Walter Henry Clarence Steele Photographs

Overview:

Walter Henry Clarence Steele was born in North Dakota in 1897. Initially he learned photography from his father but in later years he was trained by the major camera manufacturers of his time: Eastman and Ansco. In 1920, after serving in the military, he came to San Bernardino and worked in his father's photo studio in Urbita Springs Park, where the Inland Center Mall now stands.

For decades Walter Steele was considered the pre-eminent photographer in San Bernardino. He was the first official photographer of the National Orange Show and served as the Orange Show photographer for 30 years. He was the first photographer for San Bernardino's Sun newspaper.

Walter Steele understood the importance of documenting the present. He was determined to preserve the history of the Inland Empire. When he heard that businesses were going to close or buildings were slated for demolition he took care to create a permanent record by photographing them. He also purchased historic photographs from other photographers and collectors. In time he established an extensive collection of local history photographs. He kept the photographs in binders in his photo studio so that customers could order copies to capture cherished memories or to begin their own collections. Today researchers who use historic photographs of the area will usually see "Steele's Photo Service" stamped on the backs of those photographs. Without Walter Steele many of those images would never have been captured or preserved.

Finding Aid:

Walter Henry Clarence Steele photographs