WAUWatkinsCarletonStereoviewsPHColl1025.xmlGuide to the Carleton E. Watkins Stereoviews 1867-1890Watkins (Carleton E.) StereoviewsSpecial Collections, University of Washington Libraries© 2014 (Last modified: 11/27/2017)
Seattle, WA 98195
Finding aid written in English.Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard).University of Washington Libraries, Special CollectionsPH1025Watkins, Carleton E., 1829-1916Carleton E. Watkins stereoviews1867-1890186754 stereoview cards; 2 imperial photographic cards (1 box; 1 folder) ; various sizesCollection materials are in English.Stereoview cards by Carleton E. Watkins

Carleton E. Watkins was born November 11, 1829 in Oneonta, New York. He moved to San Jose, California in 1851 at the height of the gold rush and worked as a daguerreotype photographer in a local photography studio. Around 1857, Watkins established his own photographic studio for portraits and landscape photography in San Francisco.

Watkins visited the Yosemite Valley in 1861, making 30 mammoth plate (18" x 22") and 100 stereographic photographs of the area. His mammoth plates of Yosemite Valley were the first photographs of this size to be made in California, and among the first depictions of the American West available to people living in the eastern United States. Due in part to Watkins' photographs, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill in 1864 that declared the Yosemite valley "inviolable," and that paved the way for the National Parks system.

In 1865 the California Geological Survey (CGS) hired Watkins as their official photographer. While working for the CGS, Watkins became influenced by CGS Director Josiah Dwight Whitney’s interest in the Northwest. Watkins visited the Columbia River in 1867 and photographed the region extensively.

Financial problems caused Watkins to lose his Yosemite Art Galley in 1874, and subsequently to lose the rights to all of his prints and negatives to competitors J.J. Cook and Isaiah W. Taber. He later rebuilt his collection by revisiting and photographing the sites he had originally photographed. During his travels to rebuild his collection, Watkins met Frances Sneed and the two married on November 11, 1880. They had two children, a daughter, Julia and a son, Collis. Frances later managed Watkins' Montgomery Street studio in San Francisco.

In 1882, Watkins returned to the Northwest to create his "New Boudoir Series," which included Seattle, Port Blakely, Port Gamble, and Tacoma. On a second trip to the Northwest in 1890, Watkins made a series of stereoscopic views in Victoria, B.C., Canada. He extended this trip into Montana where he made mammoth plate views of the Anaconda copper mines and other subjects. Watkins' last large commercial job was to photograph the development work of the Kern County Land Company near Bakersfield, California. There, he made seven hundred photographs using 8" x 10" dry plate negatives.

In the late 1890s Watkins began to photograph the Hearst Hacienda near Pleasanton, California, for Phoebe Apperson Hearst, but ill health prevented him from completing the assignment. Watkins was in the process of negotiating with Stanford University for the sale of his glass plate negatives and photographs when the 1906 earthquake struck San Francisco and destroyed his studio and nearly all of its contents. By this time, Watkins was partially blind, in poor health and experiencing financial difficulties. He retired to his small ranch near Capay in Yolo County, which had been deeded to Watkins for unpaid services to the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1910 Watkins' failing health led his family to commit him to the Napa State Hospital at Imola, California. He died on June 23, 1916 and was buried on the hospital grounds.

The photographs on the stereoviews were all taken by Watkins in 1867. However, the stereoviews cards were published at different dates and in some case by publishers other than Watkins.

The collection is arranged in three series. The first series is from Watkins "Old Series" and is divided into eight sub-series by geographic location. They are arranged by the Watkins's original serial numbers. It is important to note that publishing dates and publishers differ on each stereoview. The second series consists of Watkins's "New Series" featuring stereoviews from the "E" series. The third series consists of mounted photographs that are "Imperial Cards" (8 1/2 x 10) inches in size. These photographs were taken in 1867, when Watkins traveled to the Pacific Northwest for the Oregon Steam Navigation Company.

The first series contains yellow mounted stereoview cards from the years of 1867 and 1868. These have distinguishing characteristics: for the yellow stereoview mounts published in 1867, the reverse of stereoview mount features "Photographic Views of the Pacific Coast, Stereoscope, Album, and Framing, Photographed and Published by C.E. Watkins, 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco." Furthermore, the front sidebar is labeled "C.E." Watkins, Pacific Coast." The front sidebar indicates that the copyrights were "Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by C.E. Watkins."

The yellow mounts published in 1868 are distinguished with the "Paris International Exposition, 1868" featured on the reverse.

The series features three different types of orange mounted stereoview cards. The photographs were taken by C.E. Watkins in 1867, however, the publishing date and the publisher vary. Those published by C.E. Watkins between 1871-1875 can be distinguished with the label on the front bard indicating "Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco."

The stereoviews published circa 1876 by Watkins' creditor, J.J. Cook, have the following characteristics: the front sidebar is labeled either "Watkin's Pacific Coast. No. 1 Montgomery St., cor. Post, San Francisco" or "Watkins' Pacific Coast. 26 Montgomery St., opp. Lick House Entrance, San Francisco," "J.J. Cook."

The collection contains 54 stereoviews and two "Imperial Cards" photographed by Carleton E. Watkins. They include images of locations along the Columbia River. Included are views of Willamette Falls, Cape Horn, Multnomah Falls, Castle Rock, the Upper and Lower Cascades Region, Dalles City, Celilo, and Fort Lugenbeel.

Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Donor: Sylvia Burns, 2008: 9 Stereoviews 5b, 8, 10b, 13, 15, 18, 20a, 32, 39.

Processed by Jordan Grimmer; processing completed in 2011.

Stereoviews 5b, 8, 10b, 13, 15, 18, 20a, 32, 39, donated by Sylvia Burns and originally accessioned as PH2009-011, have been incorporated into this collection.

Carleton E. Watkins photograph collection PH Coll 286 is available for use in Special Collections.

Watkins, Carleton E., 1829-1916--PhotographsWillamette Falls (Or.)Columbia RiverCascades (Or. and Wash.)Multnomah Falls (Or.)Dalles (Or.)Celilo (Or.)Shipyards--Washington (State)--PhotographsSawmills--Washington (State)--PhotographsShipbuilding--Washington (State)--PhotographsPiers--Washington (State)--PhotographsWharves--Washington (State)--PhotographsLumber trade--Washington (State)--PhotographsRailroad tracks--Washington (State)--PhotographsVisual Materials Collections (University of Washington)OregonPhotographsStereoviewsStereo viewsStereo (photographs)Stereoscope

 

Watkins's "Old Series" of Oregon, Portland and Columbia River area

Stereoviews are arranged by Watkins's original series numbers. They are arranged into eight sub-series based on geographic locations.

Willamette Falls11Oregon City and Willamette Falls, Oregon1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1217 Panorama of Oregon City and the Willamette Falls, No. 4.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite of Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 12Oregon City and Willamette Falls, Oregon1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1218 Panorama of Oregon City and Willamette Falls, No. 5.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: Photographic Views of the Pacific Coast, for the Stereoscope, Album, and Framing, Photographed and Published by C. E. Watkins, 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 13Rocks and waterfall at Willamette Falls, Oregon with Oregon City in background1867C.E. WatkinsJ.J. Cook

Published circa 1876

Text on card mount: 1219 The Willamette Falls, Oregon.; Watkins' Pacific Coast. 26 Montgomery St., opp. Lick House Entrance, San Francisco.

 14Aerial view of Oregon City and Willamette Falls, Oregon1867C.E. WatkinsJ.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Text on card mount: 1221 The Willamette Falls, Oregon.; Watkin's Pacific Coast. No. 1 Montgomery St., cor. Post, San Francisco.

 Columbia River15aBeach on the Columbia River and forest near Rooster Rock1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1868.

Text on card mount: 1228 Rooster Rock, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: Paris International Exposition, 1868. 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 15bBeach on the Columbia River and forest near Rooster Rock1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1228 Rooster Rock, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast. 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 16Cape Horn on the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1868.

Text on card mount: 1229 Cape Horn, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: Paris International Exposition, 1868. 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 17Men and boats at Cape Horn on the Columbia River shore1867J.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Text on card mount: 1231 Cape Horn, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast. 26 Montgomery St., opp. Lick House Entrance, San Francisco.

 18Tree stumps on hillside overlooking Cape Horn on the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1232 Cape Horn, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast. 22 and 26 Montgomery St., opp. Lick House Entrance, San Francisco.

 19Night landscape and moonlight on the Columbia river viewed from the O.R.R. Cascades1867C.E. WatkinsJ.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Text on card mount: 1237 Moonlight on the Columbia, from the O.R.R. Cascades.; Watkin's Pacific Coast. No. 1 Montgomery St., cor. Post, San Francisco.

 Multnomah Falls, Columbia River110a-10bMultnomah Falls viewed through the forest1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

10a and 10b are th same photograph; 10b has been cropped so that less of the image appears.

Text on card mount: 1239 Multnomah Falls, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 111Lower Multnomah Fall viewed from the bottom1867C.E. WatkinsJ.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Text on card mount: 1240 Lower Multnomah Fall, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast. 26 Montgomery St., opp. Lick House Entrance, San Francisco.

 112Lower Multnomah Fall viewed from down river1867C.E. WatkinsJ.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Text on card mount: 1241 Lower Multnomah Fall, Columbia River.; Watkin's Pacific Coast. No. 1 Montgomery St., cor. Post, San Francisco.

 113River and rock formations viewed from Multnomah Falls1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1242 View from Multnomah Falls, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 Castle Rock, Columbia River114Castle Rock viewed from the beach1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1243 Castle Rock, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 115Castle Rock viewed from the beach1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1244 Castle Rock, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 116Columbia River and Castle Rock viewed through the forest1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1246 Castle Rock, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 117Steamship on the Columbia River with Castle Rock in the distance1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1868.

Text on card mount: 1247 Castle Rock, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: Paris International Exposition, 1868. 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 118Columbia River and Castle Rock viewed through the forest1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1248 Castle Rock, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 Cascades, Columbia River119Steamship at dock on the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1249 Steamer Cascade.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 120aPasture and fence with fog-covered Cascade Range in the background1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1868.

Text on card mount: 1250 A foggy morning in the Cascades, Columbia River, Oregon.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

On Reverse: Paris International Exposition, 1868. 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 120bPasture and fence with fog-covered Cascade Range in the background1867J.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Text on card mount: 1250 A foggy morning in the Cascades, Columbia River, Oregon.; Watkins' Pacific Coast. 26 Montgomery St., opp. Lick House Entrance, San Francisco.

 121Man standing on the cab of a train engine called "Betsey Baker" near the Cascades Rapids on the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1251 Betsey Baker, Cascades, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: Photographic Views of the Pacific Coast, for the Stereoscope, Album, and Framing, Photographed and Published by C. E. Watkins, 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 122View of train station near the Cascades Rapids, Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1255 Lower Cascades, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 123"The Garrison" log cabin on the bank of the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1868.

Text on card mount: 1257 The Garrison, Cascades, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

On reverse: Paris International Exposition, 1868. 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 124O.R.R. landing along the Columbia River viewed from the opposite river bank1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1868.

Text on card mount: 1258 The Middle Landing, O.R.R. Cascades, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

On reverse: 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 125Columbia River shore, log cabins on bluff, and the Block House1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1259 The Middle Block House, Cascades, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 126Block House at the Cascades on the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1868.

Text on card mount: 1260 The Middle Block House, Cascades, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

On reverse: Paris International Exposition, 1868. 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 127Bridge along the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1263 View on the Columbia river, Middle Block House, Cascades.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 128View of the ruins of the High Bridge and train on railroad tracks along the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1265 Ruins of High Bridge, Middle Block House, Cascades.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 Upper Cascades, Columbia River129Islands on the Columbia River viewed through the forest1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1266 View on the Columbia River, from the O.R.R. Cascades.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 130aTrain and train trestle along Upper Cascades of the Columbia Rivercirca 1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1270 Upper Cascades, Columbia River. Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 & 26 Montgomery St., opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco. Photographic Views of California, Oregon, and the Pacific Coast generally - embracing Yosemite, Big Trees, Geysers, Mount Shasta, Mining City, etc., etc. Views made to order in any part of the State or Coast.

 130bView of buildings and railroad bridge along the Columbia River, with islands in the background1867C.E. WatkinsJ.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Text on card mount: 1273 Islands in the Columbia, from the Upper Cascades.; Watkin's Pacific Coast. 26 Montgomery St., opp. Lick House Entrance, San Francisco.

 131View of buildings on islands in the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1868.

Text on card mount: 1274 Islands in the Columbia, from the Upper Cascades.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

On reverse: Paris International Exposition, 1868. 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 132aIslands on the Columbia River viewed through the forest1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871.

Text on card mount: 1286 View on the Columbia River, from the O.R.R. Cascades.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 429 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 132bRailroad trestles along the Columbia River1867C.E. WatkinsC.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 12[88?] The Upper Cascades, Columbia River, from the Block House. C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

 133Railroad bridge on bluff along the Columbia River1867C.E. WatkinsJ.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Text on card mount: 1294 View on the Columbia River from the O.R.R. Cascades.; Watkins' Pacific Coast. 26 Montgomery St., opp. Lick House Entrance, San Francisco.

 134aView of The Tooth Bridge, railroad tracks, along the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1298 The Tooth Bridge, O.R.R. Cascades, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery St., opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 134bTooth Bridge on the Columbia River with two men and horse-drawn wagon visible on bridge1867C.E. WatkinsC.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1299 The Tooth Bridge, O.R.R. Cascades, Columbia River.

 Dalles City, Columbia River135Dalles City1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1304 Dalles City, Columbia River. View from the East.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 136Works of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company in Dalles City, next to railroad bridge on the Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1307 O.S.N Co's Works, Dalles City, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: Photographic Views of the Pacific Coast, for the Stereoscope, Album, and Framing, Photographed and Published by C. E. Watkinds, 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 137Exterior of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company's Machine Shop in Dalles City1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1308 Machine Shop, O.S.N. Co's, Dalles City: Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

On reverse: Photographic Views of the Pacific Coast, for the Stereoscope, Album, and Framing, Photographed and Published by C. E. Watkinds, 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 138aExterior of Officer's Quarters at Oregon Steam Navigation Company in Dalles City1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1311 Officer's Quarters O.S.N. Co., Dalles City, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

Text on verso: Photographic Views of the Pacific Coast, for the Stereoscope, Album, and Framing, Photographed and Published by C. E. Watkinds, 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 138bExterior of Officer's Quarters of Oregon Steam Navigation Company in Dalles City1867C.E. WatkinsJ.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Text on card mount: "1311 Officer's Quarters O.S.N. Co., Dalles City, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast. 26 Montgomery St., opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco."

 139View of the Dalles1867C.E. Watkins

Published in 1871-1875.

Despite information on card mount, Mount Hood is not clearly visible in these photographs.

Text on card mount: 1322 Mount Hood, from the Head of the Dalles.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 140aView of the Dalles1867C.E. WatkinsJ.J. Cook

Published circa 1876.

Despite information on card mount, Mount Hood is not clearly visible in these photographs.

Text on card mount: 1324 Mount Hood and the Dalles, Columbia River.; Watkin's Pacific Coast. No. 1 Montgomery ST., cor. Post, San Francisco.

 140bAmerican Indian camp near the Dalles, Columbia River1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1326 Indian Camp at the Head of the Dalles, Columbia River. Watkins' Pacific Coast. 429 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 Celilo141Railroad tracks at the base of Cape Horn, near Celilo1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1871-1875.

Text on card mount: 1328 Cape Horn, near Celilo, Columbia River.; Watkins' Pacific Coast, 22 and 26 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House entrance, San Francisco.

 142Railroad bridge on the beach at the base of Cape Horn, near Celilo1867C.E. Watkins

Published 1868.

Text on card mount: 1329 Cape Horn, near Celilo, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

On verso: engraving of both sides of medal received by Watkins, signed by Keith, San Francisco.

Text on verso: Paris International Exposition, 1868. The first prize awarded to the United States by the Committee on Photographic Landscapes, received by C. E. Watkins, and the only medal for California views. 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 143Interior corridor of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company's warehouse in Celilo1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1332 Interior of the O.S.N. Co's Warehouse, Celilo, Columbia River.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

On reverse: Photographic Views of the Pacific Coast, for the Stereoscope, Album, and Framing, Photographed and Published by C. E. Watkinds, 425 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 144Woman and two children near the exterior of home, near Celilo1867C.E. Watkins

Text on card mount: 1336 At the Lower Cascades, C.R.; C.E. Watkins, Pacific Coast.

On reverse: 245 [sic] Montgomery Street, San Francisco.

 Rare 'E' Series: "New Series" of Pacific Coast Views145Salmon wheel on the Oregon side of the Columbia Rivercirca 1884-1885C.E. Watkins

Published circa 1884-1890.

Text on card mount: E 13 Salmon wheel, Columbia River Scenery, O'gn.; Watkins' New Series Of Pacific Coast Views, 427 Montgomery Street, S.F.

 146Salmon wheel floating on the Oregon side of the Columbia Rivercirca 1884-1885C.E. Watkins

Published circa 1884-1890.

Text on card mount: E 14 Floating Salmon wheel Columbia River Scenery, O'gn.; Watkins' New Series of Pacific Coast Views, 427 Montgomery Street, S.F.

 Imperial Cards

Two imperial photographic cards, taken on Watkins' 1867 trip to Oregon and the Columbia River area.

147View of Columbia River shore and log cabins on bluff1867

The same image is used in item 25.

 148View of buildings and railroad bridge on island on the Columbia River1867

Same location, but not the same image as in item 30.

Text on verso: Upper Cascades Blockhouse; Fort Lubanbeale ? (Bradford store & sawmill).

Shows the Upper Blockhouse known as Fort Lugenbeel (built 1856-57) to the right; upper end of the portage facilites of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company; possibly Daniel F. Bradford's store and warehouse, center.