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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 02, Photograph 033
    No Caption: The Dutch Windmill at the western edge of Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 032
    No Caption: Mission Delores, the oldest intact building still standing in San Francisco today, suffered little damage from the 1906 earthquake. The parish church next to it was greatly damaged and rebuilt as the Mission Dolores Basilica, opened in 1918.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 031
    No Caption: A view of the Ferry Building, located at the end of Market Street along the San Francisco Embarcadero, which survived the 1906 earthquake and fires with little damage.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 030
    No Caption: A view of the reconstruction on Market Street after the 1906 earthquake and fires, c. 1907.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 029
    No Caption: A view of the reconstruction on Market Street after the 1906 earthquake and fires, c. 1907.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 028
    No Caption: The San Francisco City Hall in ruins after the 1906 earthquake and resulting fires.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 027
    No Caption: A view of San Francisco in ruins after the 1906 earthquake and fires devastated the city.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 026
    No Caption: See also 96-07-08-alb08-182, with caption: "San Francsico April 17, 1906. Center of Town." Bird's eye view of the center of San Francisco before the 1906 earthquake and fire. The Call Building (built in the 1890s to house the San Francisco Call newspaper) is the tallest building in the photograph, just to the right of center.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 025
    No Caption: See also 96-07-08-alb08-183, with caption: "San Francisco April 18, 1906. Center of Town. The Awful Fire after the Shake." Fire engulfing buildings in San Francisco's city center after the 1906 earthquake. Great plumes of smoke dominate the photograph.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 024
    No Caption: A bird's eye view of the Presidio at San Francisco, California, c. 1906. See also 96-07-08-alb08-178.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 023
    No Caption: Interior shot of the Sutro Baths, north of the Cliff House, c. 1910. Designed by Adolph Sutro in 1894, the bathhouses at one time covered three oceanfront acres just north of Ocean Beach and the Cliff House. Eventually, the Sutro Baths fell into disrepair and what was left of them burned down in 1966. Since 1973, the concrete ruins have been part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 022
    No Caption: The Cliff House, overlooking bathers at Ocean Beach, San Francisco, California, c. 1905. Unidentified people enjoying the surf and beach at Ocean Beach, overlooked by the iconic San Francisco Cliff House. The Victorian structure shown here is the third iteration of the Cliff House, constructed in 1896. It was later destroyed by a fire, in 1907.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 021
    No Caption: The entrance to the Presidio Main Post, with cannon balls lining the drive, in San Francisco, c. 1910.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 020
    No Caption: The Cliff House, San Francisco, California, c. 1905. The Victorian structure shown here is the third iteration of the Cliff House, constructed in 1896. It was later destroyed by a fire, in 1907.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 019
    No Caption: Railroad trestle over Pajaro River at Watsonville, California, c. 1910.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 018
    No Caption: See also: 96-07-08-alb06-073, with caption: "Trestle over Pajaro River, Watsonville." c. 1910.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 017
    No Caption: A landslide at Brookdale Farm, Pajaro, Watsonville, California. 1910.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 016
    No Caption: Boat landing and foot bridge at C.W. Meadows' place of business at Monte Rio, along the Russian River in Sonoma County, California, c. 1910.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 015
    No Caption: The Capitol building in Sacramento, California, c. 1910. Located on the west end of Capitol Park, the neoclassical building's construction began in 1860 and was completed in 1874. It houses the state legislature and offices of the governor. The capitol and grounds were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and as a California Historical Landmark in 1974.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 014
    No Caption: The Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, originally opened in 1879. After the most recent extensive rehabilitation, the conservatory reopened in 2003 and is a city, state, and national historic landmark.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 013
    Caption: "Avenue of Palms," at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 012
    No Caption: Grace McCarthy standing on the banks of the Russian River at Monte Rio resort, in Sonoma County, c. 1910.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 011
    Caption: "Work of Mounting Big Guns, Point Benito [sic]," c.1906. This may actually be Point Bonita in the San Francisco Bay.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 010
    Caption: "Work of Mounting Big Guns, Point Benito [sic]," c. 1906. This may actually be Point Bonita in the San Francisco Bay.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 009
    Caption: "6" Battery," c. 1906. Unidentified location, could be Baker Beach, San Francisco.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 008
    Caption: "Late Model 6" Breach," c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 007
    No Caption: Bug Gun, next to mortar Carriage damaged in test, Honolulu, Hawaii, c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 006
    Caption: "Mortar Carriage Damaged in Test - Honolulu," c. 1906.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 005
    Caption: "Baker's Beach. 6" Battery," c. 1906, in San Francisco.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 004
    Caption: "Work of Mounting Big Guns, Point Benito [sic]," c. 1906. This may actually be Point Bonita in the San Francisco Bay.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 003
    Caption: "Landing Guns, Point Benito [sic]," c. 1906. This may be a misspelling and actually Point Bonita, in the San Francisco Bay.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 002
    Caption: "A Santa Cruz Big Tree," c. 1905, General Grant, located in Santa Cruz Big Tree Grove.
  • McCarthy Album 02, Photograph 001
    Caption: "Battery Spencer. Highest 12" Battery in the World." With construction begun in 1893, Battery Spencer, located at Fort Baker in Marin County on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge, was one of the main protection points for the San Francisco harbor from 1897 until it was deactivated in 1942. It was named for Major General Joseph Spencer of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 342
    Caption: "Artillery Repair Truck," c. 1917. William McCarthy standing on a truck modified for field artillery repair, at Camp Kearney. Camp Kearney was established by the U.S. Army in 1917 just north of San Diego. The post was largely abandoned by the government in 1920, used as a military and civilian airfield. It did not see increased military service again until the 1930s.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 341
    No caption, c. 1917. William McCarthy (center) standing with the unidentified crew of a 6" Howitzer at Camp Kearney. Camp Kearney was established by the U.S. Army in 1917 just north of San Diego. The post was largely abandoned by the government in 1920, used as a military and civilian airfield. It did not see increased military service again until the 1930s.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 340
    No caption, c. 1917. William McCarthy in the driver's seat of a small, camouflaged tank or other military transport, with a caterpillar-style propulsion system. The photograph was likely taken at Camp Kearney.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 339
    No caption, c. 1917. William McCarthy standing next to a 6" Howitzer at Camp Kearney. Camp Kearney was established by the U.S. Army in 1917 just north of San Diego. The post was largely abandoned by the government in 1920, used as a military and civilian airfield. It did not see increased military service again until the 1930s.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 338
    Caption: "Field Artillery -- Camp Kearney," c. 1917. View of heavy artillery carriages and what appear to be small tanks or other vehicles under canvas covers, at Camp Kearney. Camp Kearney was established by the U.S. Army in 1917 just north of San Diego. The post was largely abandoned by the government in 1920, used as a military and civilian airfield. It did not see increased military service again until the 1930s.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 337
    Caption: "6 inch Howitzers -- Camp Kearney," c. 1917. View of several 6" Howitzers, as well as several outbuildings and a line of artillery weapons under canvas covers. William McCarthy is standing next to the middle Howitzer. Camp Kearney was established by the U.S. Army in 1917 just north of San Diego. The post was largely abandoned by the government in 1920, used as a military and civilian airfield. It did not see increased military service again until the 1930s.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 336
    No caption, c. 1917. Group of men posing on 6" Howitzers at Camp Kearney. William McCarthy is standing in a dark suit just beneath the barrel of the middle gun. Camp Kearney was established by the U.S. Army in 1917 just north of San Diego. The post was largely abandoned by the government in 1920, used as a military and civilian airfield. It did not see increased military service again until the 1930s.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 335
    No caption, c. 1910. Humorous photograph of two unidentified men, one in a suit and bowler hat, the other in a dress with feather-plumed hat.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 334
    No caption, undated. Unidentified child in improvised raft on a lake or river. The raft is composed of a wood crate and several wood boards.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 333
    No caption, c. 1915. William (far left) and Grace (second from left) standing with two unidentified friends near a river or pond bank, likely in the vicinity of Blue Rock Springs, Solano County.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 332
    Caption: "Ocean Beach S.F.," c. 1910. View of a crowded Ocean Beach, near San Francisco's Cliff House.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 331
    Caption: "Officers Quarters -- Fort Winfield Scott," c. 1912. Shows a row of multi-story homes along a landscaped street. Fort Winfield Scott was a coastal artillery post at the San Francisco Presidio. Originally named Fort Point, it was part of an effort by the U.S. government to protect the Golden Gate, entrance to the San Francisco Bay. Built between 1853-1861, the fort included emplacements for 141 guns but never fired a weapon in defense of the Bay. Its name was officially changed in 1882 to Fort Winfield Scott. This only lasted four years, until 1886 when the fort was officially downgraded to a sub-post of the San Francisco Presidio and the name discontinued. It was resurrected in 1912, with the establishment of a coastal artillery fortification at the Presidio, called, once again, Fort Winfield Scott.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 330
    No caption, c. 1905. Unidentified man posing in a military uniform.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 329
    No caption, c. 1905. Unidentified baby in carriage, in front of what appears to be a photography studio backdrop.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 328
    No caption, c. 1905. Two unidentified young boys posing in front of what appears to be a photography studio backdrop.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 327
    No caption, c. 1905. Unidentified young girl holding baby in long gown, seated in front of what appears to be a photography studio backdrop.
  • McCarthy Album 05, Photograph 326
    No caption, c. 1909. Three unidentified young women posing in a park or garden.