Julia Shannon facts for kids

Julia Shannon was an amazing American photographer who worked in San Francisco in the 1850s. She was the first known woman photographer in California. She was probably the only woman working in her profession in San Francisco at that time.

Early Life and Move to California

Julia Shannon was born in England around 1812. We don't know her birth name. By 1832, she was married to Joseph Shannon. She often called herself "Mrs. Julia Shannon."

The Shannons first lived in New York City. Their three children were born there between 1833 and 1840. Later, around 1848 or 1849, the family moved all the way to San Francisco, California.

A Pioneer Photographer

Mrs. Julia Shannon was an expert in making daguerreotypes. These were early types of photographs made on a shiny silver-coated copper plate. They were very popular back then!

In 1850, the California Gold Rush was happening. Many people were moving to California hoping to find gold. Julia Shannon saw a chance to start her photography business. She placed an advertisement in the San Francisco Alta newspaper in January 1850.

Her ad said:

"Notice—Daguerreotypes taken by a Lady.—Those wishing to have a good likeness are informed that they can have them taken in a very superior manner, and by a real live lady too, in Clay St., opposite the St. Francis Hotel, at a very moderate charge. Give her a call, gents."

This ad was very clever! It showed that she was a woman photographer, which was very rare. She was one of the first photographers in San Francisco. The city's first photographer, Richard Carr, had arrived only a year before her.

Julia Shannon was likely the only woman working as a daguerreotypist in San Francisco at that time. Another woman photographer, Mrs. Amanda M. Genung, didn't open her studio in San Francisco until 1860.

Later Life and Legacy

Julia Shannon also worked as a midwife, helping women give birth. This shows she had many skills!

In 1851, a huge fire swept through San Francisco. It destroyed a quarter of the city. Julia Shannon owned two houses on Sacramento Street, and they were both lost in the fire. Her houses were worth a lot of money, about $7,000. That would be more than $400,000 today! This shows she was quite successful.

Sadly, none of Julia Shannon's daguerreotypes are known to exist today. We don't have any records of her after the 1852 census. She passed away around 1852. Even though her photos are lost, Julia Shannon remains an important figure. She was a pioneering woman in photography during a very exciting time in California's history.