Starting in Stockton: The Late 1800s
Stockton, despite not being as well-known as some other cities in California, is one of its oldest cities. It was founded in 1847 by Captain Charles M. Weber on his Mexican Land Grant, originally called El Rancho Del Campo de los Frances. By July 23, 1850, it was known as Stockton.
In the next hundred years, Stockton's civic buildings, schools, libraries, and churches were built rapidly, adding appeal and sophistication for citizens and artists. Photography grew rapidly in Stockton as a diverse group of photographers spent years documenting main attractions, the elite, and their own families (Kasser).