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Scope and Content
The Harrison Gray Otis Album of California Scenes contains 23 photographic prints taken circa 1890-1910 by the photographer "Rafert." The album primarily features photographs of southern California locations, many of which are historically associated with Otis' involvement in the development of the Los Angeles region or with his private interests. The album includes views of San Pedro Harbor and Point Fermin, Santa Monica Beach, the Santa Barbara and San Gabriel Missions, the old plaza and mission church of the Los Angeles Pueblo, Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin's Santa Anita Rancho, Echo Park, Figueroa Street, Mt. Lowe, Millard Canyon, and a Verdugo residence. Also pictured is the "The Outpost," the Cahuenga Pass locale which was the site of Pico's 1847 surrender to Fremont. The album also includes several prints of Otis' Wilshire Place residence "The Bivouac," in which he displayed sizeable collections of both war paraphernalia and fine art, and on whose site is presently located the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design. Unidentified ranch scenes and a view of San Francisco's Cliff House and Seal Rocks are also included.
The album's leather cover is embossed, "Pictures by Rafert." Another embossing, "Gen. H.G. Otis," has been partially rubbed out. The spine is embossed, "Pictures." One mount has been detached from the binding and is thus lacking.
A man who may be Harrison Gray Otis is pictured in some of the prints.
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