Visual Materials

W. H. Rice Water Circus – L.A. Pageant of Progress – Los Angeles, Cal. Aug. 16-29, 1922

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Description: Outdoor group portrait of swimmers and divers in the W.H. Rice Water Circus during the Los Angeles Pageant of Progress, held in August 1922 in Los Angeles, California. Young women are seen posing in bathing suits, some with lettering reading "Swim East Life Guard" and "DYAS Life Guard." In the background there is a sign that reads, "Neptune's Daughter, 'Swim Easy' Revue, Hug Snug Diving Girls." Some of the individuals are identified, from left to right, as: Helen Kent, Carliss Moser, Helen Graham, Jackie Ross, Lillian Bishop, Phyllis Gaye, Lillian Wolf, Audrey Smith, Inez Fanjoy, Leona Richmond, Zolo, Perry Corbett [i.e. Cherry Corbett?], Louis Wood, Alice Mackenzie, and Chas. Farmer.
Type: Visual Materials(Opens in new tab)
Date: August 1922

South junction of Main & Spring Sts. L.A. Cal

Visual Materials

View of the junction of Spring Street and Main Street, as seen looking north from 9th Street in downtown Los Angeles, California. There is a two-story brick building at the center of the photograph, where Spring (left) and Main (right) meet.

photCL 555

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Piping water to Los Angeles [portion of the L.A. Aqueduct] (Imprint no: 20262)

Visual Materials

This is a collection primarily of negatives and photographic prints depicting the growth of Santa Monica and Los Angeles, California, from 1860s to 1980s. Many views are cityscapes or street views, showing buildings, storefronts, homes and roads, and documenting the use of railroads, trolleys, streetcars, and automobiles. There are many card photographs by early professional photographers, and also a number of snapshots made by amateurs, some in personal photo albums. The collection's scope also includes early views of many other communities in Southern California (and a few in other states); the beginnings of aviation in Santa Monica, including the first Douglas Aircraft Company buildings; a photo album of residents in Topanga Canyon, ca. 1913; automobile racing in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, 1920s; maritime views; a photo album of U.S. troops in France during World War I; a 1949 real estate development in Apple Valley, California, and others. Besides photographs, a portion of the collection consists of scarce publications and historical ephemera, primarily related to Santa Monica and Los Angeles, including brochures, advertising cards, menus, event programs and other materials. Highlights of the Santa Monica images are aerial views of the buildings along the coast and pier (1920s); several views of the Arcadia Hotel (1880s); the Long Wharf and adjoining railroad and train depot; the first bath houses on the beach; the beach club culture of the 1920s and 1930s; the amusement piers of Santa Monica, Ocean Park and Venice; and the beginnings of the Douglas Aircraft Company. There is a large set of promotional photographs made late 1920s-1930s by Powell Press Service depicting people enjoying Santa Monica's beaches, clubs and outdoor recreation. An important subset within the collection is 407 negatives made ca. 1890 - 1908 by Los Angeles historian and amateur photographer George W. Hazard (1842-1914). Hazard travelled around Los Angeles and vicinity photographing the adobes, houses, streets and storefronts that told the early history of the city. Many of Hazard's negatives have handwritten identifications, naming streets, former homeowners, ranchos, and other historical details. There are a large number of cabinet cards and other card-mounted prints and stereographs. There are 1,264 stereograph prints, highlighted by the works of photographic pioneers William M. Godfrey, Francis Parker, Hayward & Muzzall, and Carleton Watkins. Other formats represented are: glass and film negatives; panoramic prints; 7 photograph albums, photographic postcards, 20th-century color prints and transparencies; and a small number of tintypes, cyanotypes and a set of chromolithographs.

photCL 555

Santa Monica Bay Cities Post #123 – Interpost Water Carnival, Mardi Gras and Bathing Beauty Pageant. American Legion Beach Club, Sta Monica Pier, Aug. 1, 1926

Visual Materials

Panoramic view of crowd of people standing on the Santa Monica Pier, with amusement rides behind them. Includes beauty contestants, musical bands, spectators and others. Automobiles in a parking lot, a roller coaster, and the bluffs above the beach can be seen in the background. Included on sashes and the young women's bathing suits are lettering including "Miss California Beautifier, W.B. Blakeley" and "Sea Breeze."

photCL 555

W. H. Rice Water Circus – L.A. Pageant of Progress – Los Angeles, Cal. Aug. 16-29, 1922

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South junction of Main & Spring Sts. L.A. Cal

Piping water to Los Angeles [portion of the L.A. Aqueduct] (Imprint no: 20262)

Santa Monica Bay Cities Post #123 – Interpost Water Carnival, Mardi Gras and Bathing Beauty Pageant. American Legion Beach Club, Sta Monica Pier, Aug. 1, 1926