The James M. Morley Collection
James M. Morley (1922-2011) was a professional photographer, writer, and US Geological Survey cartographer. The youngest of three children, he was born in Berkeley, California, and raised by Sylvanus Griswold Morley and Drusilla Murphy. After high school, Morley attended UC Berkeley where he studied and was the Art Editor of the Daily Cal student newspaper. During World War II, he enlisted in the military and served in the US Army in the Pacific Theater.
After the war, Morley pursued a career with the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior. His career helped nurture his interests in mountaineering and camping, and he devoted lots of time to photographing railroads, natural landscapes, and western history. Morley also worked as a freelancer for the San Francisco Chronicle. His photography has appeared in many publications over the years, including “The Central Pacific & The Southern Pacific Railroads” by Lucius Beebe. Morley authored / co-authored two of his own books titled “Gold Cities: Grass Valley and Nevada City” and “Muir Woods: The Ancient Redwood Forest Near San Francisco”.
View the digitized catalog entries (coming soon!)
To find the photos below in our catalog, just search by its filing number (e.g. JMM 260).
Ferry Boat Machinery
JMM 217Ferry boat walking beam, taken from inside the boat. Date unknown.
Diesel switcher
JMM 191Diesel switcher, main line and siding. A sign is on the switch that reads “attend to the derailing switch.” Date unknown.
Ferry and Oakland Bay Bridge
JMM 225Photograph taken on the steamer “Sacramento” in San Francisco Bay. The Oakland Bay Bridge is in the background, and passengers on the ferry are using coin operated binoculars to view the bridge. Date unknown.
Freight Car
JMM 197Men climbing onto empty trucks next to freight car MILW 592207. Date unknown.
Freight Cars
JMM 260Cars at an unknown facility reflecting in a pond. Date unknown.
Burned machinery shed
JMM 248Burned machinery shed at the top of a cable incline. Photographed June 1940.
cable Car
JMM 274A street car named "Presidio Ave. California & Market Streets" passing Stockton Street while on California. The photo is taken looking East and the Oakland Bay Bridge can be seen in the distance between the buildings. People are hanging off the side of the car. Date unknown.
Locomotive No. 4229
JMM 489Cab forward No. 4229 pulling train No. 766 up Casamilla Hill on the Coast Line. The cab forward is letting out a large plume of steam. Date unknown.