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Title
Bolinas wireless station
Creator
Unknown
Date Created and/or Issued
1910-1920
Contributing Institution
History San Jose Research Library
Collection
History San Jose Online Catalog
Rights Information
Please contact the contributing institution for more information regarding the copyright status of this object.
Description
Panoramic photograph of the Marconi station at Bolinas, California. The photograph is in six segments of equal size. In the far left of the photograph is an automobile with two men in it, one is in the drivers seat and the other is in the back seat. The view continues to the right to include the station houses, buildings, and antennas. Notes from Richard Nielsen, whose father Ivan worked at the station: (Image1.jpg): This view is facing slightly east of southeast. The mast is 1c. The small building in the foreground is Cottage B, which was intended as the residence for the assistant engineer-in-charge. The large building is the Marconi Powerhouse. The spark transmitters were located on the main floor in the south end. The smaller buildings are construction buildings during the building of the station from 1913-14. The picture was taken in the late spring or summer of 1914. (Image2.jpg): The car is a 1913 Model T and the passenger is either a Marconi official or an official of the White Engineering Company. The car was likely positioned for the photo. The cliff edge and the Pacific Ocean are in the background. The Model T is located about midway between the Marconi Hotel and Cottage. The two ocean rocks on the far right are just off the two points of Double Point (Image6.jpg): This photo is facing almost due north from a point midway between the Marconi Hotel and Cottage B. Double Point is on the left. The stream known as the Arroyo Honda emanates from the canyon on the right. This was one of the two sources of water for the Marconi station. The ranch seen at the base of the distant hills is South Ranch. The hills are part of Inverness Ridge. (Image3.jpg): The structure on the left, middle ground is the incomplete lightning arrestor. The nearly completed Marconi Hotel is in the middle, and nearly complete Cottage A, intended for the engineer-in-charge, is on the right. A construction shed shows at the right edge of the photo. The hills are the southern end of Inverness Ridge. (Image4.jpg): The Nott Ranch is in the left background. A construction shed on the south side of Cottage A is on the left side of the photo. Concrete mixing equipment can be seen in the middle ground. The hills are the southern end of Inverness Ridge. (Image5.jpg): All of the Marconi masts are shown except 1c. Mast 4a was erected, but never used as new technology made it obsolete. The ranch seen behind mast 4a is the Ingermann Ranch. This was the ranch purchased for the building of the Marconi station. The panels have been labeled on the back. Panel 1 (688a) shows an automobile with two men, approaching the station. The auto does not appear to be on a road, and may have been staged on the grass for purposes of the photo. Panel 2 (688b) is a view of the coastal hills. Written on the reverse is "July 1977 from T. L. Mayes." Panel 3 (688c) has been labeled "Living Quarters" and shows a two-story building in the center, with a smaller, one-story building to the right. Panel 4 (688d) and Panel 5 (688e) show the main antenna. On the reverse, in large black marker, handwriting reads "Bolinas Antenna, Transmitter, [250] Alternator." (The number in front of "Alternator" is illegible). There is a date written in red ink on panel 3, which appears to read, "December 1917. Frank...." Panel 6 (688f) is labeled "....House" and shows a tall mast in the background, with a one-story building in the left foreground, and an industrial building on the right with large glass windows. There are smaller installations surrounding the buildings.
Type
Image
Format
Black & White
Identifier
2D7D45AC-F1C0-448D-B85F-364793117293
2003-1-688
Subject
Bolinas (Calif.)
Radio broadcasting--California--San Francisco Bay Area--History
Radio stations--California--San Francisco Bay Area--History
Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America
Marconi Company
Telegraph, Wireless--Marconi system (LCSH)
Telegraph stations (LCSH)
Geisel, Frank
Mayes, Thorn L

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