Skip to main content

Exhibits

William M. McCarthy Photograph Collection

Item set

Title
William M. McCarthy Photograph Collection
Description
Capturing the rich history of the early twentieth century, the William M. McCarthy Photograph Collection (Identification #96-07-08) highlights well-known landmarks, historic events, and scenic vistas from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, from the Deep South to Canada, and from Mexico to Cuba. Scenes across the Golden State are captured in stunning shots from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite and the Central Coast to Southern California cities. The collection features nearly 3,000 photographs taken by native Californians William M. and Grace McCarthy from approximately 1905 to 1938. The McCarthys traveled extensively during the early years of automobile travel, as newly constructed highways connected people and places throughout the United States and beyond, providing pictorial documentation of a pivotal period in our nation's history.

William M. McCarthy (1876 – 1956) and Grace C. Kane (1878 – 1957) wed in the early 1900s and lived in San Francisco for most of their lives where William was stationed as an armament expert for the U.S. War Department. The collection features photographs of the McCarthys' travels, as well as the many family members and friends they encountered along the way. Always ready with his camera, William McCarthy also captured remarkable images of significant events, including shots of San Francisco before and after the 1906 earthquake, the fire that destroyed that city's iconic Cliff House in 1907, the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and their 1938 journey into Mexico along the newly constructed Pan American Highway. The original black and white photographs, mounted in eleven albums, make up one of the few private collections preserved by the California State Archives. The entire collection was digitized by the State Archives' curatorial staff.

To request a high-resolution scan of one or more of these images, contact the California State Archives at ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov or (916) 653-2246. Please include the Title or Identifier for each photograph in which you are interested, as well as the desired format (tiff, jpg, pdf) and resolution (DPI) for the requested scan. Duplication fees will apply.

DISCLAIMER
The views, opinions, and positions expressed by the creators of the materials presented (William and Grace McCarthy) are theirs alone. As noted in image descriptions, certain photographs are restricted or have been cropped due to sensitive content deemed unsuitable for online distribution.
Date
1905-1938
Contributor
Audrey Fullerton-Samora of Sacramento, great niece of William and Grace McCarthy, donated the William M. McCarthy Photograph Collection to the California State Archives in 1996.
Creator
William M. McCarthy
Publisher
California State Archives, a division of the California Secretary of State's Office
Rights
The California State Archives, a division of the California Secretary of State’s Office, owns the copyright to the William M. McCarthy Photograph Collection. The images and content may be used for personal use, research, or educational purposes. For any use of these materials, please credit the “California State Archives, William M. McCarthy Photograph Collection, Identification #96-07-08.” Commercial use or distribution of the images or content is not permitted without prior written permission from the California State Archives. Please note that the materials contained in this collection may include copyrighted material (such as postcards) not held by the California State Archives. Additionally, other limitations, such as the right of publicity, may limit use of the materials in this collection.

For more information about the copyrights related to this collection or to request permission to use the digital images or content, please contact the California State Archives at ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov or (916) 653-2246.
Identifier
Collection ID#96-07-08

Items

Advanced search
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 147
    Caption: "Benicia Arsenal Gardener," c.1905, shows the gardner of the Benicia Arsenal carrying two large watering cans near an unidentified structure.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 146
    Caption: "Benicia Arsenal Store House," c. 1905. The Benicia Arsenal Store House, also known as the Clocktower building, was erected in 1859 at three stories high. In 1912, an explosion and fire caused extensive damage, after which it was rebuilt as a two-story structure.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 145
    Caption: "United States Field Piece," shows a piece of artillery on a carriage at the Benicia Arsenal.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 144
    Caption: "Benicia Arsenal," c. 1905. Overview shot of the Benicia Arsenal. William McCarthy began his career as an inspector of armaments for the U.S. War Department at the Benicia Arsenal in 1903. The arsenal was established in 1851 as the first Ordnance Supply Depot in the West, from which it supplied and supported U.S. troops, from the Civil War through WWII and the Korean War. It was deactivated in 1963.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 143
    No Caption. A view of the Benicia Arsenal, with the store house in the distance. William McCarthy began his career as an inspector of armaments for the U.S. War Department at the Benicia Arsenal in 1903. The arsenal was established in 1851 as the first Ordnance Supply Depot in the West, from which it supplied and supported U.S. troops, from the Civil War through WWII and the Korean War. It was deactivated in 1963. Benicia Arsenal store house in the distance, c. 1905.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 142
    Caption: "Benicia Arsenal Avenue," c. 1905, Benicia, California. William McCarthy began his career as an inspector of armaments for the U.S. War Department at the Benicia Arsenal in 1903. The arsenal was established in 1851 as the first Ordnance Supply Depot in the West, from which it supplied and supported U.S. troops, from the Civil War through WWII and the Korean War. It was deactivated in 1963.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 141
    Caption: "Benicia Arsenal Gate," c. 1905, Benicia, California. William McCarthy began his career as an inspector of armaments for the U.S. War Department at the Benicia Arsenal in 1903. The arsenal was established in 1851 as the first Ordnance Supply Depot in the West, from which it supplied and supported U.S. troops, from the Civil War through WWII and the Korean War. It was deactivated in 1963.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 140
    Caption: "Ferryboat Solano," c. 1906. The Solano was a large railroad ferry that operated across the Carquinez Straight between Benicia and Port Costa in California.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 139
    Caption: "Benicia Wharf Disaster," c. 1906, shows a collapsed building on the Benicia wharf, likely due to the April 1906 earthquake that devastated the city of San Francisco.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 138
    Caption: "Green Valley Falls Picnic," c. 1908, shows an unidentified group of people riding in horse-drawn carriages in front of the Benicia Brewery building.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 137
    Caption: "Green Valley Falls Picnic," c. 1908. A large group of unidentified people pose for a photograph at Green Valley Falls near Benicia in Solano County.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 136
    Caption: "Green Valley Falls Picnic, "c. 1908. A large group of unidentified people pose for a photograph at Green Valley Falls near Benicia, in Solano County.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 135
    No caption. Unidentified woman standing in front of a palm at an unidentified location, c. 1908.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 134
    Caption: "Pinole Baseball Team," c. 1908.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 133
    Caption: "Elcampo [sic] Grove." c. 1908. William McCarthy sitting with two unidentified woman at El Campo Grove in Marin County.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 132
    Caption: "Elcampo [sic] Grove," c. 1908. William McCarthy on the left, with four unidentified people at El Campo Grove in Marin County.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 131
    Caption: "Elcampo [sic] Grove," c, 1908, shows a group of unidentified people at El Campo Grove in Marin County.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 130
    Caption: "Elcampo [sic] Grove," c. 1908, shows a group of unidentified people sitting at a table at an outdoor location at El Campo Grove in Marin County.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 129
    No caption. View of an unidentified man, likely of Chinese ancestry, standing on the porch of a building at unidentified location, c. 1908.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 128
    Caption: "Picnic at Fishcamp," c. 1908, shows William McCarthy (third from right) with unidentified people posing for a photograph at Fishcamp in Mariposa County.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 127
    No caption. A large group of unidentified people posing for a group photograph on what appears to be a stage, at an unidentified location, c. 1908.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 126
    Caption: "Picnic at Fishcamp," c. 1908. A large group of unidentified people enjoying a picnic at Fishcamp, near Yosemite, in Mariposa County.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 125
    No Caption: Several unidentified people posing for a group photograph at an unidentified location, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 124
    Caption: "President Roosevelt in Vallejo," c. 1903. President Theodore Roosevelt came to California in 1903, visiting several cities and towns, including Vallejo, where he laid the cornerstone of the Navy YMCA. Thousands traveled to Vallejo to greet the president, most by steam railroad.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 123
    Caption: "5 Ton Tractor," c. 1906. William McCarthy is seen sitting on a military artillery tractor at an unidentified location.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 122
    Caption: "75m/m gun," c. 1906. William McCarthy is seen posing next to a large gun at an unidentified location.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 121
    Caption: "6" Howitzer," c. 1906. A piece of artillery characterized by a relatively short barrel, used for firing shells on high trajectories at low velocities.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 120
    Caption: "The Extremes," c. 1906, shows one large dog and one small dog, in front of a building at an unidentified location.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 119
    No caption. An unidentified young child is seen standing next to a large dog, in a yard at an unidentified location, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 118
    Caption: "Want to get in," c. 1906, shows a small black dog, wearing a ribbon and bow around its neck, and leaning against a door.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 117
    Caption: "Want to go home," c. 1906, shows two unidentified young girls posing for a photograph.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 116
    Caption: "Want to get down," c. 1906, shows a small black dog standing on a chair.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 116.0
    Caption: "Wantses," caption label only, refers to photographs 116, 117, and 118 of album 06.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 115
    Caption: "On the Sacramento River," c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 114
    No Caption: Three unidentified people standing before a building at an unidentified location, likely the Alhambra Springs of Alhambra Creek in Contra Costa County, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 113
    No Caption: Two unidentified people standing before a building at an unidentified location, likely the Alhambra Springs of Alhambra Creek in Contra Costa County, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 112
    No caption. An unidentified woman poses for a photograph in white dress and flower adorned hat at what is likely the Alhambra Springs of Alhambra Creek in Contra Costa County, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 111
    No caption: Two unidentified women pose for a photograph on a bench at unidentified location, likely the Alhambra Springs of Alhambra Creek in Contra Costa County, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 111.0
    Caption: "Alhambra Springs," caption label only, refers to photographs 111 - 114 of album 6.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 110
    Caption: "A Crockett Society Picnic," c. 1906, shows a large group of unidentified men and women enjoying a picnic.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 109
    Caption: "Carquinez Parlor, Crockett," c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 108
    Caption: "Crockett Mandolin Club," c. 1906. William McCarthy is seen strumming the mandolin, second from left.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 107
    Caption: "Machinists and Millrights [sic], Crockett Sugar Mill," c. 1906, shows a group photo of sugar mill employees. William McCarthy is seen kneeling in front row (fourth from right).
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 106
    Caption: "Day Shift, Crockett Sugar Mill," c. 1906. A large group photo of Crockett Sugar Mill employees. William McCarthy is seen seated in the front row (seventh from right, wearing light clothing).
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 105
    Caption: "Filter Presses and Packing Room Gang," c. 1906, shows a group of unidentified men posing for a photograph in the packing room at the Crockett Sugar Mill.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 104
    Caption: "Filter Presses and Packing Room Gang," c. 1906, shows a group of unidentified men working in the packing room at the Crockett Sugar Mill.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 103
    No caption: Four unidentified men pose next to machinery at the Crockett Sugar Mill, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 102
    No caption. Unidentified machinery at the Crockett Sugar Mill, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 101
    Caption: "Pump Room and Boiler House," c. 1906, shows a man posing for a photograph next to machinery at the Crockett Sugar Mill.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 100
    Caption: "Pump Room and Boiler House," c. 1906, shows four unidentified men standing in the pump room and boiler house at the Crockett Sugar Mill.