Slevin (Louis) Photograph Collection, 1895-1945

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Summary

Title:
Louis Slevin Photograph Collection
Dates:
1895-1945
Creators:
Slevin, L. S. (Louis Stanislas), 1878-1945
Abstract:
Extent:
4 archival boxes of photographs
Language:
Preferred citation:

Louis Slevin Photograph Collection. Harrison Memorial Library

Background

Scope and content:

The Slevin photo collection contains images of San Francisco and the Monterey Peninsula, including Carmel, Point Lobos, and Pebble Beach, covering the 1900s-1930s. It includes a series of photographs documenting changes to notable Monterey buildings over several decades, photographs of missions across the West, and photographs of everyday artifacts of the time period, from paving stones to hitching posts and household tools. Some of the photos reflect Slevin's wit, having pithy remarks on them. Many of Slevin's photographs were made into postcards, of which we have a generous sampling, complete with his greetings. Also included are postcards Slevin sent to his friend Anne Hadden, who was the first director of the Monterey County Free Library.

Biographical / historical:

"Closed. Gone to the countryside." That was the sign Louis Slevin would hang on his general store when he went out to take photographs of the happenings and sights of Carmel and its environs during the early 1900's. The images in our collection reflect the extremely wide interests of this man, who came to Carmel in 1902 with his brother and mother. They built a store to sell general merchandise in 1903 and, shortly thereafter, their store became the first Carmel Post Office. While running the store, seeing to the mail, and taking photographs, Louis Slevin also found time to become Carmel's first city treasurer. He also helped start the Carmel Arts and Crafts Club and was its first treasurer and still found time to write "Ode to a Milk Shrine" and to dash off letters to the editors of the local and Monterey newspapers.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Harrison Memorial Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1895-1945
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on April 17, 2025, 11:28 a.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Materials are open for research.

Terms of access:

The Henry Meade Local History Department, Harrison Memorial Library does not hold copyright to these items. Permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder by the user.

Preferred citation:

Louis Slevin Photograph Collection. Harrison Memorial Library

Location of this collection:
P.O. Box 800
Mission St & 6th Ave
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921, US
Contact:
(831) 624-1615
hml.localhist@gmail.com
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