C.C. Pierce Collection of Photographs: Finding
Aid
Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Watts.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Photo Archives
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
© October 2001
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Overview of the Collection
Title: C.C. Pierce Collection of Photographs
Dates (inclusive): approximately 1840-1930
Bulk dates: 1880-1920
Collection Number: photCL Pierce
Creator:
Pierce, C. C. (Charles C.), 1861-1946
Extent:
10,100 photographs in 63 boxes (51.19 linear feet)
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Photo Archives
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: The C.C. Pierce collection constitutes one of the most important collections of historical photographs of early California
and Los Angeles extant. The collection of
10,100 prints was assembled by Charles C. Pierce (1861-1946), a photographer and long-time operator of a thriving Los
Angeles photographic business. The collection is divided into
nine topical headings devised by Pierce. These include Los Angeles Historical; Indians; Missions; California cities, counties,
etc.; Industries and Agriculture; Transportation;
Natural History; Art and Architecture; and Miscellaneous Scenery. Within these large sections are smaller categories that
focus on the history, landscape, people, civic and
cultural events, built environment, and development of Southern California and the Southwest from approximately 1845-1930.
Of particular interest are the various Indian tribes
depicted as well as all twenty-one of the California Missions.
Language: English.
Access
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
Administrative Information
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
C.C. Pierce Collection of Photographs. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Provenance
Purchased by the Friends of the Huntington Library in 1939.
Processing Information
The collection was numbered and catalog cards were created by Huntington staff sometime after its purchase. In the mid-1990s,
Huntington staff housed and boxed the collection.
In 2001, the original finding aid was created based on the original numbering scheme.
Biographical Note
Charles Chester Pierce was born on November 22, 1861, in Springfield, Massachusetts. An engineer by training, Pierce migrated
to Southern California in 1886.
Pierce began his photographic career in the thriving boom town of Los Angeles, first in partnership with Albert H. Lohn,
and then successively with J.B. Blanchard
and A.E. McConnell. He established his own studio around 1900 at 313 Spring Street. He moved several times during his
career, eventually expanding his business to
include the sale of photographic supplies. The most outstanding aspect of his business, however, was the vast picture library
he amassed over three decades at work.
Aside from making his own photographs, Pierce acquired the negatives and prints of other regional photographers such as
Emil Ellis, Parker and Knight, Ramsey, Herve Friend,
L.M. Clendenon, George P. Thresher, George Wharton James, and F.M. Huddleston. Pierce eradicated the existing signatures
from the photographs, stamped his own name on the
images, and organized the lot into subject files. The consequence of Pierce's business practices assured that most, if not
all, of the connections between the images and
their original creator are now lost. However, the archive which he advertised as the "C.C. Pierce Collection of Rare, Historical
and Curious Photographs, Illustrating California,
the Pacific Coast and the Southwest," became an invaluable resource for researchers and boosters alike, all of whom came
to Pierce's shop to locate an image for their purposes.
C.C. Pierce died on November 7, 1946, at the age of 84. His prints and negatives are dispersed at several Los Angeles-area
repositories including the Title Insurance and Trust Company
(or Ticor) at the USC Regional History Center; the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History; and UCLA Special Collections. In
addition, UCLA acquired the account books of C.C. Pierce's
business dealings from 1909 to 1921 (Call # 170/134). The eight volume manuscript ledgers provide a detailed listing of his
clients and the nature of the business.
Scope and Contents
The C.C. Pierce collection contains 10,100 historical photographs of early California and Los Angeles that were assembled
by Charles C. Pierce,
a photographer and long-time operator of a thriving Los Angeles photographic business.
The collection is divided into nine topical headings assigned by Pierce: Los Angeles Historical; Indians; Missions; California
cities, counties, etc.; Industries and Agriculture,
Transportation; Natural History; Art and Architecture; Miscellaneous Scenery. Within these large sections are smaller categories
that focus on the history, landscape, people,
civic and cultural events, built environment, and development of Southern California and the Southwest from approximately
1845-1930. Of particular interest are the various
Indian tribes depicted as well as all twenty-one of the California Missions. Pierce described the latter as "a very extensive
and superior collection of this subject, covering a
period of over sixty years" that includes copies of paintings and etchings made by Edward Vischer from 1842-1876 and Henry
Chapman Ford (1883).
Pierce's practice of copying other photographer's images and supplying his own identification should alert the researcher
to treat the descriptive and date information on the photographs
with some skepticism.
There are two numbers on the back of each photograph: the regular penciled number is the negative number assigned by Pierce;
the red penciled number is that assigned by the Huntington.
Researchers should refer to the red number at all times when ordering reproductions.
Arrangement
The original order of the collection has been maintained and all subject headings are those assigned by Pierce himself.
Cards for individual items are filed in subject and
geographical sections of the Photo Catalog.
Related Material
See also:
C.C. Pierce Negative Collection (photCL 464)
for photographs related to the Charles C. Pierce family and business, including one photograph of the interior of Pierce's
last studio at 1572 W. Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles (photCL 464 (1)).
For more information about C.C. Pierce and his business see:
"C.C. Pierce, Photographer,"
UCLA Librarian (volume 17, no. 10, March 26, 1964),
71-72.
Kurutz, Gary F."'Courtesy of Title Insurance and Trust Company'- The Historical
Collection at CHS' Los Angeles History Center,"
California History (Summer 1978), 186-194.
Smith-Baranzini, Marlene, "The CHS Southern California Historical Collection:
New Location and New Opportunities for Historic Research,"
California History (Winter 1991/1992), 397-398.
Index Terms
Persons:
Ford, Henry Chapman, 1828-1894.
Vischer, Edward
Places:
Los Angeles (Calif.)--History--19th century--Photographs.
Los Angeles (Calif.)--History--20th century--Photographs.
California--History--Photographs.
Subjects:
Indians of North America--Photographs.
Cities and towns--California--Photographs.
Agriculture--California--Photographs.
Industries--California--Photographs.
Vehicles--California--Photographs.
Plants--California--Photographs.
Animals--California--Photographs.
Adobe houses--California--Photographs.
Landscape--United States--Photographs.
Cityscapes--California--Photographs.
Missions--California--Photographs.
Document Types:
Photographs.
Photographs
Some photographs from this collection are digitized in the Huntington Digital Library.
Box 1, Item 1-32
Adams Street,
various dates
Box 2, Item 215-260
Figueroa Street,
various dates
Box 2, Item 261-324
Hill Street,
various dates
Box 3, Item 325-436
Main Street,
various dates
Box 3, Item 437-466
Spring Street,
various dates
Box 4, Item 467-550
Spring Street,
various dates
Box 4, Item 551-561
Whittier Boulevard,
various dates
Box 4, Item 562-570
Washington Street,
various dates
Box 4, Item 571-596
Western Avenue,
various dates
Box 4, Item 597-617
Fifth Street,
various dates
Box 5, Item 618-648
Sixth Street,
various dates
Box 5, Item 649-670
Seventh Street,
various dates
Box 5, Item 685-754
Miscellaneous,
various dates
Box 5, Item 755-774
Architecture,
various dates
Box 6, Item 775-803
Architecture,
various dates
Box 6, Item 804-817
Fire Department,
various dates
Box 6, Item 818-827
Chamber of Commerce,
various dates
Box 7, Item 934-1028
Aerial Views,
various dates
Box 7, Item 1029-1074
Public Buildings,
various dates
Box 7, Item 1075-1083
Hotels and Apartments,
various dates
Box 8, Item 1084-1154
Historical Los Angeles Miscellaneous,
various dates
Box 8, Item 1155-1233
Los Angeles Fiesta,
various dates
Box 8, Item 1234-1246
Teddy's Terrors,
various dates
Box 9, Item 1247-1419
Sonora Town,
various dates
Box 10, Item 1420-1491
Sunset Club,
various dates
Box 11, Item 1595-1632
Chemehuevi,
various dates
Box 11, Item 1633-1701
Cliff Dwellers,
various dates
Box 11, Item 1702-1793
California Indians,
various dates
Box 13, Item 1971-1980
Hopi Flute Dance,
various dates
Box 13, Item 1981-2062
Hopi Snake Dance,
various dates
Box 14, Item 2149-2184
Havasu Canyon,
various dates
Box 15, Item 2368-2375
Mesa (Enchanted),
various dates
Box 15, Item 2376-2430
Ramona Subjects,
various dates
Box 15, Item 2516-2523
Sioux (dolls and beads),
various dates
Box 16, Item 2630-2679
Unclassified,
various dates
Box 17, Item 2680-2776
San Gabriel,
various dates
Box 17, Item 2777-2811
San Luis Obispo,
various dates
Box 17, Item 2812-2869
San Diego de Alcala,
various dates
Box 18, Item 2870-2953
San Luis Rey,
various dates
Box 18, Item 2954-2992
Pala Capilla,
various dates
Box 19, Item 3004-3146
San Juan Capistrano,
various dates
Box 19, Item 3147-3184
Santa Ines,
various dates
Box 20, Item 3185-3238
Reina de Los Angeles,
various dates
Box 20, Item 3239-3348
San Fernando,
various dates
Box 21, Item 3349-3500
Santa Barbara,
various dates
Box 22, Item 3501-3528
La Purisima Concepcion,
various dates
Box 22, Item 3529-3543
Santa Margarita,
various dates
Box 22, Item 3544-3588
San Miguel Archangel,
various dates
Box 22, Item 3589-3643
San Antonio de Padua,
various dates
Box 23, Item 3692-3738
San Carlos Borromeo,
various dates
Box 23, Item 3739-3749
Santa Cruz,
various dates
Box 23, Item 3750-3772
San Francisco Solano de Sonoma,
various dates
Box 23, Item 3773-3805
San Jose de Guadalupe,
various dates
Box 24, Item 3806-3836
Santa Clara,
various dates
Box 24, Item 3837-3866
San Francisco de Asis Dolores,
various dates
Box 24, Item 3867-3871
San Rafael Archangel,
various dates
Box 24, Item 3872-3879
San Bernardino,
various dates
Box 24, Item 3880-3916
San Juan Bautista,
various dates
Box 24, Item 3917-3958
San Buenaventura,
various dates
Box 25, Item 3959-3977
Mission Subjects,
various dates
Box 25, Item 3978-3995
Father Serra,
various dates
Box 25, Item 3996-4077
Vischer Mission Views,
various dates
California Cities, Counties, etc.
Box 26, Item 4090-4106
Beverly Hills,
various dates
Box 26, Item 4203-4224
Death Valley,
various dates
Box 27, Item 4225-4235
Eagle Rock,
various dates
Box 27, Item 4273-4301
Highland Park,
various dates
Box 28, Item 4501-4530
Long Beach,
various dates
Box 29, Item 4531-4596
Long Beach,
various dates
Box 29, Item 4611-4680
Monterey and Pacific Grove,
various dates
Box 30, Item 4681-4697
Ocean Park,
various dates
Box 30, Item 4698-4778
Palm Springs,
various dates
Box 31, Item 4960-5009
Mount Lowe,
various dates
Box 32, Item 5010-5016
Playa del Rey,
various dates
Box 32, Item 5017-5058
Pomona Valley,
various dates
Box 32, Item 5091-5119
Redondo Beach,
various dates
Box 33, Item 5191-5218
Sacramento,
various dates
Box 33, Item 5219-5254
San Bernardino,
various dates
Box 33, Item 5255-5363
San Diego County,
various dates
Box 34, Item 5364-5428
Adobes of San Diego County,
various dates
Box 34, Item 5429-5515
San Francisco,
various dates
Box 35, Item 5516-5556
San Fernando Valley,
various dates
Box 35, Item 5557-5605
Santa Barbara,
various dates
Box 35, Item 5632-5650
Wilmington,
various dates
Box 36, Item 5744-5756
Winchester Spirit House; San Jose,
various dates
Box 36, Item 5757-5817
Santa Ana and Orange County,
various dates
Box 37, Item 5818-5828
Santa Monica,
various dates
Box 37, Item 5829-5998
South Pasadena; San Marino,
various dates
Box 38, Item 5999-6008
Lake Tahoe,
various dates
Box 38, Item 6019-6044
Ventura County,
various dates
Box 38, Item 6059-6075
Wilmington,
various dates
Box 39, Item 6167-6240
Colorado River and Salton Sea,
various dates
Industries and Agriculture
Box 39, Item 6316-6323
Fiber Industry,
various dates
Box 40, Item 6324-6342
Beet Industry,
various dates
Box 40, Item 6343-6405
Forestry and Lumber,
various dates
Box 40, Item 6406-6503
Mining (So. Calif., Colorado, Arizona,
New Mexico, Nevada),
various dates
Box 41, Item 6504-6557
Mining (So. Calif., Colorado, Arizona,
New Mexico, Nevada),
various dates
Box 41, Item 6558-6575
Borax and Salt,
various dates
Box 41, Item 6576-6611
Oil Industry,
various dates
Box 41, Item 6612-6626
Olive Industry,
various dates
Box 42, Item 6627-6748
Fruits and Vegetables,
various dates
Box 43, Item 6808-6858
Irrigation,
various dates
Box 43, Item 6859-6863
Pigeon Ranch,
various dates
Box 43, Item 6864-6904
Ranch Scenes, Southern California,
various dates
Box 43, Item 6905-6929
Fish and Fisheries,
various dates
Box 43, Item 6930-6945
Rancho Santa Anita,
various dates
Box 44, Item 7001-7069
Street Car,
various dates
Box 44, Item 7070-7117
Horses, oxen, etc.,
various dates
Box 44, Item 7118-7125
Automobiles and Bicycles,
various dates
Box 45, Item 7126-7233
Wild Flowers,
various dates
Box 45, Item 7234-7293
Cultivated Flowers,
various dates
Box 46, Item 7294-7366
Cultivated Flowers,
various dates
Box 46, Item 7367-7461
Cacti, Yucca, Ceres,
various dates
Box 47, Item 7509-7524
Alligators,
various dates
Box 47, Item 7590-7628
Sheep, goats, hogs, bees,
various dates
Box 48, Item 7629-7656
Cattle and Horses,
various dates
Box 48, Item 7657-7667
Rabbit Drive,
various dates
Box 48, Item 7668-7706
Curiosities in Nature,
various dates
Box 48, Item 7707-7720
Ostrich Farm,
various dates
Box 48, Item 7721-7736
Petrified Forest,
various dates
Box 48, Item 7737-7777
Palms and Dracenas,
various dates
Box 49, Item 7778-7877
Adobes of Northern California,
various dates
Box 49, Item 7878-7927
Adobes of Southern California,
various dates
Box 50, Item 7928-7992
Adobes of Southern California,
various dates
Box 50, Item 7993-8027
Northern California Historical (old buildings, scenes),
various dates
Box 50, Item 8028-8067
Southern California Historical,
various dates
Box 51, Item 8068-8228
Portraits of Californians,
various dates
Box 52, Item 8229-8378
Portraits of Californians,
various dates
Box 53, Item 8379-8528
Portraits of Californians,
various dates
Box 54, Item 8529-8639
Portraits of Californians,
various dates
Box 55, Item 8640-8801
Art Pictures,
various dates
Box 56, Item 8802-8834
Mexican Architecture,
various dates
Box 56, Item 8918-8955
Marine Views,
various dates
Box 56, Item 8956-8970
Mt. Shasta,
various dates
Box 57, Item 8971-9045
Aerial views of Southern California cities,
various dates
Box 57, Item 9046-9062
Taos, New Mexico,
various dates
Box 57, Item 9063-9129
Pueblos and cities of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas,
various dates
Box 58, Item 9130-9196
Mountain scenery, Southern California,
various dates
Box 58, Item 9197-9292
Desert subjects,
various dates
Box 59, Item 9293-9234
Desert subjects,
various dates
Box 59, Item 9235-9292
Western life,
various dates
Box 59, Item 9293-9340
Scenery (California, Oregon, and Washington),
various dates
Box 59, Item 9341-9392
Vischer Collection,
various dates
Box 60, Item 9557-9621
A.E.F. in France,
various dates
Box 61, Item 9622-9781
Colorado, Grand Canyon: Bright Angel Trail, Lee's Ferry, Grand View Trail, Bass Mystic Springs,
various dates
Box 62, Item 9782-9848
Colorado, Grand Canyon: Bright Angel Trail, Lee's Ferry, Grand View Trail, Bass Mystic Springs,
various dates
Box 62, Item 9849-9852
Blue Canyon and Granite Dells,
various dates
Box 62, Item 9853-9910
Chinese in California,
various dates
Box 63, Item 9972-10059
Schools and Churches,
various dates
Box 63, Item 10060-10066
Stanford University,
various dates
Box 63, Item 10067-10100
Sports -- athletics,
various dates
