Laurel Avenue looking east towards Arnold Drive from top of El Verano Depot

Laurel Avenue looking east towards Arnold Drive from top of El Verano Depot

The Watkins Collection

In 1880, Carleton Watkins went to Southern California for the first time and traveled along the line of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Later he went to the “End of the Track” and as far as Tombstone Arizona. The photographs taken by Watkins on this trip represent some of the earliest views of San Bernardino, San Gabriel, Pasadena, Los Angeles, San Diego and including Sonoma Valley. On the way back to San Francisco, he followed the old overland stage road, traveling the greater part of the way in his wagon and photographing most of the Franciscan missions. These pictures constitute the earliest photographic collection of California Missions.

Read his full bio here

View and print the image reference file Here

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