Visiting Mokelumne Hill over the decades has always been a joy. True, it's been over a decade since the last time however, I truly love California history and so much of it is found in and around Moke Hill and Calaveras County. Now I have another reason to come back to Mokelumne Hill: Edith Irvine.
OK, she's been dead since the year I was born, but once I discovered her photography I was in love. I've kept a darkroom for nearly four decades, and continue to work with historical photos for the books that I write and publish. Edith and her brother Bob (Robin), of course grew up in Mokelumne Hill.
Literally, I discovered five unknown photos of Edith's work, here in Southern California where I live. She used to visit the great Irvine Ranch (105,000 acres) and her great uncle, James Irvine. He was William's brother (Edith's Grandfather), who had diggings up in Calaveras County as did her Father, Thomas.
The five photos are of San Francisco's 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Edith went to the city on the morning of the disaster to meet with her Father and brought her camera and glass plates. Arriving about 5:30am, 20 minutes after the quake struck, she began taking photography.
Ultimately, over the course of several days, she shot well over 60 photos, including the five I found. Nearly 300 of her photos are at the Harold B. Lee Library at BYU in Utah however, I was privileged to meet and work with James Irvine (Edith's nephew/Bob's son).
He lives in California -- of course -- and gave me the opportunity to publish her earthquake photography from copies he has, within my book: Two Weeks in San Francisco. With Edith's San Francisco photos, one can plot her pathway through the destruction for miles.
In this photo looking north, Edith captured the Studebaker Bros. wagon factory at 10th Street and Market, and on the left and a block uphill, the World Hotel -- both of which burned. A laundry wagon in the foreground is seen picking up people's belongings.
To the people of Mokelumne Hill, you have a great history in California and a treasure in Edith's photography. Thank you for allowing me to contribute to both. I'm coming back for a visit. [img_assist|nid=3556|title=The Studebaker Bros. wagon factory during San Francisco's 1906 earthquake and fire.|desc=|link=popup|align=center|width=300|height=232]
