A thick, early-20th century California travel album loaded with interesting photos completed by a variety of commercial artists, primarily documenting the southern part of the state, compiled with a focus on California churches and missions.

There are a number of portraits of Reverend Richard H. Gushee. Rector of Christ Church in Ontario, CA. The compiler of the album presumably had some personal connection to Gushee, as there are snapshot pictures of him along with more professional portraits. There is also a small flier for a sermon of his at the All Saints Church (likely All Saints By-the-Sea in nearby Montecito).

Relatedly, there are many photos showing Ontario, CA, including a bird’s eye view of the town, an exterior view of the Ontario Country Club, shots of the Christ Church and Rectory, a group portrait of its clergy, and an interesting pair of photos of lemon picking, identified elsewhere as showing the Cucamonga Fruit Exchange. Many of these photos were taken by Guy Cartleton Hovey, a commercial photographer active in Ontario in the 1890s and 1900s. Also present in the album are his photos of Long Beach Pier, Catalina Island, and views of California missions including Mission San Luis Rey, Mission San Antonio De Pala, Mission San Diego, and Mission San Fernando.

Other mission-related images include two interesting portraits of Friars at Mission Santa Barbara. One is identified as Friar Jose Godiol. A native of Spain, Godiol obtained the habit of the Franciscan order in 1854 as the first novice received on the Pacific coast. The other shows Brother Hugolinus, who acted as a guide at the old mission for over 20 years.

Other Southern California images include shots of East Lake and West Lake Park; Long Beach pier; scenes in Catalina Island; the Ramona House; the Hotel Green in Pasadena; the Hotel Del Coronado and Hotel Florence in San Diego; Mt. Lowe, Baldwin’s Ranch.; and more. There are four interesting photos showing the “Fiesta de Las Flores” parade, one of which is credited to J.T. Pollock. San Francisco is represented by views of Chinatown, the cliff house, and other notable locations.