A Young Man's Photo Album: Idaho, San Diego, Los Angeles
Compact photo album compiled by a student at the University of Idaho, Moscow who apparently moved to Los Angeles soon after college. Included in the album is a nice group of images recording a trip to San Diego. The unidentified man may have worked as a pilot (there are two snapshots of him wearing a pilot's helmet posing in front of small airplanes).
The images can be divided into two groups: views of the University of Idaho, Moscow, with the second ground relating to Southern California, mainly images of San Diego and Los Angeles.
The album begins with photos of the University of Idaho, Moscow, including Ridenbaugh Hall, university flower gardens, a portrait of Dr. Dr. Henrietta Tromanhauser (Prof. of German and Greek), home of Dr. Wodsedalek, Geology building, Beta Chi House, Elweta Fraternity (burning), Forney Hall Dormitory for Women, Administration Building, School of Mines, Science Hall, and others.
Los Angeles images include a view of Echo Park across the street from Aimee Semple McPherson's Temple ("I live one block from here"), Waves at Venice Beach, and a few other beach scenes. Also several photos of San Juan Capistrano.
San Diego images:
- California Building tower in Balboa Park
- View of Balboa Park
- San Diego, Calif. Taken from ferry crossing to Coronado Island
- Group of buffalo, San Diego Zoo
- Estudillo House, Old Town
- Breakers coming in at San Diego
- Home at 354 19th Street, San Diego.
- Point Loma Lighthouse
- Serra Museum
- 2 Real Photo Postcards of the Theosophical Temple in Point Loma.
The album provides a window into the experiences of a young man at a pivotal moment of transition in his life, possibly reflecting broader themes of westward movement, aviation, and urban expansion during this period. Images such as ferry crossings to Coronado, buffalo at the San Diego Zoo, and landmarks like Balboa Park and the Point Loma Lighthouse document a San Diego in the midst of growth, while photographs from Los Angeles, such as Echo Park and Venice Beach, showcase its vibrant landscape. A charming set of images evocative of the carefree optimism of young people during the 1920s, especially in the West and Southern California.