Title supplied by cataloger. Charles Albert Ducommun (1870-1934) was one of four sons of Charles Louis Ducommun, a watchmaker by training who emigrated to the United States from Switzerland in the early 1840s. Ducommun Sr. established Ducommun Company in 1849 originally open on Commerce Street as a watch repair shop, but soon branched out into a hardware and sundries store. When Charles Louis Ducommun died in 1896, ownership of the shop went to his sons, Charles Albert, Alfred, Emil, and Edmond. They incorporated the business in 1907 as the Ducommun Hardware Company. Charles Albert assumed Presidency of the company after his father's death, and during his tenure as President, Charles sought out and established major accounts (which still exist today) with customers such as B.F. Goodrich, Southern Pacific Railroad, and Sunkist Growers. Charles was also responsible for giving credit to the fledgling Douglas Aircraft Company. Ducommun provided materials for military aircraft and ships during World War II. The burgeoning civil aviation industry gave the company good prospects after the war. Within a few years, Ducommun was the largest metal materials distributor in the Pacific. Ducommun, the oldest, continuously run company in California, celebrated 150 years in business in 1999. Photograph shows Mayor George E. Cryer (center) along with several nicely dressed people, possibly celebrating an event. Mayor Cryer's right arm is held high, and he appears to be grabbing on to a small brass object.
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
