George Andrew Fowler Collection, 1910-1926, 1910-1926

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Summary

Title:
George Andrew Fowler Collection, 1910-1926
Dates:
1910-1926
Creators:
Fowler, George Andrew
Abstract:
Extent:
1,106 Glass and celluloid negatives
Language:
Preferred citation:

George Andrew Fowler Collection, 1910-1926. Los Angeles Public Library

Background

Scope and content:

The 1,100 glass and celluloid negatives, taken by at least three different photographers during different periods of time in the early 20th century, tell specific stories of daily life, the growth of cities, commerce, and technology. Among the subjects are hundreds of images of travelers on road trips to resort destinations and landmarks, such as Big Bear, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park and Palm Springs. Cabins, campsites, campers in tents, forests, deserts, lakes and mountains are featured prominently and were presumably taken for client Western Auto to help sell their cars, car accessories and recreational equipment. Another series features oil drilling and mining, shacks and barracks for miners in mining towns, and an iron works plant. Land being prepared for construction of houses, including Hollywoodland and other real estate development projects, and remarkable shots of Charles Lindbergh and Will Rogers posing with planes on an airfield are fascinating historical treasures. Other surprises include a tattoo parlor (with a woman having her ankle tattooed), group portraits of the staff of the Broadway Department Store, a rooftop view of downtown Los Angeles and the architectural curiosity, the “Witches House” in Beverly Hills, shortly after its construction. Despite being an amalgamation of several photographers, the collection as a whole chronicles the history of business, construction, architecture, technology, fashion and interior design in Southern California from the 1910s through the 1920s.

Biographical / historical:

George Andrew Fowler, son of Samuel Fowler (whose memoir is located in UCLA’s Dept. of Special Collections) was a pioneer farmer in Tulare County. He moved to New York to become an artist, then returned to California around 1920 where he became a professional photographer. He acquired a photography shop and developing laboratory formerly belonging to Louis F. Beegle and with it, the glass plates and celluloid negatives belonging to Beegle and the other photographers who occupied the shop prior to him. This accumulation of negatives accounts for the various subjects and styles of the photography, and the far-flung locations they visited on assignments. After Mr. Fowler closed his shop, all of these plates were stored in a garage in the Fowler home in South Pasadena. It wasn’t until the 1960s, when the house was sold, that the collection was discovered by daughter Helen Tuttle, who then passed them on to the donor, her son, Edward Fowler Tuttle.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Edward Fowler Tuttle.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Los Angeles Public Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1910-1926
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on April 17, 2025, 11:28 a.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is stored on-site at the Central Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. It is closed for research. Photograph collections may be browsed, digitally, via the Los Angeles Public Library website at https://tessa.lapl.org

Preferred citation:

George Andrew Fowler Collection, 1910-1926. Los Angeles Public Library

Location of this collection:
Central Library
630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071, US
Contact:
(213) 228-7355
specialcollections@lapl.org
Website