#orangegroves

SOURCE (Series of steps, Origin, Use at the time it was created, Reality Check, Context and Curiosity, Evidence)

Origin:

Who is the creator (in the case of an object)? “Redlands, and its wealth of orange groves. 5956 Interpositive” was published by Underwood & Underwood, “Orange groves, Redlands, Cal.” was published by C.H. Graves, and “Mountains and orange groves from Smiley Heights” was under copyright by E.F. Everitt, Redlands, California.

When was it made?  “Redlands, and its wealth of orange groves. 5956 Interpositive” was made between 1900-1910, “Orange groves, Redlands, Cal.” was made in 1899, and “Mountains and orange groves from Smiley Heights” was made in 1901.

Where was it made? All three objects were made in Redlands, California.

How was it made?  “Redlands, and its wealth of orange groves. 5956 Interpositive” is silver gelatin on glass and “Orange groves, Redlands, Cal.” and “Mountains and orange groves from Smiley Heights” are photographs.

Is this a unique document/object or is it one of many duplicates? Many photographs exist of Redlands, California and its scenery from the late 1800s/early 1900s.

Use at the time it was created:

What was it intended to do? Intended to showcase the landscape of Redlands, California as Redlands was on the rise as a tourist destination and presented many opportunities if people wanted to move to California.

Was it used in other ways? Yes, it could have been used for personal uses but was most likely used for promotional reasons.

Who were the users (in the case of an object)? The users were also the publishers/creators. I think they may have taken the photos in order to use them later in advertisements for the area.

Was it common or rare? Photographs of Redlands, California taken in the late 1800s and early 1900s are not very common, but many do exist.

Did the creator intend for it to last? Most likely not. It is hard to say with these photographs, but they were likely taken for a specific reason and did not have many uses beyond their initial one.

Reality check:

What are the limitations of this source? The reason why these photographs were taken is unknown, creating some limitations.

What were the biases of its creator? The creators most likely wanted to present Redlands in a positive way, so the photographs showcase Redlands’ most scenic points.

What questions about it can never be answered? The exact date of “Redlands, and its wealth of orange groves. 5956 Interpositive” is unknown and can most likely not be answered exactly.

Would any community oppose its use in an exhibit? No, I do not believe anyone would oppose the photographs being presented in the exhibit.

What biases do you bring that might affect how you understand this source? Being from Redlands, California, I enjoy the scenery presented in these photos. They showcase a Redlands that has slowly disappeared over time, but the memory of the Redlands shown still exists because of photographs like these, so I find them important to exhibit.

Context and Curiosity:

What relevant events were taking place at the time of this source’s creation or use? The citrus industry and tourism in Redlands were big at the time.

Is this source in keeping with your understanding of the historical context or does it surprise you? In other words, does it support or contradict what you already know about the subject you are studying? No, the photographs don’t display anything that is surprising or different from what I previously knew about Redlands.

Does this source represent a change or innovation? The photos show a Redlands that is changing with the rise of citrus and tourism.

What questions about it remain unanswered but fully answerable? Where exactly the photographs were taken (so they could be posssibly recreated.)

What further research might be necessary to fully understand the source? Understanding their purpose and what they were used for.

Evidence:

How can you use this source as evidence in your current argument? The photographs, along with the citrus labels, show the beginnings of the citrus industry in Redlands and San Bernardino County. When the exhibits all come together, they show the way the citrus industry was marketed and changed over the first half of the 20th century.

Do the answers to the other sets of questions establish its credibility to the point that you can include it with confidence? Yes.

If questions remain, do you have enough evidence to engage in responsible speculation? Yes. There is enough evidence that anything unanswered can be speculated on.

Source: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/sova-nmah-ac-0143-ref24536

Title:  Redlands, and its wealth of orange groves. 5956 Interpositive

Publisher/Collection Creator: Underwood & Underwood

Extent: 1 Item (4" x 5")

Medium: Silver gelatin on glass.

Fruit/California/orange groves/California Orchards/Redlands (Calif.)

Collection Citation: Underwood &Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

Source: https://www.loc.gov/item/2018645527/

Title: Orange groves, Redlands, Cal.

Created: 1899

Redlands (Calif.)/1890-1900

Source: https://www.loc.gov/item/90706095/

Title: Mountains and orange groves from Smiley Heights

Created: (c) 1901.

Orange orchards/California/Redlands/1900-1910

Notes:

- H1465 U.S. Copyright Office.

- Copyright by E.F. Everitt, Redlands, California.