William L. Barwick Collection, Circa 1910-1950
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Barwick, William Lasa, 1905-1992
- Extent:
- 1 Photograph Binder Box
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
The William L. Barwick Collection, Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
The William L. Barwick Collection contains photographs of Broward County documenting 1926 and 1947 hurricanes. Also, the collection includes portraits and pictures of buildings, streets, and boats in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County locations.
- Biographical / historical:
William Lasa Barwick was born in Moultrie, Georgia, on December 20, 1905. William L. Barwick was a laborer in the Electric Utility for Florida Power Light Company for more than 25 years [1] and a machinist for Utility Co. [2]. He served in the Army during World War II for 1 year and 4 months [3]. William L. Barwick married Mabel G. Copeland in 1936 [4].
Photography was probably a hobby of the Barwick family.
The photographs document the effects of the 1926 hurricane and the 1947 flood in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The 1926 hurricane stands as the costliest damaging hurricane on record in United States history. The 1947 hurricane was the fourth successive hurricane in the area that year causing extensive flooding.
The William Lasa Barwick Collection also contains portraits of Captain James Barnes Vreeland, Sr. and his family. Captain Vreeland was born in Brownstown Township, Michigan in 1864. Although there is no information about when his family moved to Florida, he became a Broward County pioneer. He was known in the region for being a boat captain and fisherman. He shared his hobby with his son, James B. Vreeland, Jr., and grandson, Harold Vreeland. During the 1930s, their fishing achievements were often published in the local news. His navigating skills led Captain James Barnes Vreeland Sr. to work for the US Life Saving Service [5]. A newspaper article mentions a rescuing operation conducted by James B. Vreeland on Fort Lauderdale's beach in December 1930 [6]. His wife, Cordelia Vreeland (1862-1958), was active in Fort Lauderdale's local life, participating in church and women's club events. In 1936, she may have shared a real estate business with her son on Las Olas Boulevard [7].
Notes: [1] Fort Lauderdale News, November 26, 1965, p. 23. [2] See also 1935 Florida State Census, 1940 United States Federal Census, 1950 United States Federal Census. [3] See 1945 Florida State Census, 1942-1954 World War II Hospital Admission Card Files. [4] 1923-1982 Florida, U.S., County Marriage Records. The mention of "Mabel" Barwick on the back of one of the pictures reinforces the probability that William Lasa Barwick is the right person described in this biography. [5] 1910 US Federal Census. [6] Miami Daily News, December 26, 1930. [7] US City Directories, 1822-1995.
- Acquisition information:
- The collection was donated in 1975 by Mr. Barwick. According to an envelope in the collection, his initials "W. L." may refer to William Lasa Barwick.
- Processing information:
This collection received item level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as aquisitions to the collection.
- Arrangement:
The William L. Barwick Collection is organized in four series: Series I. 1926 Hurricane, Series II. 1947 Hurricane and Flood, Series III. Buildings, Streets and Boats, and Series IV. Portraits.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The William L. Barwick Collection is open for research.
- Preferred citation:
The William L. Barwick Collection, Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library100 S. Andrews AvenueFort LauderdaleFL33301USA
