Twentynine Palms Historical Society
29 Palms, California

Photos by Harlow W. Jones

HARLOW W. JONES (1912-1972)

TWENTYNINE PALMS FIRST OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Harlow Jones was born in Chicago in 1912. He developed an early interest in photography studying at the RCA Institute. He first came to Twentynine Palms in December, 1937 and the following year established his first photo studio in the garage of the Charlton adobe calling it the "Desert Photo Lab," this is now part of the 29 Palms Inn, and launched his career as a desert photographer. He later opened a new studio in 1947 on Adobe Road. Many of his photos appeared in early copies of Desert Magazine as well as the Desert Spotlight. He produced thousands of black and white postcards which were sold throughout the town. Many of these are now collector's items.

From 1938 through 1954 he worked with many in the local community such as Joshua Tree National Monument, the National Park Service and the Twentynine Palms Air Academy where he was the official photographer.

Below are just a few of his many photographs.

29 Palms Air Academy, Condor Field c. 1942-43	29 Palms Inn in 1946	Cholla Forest Pinto Basin Joshua Tree National Monument 1947	Condor Field Control Tower 29 Palms 1943
Devil's Garden, gateway to 29 Palms 1947	Distant View of 29 Palms 1941	Four Corners c.1948	The Oasis of Mara, 29 Palms
Little Church of the Desert 29 Palms c. 1940	Old Dale, ghost mining town 1946	Pioneer Days 1946	Pioneer Days Parade 1946
The Old Adobe 29 Palms	Aerial of Plaza c. 1946

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