"Winty" Polhemus at the wheel of his XIV Winton touring car, 1907.

History San José, in partnership with the SJSU Sourisseau Academy, reunites
three rare photographic albums to create this exhibit.

Two of the albums were donated to History San José over 17 years ago, and recently the Sourisseau Academy purchased a third album.  All three albums document excursions throughout the Bay Area between the years of 1906 and 1909.  The albums are originally from the Polhemus Family and, when combined, contain over 400 striking photographs.  George Polhemus, a Winton Auto Dealer, was the President of the Santa Clara County Automobile Club and heavily promoted their road trips and races in local newspapers.

Carmel Hill with Monterey in the Distance, 1908.

This exhibit surveys the burgeoning car culture and its impact upon everything from improving roads and setting standards for right-of-way to a shift in our concept of travel.  Some of the club’s scenic excursions were to the 17-Mile Drive, Point Lobos, a Clam Bake in Alviso, and a trip to Santa Cruz via the Palisades. The albums also chronicle trips of a more topical nature such as a train wreck in Edenvale; the arrival of Roosevelt's White Fleet in the Santa Cruz harbor; and San Francisco in ruins after the 1906 earthquake.