A.B. Dodge – Black & White

Between 1912-1929 the Franciscan scholar, Fr. Zephryrin Engelhardt, O.F.M. published a comprehensive five-volume study Missions and Missionaries of California. He also began work on the first definitive books of each of the missions. Initially, Fr. Engelhardt worked with A.B. Dodge (1863-1952), who was then Art Director of the Los Angeles Times. Dodge completed seven of the early illustrations. Fr. Engelhardt then engaged Alexander Harmer (1856-1925), who ultimately contributed over 80% of the drawings.

The drawings in this gallery cover a wide range of events from the founding of the first missions in San Diego in 1769 to the raising of the United States flag in Monterey in 1846.

Over the years, we have licensed the use of many of these images to the Smithsonian, the Getty Museum, the California Museum and made them available to mission scholars, authors and video producers. We also have the ability to provide museum-quality prints for individuals and institutions who seek an historic image.

Founding of San Diego
Founding of San DiegoFounding of San Diego, 1769, A.B. Dodge, Bay of San Diego
Fr. Serra's Frustrated Baptism
Fr. Serra's Frustrated BaptismFr. Serra's Frustrated Baptism, 1769, A.B. Dodge, Mission San Diego area
First Baptism in Upper California
First Baptism in Upper CaliforniaFirst Baptism in Upper California, 7-22-1769, A.B. Dodge, North of San Diego in area known as Los Cristianitos
Discovery of San Francisco Bay
Discovery of San Francisco BayDiscovery of San Francisco Bay, 1769, A.B. Dodge, On Hill Near Bay during Portola Expedition
Plowing Fields
Plowing FieldsPlowing Fields, Mission-Era, A.B.Dodge
Ordinary Conveyance in Early Days
Ordinary Conveyance in Early DaysOrdinary Conveyance in Early Days, Mission-Era, A.B. Dodge
Mission Soledad
Mission SoledadMission Soledad, c. 1832, A. B. Dodge, Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad