More than 10,000 nitrate negative images are now available online through the generous support of Arcadia — photographs that document Southern California history and culture during the city’s early modern years, including its architecture, design, commerce, civic activities, fashions, and notable people and events. Due to the volatile and unstable condition of nitrate film, these resources were in effect unavailable to users until now.
From sources as varied as newspapers, a commercial photographer, a landscape architect, and a fashion editor these images collectively present a broad resource about Southern California history from the early 1920’s through the 1930’s.
The 10,000th image cataloged is…

Crown Prince Gustav Adolf and Crown Princess Louise of Sweden at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, 1926
(Los Angeles Times)
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Other photographs from the nitrate collections share in the celebration…

Metropolitan Water District workmen celebrate the completion of a water tunnel to supply Los Angeles with Colorado River water, Pasadena, 1937
(Los Angeles Daily News)

Young people jumping on beach, Santa Monica, 1938
(Adelbert Bartlett Collection: commercial photographer)

John Percival Jefferson residence, reflection pool with statue of a bacchante by MacMonnies, Montecito, 1931
(Ralph Cornell Collection: landscape architect)

Peggy Hamilton modeling an Adrian tulle evening gown, 1929
(Peggy Hamilton Adams Collection: fashion editor)

“Circus Maximus” performer at the Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, 1929
(Los Angeles Times)

Boy smiling, Children’s Home Society, Los Angeles, circa 1935
(Adelbert Bartlett Collection: commercial photographer)
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And we’re smiling too, because thousands more images will be released over the next few months! You can find all of these collections online here.
Claudia Horning, Martha Steele, and Becky Spiro
UCLA Library Cataloging and Metadata Center
Tags: Adelbert Bartlett, Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Times, nitrate negatives, Peggy Hamilton Adams, photographs, Ralph Cornell
woohoo! congrats!
I love the style and pizzazz of the 20s and 30s. Enjoying the Socal history. Great work!