Guide to the Henry Washburn Photographs and Scrapbooks
UCSC OAC Unit
The University Library
Special Collections and Archives
University Library
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California, 95064
Email: specoll@library.ucsc.edu
URL: http://library.ucsc.edu/speccoll/
© 2005
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Henry Washburn Photographs and Scrapbooks
Collection number: MS 31
The University Library
Special Collections and Archives
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
- Processed by:
- UCSC OAC Unit
- Date Completed:
- December 2005
- Encoded by:
- UCSC OAC Unit
© 2005 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Henry Washburn photographs and scrapbooks
Dates: 1917-1952
Collection number: MS 31
Creator:
Washburn, Henry L.
Collection Size:
7 boxes
Repository:
University of California, Santa Cruz. University Library.
Special Collections and Archives
Santa Cruz, California 95064
Abstract: This collection contains Henry Washburn's photographs of the 1938 Watsonville flood, High School Forestry classes and Farm
Bureau activities. Also included are five scrapbooks of newspaper clippings documenting farming activities in Santa Cruz County.
Physical location: Stored in Special Collections & Archives: Advance notice is required for access to the papers.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
Collection open for research.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and
their heirs. For permission to publish or to reproduce the material, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
Preferred Citation
Henry Washburn photographs and scrapbooks. MS 31. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of
California, Santa Cruz.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Viola Washburn.
Biography
Henry Lord Washburn was born in San Jose on December 19, 1889, the son of Arthur H. and Jessica T. (Thompson) Washburn. His
father was a sturdy pioneer who first came from New York to California around the Horn, but returned to the East after a few
years. In 1860, however, he came back to the Pacific coast, and for some time he was the owner and the principal of Washburn
school, San Jose, famous in its day as a private preparatory school. Mrs. Washburn was the first woman graduate of Stanford.
Educated first in the Washburn School, Henry L. Washburn spent two years at Stanford and then went for two years to the University
of California. He eventually graduated from the in 1915 College of Agriculture, and received the coveted degree of Bachelor
of Science. For eight months after graduation, Mr. Washburn was superintendent of George Hewlett's dairy and stock ranch at
Hollister, and after that he was foreman in charge of the one thousand eight hundred acres being planted at Atascadero, in
San Luis Obispo County, serving the new colony for a year. His next engagement was as Santa Cruz County's first farm advisor
with the University of California Extension Service, a position he held for more than thirty years.
On January 20, 1917, Mr. Washburn married Miss Almada Card, a native of San Francisco, and their wedding was celebrated in
San Francisco. Two daughters, Evelyn Dorothy and Nancy J. were born of the union. His second wife was Viola M. Washburn.
Henry Washburn initiated soil conservation activities in the Santa Cruz area in 1920s and also started the Christmas tree
farming project in the area. He worked with 4-H clubs and helped establish the poultry industry in this area. An expert on
soils, he introduced the values of shallow cultivation and established egg laying contests that became state wide events.
He was prominently identified with the introduction of tank mix sprays in the early 1930s and was closely associated with
the establishment of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau.
In the 1920s he also helped organize minute-man squads to fight forest fires. As a conservationist, Washburn worked at preserving
the area's natural resources. He conducted forest tours and attended hundreds of meetings showing his slides and giving talks
on respecting natural resources. He and his second wife Viola, won awards for their movies of nature subjects. Their series
on "Let's Take a Walk Along a Brook", and "The Desert" won great recognition.
Henry L. Washburn died in July 1972 at the age of 82. Surviving him was his wife, Viola Washburn of Santa Cruz, a daughter,
Mrs. Nancy Bolt of Mill Valley and five grandchildren.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains Washburn's photographs of the 1938 Watsonville flood, High School Forestry classes and Farm Bureau
activities. Also included are five scrapbooks of newspaper clippings documenting farming activities in Santa Cruz County.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Washburn, Henry L. (Henry Lord)--Archives
Floods--California--Watsonville--Pictorial works
Floods--California--Pajaro River--Pictorial works
Agriculture--California--Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau (Calif.)
Series 1
Photographs -
Watsonville, February 28, 1938 Flood
1938
Physical Description: 86 photographs, 1 folder 5 x 7
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains 86 black and white photographs taken by Washburn during the Watsonville flood of 1938. He documents the
advancement and effect of the flood on the neighborhoods and downtown of Watsonville.
This scrapbook was taken apart to preserve the photographs and front material. The photographs have been individually sleeved
and numbered consequetively. The front material (title page, etc.) has been foldered. The photograph identifications have
been provided by the processor.
box:folder 1:1
[Downed power lines in Pajaro River]
box:folder 1:2
[Flooded land along river, barns, houses]
box:folder 1:3
[Pajaro River bridge, high water - "River Machine Works" in background]
box:folder 1:4
[Flood waters - river front property]
box:folder 1:5
["Fox Theater", 304 Main St., marquee "Everyday's Holiday" also "Double Danger", Hotel Pajaro in background]
box:folder 1:6
["Pajaro Valley National Bank", 326 Main St. front door & clock, "Fox Theater", 304 Main St. in background]
box:folder 1:7
["Pajaro Valley National Bank", 326 Main St.]
box:folder 1:8
["F.W. Woolworth Co. 5 & 10 and 15 cent store", 333 Main St.]
box:folder 1:9
["Standard Stations, Inc." gas station, 222 Main St. and "Standard Furniture Co., New & Used" store, possible 258 Main St.]
box:folder 1:10
["Central Market & Grocery", 242 Main St.]
box:folder 1:11
[Fox Theater marquee, 304 Main St. - "Everyday's Holiday" also "Double Danger" - man carrying sand bag]
box:folder 1:12
[Main Street, "John's Shoe Store", 327 Main St. sign and "Buckhart's, Candy - Lunches", sign, 329 Main St.]
box:folder 1:13
[Car with bags of potates in rumble seat - street sign "Stop When Pedestrians are in Cross Walk"]
box:folder 1:14
[2 men in a boat going up Main Street]
box:folder 1:15
[U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 213 Main St., garage sign - motor boat tied up to lamp post]
box:folder 1:16
[Man pulling people in boat, "Busy Bee Lunch", 301 Main St. sign in back]
box:folder 1:17
[Store signs "The Red & White Stores" 312 Main St., "M & M Market"]
box:folder 1:18
[Store sign "252 Main St. Trading Post, Sell & Trade" - sand bags across entry way]
box:folder 1:19
[Man holding on to wood dam protecting store - "Standard Stations, Inc." gas station in background]
box:folder 1:20
[Man in boots laying on sand bags]
box:folder 1:21
[Man in boots sitting at shoe shine stand - store sign "HAIR CUT 40 cents...]
box:folder 1:22
[Tied up shoe shine bench - sign "HAIRCUTS 35 cents, children 25 cents"]
box:folder 1:23
[Boat in garage - Sign "Fire Chief gasoline"]
box:folder 1:24
[Looking out from behind sand bags at "New York Bakery", 218 Main St. across flooded street]
box:folder 1:25
[Woman smoking a cigarette standing in doorway watching water rise]
box:folder 1:26
[Man riding bike in flood waters - "Standard Stations, Inc." gas station, 222 Main St. in background]
box:folder 1:27
["OWL free training quarters" sign in background. Foreground - floodwaters and row of men standing on top of sand bags]
box:folder 1:28
[Flooded street - "Frigidaire" and "Portola Garage" 245 Main St., signs]
box:folder 1:29
[Tractor pulling car and men riding both vehicles through flood waters]
box:folder 1:30
["MOHAWK" truck in flood waters and "Watsonville Laundry Dry Cleaning Co.", 212 Main St. sign in background]
box:folder 1:31
[Highway sign - Hecker Pass Rd. 1/2; Santa Cruz 19; Castroville 12; Aromas 7; California State Automobile Assn.]
box:folder 1:32
[Flooded street - street signs "Superb Market Chinn Co." and "Calvary Mission, Full Gospel", 12 Bridge St.]
box:folder 1:33
[Flooded street with man smoking a cigar and pants rolled up to knees closing door to liquor store]
box:folder 1:34
[Street sign "Carlton Hotel", 176 Main St. and building sign "Canton Market, Lew Kim & Co., Meat & Groceries...Beer on Ice",
174 Main St.]
box:folder 1:35
[2 men paddling a canoe in front of "Standard Stations, Inc." gas station]
box:folder 1:36
[3 men rowing uo flooded street - store sign "Chop Suey Restaurant Noodles"]
box:folder 1:37
[Flood waters lapping at mail box near lamp post]
box:folder 1:38
[Flood waters lapping at store front - "Chocolate and chewing gum" dispenser on wall]
box:folder 1:39
[Flooded residential street - "CABINS" sign]
box:folder 1:40
[Flooded street, almost submerged fire hydrant in foreground - "Hotel Italian Dinners" sign in background]
box:folder 1:41
[Looking up flooded street - "Fisk Tires, Tire Shop" in background]
box:folder 2:42
[2 men and row boat looking down flooded street - street signs "Drugs", "Fisk Tires, Tire Shop]
box:folder 2:43
[Flooded streets - gas station signs "Tires & Accessories", "Complete Lubrication Service"]
box:folder 2:44
[Flooded streets, gas pumps in flood waters]
box:folder 2:45
[Flooded businesses - "Shangai Restaurant", "Sunshine Laundry, Dry Cleaning", 140 Main St.]
box:folder 2:46
[3 men looking out at flood waters from 140 Main St. - store signs "Tokyo Laundry", "Sunshine Laundry, dry cleaning", "Pidcock
the Tailor"]
box:folder 2:47
[4 men looking out at flood waters from store entry at 140 Main St. - 142 Main St. "Town Tavern"]
box:folder 2:48
[142 Main St. "Town Tavern" - 4 men looking out at rising flood water - 1 man arriving by row boat at front entrance"]
box:folder 2:49
[Rising flood waters at from steps of Salvation Army chapel, 126 Union St. - man watching from doorway]
box:folder 2:50
[Flooded residential streets, car driving in flood waters]
box:folder 2:51
[Flood waters around "Standard Stations, Inc." gas station and "Roma Hotel - Italian Diners" in background]
box:folder 2:52
[2 men rowing up street past the "Watsonville Laundry & Dry Cleaning Co.", 212 Main St.]
box:folder 2:53
2 men looking down at flood water from 2nd story room above building sign "EXIDE Batteries"]
box:folder 2:54
[Man standing in flooded entrance to "Star Grill" next to "Ying Lee Laundry & Dry Cleaning" at 180 Main Street]
box:folder 2:55
[5 men walking in flood waters in front of "Watsonville Laundry & Dry Cleaning Co.", 212 Main St.. - 6th man in kayak]
box:folder 2:56
[3 men in row boat. "Busy Bee Lunch, 301 Main St. sign on building in background]
box:folder 2:57
[Flood waters in front of "Canton Market", 174 Main St., "Lew Kim & Co." store]
box:folder 2:58
[Flood waters in front of 154 Main St. "United Co.", cigars and tobacco store]
box:folder 2:59
[Flood waters - street signs - "Superba Products", Bardmess Court, 113 Main St., "Eagle Cafe" and "Big Fat Boy Diner"]
box:folder 2:60
[Flood waters on Main Street - "Watsonville Laundry & Dry Cleaning Co.", 212 Main St., "Geo. Wale, Jr. Used Car Department",
206 Main St.]
box:folder 2:61
[Flood waters at front of "Lu-Vi-Min Grocery", 126 Main St. and "International Pool Hall" next door]
box:folder 1:62
[Flooded street in front of "International Pool Hall Billiards", 124 Main St.]
box:folder 1:63
[Flood waters outside "Soo Chow Tea Room", 101 Main St.]
box:folder 1:64
[Men and children looking out of second story window above "J.C. Cadiente & Son, Tailor" at flood waters]
box:folder 1:65
[Flood fields along side flooded street]
box:folder 1:66
[Flooded fields, flooded street, windmill in background]
box:folder 1:67
[Flooded fields, factory buildings in background]
box:folder 1:68
[Cars driving through flooded street]
box:folder 1:69
[Barn and out buildings surrounded by flood waters]
box:folder 1:70
[Man and woman standing outside their home in flood waters]
box:folder 1:71
[Flooded fields, bill board for "Hotel Resetar" in Watsonville]
box:folder 1:72
[After flood waters receded - silt damage]
box:folder 1:73
[Aftermath of flood - silt damage to plowed fields]
box:folder 1:74
[Silt damage to plowed field after water receded]
box:folder 1:75
[Mud deposits on front lawns and streets after the flood waters receded]
box:folder 1:76
[Mud deposited in yards and street by flood waters]
box:folder 1:77
[Flooded downtown - "Bob & Ed's Lunch" ; "Portola Garage", 245 Main St.; "Fox Theater", 304 Main St.; "New Hotel & Central
Grill", 242 Main St.]
box:folder 1:78
[Delivering newspaper by row boat to "Golden Keg Liquor Store"]
box:folder 1:79
[Woman and boy looking out at flood waters from 2nd story at "New York Bakery", 218 Main St.]
box:folder 1:80
[3 men looking out at flood waters from entrance to restaurant dining room]
box:folder 1:81
[2 men in oncoming flood waters from behind telephone pole and overturned boat]
box:folder 1:82
[5 boys wadding in receding flood waters in front of "Standard Stations, Inc." gas station at 222 Main St.]
box:folder 1:83
[Young man leaning against building in flood water next to "Standard Stations, Inc." gas station. 222 Main St. and "New York
Bakery", 218 Main St.]
box:folder 1:84
[3 girls wading in flood waters near "New York Bakery", 218 Main St. and "Watsonville Laundry & Dry Cleaning Co.", 212 Main
St.]
box:folder 3:1
Watsonville, February 28, 1938 Flood - Scrapbook front material
box:folder 3:1
b. Clipping on erosin
10/24/1950
box:folder 3:1
c. Cover photo [Main St. by Plaza]
box:folder 3:1
d. Frontispiece [man reading newspaper
Series 2
Santa Cruz Farm Bureau and Extension Photographs,
ca. 1930-1949,
Physical Description: 41 photographs
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains forty one black and white photographs taken by Washburn during his forty years as Farm Bureau Advisor
for Santa Cruz County. He documents forestry classes, surveying classes, Farm Bureau activities, and local farmers. Washburn
was an amateur photographer and exhibited locally. Some of the photographs have been matted and signed.
The photograph identifications have been provided by the Viola Washburn.
box:folder 3:2
#1 - Robert E. Burton's high school forestry class
Scope and Content Note
The class helped clear the forest at the P.G.& E sponsored camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Mr. Burton in lead.
box:folder 3:2
#4 Sponsors, Burton & boys preparing their camp beds
box:folder 3:2
#6-8 Professor Crocheron, Head of the U.C. Extension, Berkeley, CA
box:folder 3:2
#9 Farm Cooperators, Santa Cruz County. Mrs. Harold Nelson of Soquel and Karl Hummel (without hat) at the surveying instrument
box:folder 3:2
#10, 12-13 - Farm Cooperators
box:folder 3:2
#11 Farm Cooperators - Karl Hummel of Skyland on far left (no hat)
box:folder 3:2
#14 Frank (Olois) Oettl - Skyland fruit grower, former Supervisor and Farm & Agriculture extension cooperator
box:folder 3:2
#15 An outdoor demonstration meeting - possibly on soil erosion
box:folder 3:2
#16 Karl Hummel holding ruler
box:folder 3:2
#17 Farmers listen to Farm Advisor. Woman next to box is Mrs. Karl Hummel
box:folder 3:2
#18 They came in their best overalls - Cooperator, Gene Mungai, Davenport (on back)
box:folder 3:2
#19 Farm Cooperators - Karl Hummel of Skyland on far left (no hat)
box:folder 3:2
#20 Karl Hummel, front row (no hat). Frank Oettl, Skyland, in far back row
box:folder 3:2
#21 A UC Farm Extension tour
box:folder 3:2
#22 Pack trip in High Sierra to Quinley's Boy's Camp
Scope and Content Note
Washburn was photographer on summer vacation
box:folder 3:2
#24 [Gene] Mungai of Davenport fertilizing artichokes
box:folder 3:2
#25
Spillway, Boulder Dam in its earliest days
Scope and Content Note
Matted and signed
box:folder 3:2
#26
Farmer
Scope and Content Note
Bromide process - matted and signed
box:folder 3:2
#27 Surveyor's group
Scope and Content Note
Two copies of photograph
box:folder 3:2
#28, 31 Young farmer of tommorrow
Scope and Content Note
Two copies of photograph
box:folder 3:2
#29 Extension meeting - surveying
box:folder 3:2
#32 Karl Hummel, Skyland farmer - grew good pears and nectarines
box:folder 3:2
#33
Candid Portrait of Farmer
Scope and Content Note
Matted and signed
box:folder 3:2
#34
Song Leader, photography model
Scope and Content Note
Matted and signed
box:folder 3:2
#35 Farm children
Scope and Content Note
Could be Johnny and Florence Wood's children who lived near Hester School?
box:folder 3:2
#38 Farm Advisor Henry Washburn
box:folder 3:2
#39 4-H Camp Loma, Santa Cruz County
box:folder 3:2
#40 Remig Schneider in the redwood park he maintained in Santa Cruz Mountains
Scope and Content Note
The park was "neat as a pin" and in good order as long as he lived. The land was eventually sold to aviators or commercial
flyers
box:folder 3:2
#41 Karl Hummel at tripod
Scope and Content Note
Two copies of photograph
Series 3
Santa Cruz Farm Bureau and Extension scrapbooks
ca. 1917-1932,
Physical Description: 6 scrapbooks
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau scrapbooks of newspaper clippings documenting farming activities in Santa
Cruz County. They are laid in chronologically.
The clippings are fragile. Photocopying is restricted due to the condition of the clippings and the manner in which they have
been glued into the scrapbooks.
box 4
Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Items
1917-1921
Scope and Content Note
An 8-page index precedes the numbered pages. Newspaper clippings pasted on pp. 1-115, pp. 116-318 are blank, pp. 319-320 are
missing; starting at p. 321 is a section labeled "California Farm Bureau Egg Laying Contest, 1920-1921." Pp. 326 - 353 are
blank.
box 5-6
"The Ideal Scrap Books", Henry L. Washburn
box 5
1924-1925
Scope and Content Note
The scrapbook, contains articles on Agriculture, Farming, and Farm Bureau, and is organized by geographic areas. The clippings
are pasted on leaves corresponding to the following subjects [in order of appearance]; categories are penciled on the top
right corners of some leaves: Beach Road [Watsonville], Bonny Doon, Corralitos, East Side [Casserly District], Happy Valley,
Highland, Larkin Valley, Live Oak, Mountain [Farm Center], Pleasant Valley, San Lorenzo, Scotts Valley, Valencia, F. B. Directors
- H. D. Chairmen [Farm Bureau & Home Department], P. L. Train. Classes [Home Department Project Leaders], Poultry, Egg Laying
Contest, Bulbs, Agriculture Clubs [includes egg laying, poultry raising, for boys & girls], General: 15 leaves at rear of
scrapbook appear to be of many topics.
box 5
1928-1930
Scope and Content Note
Thirty seven leaves with newspaper clippings pasted on most, and some newspaper clippings laid in. The articles have newspaper
indentification or from another source.
The scrapbook contains articles on Agriculture, Farming, and Farm Bureau. It is unorganized by subject, but the articles appear
to be in chronological order.
box 6
1930-1931
Scope and Content Note
Twenty leaves with newspaper clippings pasted on most, and some newspaper clippings laid in. The articles have newspaper indentification
or from other source.
The scrapbook contains articles on Agriculture, Farming, and Farm Bureau. It is unorganized by subject, but the articles appear
to be in chronological order.
Box 6
1931-1932
Scope and Content Note
Twenty leaves with newspaper clippings pasted on most, and some newspaper clippings laid in. The articles have newspaper indentification
or from other source.
The scrapbook contains articles on Agriculture, Farming, and Farm Bureau. It is unorganized by subject, but the articles appear
to be in chronological order.
Box 7
"Santa Cruz Mountains - Loma Prieta Forest"
1937
Scope and Content Note
Pamphlet portfolio containing scrapbook pages of clippings documenting Loma Prieta and the new proposed Highway 17.
