The Santa Monica Camera Obscura was installed (and perhaps constructed) by Santa Monica mayor Robert F. Jones on April 21, 1899.[1][2] Jones was the nephew of Santa Monica cofounder and U.S. Senator from Nevada John P. Jones.[1] The camera obscura was one of the attractions on the Balloon Route streetcar tour of Los Angeles.[3]
The camera obscura was originally located at the North Beach Bath House,[4] and was moved up to Palisades Park (then Linda Vista Park) in the early 1900s.[1] The camera obscura has been in the current building, designed by Weldon J. Fulton, since November 1955.[5][1] The adjoining space was once used as a senior center,[1] and is now a community art center. Access to the Camera Obscura is free and open to the public during the art center's regular operating hours,[1] however the building has been closed to the public since 2020, when it was temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Postcard view c. 1910
References
^ abcdefSanta Monica Camera Obscura historical handout, c. 1997
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