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John C. Gordon Panoramic Collection

Owning Institution: San José State University, Special Collections and Archives

About this Collection

John C. Gordon used the panoramic photograph to create a unique and enduring record of life in the Santa Clara Valley with a medium that is both expansive and immersive, giving viewers a rich visualization of regional geography and culture from a time long past. As a commerical photographer, he used the panorama to capture landscapes, cityscapes, agriculture, businesses, community organizations, church groups, and labor organizations. Besides transporting and operating bulky camera equipment, Gordon often scaled considerable heights, typically climbing water towers, commerical buildings, and the foothills of Santa Clara County to obtain compelling panoramic views. After well over 50 years of service as a prolific photographer and community leader, John C. Gordon passed away in 1967 at the age of 80.

The digital collection includes 525 digitized panoramic images from the John C. Gordon Panoramic Collection (SJSU). For more information about this collection and the use of its images, contact the SJSU Special Collections Department. Digitization and cataloging of the panoramic negatives was funded by the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). View this collection on the contributor's website.
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525 items found in this collection

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12th Annual Hi-Y Conference for Older Boys at San Jose High School
13th Annual Convention for the California State Council of Carpenters
13th Western Conference of Teamsters
17th Annual Convention for California Chapter #4 of the National Association of …
17th annual convention of the California Credit Union League
18th annual meeting of the Southwestern Section of the International Association of …
18th Convention of the California State Farm Insurance Agents
21st annual state convention of the California State Council of Carpenters
25th Biannual Convention for the California Federation of Postal Clerks
25th Biennial Convention for the California Association of Letter Carriers
30th annual gathering of the B.Y.P.G. youth group
31st Summer Bible conference for Evangelical Free Churches of California
32nd Annual Conference of California School Employees
36th Annual Convention of Golden Gate District 12 for the Vasa Order …
36th Annual Convention of the County Recorder Association of California
37th Annual Convention for Golden Gate District 12 of Vasa Order of …
48th Annual Convention of the Master Plumbers of California
49th Annual Convention of the California Christian Endeavor Union
49th Annual State Convention of the Fraternal Order of Eagles
53rd Annual Outing for the South Bay Yacht Club
53rd Annual Outing for the South Bay Yacht Club
55th Annual Outing for the South Bay Yacht Club
56th Annual Outing for the Southbay Yacht Club
57th Annual Outing for the South Bay Yacht Club
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