Digital Transgender Archive

Prisoners (including female impersonator on right) from San Quentin State Prison provided entertainment to the public on Sunday mornings, Marin County, California, 1914

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Prisoners from the San Quentin State Prison provided concerts and entertainment (including this female impersonator) to the public on Sunday mornings. This image is from 1914. San Quentin State Prison opened in 1852, making it California’s oldest prison. Inmate labor built the prison on 20 acres of land in Marin County near San Rafael. This image is from the family album of San Quentin guard, Richard M. Smith, and his wife, the San Quentin matron, Genevieve Smith. Their album, which spans the years 1910-1915, depicts the living conditions and activities of San Quentin inmates.

Item Information:

Identifier
w6634365g
Collection
Prison Photographs
Institution
Anne T. Kent California Room, Marin County Free Library
Contributor(s)
Smith, Richard M.
Smith, Genevieve
Date Created
1914
Dates Covered
1910s
Genre
Photographs
Places
California > Marin County > San Quentin State Prison
Topic(s)
Crossdressing
Female impersonators
Prisoners
Prisons
Resource Type
Still Image
Analog Format
Black and White; 11 x 16 cm
Language
English
Rights
Copyright undetermined
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