Just after the turn of the century, a young professional photographer moved his family from Penn-
sylvania to Fresno. Claude C. “Pop” Laval soon established himself as the “Go to guy” when an im-
portant life event such as a fire, an accident scene or family gathering needed to be recorded. From
1910 until 1966, Pop Laval’s ledgers and records inform us he took over 100,000 photographs from
Bakersfield to Stockton, and throughout his beloved Sierra Nevada mountains. As people realized
he was blessed with a keen eye for just the right shot, he was hired again and again by companies
as well as individuals to capture their contributions to the greatness of California’s Great Central
Valley.
This legacy of life, as it was lived in the first half of the twentieth, provides incredible insight into
how people created America as they went about their daily tasks in the fields, orchards, dairy
farms, and manufacture of tools and techniques, many still in use today. This quiet, inventive pro-
fessional was always pushing the envelope of his vocation. Around 1914, Laval brought the first of
the new fangled “movie” cameras to the Valley. With this marvelous invention, he became a regular
source for movie newsreel content to Metrotone and Pathe news services, providing the world’s
audiences with noteworthy current events from California.
To honor this man and his legacy, Pop’s great-granddaughter Elizabeth began to reintroduce this
treasure to the world in 2000. Although she and her team have digitized less than 1 % of the Col-
lection, with these they have published three books, been a weekly feature for almost five years on
local Fox network TV, been a major exhibitor at the Fresno Fair for six years, opened an acclaimed
educational Gallery/event center, and provided public and private exhibits throughout the city.
The Gallery operates by donations and acts as a living history lesson for anyone visiting. From
young to old, Pop’s photographs capture the attention of all who witness his work. You can do
something to help preserve this irreplaceable memorial to our colorful past. With sponsorship dol-
lars, the doors will stay open. The Foundation has created a unique sponsorship opportunity that
anyone can become a part of, starting at a mere fifty dollars. Visit:
www.poplavalfoundation.org for
more information or stop by the gallery located at 9447 N. Fort Washington Rd. #109, Fresno, CA.
www.fresnoscene.com om December 2009 ember 2009 39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50