Jackson, B. D. (1850 or 1-1937)

Biographical Note

B.D. Jackson (ca.1850-1937) was born in Sullivan, Ohio; the "B" stood for Bradford, and the "D" came from his nickname Dan. He began his career as a portrait photographer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1901, in search of a better climate, he moved to Pomona, California where he purchased a portrait studio. In addition to portrait work, he began photographing the surrounding towns and the mountains and beaches of Southern California. Jackson lived and worked at various times in Pomona, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Hollywood, La Canada, Glendora, La Crescenta, and Glendale, all of which figure in his work. Eventually he gave up the portrait aspect of the business and concentrated on landscape views for the production of stereographs and postcards. As he said, "Views don't talk back."

Jackson was one of the first photographers to document the construction and completion of the Angeles Crest Highway, and his images of the Montrose-La Crescenta flood of 1934 were used by Los Angeles County officials to document the drainage patterns of the mountains in that area.

From the guide to the B.D. Jackson Collection of Negatives and Photographs, 1903-1950s, bulk 1920s-1930s, (The Huntington Library)