Louis Family Papers

Photo of men and horses working in a brickyard. Caption reads: 'Ah Louis bricks were originally made by crude methods with clay-dirt from the hillside of the San Luis Mountain. But the product proved to be strong and durable for numerous structures built about the turn of the century in the City of San Luis Obispo, have withstood severe storms, and the ravages of the elements and earthquakes. They were eventually deliberately torn down due to building restrictions. Some of these were the old Andrews Hotel, the original county courthouse, the Southern Pacific Railroad Roundhouse, the east wing of the Old Mission Church, and the El Monterey- Obispo Theatre building. Still standing and still being used is the original Sperry Flour Company building (now the Furniture Warehouse and Sport Shop), nearly all of the Andrews Bank block, Sinsheimer Bros. Store and the Ah Louis Store.'

A paid check of eight dollars paid to the order of Mrs. Forester for 2 hoggs [sic]. Backside has illegible writing.

Interior of store with Taoist Temple shrine

Check of two hundred fifty dollars paid to Davy Lucy and Company.

Check of five hundred dollars paid to Davy Lucy and Co.

Check of ten dollars paid to the order of F. Fernandez for work. Chinese writing on the back side.

A check of forty-two dollars paid to the order of R. Righetti (misspelled as Rightti on the check), for hay. Back of check has Chinese characters and the name 'Robertino (?) Righetti.'

This may be a portrait of three Louis siblings, however there is no information provided on the image itself to identify the children. The pansy frame was created by Elinor Hegone, who seems to have been active around 1912-1915, which may help date the photo.

Howard (Toby) Louis sitting in front of what is most likely 863 Chorro St., which in 1930 was listed as the residence for Mae (Louis) Watson and her family (Mae was Howard's sister).

Ah Louis, seated, reading Chinese-language newspaper. Most likely photographed in the interior of the Ah Louis Store, sometime between 1933 and 1936, after he returned from his last trip to China.