Britt, Peter, 1819-1905
Biography
Born in Obslalden, Switzerland, Peter (1819-1905) was the second son of Jacob Britt. At the age of 27 he went to America and became a citizen in 1850 in Indiana. He studied daguerreotyping in St. Louis under an early-day photographer, J.H. Fitzgibbon. Britt crossed the plains in 1852 with his camera to settle in Jacksonville.
He opened a studio (see photo 24-21) in 1854 to become one of the first studio daguerreographers in Oregon. W.H. Jennings of Oregon City was first in 1851. Although best known as the leading northwest photographer, Britt was a civic minded person. He owned land (almost 2,000 acres at one time), became a leading horticulturist, a mine owner, a money lender, and a good friend of Chinese laborers.
He retired in 1900 to spend more of his time with oil painting and in the greenhouse. In 1861, he married Amalia Grob (1822-1871), a widow with one son, Jacob (1854-1896). They had three children, Emil (1862-1950), Arnold (1864, aged three months), Amalia (1865-1954). None were ever married. Peter Britt attended the 1905 Lewis and Clark Expedition and there contracted a cold that led to pneumonia and his death later that year.
Found in 790 Collections and/or Records:
Beswick’s Hotel, bulk: 1884-1885
Shovel Creek, Oregon. Seven photographs.
Betty Muller, September 1888
Two photographs.
Bi - Bo, bulk: 1863-1938
Twenty six photographs.
Biavenve Family, 18uu
Seated Left to Right: Alphonso, Oney, John, Standing: Anna B. Langbey and Delia.
Bill Moore, 18uu
Thirty two photographs.
Bill Shook, March 1886
Two photographs.
Birdie Donegan, June 1888
Ten photographs.
Bob Moore, 1886
Two photographs.
Bostwick children, February 1887
Twenty six photographs.
Br - By, bulk: 1884-1893
Thirty six photographs.
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- Historic buildings 5
- Rivers 5
- Chinese Americans 3
- Historic hotels 3
- Mountains 3
- Oregon, Southern 3
- Agriculture 2
- Automobiles 2
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- Camping 2
- Carriages and carts 2
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- Railroads 2
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- Almshouses 1
- Applegate River (Or.) 1
- Ashland (Or.) 1
- Catholic Church 1
- Cemeteries 1
- Church schools 1
- Clubs 1
- Clubs and Societies 1
- Historic bridges 1
- Indians of North America 1
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- Mills and mill-work 1
- Outdoor photography 1
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- Wagons 1 ∧ less