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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

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  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 099
    Caption: "Overland Limited making 50 miles per hour," c. 1906, shows an unidentified man observing a train in motion at an unidentified location.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 098
    Caption: "Main Engine, Crockett Sugar Refinery," c. 1906. William McCarthy (left) and unidentified man pose next to the main engine at the sugar refinery.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 097
    Caption: "Crockett Sugar Mill, "c. 1906. The Californian and Hawaiian Sugar Refining Company Building in Crockett, Contra Costa County, California.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 096
    Caption: "Byron Springs," c. 1915-1920. Grounds and entrance to the Byron Hot Springs resort hotel, built in 1913 (the third hotel on the site). See also 96-07-08-alb04-155.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 095
    Caption: "On the Yuba River," c. 1920, shows an unidentified person standing on the bank of the Yuba River in Nevada County.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 094
    No Caption: An unidentified man and woman standing in front of an automobile and large building at unidentified location, c. 1920.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 093
    Caption: "St. Francis Hotel - S.F. Cal," c. 1913. St. Francis Hotel at Union Square with partial north wing extension and the Dewey Monument in the foreground (Robert I. Aitken, sculptor), which commemorated U.S. Admiral George Dewey's naval victory at the battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish American War of 1898. The luxury hotel opened in 1904 and, fortunately, suffered little damage from the 1906 earthquake. It was expanded in 1913, and 1972, making it one of the largest hotels in the city. See also 96-07-08-alb01-002.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 092
    No caption, c. 1920. View of rocky cliffs with D.L. James House (designed by Charles Greene and built in 1918) on the left side of the image.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 091
    No caption, c. 1920. Scene of rocky sea cliffs and ocean, with trees bracketing the view. May be near Midway Point, near Pebble Beach. See also 96-07-08-alb04-217.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 090
    No Caption: c. 1920. Image of the main building of Sutter's Fort. John Sutter established the fort in 1839, calling it New Helvetia. After the discovery of gold at one of Sutter's mills (at Coloma, on the American River), almost all of the fort's inhabitants left for the gold fields in the foothills. The fort deteriorated until being restored from 1891-1893. The Native Sons of the Golden West were influential in the restoration. The fort is now the site of a State Historic Park. See also 96-07-08-alb05-117 and 118.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 089
    Caption: "Sutters [sic] Fort - Sacramento," c. 1920, shows a gun tower at Sutter's Fort, and a gate bracketed by two cannons. John Sutter established the fort in 1839, calling it New Helvetia. After the discovery of gold at one of Sutter's mills (at Coloma, on the American River), almost all of the fort's inhabitants left for the gold fields in the foothills. The fort deteriorated until being restored from 1891-1893. The Native Sons of the Golden West were influential in the restoration. The fort is now the site of a State Historic Park. See also 96-07-08-alb05-117 and 118.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 088
    No Caption. A dining room with elaborate decorative accents at unidentified location, c. 1910.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 087
    Caption: "Sacramento - State Capitol," c. 1910, shows the façade of California's neoclassical-style capitol building in Sacramento.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 086
    Caption: "A Watsonville Residence," c. 1910, shows a view of a large, Queen Anne-style house at unidentified location in Watsonville.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 085
    No caption. Small, unidentified house at unidentified location.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 084
    No caption. William McCarthy and an unidentified women on horseback at an unidentified location, c. 1910.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 083
    No caption. Two unidentified boys standing in front of a corn field, c. 1905.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 082
    No caption. Unidentified boy standing on a porch, at an unidentified location, c. 1905.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 081
    No caption. Unidentified people, one in costume with a painted-on mustache and goatee, c. 1905.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 080
    Caption: "Young Hostler, Harrold," c. 1906, with two horses on the McCarthy property in Watsonville.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 079
    Caption: "Parlor interior at home," c. 1905. A view of the parlor at the McCarthy family residence in Watsonville, with a piano in foreground and framed portraits and landscapes adorning the walls.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 078
    Caption: "Harrold and Buff," c. 1906. A young child with a dog is seen standing near a fence at the McCarthy home in Watsonville.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 077
    Caption: "Watsonville High School, construction," c. 1903. A view of the Watsonville High School under construction, featuring Spanish style design elements.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 076
    Caption: "Notre Dame, Watsonville," c. 1900. Moreland Notre Dame Academy was founded by Margaret S. Moreland in memory of her beloved daughter Josephine, who died at eighteen years of age. The catholic school opened in 1899.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 075
    Caption: "Palace Hotel Court," c. 1906. (Handwritten on photograph: "copyright 1906 by W.E Worden."). The Palace Hotel was originally built in 1875, rebuilt in 1909, and was one of the first premier luxury hotels in San Francisco.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 074a
    Caption: "The California," (Richard. Outcault, illustrator). A photograph of a drawing of a dog and a turkey by American cartoonist Richard F. Outcault. The drawing is captioned "The California," is mounted next to the photograph of the USS California (96-07-08-alb06-073), and is likely meant to refernce that ship in some fashion.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 074
    Caption: "The California," c. 1906. This photograph shows the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the Golden State's name. Launched in 1904 and commissioned in 1907, this Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser served in the Pacific fleet. Her name was changed in 1914 to the USS San Diego, in order to free up the name for a new, Tennessee-class battleship. The USS San Diego went on to serve in both the Pacific and Atlantic fleets during World War I, until being sunk off the coast of New York by a German mine in 1918, with a loss of six lives. See also 96-07-08-alb05-009.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 073
    Caption: "Trestle over Pajaro River, Watsonville." c. 1910.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 072
    Caption: "College Lake, Watsonville," c. 1906, is an intermittent or seasonal lake, which was known at one time as Laguna Grande, and became known as College Lake sometime after 1869.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 071
    Caption: "Pajaro River at Chittenden Trestle," c. 1906. A view of the Pajaro River, with the Chittenden Trestle seen in the distance.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 070
    No Caption. View of the McCarthy family home in Watsonville, c. 1905.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 069
    Caption: "N.S.G.W. Delegates to Grand Lodge, Santa Barbara." Founded in 1875, the Native Sons of the Golden West is a fraternal society limited to native-born Californians.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 068
    Caption: "Old Mission, Santa Barbara," c. 1906. View of Mission Santa Barbara, established by Spanish Franciscan monks in 1786.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 067
    Caption: "Mechanics of Hendy Machine Works, 1894." The Joshua Hendy Machine Works operated in San Francisco until the facilities were destroyed by the 1906 earthquake. The company relocated to Sunnyvale, California, after the local government there enticed them with free land. William McCarthy can be seen standing (sixth from left) in the second from back row.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 066
    Caption: "Prof. C.F. Graber's Mandolin Club," c. 1905. Pictured is a large group of mandolin players entertaining an audience. William McCarthy can be seen seated in the second row (fifth from left, with mustache).
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 065
    Caption: "Tunnel Entrance to Music Stand, G.G. Park," c. 1906. One of three pedestrian tunnels leading to the music concourse in Golden Gate Park.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 064
    Caption: "Stow Lake, G.G. Park," c. 1906. A man-made lake created in 1893 as part of Golden Gate Park. The lake surrounds Strawberry Hill Island, seen in the center of this photograph. Visitors still enjoy Stow Lake today, engaging in activities such as boating and picnicking.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 063
    No caption: Grace McCarthy (right) and an unidentified women, likely her sister, sitting in a parlor at an unidentified location, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 062
    Caption: "Japanese Garden. Golden Gate Park," c. 1910. Originally created as a "Japanese Village" exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the still existing Japanese Tea Garden is now the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 061
    Caption: "The Park Music Stand," c.1906. Façade of the Golden Gate Park Bandstand, which shows some damage, possibly from the 1906 earthquake.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 060
    Caption: "The Chutes, S.F," c. 1905. View of the Fulton Street Chutes, a 350-foot water slide. Boats or toboggans careened down the slide into a man-made lake at the bottom. Such "chutes" were very popular throughout the U.S. and Europe at the turn of the century. The Fulton Street Chutes operated from 1902-1907 as part of an amusement park area that also featured the "Circle Swing Flying Machine" (also visible in the photograph), a theater, bar, merry-go-round, and a zoo.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 059
    Caption: "Palace Hotel Court," c. 1906. (Handwritten on photograph: "copyright 1906 by W._ Wod_n."). The Palace Hotel was originally built in 1875, rebuilt in 1909, and was one of the first premier luxury hotels in San Francisco.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 058
    Caption: "Union Square & Dewey Monument," c. 1908. St. Francis Hotel at Union Square, with the Dewey Monument in the foreground (Robert I. Aitken, sculptor), which commemorated U.S. Admiral George Dewey's naval victory at the battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish American War of 1898. The luxury hotel opened in 1904, and, fortunately, suffered little damage from the 1906 earthquake. It was expanded in 1913, and 1972, making it one of the largest hotels in the city.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 057
    Caption: Market Street, Call, Chronicle, Palace, Grand, & Crocker Buildings," c. 1906, shows a bustling scene of tall buildings, people, horses and buggies, and a trolley on Market Street.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 056
    Caption: "Market Street, Knights of Honor Parade," the Knights of Honor were a fraternal and secret society in the United States during the 19th and early 20th century. A Knights of Honor Grand Lodge was established in San Francisco in 1880, and at one time twenty subordinate lodges existed.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 055
    Caption: "The Cliff House," c. 1906, shows several people on Ocean Beach with the third Cliff House that was built on that site in the distance, which burned down in 1907.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 054
    No Caption. Group photograph of eleven unidentified individuals, likely friends and family of the McCarthys, and William McCarthy (fifth from left in checkered suit) sitting at the base of a large oak tree, at an unidentified location, c. 1908.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 053
    No Caption. Group photograph of twelve unidentified individuals, and a small dog, likely friends and family of the McCarthys, posing at the base of a large oak tree at an unidentified location, c. 1908.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 052
    No Caption: Group photograph of twelve unidentified individuals, likely friends and family of the McCarthys, posing on the branches of a tree at an unidentified location, c. 1908.
  • McCarthy Album 06, Photograph 051
    Caption: "Park Music Stand, "c. 1908. A view of the bandstand at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.