This beautiful reproduction poster has been re-mastered from a 1930s advertising brochure for the Mount Wilson Hotel and observatory in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, Ca.
The vibrant colors and detail of this classic image have been painstakingly brought back to life to preserve a great piece of history.
The high-resolution image is printed on heavy archival photo paper, on a large-format, professional giclée process printer. The poster is shipped in a rigid cardboard tube, and is ready for framing.
The 13"x19" format is an excellent image size that looks great as a stand-alone piece of art, or as a grouped visual statement. These posters require no cutting, trimming, or custom framing, and a wide variety of these frames are readily available at your local craft or hobby retailer, and online.
A great vintage print for your home, shop, or business!
HISTORY OF THE MOUNT WILSON OBSERVATORY
When the first Mount Wilson Observatory was built in 1889, local entrepreneurs knew the area would soon draw a flood of visitors to see the latest scientific curiosity. Several local businessmen set out to develop tourist facilities on the mountain, and take advantage of its close proximity to Southern California's largest population center.
Peter Steil of Pasadena developed Steil's Camp, a popular resort that offered transportation, lodging, and meals for under three dollars. Steil's had competition from an adjacent resort founded by A.G. Strain, who believed that Steil was infringing on his land rights. Strain sued Steil in court in 1891, but he ultimately lost the decision. Steil sold his camp to Clarence S. Martin, who renamed the resort Martin's Camp, and expanded the facility to accommodate a framed dining room and more guest rooms.
In the 1920's, the automobile craze surged, and families could finally reach the summit on four wheels. The Mountain Wilson toll road was open to the public from 1912 to 1936. The steep, twisting route placed tourists at the doorstep of the Mount Wilson Hotel. The hotel burned down in 1913, and was rebuilt to include a dining room and swimming pool. The landmark hotel suffered from a decline in tourism, and was torn down in 1966.
