This photograph was probably taken for Mrs. Alta M. Wheeler, who ran a dahlia farm and store called Dahlialand Gardens on Boyer Avenue East in the Montlake neighborhood of Seattle. The Wheelers raised the dahlias on a large tract of land located where St. Demetrious Greek Orthodox Church and the Montlake Playfield are now located.

The image is part of a collection from McBride and Anderson photographers. Born in 1863, Ella McBride began working in the photography field in 1909 when she managed the Edward Curtis Studio. She opened her own studio in 1917 with Wayne Albee. Albee moved to San Diego in 1925, and McBride continued to operate a studio in various Seattle locations. In 1932 she partnered with Richard Anderson; they continued to work together until she retired in 1954 due to her failing eyesight. She died in 1965 at the age of 102.

Handwritten on sleeve: Dahlia Land, Mrs. Alta Wheeler, 1936.
Photographer's Reference Number: 15611

Caption information source: Allan Seidenverg.