way. Upon arrival, they made camp at the base of Yosemite Falls. While at Yosemite, Frank Laumann took photographs of familiar landmarks, such as Mirror Lake, El Capitan, Vernal Falls and Hetch Hetchy, and of family and friends, including his sister Millie.

The original organization of the Laumann Yosemite Collection has been preserved and is divided into 2 series:

1. Photographs and Glass Plate Negatives

2. Family History and Ephemera

Two boxes contain prints and glass plate negatives, and one box contains a brief family history and ephemera.

Biographical / historical:

Pioneers of Sonoma County, California, the Laumann family originally immigrated to the United States from Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany, settling in Peotone, Illinois. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, Lawrence and Margareta Laumann came to California by wagon with son John Laumann. John and his wife Hannah had six children, including Frank Emil Laumann, who was born May 8, 1888, in Sonoma County, California and Amelia, known as Millie, who was born in 1895.

Frank Laumann married Dorothy Meyer on February 25, 1914, in Sonoma County, and they made their home in Fulton, California. Frank owned a woodshop, built small houses, ran a store, and weighed plum-filled trucks. Their son George C., who taught mathematics at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo for 27 years, was born April 7, 1915. As a boy, he helped his father and learned woodworking skills from him. He attended local schools before going to the University of California at the age of 16.

George Laumann served stateside during World War II, making the rank of staff sergeant. He married Una Bergmann in 1950, returned to college and earned his bachelor's degree in 1952, his master's degree in 1953 at Chico State, and also did additional graduate work at the University of Oregon and UCLA. He began teaching mathematics at Cal Poly in 1957. His love of nature was shared with his family until his death at Wawona campground at Yosemite National Park on June 4, 1984. His wife, Una, established the Cal Poly George C. Laumann Scholarship in Mathematics in his memory.

Sources

Una C. Laumann

Robert Pavlik

California Death Index, Ancestry.com

Ancestry World Tree, Ancestry.com

Acquisition information:
Donated by Una Laumann in 2006.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open to qualified researchers by appointment only. For more information on access policies and to obtain a copy of the Researcher Registration form, please visit the Special Collections Access page.

Collection stored remotely. Advance notice for use required.

Terms of access:

In order to reproduce, publish, broadcast, exhibit, and/or quote from this material, researchers must submit a written request and obtain formal permission from Special Collections, Cal Poly, as the owner of the physical collection. Researchers should also consult with an appropriate staff member regarding literary or other intellectual property rights pertaining to this collection.

Photocopying of material is permitted at staff discretion and provided on a fee basis. Photocopies are not to be used for any purpose other than for private study, scholarship, or research. Special Collections staff reserves the right to limit photocopying and deny access or reproduction in cases when, in the opinion of staff, the original materials would be harmed.

Preferred citation:

Laumann Yosemite Collection, Special Collections, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Location of this collection:
Robert E. Kennedy Library, Rm 409
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, US
Contact:
(805) 756-2305
archives@calpoly.edu
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