Draft:Anton C. Heidrick


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Anton C. Heidrick (January 18, 1876 – September 8, 1955), also known as A. C. Heidrick, was an American pioneer photographer and bandsman on the Monterey Peninsula. Known for his large-format panoramas of New Monterey, he is best known as the official photographer of the Presidio of Monterey. He used panoramic photography to document large group assemblies, celebrations, and scenic views. His photographic collection are held in the permanent collections of the Defense Language Institute, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, the Monterey Public Library, and the Monterey County Historical Society.

Early life
A. C. Heidrick was born on January 18, 1876 in Tanvald, Bohemia. At the age of three, he immigrated to the United States with his family in July 1879 and settled in Trenton, New Jersey. In 1908, Heidrick entered a amateur photo prize contest with his photograph of My Pet Donkey.

Military career
A. C. Heidrick enlisted in the United States Army in Trenton on January 10, 1902, serving as a musician in the 14th Cavalry Regiment and being deployed to the Philippines. By 1903, he relocated to Fort Clark, Texas, where he worked as a field photographer. In 1908, Heidrick was based at the Presidio of Monterey, serving as a musician with the 1st Cavalry Regiment. He was a member of the Spanish–American War Veterans and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 8687 in San Diego.

Photographic career: 1907-1945
In 1910, Heidrick ended his military service and established his career as a professional photographer in Monterey California, assuming the role of the official photographer for the Presidio of Monterey. He took panoramas of New Monterey from rooftops and other vantage points. In 1910, he took a panorama from the roof of the four-story Noggle Mills flour mill situated at the north corner of Wave Street and McClellan Avenue. The photograph captures a southwestern perspective along the length of New Monterey, with landmarks such as the Southern Pacific Railroad, Standard Oil Company, and the Presidio of Monterey.

Throughout his career, Heidrick established multiple studios across Monterey. Initially, he opened a photographic studio at his residence, located at 201 Laine Street in Monterey. By 1911, he had a exhibition titled "Seeing Monterey by the Camera," held at the Monterey Theater. Here, he displayed his panoramic views of the Monterey area and played on the cornet. In 1918, Heidrick relocated his studio to 1909 Lighthouse Avene in New Monterey but lost his home and studio in the Associated Oil Company fire of 1924. He then moved downtown to 232 Alvarado Street in 1923 in Monterey. By the time he was at the Alvarado Street address he called his studio, Heidrick & Heidrick, as can be seen in his photographs and newspapaer advertisements. In the 1910s and 1920s, Heidrick created real photo postcards of various scenes, ranging from a World War I camp at Paso Robles to buildings in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

In June 1910, Heidrick launched a biplane designed from a Curtiss Biplane model, without an engine, powered by men running ahead with a rope.

Heidrick pioneered the utilization of the wide-angle No. 10 Cirkut panoramic camera to capture large group gatherings, celebrations, and scenic views. Operating on a spring clockwork mechanism, this camera facilitated sweeping half-circle movements, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the scene. One of his panoramas depicts the arrival of the Pacific Fleet in Monterey in 1919, with various iterations of the photograph showcasing airplanes in unconventional aerial positions.

During 1925 and 1926, Heidrick was commissioned by the City of Monterey to photograph the construction of the 1750 ft Municipal Wharf No. 2. He made 50 photographic prints; 5 in x 7 in and 8 in x 10 in prints mounted on 29 cm x 36 cm pages, that are located at the Monterey Public Library.

Heidrick also collaborated with other local photographers, including Julian P. Graham at the Hotel Del Monte, and Reynold J. Ruppel in 1938. When Heidrick sold his business, Ruppel purchased Heidrick’s panorama camera and used it in his own photography business. In the early 1940s, Heidrick retired from photography. He relocated from Monterey to Escondido, California, where he resided for 18 years before settling in San Diego in 1955. He was an active member of the John R. Simposon Post 1513 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a bugler of the Captain Jacob H. Culver Camp 94 of San Diego. He was also a 32nd degree Mason.

Personal life
Heidrick married Marie Fischer on February 8, 1905 in Los Angeles, California. Heidrick's second marriage was with Angeline Henneken on August 8, 1918 in Monterey, California.

Death and legacy
Heidrick died at the San Diego Naval Hospital on September 8, 1955. He was one of Monterey’s premier photographers and is remembered for his panoramic vistas. The Heidrick Panoramic Photograph Collection is housed at the Monterey Public Library. The Monterey County Historical Society in Salinas, California has over 611 items, including photographs, real photo postcards, print and negatives of the Monterey area, Fort Ord, and the Presidio of Monterey. The Defense Language Institute holds biographical information on Heidrick that includes correspondences, photographs, military records, and newspaper clippings. His work has been featured in publications such as Sunset and  Leslie's Weekly, as well as in books like Cannery Row. The Library of Congress has a selection of online panoramic photographs of the Presidio of Monterey taken by Heidrick.