#PA71
1933
Oblong Quarto album (ca. 17,7x25,6 cm). 27 card stock leaves. With 28 mounted gelatin silver photographs ca. 10x12,8 cm (4x5 in). No captions. Period black full-cloth album fastened with a string; with blind-stamped ornaments and generic title “Photographs” on the front board. Edges slightly worn, several photos age-toned, but overall a very good album with strong interesting photos.
Historically important collection of rare photographs documenting the destruction in Long Beach and its environs after the March 10, 1933, earthquake.
The earthquake measured a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale, causing widespread damage across Southern California. The epicenter was located near Long Beach, resulting in the deaths of 115 people and injuring over 1,000. Most of the city landmarks – the Pacific Coast Club, Broadway Theater, Jergins Trust Building, First Methodist Episcopal Church, jails, libraries, schools, hotels & sustained significant damage. The earthquake was a turning point in California's approach to seismic safety, influencing building codes statewide to prevent similar devastation in the future.
The collection includes 28 excellent original photos of Long Beach and its nearby areas, taken shortly after the earthquake. About sixteen well-executed images show the city's ruined downtown core - Morrison Apartments, the Methodist Episcopal Church, Lynwood Theater, Bank of America, Jefferson Jr. High School, Wharton's Beauty Salon, "Quality Upholstery," "Toast & Sandwich Shop," "Rexall Store," etc. An interesting photograph depicts the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word tending to patients sprawled on the floor of the severely damaged St. Mary's Hospital. There are also several photos of ruined private residences & cars and workers cleaning up the debris in the former Pike amusement zone.
Over five photos show the destruction in Compton – Masonic Temple, Junior College, Compton Boulevard, "Dean's Cut," "Shoe Repair Shop," etc. The rest of the photographs capture San Pedro, showing the ruins of Southern Counties Gas Co., San Pedro Hardware Co., and the first Bank of San Pedro with its distinctive clock tower. Overall, a historically important collection of rare original photographs, documenting the destruction in Long Beach and its environs after the earthquake on March 10, 1933.
