Los Angeles County Department of Health Services collection, 1930-1932

Summary

Abstract:

This collection consists of seven photograph albums documenting a range of departmental activities of the Los Angeles County Department of Health from approximately 1930 through 1932. The photographs depict such things as housing, schools, sewage disposal plants, diary farms and milk plants, garbage and refuse disposal, and general sanitation in areas across Los Angeles County. The collection notably includes a volume documenting temporary encampments known as "Hoover Towns," which sprang up during the Great Depression, as well as a volume showcasing the "state-of-the-art" housing for Olympic athletes during the 1932 Olympics held in Los Angeles.

Extent:

6.6 Linear Feet (4 boxes, 1 oversize folder)

Language:

Materials are in English.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Los Angeles County Department of Health Services collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of seven photograph albums documenting a range of departmental activities of the Los Angeles County Department of Health, from approximately 1930 through 1932. The volumes include photographs of the following subjects:

1. The Habitations of Unemployed in Los Angeles County, 1932 (volume 1)
2. Activities of the Bureau of Inspection, 1932 (volume 2)
3. Sewage Disposal Methods in Los Angeles County (volume 3)
4. Picture Story of Milk in Los Angeles County (volume 4)
5. Olympic Village, Los Angeles, 1932 (volume 5)
6. Miscellaneous Scenes of Los Angeles County Department of Health Activities and Buildings (volumes 6-7)

The Bureau of Housing and the Bureau of Inspection are two of the divisions represented in the collection. The photographs depict such things as housing, schools, water supply, swimming pools, sewage disposal, dairy farms and milk plants, garbage and refuse disposal, and general sanitation to name but a few topics. Of particular interest is the volume documenting the "Hoover Towns" which sprang up throughout Los Angeles during the Great Depression (Volume 1). In contrast is the volume showcasing the "state-of-the-art" housing for Olympic athletes who were in Los Angeles for the Tenth Olympiad in 1932 (Volume 2)

The photographers represented in these volumes are unidentified except for an instance where initials are provided. Volume 4 was compiled by Richard A. Koch and volume 5 was compiled by C. G. Kahlert. The majority of the images are accompanied by lengthy captions and they are transcribed in the finding aid where practical.

Acquisition information:

Gift of the Los Angeles County Health Administration/Management and Health Systems Agency Libraries, June 1996.

Arrangement:

The collection includes volumes one through seven. Each photograph has a unique number.

Physical facet:

457 photographs in 7 volumes; gelatin silver prints

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related resources

Alternative form available:

Visit the Huntington Digital Library to view digitized items from this collection.

Other descriptive data:

Each volume has had some conservation treatment with the level of treatment varying from minimal to extensive. A brief account of the action taken follows:

photCL 396 vol 1:

Photographs were originally attached to black papers pages and album covers were missing. Images and text were removed from backing and original order maintained.

photCL 396 vol. 2-vol. 3:

Photographs and typewritten captions were removed from black paper pages and put into mylar sleeves. Original order maintained.

photCL 396 vol4:

Album pages were xeroxed showing photographs with text to serve as reference copies for researchers. Photographs were removed from album corners and stored separately in non-buffered sleeves. Retained original album pages and text which is stored in separate envelope.

photCL 396 vol. 5:

Transcribed captions accompanying each photograph which were glued onto black pages. Removed photographs and other text from original album. Discarded original photographic album with paper captions due to dust and dirt from black paper. Map of Olympic Village was flattened and encapsulated in mylar.

photCL 396 vol. 6:

All images uncaptioned. Removed black pages from album and trimmed. Interleaved with unbuffered paper and put in acid free folders.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Olympic Games (10th : 1932 : Los Angeles, Calif.) -- Photographs.
Depressions -- 1930-1932 -- California -- Los Angeles County -- Photographs.
Dairying -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs.
Refuse and refuse disposal -- California -- Los Angeles County -- Photographs.
Sewage disposal plants -- California -- Los Angeles County -- Photographs.
Photographs
Photograph albums.

Places:

United States -- History -- 1930-1933.

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Los Angeles County Department of Health Services collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:

Huntington Library, Photo Archives Collections

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, CA 91108, US

Contact:

(626) 405-2129

reference@huntington.org

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