South Bay Photo Collection SPC.1900.024

Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Allan Goldman

California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections

2006

University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)

1000 E. Victoria St.

Carson, CA 90747

archives@csudh.edu

URL: https://www.csudh.edu/libarchives/

Contributing Institution: California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections

Title: South Bay Photograph Collection

Creator: California State University, Dominguez Hills

Identifier/Call Number: SPC.1900.024

Physical Description: 520 Photographic Prints (7 linear feet; 10 boxes)

Date (inclusive): circa 1880-1967

Abstract: The collection consists of color and black and white photographs, negatives, postcard-backed photos, and tin-types. Subjects of the photographs include people, businesses, churches, houses, schools, farming, transportation, and natural disasters. Communities covered in this collection include Compton, Torrance, Carson, Dominguez, Redondo Beach, Lynwood, Lakewood, San Pedro, Wilmington, Los Angeles, Terminal Island, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Material from the collection is available online by visiting the South Bay Photograph Digital Collection .

Language of Material: English .

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Photos were acquired over many years through donations and collecting by Archives staff.

History

The South Bay Photos Collection was created from the photographs originally collected in the Compton History Collection, the Heritage House Collection, and the South Bay History Collection. Many of the photos are assumed to be from the collections of Robert Gillingham and other local historians of Compton and the South Bay. These photographs were then arranged to parallel the South Bay History and Compton History Collections.

The South Bay is defined in this collection as the area south of the Los Angeles International Airport and the Glenn Anderson Freeway (CA 105) and west of the San Gabriel River Freeway (CA 605). Generally, the cities in this collection are within the borders of the Rancho San Pedro land grant, made in 1784.

Scope and Contents

The collection covers all areas of the South Bay, as well as communities in the Los Angeles area, including Glendale, Burbank, Santa Monica, and downtown Los Angeles. A majority of the photos 5x7 or 8x10 in black and white. Many of the photographs of people are professional portraits, including two tin-types. Most of the negatives have been created from the photographs and are not original film. All of the aerial photos were shot professionally, the second set being created by Pacific Air Industries.

Arrangement

The collection has been organized into 12 series:

Series I. Carson, circa 1944
Series II. Compton, circa 1880-1967
Series III. Dominguez, undated
Series IV. Lakewood, 1945
Series V. Lynwood, 1913, 1921, 1926, 1928
Series VI. Palos Verdes, circa 1920s, undated
Series VII. Redondo Beach, circa 1880-1925
Series VIII. Regional, 1932-1959
Series IX. San Pedro, 1883-1932
Series X. Terminal Island, 1933
Series XI. Torrance, 1902, 1910, 1924
Series XII. Wilmington, circa 1880s, undated

Related Materials

For material related to the South Bay please consult: South Bay History Collection, Compton Earthquake Postcards Collection, Compton History Collection, Rancho San Pedro Collection, South Bay Photograph Collection, South Bay Photograph Digital Collection , James H. Osborne Photograph Collection , Ira Clark Collection, Charles Blanton Collection, Heritage House Collection, Robert C. Gillingham Papers, Rozelle Family Collection, Dennis Kroll Collection, Jim Brown Collection, Compton Newspaper Collection, Long Beach Fireman's Historical Museum Photographs, Long Beach Fireman's Historical Museum Photographs Digital Collection , Charles H. Eilers Collection, Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce Collection, Gardena Valley News Collection, Donald Greaton Gardena Collection, James Osborne History of Lawndale Collection, Hotel Redondo Photograph Collection, Leuzinger High School Collection, and others.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Carson (Calif.)

Compton (Calif.)

Dominguez Hills (Calif.)

Lakewood (Calif.)

Lynwood (Calif.)

Long Beach (Calif.)

Los Angeles (Calif.)

Palos Verdes Peninsula (Calif.)

Rancho Palos Verdes (Calif.)

San Pedro (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Terminal Island (Calif.)

Torrance (Calif.)

Wilmington (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Farm produce

Harvesting

Earthquake damages

Methodist Church buildings

Public schools -- California -- Compton

Public buildings -- California -- Compton

Series I: Carson circa 1944

Physical Description: 1 item

Scope and Contents

This series includes a photograph of a plane flying over Carson during World War II.

Clouds over Carson circa 1944

Series II: Compton 1872-1969; undated

Physical Description: 4 linear feet

Scope and Contents

These photos cover all aspects of Compton and are organized by subject.

Subseries A: Aerials 1920-1967

Physical Description: 16 items

Scope and Contents

These photos were taken from the air documenting Compton's growth and physical changes and are arranged chronologically.

Looking east on Compton Blvd, Ramsaur Stadium in lower right 1920

Looking northeast from Dominguez Hill, Dominguez Junction in upper left 1924

Looking north on Long Beach Blvd, Angeles Abbey Mausoleum in center (three copies with negatives) 1928

Looking north through Compton, Alameda Blvd on right (2 copies) 1928

Looking east through Compton (2 copies) 1930

Looking north on Long Beach Blvd through Compton 1931

Looking north through Compton 1932

Looking northeast through Compton, Compton Creek and Compton Junior College in foreground 1936

Looking east through Compton, Compton Junior College in lower right (3 items) 1937

Looking north at Compton, with Dominguez Seminary in center (3 copies with negatives) 1941

Wilson Park, upper left (2 copies) 1945

Central Compton, looking south, Alameda Blvd, upper right 1951

Looking north through east side of Compton, Compton Junior College in lower center (2 copies) 1954

Looking northeast through south east side of Compton, Compton Junior College in lower center (with negative) 1956

North part of Dominguez Industrial Tract, looking northeast 1959

Compton Civic Center 1967

Subseries B: Agriculture and Farming 1880-1920; undated

Physical Description: 17 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

These photos are of the sugar beet and vegetable industry in and around Compton. Many of these photos are undated, but from around the turn of the century, and have been arranged chronologically to the best of our knowledge.

Drawing of Omri J. Bullis diary, on Alameda Street north of El Sego Blvd (with negative) circa 1880

Bullis Dairy 1902

Pumpkin patch and farmers, including G.H. Mason, C.I. Mason, and Charles Heath undated

Mayo Ranch exhibits for County Fair (2 copies and negative) circa 1903

Loading sugar beets into wagon, current location of Long Beach Blvd 1910

Sugar beet hauling 1910

Sugar beet harvest from Ward Farm, East Artesia Blvd (3 copies with negative) 1910

Holly Sugar Co. beet dump, Alameda Blvd 1910

Beet dump into Southern Pacific railroad cars, north of Olive St. 1910

Beet dump into Southern Pacific railroad cars, Alameda Blvd at Myrrh St (2 copies with negative) 1910

Dominguez Estate Co. grain(?) train undated

Sugar beet hauling 1914

Cauliflower hauling 1914

Hauling cauliflower north from Pacific Electric station, Compton 1915

J. Lee Shepard Ranch, on Long Beach Blvd south of Alondra 1916

Unloading cauliflower 1920

Cattle, oil and flowers, Dominguez Hills undated

Subseries C: Buildings and Parks 1875-1951; undated

Physical Description: 21 items

Scope and Contents

These are photos of residences, clubs, parks, and other miscellaneous buildings that were not primarily businesses. Some of the home photos were collected as part of "Compton Homes of Yesterday," a report on historic homes in Compton made by Bennett. This report is in the Compton series of the Local History Collection. This subseries is arranged chronologically.

Mrs. S. A. Wood and daughter Fannie in front of C.E. Wood home, E. Main St 1875

Anson Stevens home, Anson, Catherine, and Nettie Stevens in foregroundund circa 1885

William Gaines house (later Heritage House) (?) circa 1885

Artesian well on F.E. Barron property 1894

Artesian Well on Kent Property, Tamarind and Laurel undated

Charlie Heath and his house 1897

Home of Jessie Smith at Tamarind and Laurel circa 1900

Garden shed in back yard of Mears-Black home circa 1900

Harmon Higgins home and family circa 1900

Pacific Electric Railway Station 1902

William Gaines house (later Heritage House) 1904

Ward's Fruit Ranch 1910

John Abbott home, Compton Blvd east of Alameda St 1914

Palmer house circa 1914

Typical residences collage, H. J. Mayo house in top left circa 1920s

Chamber of Commerce building (drawing) circa 1920s

Club buildings, Woman's Club in lower right circa 1920s

Las Campanas Hospital (3 copies with negative) 1940

J.H. Bennett home, Editor, Compton Enterprise circa 1941

Cressey Park 1946

Taylor house, razed for Compton Junior College circa 1951

Subseries D: Businesses 1887-1960

Physical Description: 21 items

Scope and Contents

These photos show the various businesses in Compton, many within the business district centered on Main Street/Compton Boulevard. They are arranged alphabetically by business name, with unidentified and general businesses located at the end. Note: Main Street was renamed Compton Boulevard in 1932.

Community Savings and Loan Association building 1963

Compton Center with Sears 1960

Compton Enterprise building (3 copies) circa 1901

Compton Enterprise building 1902

Compton Enterprise building, during demolition 1941

Compton-Gardena Milling Co. circa 1920s

Haylock General Variety Store (with negative) 1895

Haylock General Variety Store 1895

Los Angeles Cycle Car, proposed new industry for Compton 1914

Luxe Gasoline filling station circa 1930s

Mason Bros Plumbing and Hardware, north side of Compton Blvd (2 copies with negative) circa 1906

Mason's hardware store; Charles Mason on right, Frank Mayo on left circa 1918

McKee Hotel 1894

McNeil's blacksmith shop, Compton Blvd west of Tamarind St circa 1890s

McNeil and Shawrack Blacksmith Shop, in front L-R George Rogers, William Shawrack, Dick Heichew, Allen Kent, and Louis Page, Sr., Compton Blvd west of Tamarind St 1895

Neel and Towne Funeral Directors circa 1920s

Neel and Towne Funeral Directors and neighboring house circa 1920s

Newmark and Edwards Grain Dealers, first office on Court St, downtown circa 1890s

Newmark and Edwards Grain Company, second office circa 1891

Peterson Lumber Co., North Alameda St circa 1930s

Stockwell Market, interior and, from Herald American, exterior (four photos with negatives, a-d) 1900 , circa 1930, circa 1960

Business block 1887

Cheese Factory, Alameda and Myrrh Streets circa 1900

Main Street business, unidentified 1914

Industrial buildings (2 copies) circa 1920s

Business buildings in Compton circa 1920s

Subseries E: Churches 1879-1936; undated

Physical Description: 33 items

Scope and Contents

Arranged alphabetically by church, these photos include the Baptist, Catholic, Congregational, and Methodist Churches. A majority of the photos are from the Methodist Church, and includes photos of the interior and exterior of the church buildings and parsonages, gatherings of church members, and photos of some of the pastors from the late 19th and early 20th century.

Sunday School Class, Baptist Church, Reverend Whitting, Pastor undated

Catholic Church on left, various appliances on lawn (2 copies) 1937

Subseries F: Congregational Church 1872-1896; undated

Physical Description: 4 items

Scope and Contents

Photos of the Congregational Church

Church and parsonage, Tamarind and Almond Streets undated

Church with bell tower, and parsonage, Tamarind and Almond Streets undated

Ladies Aid Society 1896

Church, exterior (3 copies with negative) circa 1872

Subseries G: First Methodist Church 1879-1940; undated

Physical Description: 22 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photos of the Methodist Church building, interior and exterior.

Church and parsonage, exterior circa 1880

Parsonage, Reverend and Mrs. Bunker in foreground (2 copies) 1900

Exterior, northwest corner of Willowbrook Ave and Palm Street (2 copies with negative) 1906

Exterior (2 copies with negative) 1911

Exterior (3 copies and 3 negatives) 1940

Exterior (2 copies with negative) circa 1943

Interior circa 1940

Interior, chancel in center undated

Interior, chancel (2 copies) undated

Interior, communion table in center (2 copies) undated

Interior, communion table undated

Interior, chancel undated

Picnic circa 1890s

Sunset Social (2 copies) 1916

Sunset Social 1936

Sunset Social 1937

Sunset Social 1938

Sunset Social (2 copies) 1939

Sunset Social circa 1940

Ladies group 1940

Subseries H: First Methodist Pastors circa 1875-1936; undated

Physical Description: 9 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Portraits of First Methodist pastors

Bovard, Marion M. undated

Cool, Peter Y., 1879-1880 circa 1879

Robinson, Timothy E., 1883-1885 and 1900-1903 circa 1883

Leach, Charles, 1892-1895 circa 1893

Bunker, A.W., 1895-1900 circa 1895

Jennings, William A., 1923-1927 circa 1923

Norcross, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence, on "Old Timers' Day," 1931-1936 1935

Toothaker, Frank M., 1936-1941 1936

Subseries I: City of Compton 1885-1950s

Physical Description: 22 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series is of photos related to the infrastructure and government of the City of Compton, including utilities, public works projects, and city streets. Photographs in the Civic Buildings and Public Works groups are arranged chronologically; the Streets group is arranged alphabetically by street and then chronologically. Note: Main Street was renamed Compton Boulevard in 1932.

Civic Buildings 1924-1935

Physical Description: 4 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photos of Compton public buildings

Water Department staff and office (2 copies with negative) 1924

First City Hall 1925

Public Library, 2 photos (2 copies of one photo, one print of photo from book) 1930

Post Office, with staff 1935

Public Works circa 1930-1950

Physical Description: 3 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photos of public works projects under construction

Cementing side of Compton Creek East Branch circa 1930s

East Compton drain, looking north along Santa Fe Ave from Palmer Ave circa 1950s

East Compton drain, looking south along Santa Fe Ave from Palmer Ave circa 1950s

Streets 1885-1962

Physical Description: 14 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photos of streets in Compton

Compton Blvd from Alameda St, looking west 1885

Compton Blvd, looking west (2 copies) 1888

Main Street (Compton Blvd) stoop 1895

Street scene 1895

Compton Blvd, looking west circa 1900

East Compton Blvd, Neel and Towne building in backgroundund(?) 1910

Compton Blvd, with cars circa 1912

Compton Blvd at Tamarind Street, looking east (with 2 negatives) 1915

Compton Blvd, looking east (2 copies) 1916

Compton Blvd 1920

Compton Blvd from Alameda St, looking west 1962

Victoria Street ribbon cutting 1959

Willowbrook Ave, looking north, old Methodist Church in background 1905

Willowbrook Ave, looking north from Compton Blvd (2 copies with negative) 1905

Willowbrook Ave with Pacific Electric Railway train (with negative) 1914

Subseries J: Earthquake 1933

Physical Description: 54 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series consists of photos taken immediately after the March 10, 1933 earthquake. The photos have been arranged alphabetically within four groups: Buildings, mostly along Compton Boulevard; Schools; Streets, mostly Compton Boulevard and the intersecting streets; and Miscellaneous.

Buildings 1933

Physical Description: 20 itmes

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photos of buildings immediately after the earthquake

Aranbe Hotel/Symphony Theatre 1933

City Hall #1, front entrance 1933

City Hall #2 1933

City Hall, #3 1933

City Hall, #4, with American Legion volunteers in foreground (2 copies) 1933

City Hall, #5 1933

City Hall, #6 (four copies with negatives) 1933

Liberal Furniture Store 1933

Masonic Temple (2 copies) 1933

Security First National Bank, #1 1933

Security First National Bank, #2, during rubble removal (2 copies) 1933

Security First National Bank, #3 (2 copies with negative) 1933

Security First National Bank #4 (2 copies with negative) 1933

Security First National Bank #5 (3 copies with negative) 1933

Security First National Bank #6 (3 copies with negative) 1933

Stockwell Building 1# (with negative) 1933

Stockwell Building #2 1933

Stockwell Building, #3, interior, with John Stockwell 1933

Symphony Theatre/Aranbe Hotel #1 (2 copies with negative) 1933

Symphony Theatre/Aranbe Hotel #2 (2 copies with negative) 1933

Young Hotel, Willowbrook Ave 1933

Schools 1933

Physical Description: 16 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photos of school buildings, interior and exterior, immediately after the earthquake

Compton High School original building, shifted east off its foation during earthquake (2 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Union High School and Junior College, men's gym (3 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Union High School and Junior College, temporary classrooms on the athletic field 1933

Compton Union High School and Junior College, Commerce Building 1933

Compton Union High School and Junior College, south arcade (four copies) 1933

Compton Union High School and Junior College, shop building (2 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Union High School and Junior College, north arcade (2 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Union High School and Junior College, women's gym (2 copies) 1933

Compton Union High School and Junior College, Library (3 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Union High School and Junior College, Administration Building during demolition 1933

Roosevelt Junior High School, boys' gym (2 copies with negative) 1933

Roosevelt Junior High School, auditorium (3 copies with negative) 1933

Roosevelt Junior High School, boys' gym 1933

Roosevelt Junior High School (2 copies with negative) 1933

Rosecrans School (2 copies) 1933

Streets 1933

Physical Description: 18 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photos of streets, mostly Compton Boulevard and intersecting streets, immediately after the earthquake.

Compton Blvd, looking east from Tamarind Street (3 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Blvd and Tamarind Street 1933

Compton Blvd looking east from Pacific Electric rail tracks (five copies with negatives) 1933

Compton Blvd and Tamarind Street, looking north 1933

Compton Blvd east of Tamarind Street with Sentinel on duty (2 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Blvd east of Tamarind Street (3 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Blvd, south side, east of Tamarind Street (four copies) 1933

Compton Blvd, south side (two copies with negative) 1933

Compton Blvd, north side, east of Tamarind Street (2 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Blvd, looking west from Alameda (3 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Blvd, north side, with crushed car in foreground (3 copies with negative) 1933

Compton Blvd, looking west at crushed cars (four copies with negative) 1933

Compton Blvd, Security First National Bank on left 1933

Compton Blvd, kids watching demolition 1933

Compton Blvd, crushed parked cars 1933

Tamarind Street, Catholic Church on left 1933

Tamarind Street, damaged building (2 copies) 1933

North on Tamarind Street, Masonic Temple on left 1933

Miscellaneous 1933

Physical Description: 3 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Various earthquake photos and a pass into the Restricted Area

Temporary business location in former Rabbit Show Building on N. Alameda, north of Rosecrans (3 copies with negative) 1933

Refugees salvaging belongings after the earthquake (2 copies) 1933

Restricted Area pass for Robert Gillingham (2 copies and 2 negatives) 1933

Subseries K: Events 1912-1963; undated

Physical Description: 9 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

The photos in this series are from events in the Compton community: parades, the installation of the first water fountain on Compton Boulevard, and others. They are arranged chronologically.

Group photo at country fair undated

Water fountain dedication (3 copies with 3 negatives) 1912

Benjamin Watts at water fountain before dedication (with negative) 1912

Paving of first street celebration (2 copies with negative) 1916

Armistice Day Parade 1919

Fourth of July Parade, float decorate with cross pattee 1921

Parade down Compton Blvd, possibly Armistice Day (2 copies with negative) 1925

Pacific Wire Products grobreaking, attendees labeled 1937

Diamond Jubilee Queen Judy Cobb 1963

Subseries L: Floods 1887-1962

Physical Description: 52 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photos in this collection document the many floods during the 19th and 20th centuries and are arranged chronologically.

Northeast corner of Compton Blvd and Tamarind St (2 copies with negative) 1887

Compton Blvd looking east from Tamarind St (3 copies with negative) 1888

Compton Blvd looking west towards Tamarind St 1903

Flooded street 1914

Magnolia St, looking east from Willowbrook Ave to Alameda St 1914

Flooded field 1914

Culver St, looking north from Main St (with negative) 1914

West Compton Blvd and Compton Creek 1914

Compton Blvd 1914

Acacia St (2 copies) 1914

Field east of Compton (with negative) 1914

Flooded field 1914

Compton Blvd, looking west from Willowbrook Ave (2 copies with negative) 1914

Palm Street, looking west from Willowbrook Ave (2 copies with negative) 1914

Compton Blvd, looking north on Willowbrook (3 copies with negative) 1914

Washout of Compton Blvd Bridge (2 copies with negative) 1914

Compton Blvd looking east from Willowbrook Ave (3 copies with negative) 1914

Willowbrook Ave looking north from Compton Blvd (2 copies with negative) 1914

Compton Blvd and Willowbrook Ave looking southwest (2 copies with negative) 1914

Compton Blvd, looking east from Acacia St, Methodist Church on right (with 2 negatives) 1914

Flooded street, Willowbrook Ave (?) 1914

Tamarind Street, looking north from Compton Blvd (3 copies with negative) 1916

Flooded home 1926

Flooded street 1926

Flooded street near Compton Blvd. 1926

Flooded home 1926

Hose truck on flooded street in front of the Buick dealer 1926

Flooded field, Compton Creek(?) 1926

Car going through flooded street 1926

Business buildings 1926

Car in front of flooded businesses 1926

Passenger in car going through flooded street 1926

Passenger and driver on car in flooded street 1926

Truck going through flooded street 1926

"Fishing" from truck stuck on flooded street 1926

Flooded home 1926

Flooded street and businesses 1926

Flooded street 1926

Flooded field, Compton Creek(?) 1926

City Hall block (with negative) 1926

Rowing down N. Willowbrook Ave 1926

South Willowbrook Ave, flooded home and railroad tracks (3 copies) 1926

Willowbrook Ave and Myrrh St (2 copies) 1926

Los Angeles River, south of Compton, looking east (2 copies) 1926

City Hall (2 copies with negative) 1926

Rear view of City Hall (3 copies with negative) 1926

Owl Truck Company, behind Security Bank Building, Tamarind and Magnolia Streets (3 copies with negative) 1926

Fire truck in front of drugstore, Tamarind St. 1926

Willowbrook Ave and Olive St (with negative) 1937

South Willowbrook Ave (with negative) 1937

House at 23 S. Santa Fe Ave 1937

Downtown Compton (2 copies with negative) 1937

Compton City Hall (2 copies) 1938

Rosecrans Ave looking east, Whaley Junior High on right 1958

Compton Blvd intersection 1958

Avalon Blvd from Tank # on Dominguez Hill (9 negatives) 1958

East side of Compton 1959

Northeast side of Compton, Casa Venida area, #1 1962

Northeast side of Compton, Casa Venida area, #2 1962

Northeast side of Compton, Casa Venida area, #3 1962

Subseries M: Heritage House 1908-1959; undated

Physical Description: 41 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series is of photographs from the Heritage House Museum collection that could not be identified well enough to fit in any other series. A majority of the photos are not dated; they have been kept in the original order from the Heritage House collection. Most were likely a donation to that museum from the Mears family, though the lack of description on each photo prohibits us from adding them to the Pioneer Family subseries. The final photo is from the creation of a monument at the Heritage House Museum.

Marcelle on Prince undated

Woman (Portrait) undated

Baby in carriage undated

Baby in chair undated

Man with beard undated

Female child undated

Child undated

Man with bicycle (tintype) undated

Man (small tintype) undated

Woman (postcard) undated

Man (postcard) undated

Woman in costume (postcard) undated

Woman seated undated

Man in sombrero hat undated

Four female nurses undated

Man outside, early 20th century

Child (postcard) undated

Man with two children undated

Woman outside undated

Woman in black undated

Two men and two women (postcard sent to Miss Hattie Mears) undated

Two men in car undated

Beulah dressed up in Will's clothes (postcard) undated

Old woman outside 1916

Woman with umbrella undated

Log cabin undated

House and brick road undated

Lake in Michigan 1911

Outdoor fire place at Glenn Ranch, California, on postcard to Harriet Mears 1928

Log cabin in snow undated

Glenn Ranch in winter undated

Mears-Black house 1908

Mears-Black house undated

Mears-Black gravesite (two photos, a-b) 1927

Mears-Black gravesite undated

Barley field undated

Historic landmark installation at Heritage House Museum (four photos, a-d) 1959

Subseries N: Pioneer Families 1888-1940; undated

Physical Description: 63 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

The photos in this series are those of early settlers and major figures in Compton's history. They are arranged alphabetically by last name. Also included are photographs of civic and military groups.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Barron and their daughters Emma, Ida, and Pearl

Ada Bisbee

Mrs. Bisbee, mother of Ada

Samuel Bise, ertaker and livery stable

Minnie Buckham, Compton High alumna and school teacher

Irma and Flora Bunker, daughters of Reverend A. W. Bunker of the First Methodist

Paul Bunker, son of Reverend A.W. Bunker of the First Methodist

J. Newton Burgess, shepherd

Mrs. Emily Flood Compton

G.D. Compton

Emily and G.D. Compton

Emily and G.D. Compton, with children(?)

Lavina and John Decker

Clarence A. Dickison, Mayor of Compton, 925-933 (2 copies)

Clarence Dickison speaking at tree planting for new housing tract circa 1927

Clarence Dickison and Eva Rice at tree planting circa 1927

Mr. and Mrs. J.A.J. Flood, Emily Compton's parents

(John) William Gaines, rancher, early owner of Heritage House (2 copies with negative)

Elizabeth Lord Gaines, wife of William Gaines (3 copies with negative)

John W. Gastrich, Superintendent of Compton Elementary Schools, 925-933 undated

Compton Commercial obituary for D.M. Hathorn (2 copies) 1915

Rena Hathorn 1914

C.A. Heath and family 1922

Harmon Higgins, original owner of Victory Park Tract

Mrs. Harmon Higgins

Harmon Higgins and family (3 copies with negative)

Mrs. E.H. Howard 1888

Reverend S. W. Jones and Mrs. Lennox

Ned Leach, Reverend Charles and Darla Leach's son

Reverend Irving Lovejoy family photo 1940

Reverend Lovejoy preaching on the 60th anniversary of joining the SW Conference 1940

Reverend Lovejoy with Reverend Toothaker (with negative) 1940

Roy Malcolm as a child, later taught at USC

Charles Mason (?), son-in-law of Dr. F.S. Whaley, first doctor

Mary Mason, daughter of Dr. F. S. Whaley, first doctor (2 copies with negative)

Florence Meek (2 copies)

Florence Meek

Mary Meek, mother of Florence

Theodore Meek, father of Florence

Mr. and Mrs. George H. Palmer on their wedding day (4 copies with negative) 1888

Mr. and Mrs. George H. Palmer on their 50th wedding anniversary (4 copies with negative) 1938

Bertha and Ethel Palmer

Ethel Palmer

Albert Marion Peck, original Compton pioneer (2 copies with negative) 1888

Harold A. Petterson

Will and Lizzy Pipher, children of Lucy Flood Pipher

Dr. O. J. Pratt 1900

Alma Robinson, daughter of Reverend T.E. Robinson, First Methodist

Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Rogers, original Compton pioneers (3 copies with negative)

F.P.F. Temple

Benjamin Walton 1907

Ward family ranch; from left: S.W. McAdam (?) a federal man, Nelson Ward, Mildred Ward, Frederick Muskew (?) and Mr. Ward of Whittier, land inspectors (?) circa 1900

Nelson Ward, with inscription to Robert Gillingham 1935

Nelson Ward, in front of city hall, pioneer settler and first municipal judge (3 copies with negative) 1935

Franklin S. Whaley, first doctor (3 copies with negative) 1880

John L. Wininger

Unidentified couple

Methodist Delta Alphas circa 1906

Members of the Shiloh Post, Grand Army of the Republic

Subseries O: Civic Leaders 1956-1969

Physical Description: 4 items

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

The photos in this series are of community leaders from the last half of the 20th century.

Rex Dunn (with negative) 1956

Margaret Forsythe and Lee Finley

Robert C. Gillingham at Rotary Club 1958

Robert C. Gillingham receiving Chamber of Commerce award 1969

Subseries P: Schools 1884-1967; undated

Physical Description: 62 items

Scope and Contents

This series is arranged by school level (primary/elementary, middle/junior high, high school, junior/community college). A distinction has been made between Compton City School and Compton Grammar School, as the latter existed only after the completion of Compton Union High School in 1905. A distinction has also been made between Compton Union High School and Compton Union High School and Junior College. Photographs in the Compton Union High School group are specifically of the high school; photographs in the Compton Union High School and Junior College group may be of either, as both used shared buildings on the same campus for many decades. Subjects of the photos include students, as well as buildings, class rooms, etc. Oversize photos are located in the oversize box.

Compton City School 1884-1895

Physical Description: 10 items

Scope and Contents

Photos of Compton City School, the first school in Compton

School photo

School photo circa 1884

Class photo circa 18854

Class photo circa 1886

Class photo, labelled circa 1890

School building with students (4 copies with negative, also in oversize) circa 1890

School photo 1891

School photo, Pearl and Ida Barron marked 1891

Graduating class 1894

Grades 8 and 9 class photo circa 1895

Compton Elementary School 1920, 1956

Physical Description: 3 items

Scope and Contents

Photos of the Compton Elementary School

Building exterior (2 copies) 1920

Schools collage (2 copies) circa 1920s

Main entrance 1956

Compton Grammar School circa 1899-1911

Physical Description: 9 items

Scope and Contents

Photos of Compton Grammar School, including the building and classes

Third grade class 1899

Class photo circa 1900

Graduating class circa 1905

Third grade class, some labeled 1906

Primary class photo circa 1908

Grades 7 and 8, in classroom (2 copies) 1908

Class photo circa 1912

Eighth grade class circa 1911

Class photo with roster (oversize) 1886

Compton Junior High 1936

Physical Description: 1 folder

Scope and Contents

Photo of Compton Junior High

Building exterior (2 copies) 1936

Compton Union High School 1905-1915, 1954

Physical Description: 9 items

Scope and Contents

Photos of Compton Union High School buildings, classes, and sports teams.

Football game (with negative) circa 1900s

Girls basketball team circa 1905

Girls basketball team 1905

Boys baseball team circa 1905

Boys baseball team 1905

Boys baseball team 1906

School photo 1907

Original building (2 copies) 1909

Administration Building, Compton High School 1954

Track team, including R.C. Gillingham (oversize) 1914

Band (oversize) 1913

Class photo, graduating class of 96, Otto Gillingham marked (oversize)

Rugby team, R.C. and Otto Gillingham marked (oversize) 1913

Baseball team, labeled (oversize) 1913

Compton Union High School and Junior College 1927-1940

Physical Description: 15 items

Scope and Contents

Photos of the Compton Union High School and Junior College shared campus.

Campus scenes collage 1927

"The Guard of the Trophies" statue in front of Administration building 1930

Arcade and patio, part of outdoor stage, (2 copies) 1930

Patio, north side 1930

Patio in the music building 1930

Men's Gym 1930

Girls' Gymnasium 1930

Home Economics building # 1930

Home Economics building #2 1930

Commerce Building 1930

Aerial view (2 copies) 1932

Administration Building 1932

Arcade 1932

Campus scene 1935

Site of National Youth Administration building 1940

Compton Community College circa 1950s-1967

Physical Description: 14 items

Scope and Contents

Photos of Compton Community College campus, including interior and exterior photos and students.

Site sign 1952

Aerial view #1, looking northwest 1953

Aerial view #2, looking northeast (4 copies) 1953

Aerial view circa 1950s

Sign circa 1950s

Student lounge (2 copies) circa 1950s

Library interior circa 1950s

Campus scene # circa 1950s

Campus scene #2 circa 1950s

Campus scene (2 copies)

Panorama of campus with snow-capped mountains

Laboratory classroom 1959

Administration building 1960

Aerial view 1967

Rosecrans School 1963

Physical Description: 1 folder

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photo of the Rosecrans School

Building exterior 1963

Subseries Q: Scrapbooks circa 1900-1950

Physical Description: 142 items

Scope and Contents

Four scrapbooks from the Heritage House collection, including two that were created by Heritage House staff.

4th of July album 1921

Physical Description: 17 photographs

Scope and Contents

Photographs of floats in the 1921 Compton 4th of July parade, taken by W.S. Jones.

Float 1921

Pathfinder Club float 1921

Methodist Episcopal float 1921

Red Cross float 1921

Club float 1921

Float 1921

Legion Auxiliary float 1921

C of C (City of Compton?) float 1921

Indian Guides (?) float 1921

Float 1921

Downey Board of Trade float 1921

Goat cart 1921

Zerolene float 1921

W.E. Deans Rex-all Drugstore float 1921

Groceteria float 1921

Besgrade Flour Company float 1921

Union Oil Co. float 1921

Compton Homes of Yesteryear 1950

Physical Description: 15 photographs

Scope and Contents

Photographs of houses built during Compton's early years and still standing in 1950.

Lessing 1950

James 1950

Taylor 1950

Congregational Parsonage 1950

Palmer 1950

Hann/Hamm 1950

Angelo 1950

Harshman 1950

Howie 1950

no ID 1950

Haskin 1950

John Gries 1950

Culver-front 1950

Culver-back 1950

Goodrich Album circa 1900

Physical Description: 14 items

Scope and Contents

Album of cartes-de-visite, cabinet cards, and tintypes given to the Heritage House in 1967 by the granddaughter of John Van Buren Goodrich, the first Circuit Court judge in Compton.

Page with 8 small photos circa 1900

Young woman circa 1900

Baby in carriage circa 1900

Young child in white gown circa 1900

Mother and children circa 1900

Portrait of five men circa 1900

Young woman circa 1900

Young man circa 1900

Young man with mustache circa 1900

Older man with mustache (Mrs. Goslee) circa 1900

Older man with mustache (G.W. Browning circa 1900

Woman circa 1900

Child with long hair circa 1900

Child with long hair (same as 484) circa 1900

Mr. and Mrs. E. Miller circa 1900

Woman circa 1900

Man with mustache and polka-dot tie circa 1900

Full-length of woman in long coat and hat circa 1900

Man with long beard (Rinehart) circa 1900

Full-length of woman in velvet dress circa 1900

Full-length of woman with backdrop circa 1900

Dr. A.H. Miller circa 1900

Woman (Musser) circa 1900

Older man with beard and Shriner's pin on lapel (Musser) circa 1900

Full-lenth of man with beard (J.V. Hover) circa 1900

Old woman circa 1900

Young woman, arms crossed (Garrison) circa 1900

Young woman circa 1900

Young man with mustache (J.V. Hover) circa 1900

Young man with mustache (Scotford) circa 1900

Young woman (brown) circa 1900

Romie (?) Miller, age two - child in carriage circa 1900

Man with mustache and long sideburns (Angell) circa 1900

E. Miller, young man with goatee circa 1900

Young woman (Angell) circa 1900

Profile of young woman (Angell) circa 1900

Young woman with pompadour (Angell) circa 1900

Mr. O.E. Ward circa 1900

Young child on chair (tintype) circa 1900

Young child (tintype) circa 1900

Young girl (tintype) circa 1900

Two young men in coats and hats (tintype) circa 1900

Mears-Black Album circa 1910

Physical Description: 68 items

Scope and Contents

Album created by the Heritage House staff from photos donated by the Mears-Black family, early Compton pioneers.

Mimetta Black circa 1910

Roy Black circa 1910

Roy Black on the south side of the house circa 1910

Mimetta Black (?) circa 1910

Roy Black circa 1910

Mimetta cooking at a stove circa 1910

Mimetta (?) at left with friends circa 1910

Women working in yard circa 1910

Two women on the porch circa 1910

Woman tending rose bush circa 1910

Group in the yard circa 1910

Roy on porch circa 1910

Couple next to porch circa 1910

Man with two small children in coats and hats circa 1910

Couple with small child circa 1910

Early automobile with six passengers circa 1910

Baby in sled outside in snow circa 1910

Young child in dress and bonnet circa 1910

Young woman in hat circa 1910

Mr. and Mrs. Ebert of Chicago circa 1910

Two women on farm circa 1910

Young couple (wedding portrait?) circa 1910

Girl with litter of puppies circa 1910

Family in miniature train circa 1910

Man with large horse circa 1910

"Family outing" - car and beach scene circa 1910

Group on beach excursion circa 1910

Women eating in side yard next to horses circa 1910

Woman at the beach next to a pier circa 1910

Women in hats riding donkeys circa 1910

Children riding mules circa 1910

Couple in automobile on the shore circa 1910

San Gabriel Mission cemetery circa 1910

Yosemite Falls circa 1910

San Juan Capistrano Mission circa 1910

Alameda County booth, Land Show, Omaha, Nebraska circa 1910

Freeport, Ohio circa 1910

Prescott, Arizona circa 1910

Bridgeport, Ohio circa 1910

High school students in front of building, Freeport, Ohio circa 1910

Father of Roy or Mimetta circa 1910

CDV of woman (Heyn, Omaha, Nebraska) circa 1910

Mary Elizabeth and Dale Stewart, relative and nephew of Mimetta circa 1910

Lula Harshman, large mounting circa 1910

Group on 4th of July, including Lula Harshman and the Blacks circa 1910

Black house in Compton with women on the porch (3) circa 1910

Black house, rail tracks in foreground circa 1910

Black house, side view circa 1910

Black house with grown trees and sidewalk circa 1910

Early Compton area, Black house left of center circa 1910

Roy and Mimetta in living room circa 1910

Roy and Mimetta on porch circa 1910

Evans Bros. General Store storefront with staff circa 1910

Roy behind the counter at a general store circa 1910

Boos Bros. Cafeteria dining room circa 1910

Man behind jewelry counter at store circa 1910

4th of July parade circa 1910

Patriot drum and fife group circa 1910

Group at poor farm near Compton circa 1910

Dr. Down's house circa 1910

Compton Bank building circa 1910

Original Compton High School building circa 1910

Mears-Black gravesite 1918

Mears-Black gravesite circa 1910

Black house, Compton circa 1910

Miscellaneous 1908, 1931, 1944

Physical Description: 4 photographs

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Photos of various activities in Compton history

Watching the arrival of the Great White Fleet (copy) 1908

Prohibition bust (3 copies with multiple negatives, 2 copies in oversize) 1931

Portrait of S.C. Lewis, Officer Don Castillo, and Police Chief T. J. Potter 1933

War bond sales (2 copies with negative) 1944

Series III: Dominguez undated

Physical Description: 5 items

Scope and Contents

Though it is not a city, these photos were labeled with Dominguez as the location; they are likely from Dominguez Hill and the surrounding area. This series includes photographs of the Dominguez train station and an early military battle. Oversize photos of Japanese farmers and the installation of a plaque noting the location of a Native American village are located in the oversize box.

Dominguez Tower train station (copy)

Battle of the Plains of Mesa during Battle of California drawing (copy, with negative, also 2 copies in oversize)

Japanese farmers in the field (oversize) circa 1914

Japanese farmers in the field (oversize) circa 1930s

Suanga Indian Village plaque dedication (oversize) 1970s

Series IV: Lakewood 1945

Physical Description: 1 folder

Scope and Contents

This series includes an aerial view of Lakewood during World War II.

Aerial view 1945

Series V: Lynwood 1913, 1921, 1926, 1928

Physical Description: 4 items

Scope and Contents

This series consists of photos of Long Beach Boulevard in Lynwood, arranged chronologically.

Long Beach Blvd, looking northwest from Pacific Electric tracks 1913

Long Beach Blvd, looking south from Pacific Electric tracks (2 copies with negative) 1921

Long Beach Blvd, looking south to Carline (with negative) 1926

Long Beach Blvd, looking north from Pacific Electric tracks 1928

Series VI: Palos Verdes circa 1920s

Physical Description: 2 items

Scope and Contents

This series consists of a portrait of Jose Sepulveda, owner of the Rancho los Palos Verdes, and the view of the Pacific Ocean from Las Ventas Inn.

North from La Ventas Inn circa 1920s

Jose Dolores Sepulveda, owner of Rancho Palos Verdes

Series VII: Redondo Beach circa 1880, 1925

Physical Description: 11 items

Scope and Contents

These photographs are mainly of the beach area and pier at the Redondo Hotel. Also included are photographs of the local salt industry and aerial views of the area, arranged chronologically. Oversize photo of a Fraternal Brotherhood meeting is located in oversize box.

Pier, beach and town circa 1880

Pacific Electric Rail car

Redondo Hotel and bathhouse, ATSF train in foreground (2 copies, overhead, and negative) circa 1890s

View of shipping from Redondo Hotel 1890

Redondo Hotel from the ocean circa 1894

Redondo Hotel, looking north circa 1894

Storm havoc on the pier circa 1900

Salt works (copy)

Aerial view #1 1924

Aerial view #2 1924

Pavilion and pier circa 1925

Uniform Rank, Fraternal Brotherhood, near Santa Fe train station (oversize) 1911

Series VIII: Regional 1932-1959

Physical Description: 27 items

Scope and Contents

These photographs are aerials of various parts of Los Angeles County and one photograph of the oil industry located in the oversize box. The photos numbered under ID 618 were taken by Pacific Air Industries.

Los Angeles 1932

Looking southeast across Palisades and Santa Monica circa 1932

Los Angeles manufacturing district circa 1932

San Fernando Blvd, Burbank circa 1935

Northwest across Santa Monica Mountains to San Fernando Valley, Stone Canyon Reservoir in front 1941

Looking northeast from Watts toward Los Angeles, Coliseum in center 1941

Downtown Los Angeles, note City Hall building in center circa 1941

San Fernando Road and Broadway, Glendale circa 1941

Grand Central Airport, Glendale 1945

Southwest Park subdivision, Milton Kauffman Construction (2 copies) 1954

Looking southwest over South Bay area 1956

Looking northeast to Los Angeles, LA River at bottom

Aerials from Pacific Air Industries, numbered 1-148 1959

Oil pipes and pumps (oversize)

Series IX: San Pedro 1883-1932

Physical Description: 5 items

Scope and Contents

This series consists of photographs of the San Pedro harbor, including shots of the shipping and naval industries.

First Customs House, San Pedro 1883

Shipping, railways, and docks 1890

Buoy off of Point Fermin 1900

U.S. Navy fleet 1932

USS Langley, Naval airship carrier 1932

Series X: Terminal Island 1933

Physical Description: 1 folder

Scope and Contents

This series consists of a photograph of the Edison electric plant on the island.

Long Beach Edison Electric plant 1933

Series XI: Torrance 1902, 1910, 1924

Physical Description: 9 items

Scope and Contents

This series includes photos of the railway station, aerials of Torrance industrial buildings, and a set of photographs giving a panoramic view of the original townsite.

Pacific Electric Railway Station (3 copies with negative) 1902

Torrance, panorama of city site (four photos, a-d) 1910

Torrance, air view of original town site area, looking south; Pacific Electric Railway shops, right foreground; end of Columbia Steel plant, left center; 924 1924

Chanslor-Canfield-Midway Oil company (four photos) 1924

Columbia Steel Plant 1924

Pacific Electric Railway shops 1924

Torrance Brick Co. aerial (2 copies) 1924

Union Tool Co. (2 copies) 1924

Western Glass Manufacturing Co., aerial (2 copies) 1924

Aerial of homes and farm land in "Walteria." Mining site visible in top right. 1930

Series XII: Wilmington circa 1880s

Physical Description: 2 items

Scope and Contents

This series includes an aerial drawing of Wilmington and a drawing of the Banning house.

"Birds Eye view of Wilmington" (drawing) circa 1930s

Phineas Banning residence (drawing) undated