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.

1927: A Beginning

Dr. Reginald Poland, the Director of the Fine Arts Gallery, called photographers to a meeting in February 1927. These camera enthusiasts would consider the formation of a camera club in Balboa Park.

The “Camera Enthusiasts” photography club had its inaugural meeting in August of 1927 with Harold A. Taylor presiding as the first president. There was an initiation fee of $1.00 with a yearly membership of $3.00. Meetings were to be held within the Fine Arts Gallery on the last Tuesday of each month. There were also monthly photographic outings to picturesque localities of San Diego.

A notable achievement of the Camera Enthusiasts was the creation and running five annual exhibition salons: the first three were regional “Pacific Coast” exhibitions while the last two were International salons. The guide book for the 1935 California-Pacific Exposition regarded that year’s salon as “the most important event of its kind to be held in the United States this year.”

The club’s name was changed to the Photographic Arts Society in 1936. The new name reflected its cultural contributions to the city of San Diego. Several local and traveling exhibitions were hosted by the organization which was lead by a Yankee dentist; Dr. Scott Watson.

This organization continued to grow beyond the conception of its original mandate. By the end of the 1940s several other camera clubs has aligned their selves with the Society. The group recognized this change by calling itself the Photographic Arts Society and Associated Camera Clubs.

The Southern California Association of Camera Clubs grew from those beginnings to incorporate 23 camera clubs by 1985.

This blog will delve into the history of these clubs and the men and women who guided them through the decades.