Two views of Porterville's downtown area, circa 1905.
Written at the bottom of this photograph: "Harrod", "Birds eye view of Business center, Porterville.", "Porterville Cal.". This photo was taken looking west-southwest from a water tower on 4th St, near Putnam Ave. Main Street is running across the length of the image. There isn't anything west of D Street in this photo, other than open land and the occasional farmhouse. The waterway running behind the buildings here is the Porter Slough.
Close-up:
The old Chapman building, at the far left (with the four bay-windows), still stands today on the southwest corner of Mill Ave. and Main St. I placed a green star on this image to indicate the approximate current location of Sierra View District Hospital.
Another 1905 photo taken from the water tower. Written at the bottom of this photograph: "Harrod", "Birds-eye view looking N.W.", "Porterville Cal". The two story building with the steeple at the right side of this image is the Morton Street School, which was at the northern end of Main St., back then. The church at center-left is the old Saint Anne's Catholic church which was built in 1892 and torn-down in 1925.
Close-up:
