Description
Produced and published by the San Francisco-based lithography firm Britton & Rey, this bird's eye perspective of Eureka, California, captures the iconic coastal city in a period of significant transition and development. Eureka has a rich history and was a crucial hub for prospectors during the Gold Rush era becoming the cultural and political hub of Humboldt County. Eureka's coastal location made it ideal for supplying prospectors during the Sierra Gold Rush of the 1850s instead of the arduous overland route previously available from Sacramento. Britton & Rey operated the second-largest lithography firm in the United States and the largest on the West Coast. By the time of this publication, the firm was under the control of Jacques Rey's son Valentine and produced some of the most recognizable images of towns and cities across the Western United States. Bird's eye perspectives were widely popular during the latter portion of the nineteenth and early parts of the twentieth century and were used as marketing materials to attract residents and merchants alike. They highlighted prominent civic buildings, economic opportunities, and natural attractions. Eureka's distinct Victorian-style architecture remains one of the town's enduring features, and the entire city is considered a state historic landmark. This depiction of Eureka bears a distinctive aesthetic and classic style that immediately transports the viewer back in time, creating an indelible bond between the past and present. This is a rare piece of cartographical history from the turn of the century. Overall Size: 18" H x 24" W
