We believe the first photo (top, left) of the Main House with John E.Bz mounted was taken by Mr. Beitz on 4 February, 1888. The 1888 estancia diary mentions a German photographer who visited La California and took photos on that date, for which John E.Bz. paid Mr. Beitz $40 on 6 March, 1888.
The second photo (top, right) was likely taken before 1888. It is the only photo we have come across in which a large entrance through the north-south wing can be seen. More recent photos (c. 1900) show no such entrance.
The other photos were taken at a different time but before January, 1893, for Herman V.Bz. is in two of them and he died on the 31st. of that month. Furthermore, they were taken during late winter or early spring, not summer (December - February): the paraiso trees (which are deciduous) have no leaves, and the sheep shearing was done end of October - see the 1888 and 1890 estancia diaries.
Click here to obtain the menu of Estancia La California diaries.
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Trees & Main house John E.Bz. mounted left Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
Front of the House Note far entrance. Ea. La California (Source: F.Malcolm Benitz) |
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"Front Walk - La California" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
"Back view of Estancia house - La California" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
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Puesto Ea. La California (Source: John C. Benitz) |
"Herman setting up posts for the new fence - La California" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
Fencing crew (lunch?) Herman V.Bz standing at back Ea. La California (Source: John C. Benitz) |
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"Carpenter's shop." Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
"Chicken house - La California" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
"Cemetery - La California" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
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"Sheep shearing - La California" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
"Sheep shearing - Estancia La California" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
"Sheep shearing - California" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
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"Lion & house" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
"Eucalyptus Trees" Ea. La California (Source: Silvia Ucko) |
