Research Library and Archives
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Photo Archives
This is the major strength of the Archives. There are an estimated one million images (many in negative format only) of Pasadena and surrounding areas. Individual items are catalogued by subject; photo albums are shelved and described separately. Important early Pasadena photographers, active during the 1880s and 1890s, are particularly well represented. The collection contains: |
| Main Photo Collection. This collection of loose photographs has tens of thousands of images, with many early views of Pasadena places and people. It is organized by subject (not by date). |
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Left: Pasadena's First Airport, 1921-1924, Corner of Sierra Madre Villa and Foothill Boulevard (A9-4b)
Right: Brown Brothers ( B6-7c)
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Pasadena Star-News Photo Archives. This collection of several thousand photos was the Star-News’ photo morgue. The majority of the photos date from the 1970s through 1990s, although there are many early Rose Parade photos and architecture. The collection is organized by subject and person. |
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Left: Greene and Greene Home, The Van Rossem-Neill House, 1903 (Greene and Greene)
Right: El Capitan, Arriving at Santa Fe Station, 1946 (Trains)
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| Pasadena City Schools Negative Collection. Several hundred images, primarily from the 1950s through the 1970s, believed to have been taken for public relations brochures. |
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Left: Pasadena High School, Los Robles at Walnut Streets, 1903 (Main Photo Collection S18-3)
Right: Lincoln School Students Celebrating Columbus Day, 1892 (Main Photo Collection S11-A-2)
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Flag Photo Collection. Consists of approximately 2,000 film and glass negatives taken by Emil P. Groetzinger and his sons, local photographers who operated the Flag Studio from circa 1909 until the 1940s. |
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Left: Neighborhood Grocery Store with Bungalow Next Door, 1912-1918 (2-21-116)
Right: California Market at 29 No Fair Oaks, 1917-1919 (3-21-129)
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| J. Allen Hawkins Photo Collection. This is the main body of work of local photographer J. Allen Hawkins who worked in Pasadena from the 1920s through the 1970s. The collection consists of well over 300,000 images and is organized chronologically. |
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Left: Making movies in Pasadena, At Union and Raymond, 1947 (2690)
Right: Circle Cafe, 953 East Colorado, 1946 (2077)
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| Stereographs. |
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Left: Gilmore Residence at Orange Grove and California Streets, 1876
Right: Pasadena Vista North East from Claypool Residence Early 20th Century
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Postcards. |
| Photograph Albums. |
Photographic Reproduction
Copies of photographs in the collection may be ordered by signing the "Reproduction Use Agreement" and paying applicable fees. See Reproduction Services.
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