On the Finding of a Treasure

Members of the Southern California Association of Camera Clubs had general cleanup of the Photographic Arts Building during the Spring of 2013.

SCACC and the member clubs had occupied the building since 1960. There was an incredible amount of material that had collected over the occupancy of SCACC and the member clubs. Much was thrown away; but an incredible collection of ephemera relating to camera clubs in Balboa Park was discovered.

The discoveries included:

• Slide collections from past members
• Prints mounted on 16x20 mat board
• Information on several past Dr. Scott Watson Memorial Salons
• Information of club rosters, some with dates
• Photographs of SCACC members
• Club letters and memos from Dr. Scott Watson
• Information about SCACC's involvement with the San Diego Fair
• Information about the pre-1960s Photographic Arts Building
• Several bits of notes, checks, bills, etc.
• And so much more

Dr. Roland Ernest Schneider

Roland Ernest Schneider was born in San Diego, San Diego County, California on February 21, 1884. His father was Arnold Schneider who had been born in Russikon, Zürich, Switzerland and came to San Diego in 1869. He married Elizabeth “Lizette” Stahel in 1874 and they had two children, Fred Arnold Schneider (1875 – 1940) and Ernest Roland Schneider (21 Feb 1884 – 3 May 1934.)

Arnold Schneider owned and operated the A. Schneider Book Store on Fifth and F streets in San Diego until he retired and moved his family back to Switzerland in 1887. Fred Arnold Schneider returned to San Diego in 1896 and became active in real estate and insurance. He married Evelyn M. Westhaver in 1936.

Ernest Roland Schneider graduated from the University of Zurich with a doctor of laws degree before returning with his mother to San Diego. They departed Europe from Marseille, France and arrived in New York on Jun 22, 1919. The family owned and operated the Hotel Schneider on 615 8th Street.