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About this Book
The
first Fresno Fair opened in 1883 with five days of horse racing, a live
stock exhibit, and a few small produce stalls. Modest as it was, it was a
huge success; only five years later, a grandstand was added to the
fairgrounds. Agriculture, industrial, and commerce exhibit halls followed
in the early 1900s. A wooden race track was built in 1920.
Claude
C. "Pop" Laval's camera lens missed little of
the excitement of the early fairs. Many of his magnificent photographs are
available in print for the first time in this book. Each is literally a
snapshot in time, revealing the historical richness of our Valley's great
community event.
Proceeds
from the sale of each book benefit the restoration project of the Claude C.
"Pop" Laval Photographic Collection. Your purchase of a piece of
"Pop's" treasure will help ensure that future generations can
enjoy seeing the Valley as "Pop" saw it, through the
"Windows on the Past."
Message from Elizabeth M. Laval
Throughout the decades,
the legacy of Claude C. “Pop” Laval has evolved into legend as the true value of his
many photographic contributions becomes more widely recognized. An
authentic pioneer in the field of commercial photography, “Pop” visually
memorialized the history of his beloved San Joaquin Valley in an unparalleled and unique style. And now, nearly a century
after “Pop” captured the first of over 100,000 remarkable images, the
weight of ensuring that the precious gift he left us be properly preserved
and restored is always overwhelming and often daunting. Our efforts to
rescue and utilize the Claude C. “Pop” Laval Photographic Collection in a
manner that would please my great-grandfather has taken on even greater
immediacy as we see the daily damage time is inflicting on this
irreplaceable treasure trove of still, movie and aerial footage. Perhaps
most difficult of all is the realization that I am attempting to follow a
path so brilliantly laid out by my father, Jerome Laval, Sr., while
believing each day that he should be working beside me to fulfill his
lifelong dream of showcasing the work of his esteemed grandfather. Angels
all, those who have come before continue to offer whispered guidance at the
moments their assistance is most needed.
In October of 2003, Stacy Rianda, Deputy Director II of the Big Fresno Fair
asked the Laval Family Trust to feature the collection for the first time
in more than twenty-five years. Public response and support for the display
was tremendous. Therefore, it is only fitting that the first published
volume of “Pop’s” work since the mid-eighties highlight the event that was
such a large part of his autumns for more than 50 years. Many of the images
in this book have not been seen since the year in which they were taken.
Stacy, we are ever-grateful.
Special thanks to Stephen L. Brown, our technical wizard, who promised my
dad he would ensure that the “next generation” cherish
the Collection as he did. Cheers, Steve, I know Jerry has his glass raised
to you! To Joe Conway, for teaching my father how the other half lived and
laughed and who has given the Restoration project the wings it so
desperately needed.
To my family, Bob, Alex and Daniele, who endured the late nights yet always understood the work that had to be done. And to
Maria, who always says “No problem” even when it is.
The research for this book would not have been completed without the
knowledgeable and willing assistance of Ray Silvia, Bill Secrest and the
unequaled resources of the Fresno County Library’s California History and
Genealogy Room. “Pop” would be thrilled to know someone else has taken the
time to care. Our appreciation also extends to the wonderful staff of the
Fresno Bee’s extensive library—we will be seeing you again very soon.
Enormous thanks to Steve
Mettee, our
patient publisher, Susan Klassen, our designer extraordinaire, and the
entire staff of Quill Driver Books/Word Dancer Press. Your belief in the
worthiness of this undertaking will allow the children of the Valley the
opportunity to visit a heritage they would otherwise never know.
Proceeds from the sale of this book benefit the restoration project of the
Claude C. “Pop” Laval Photographic Collection which includes more than
50,000 glass and cellulose negatives, hundreds of rolls of film, reels of
aerial footage and a wonderful selection of original photographic
equipment.
On behalf of the Laval Family Trust, my brother, Jerome Laval, Jr., and my
sister, Jennifer Laval-Sommerfeld, I thank you for purchasing a piece of
“Pop’s” treasure. We truly hope you enjoy seeing the Fresno Fair as “Pop”
saw it, through the “Windows on the Past.”
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