Shirlie Alice Montgomery June 9, 1918 – November 5, 2012

Shirlie Alice Montgomery was born on Chapman Street in San Jose on June 9, 1918. She was an only child. To her friends and neighbors she was a treasure trove of history. Shirlie remembered it all. She remembered the Great Depression as a child, the Second World War as a young woman, and eventually the transformation of the Santa Clara Valley from a moderately sized agricultural town to the hustle and bustle of modern Silicon Valley. The majority of her memories were supported by the thousands of photographs in her collection.


She was the surviving grandniece of San Jose’s forefather T.S. Montgomery. Shirlie lived a colorful life but professionally she photographed it with a 4X5 Speed Graphic in B&W. She was a celebrated photographer that shot Hollywood stars, U.S. Presidents and pro wrestlers. Although Shirlie did work for the S. F. Examiner and the San Jose Mercury, her works remain some of the best representations of pro wrestling from the 40’s thru the 60’s. When asked about her penchant for shooting professional wrestlers she would answer “I always liked the big boys.” Such stories Shirlie had!


She will never be forgotten. God rest her soul. (Obituary by Joe Holt, neighbor and friend.)

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Shirlie Montgomery Exhibit at History San Jose

Shirlie Montgomery: Picturing San José Since 1938

History San Jose opened the Shirlie Montgomery exhibit in April of this year, based heavily on the donation Susan and I gave to them after Shirlie passed away in November of 2012. Shirlie was a remarkable lady and the exhibit is a testament to her talent and fame. If you have not seen this glimpse into her life and photography, please do ... you will not be disappointed. The exhibit runs through December 14th at the Pasetta House in History Park, 635 Phelan Ave. at the corner of Senter Ave. in San Jose. For hours, directions, etc. visit the History San Jose site.


I recently spent some time with Ken Middlebrook, Collections Manager for HSJ, and photographed some of the exhibit. It concentrates on Shirlie's professional career, although some early photos of her are included.


History Park Main Street

History Park Main Street

The Pasetta House

Exhibit Poster

The Beginning of Shirlie's Career

I was the only blond in the neighborhood and stuck out, so every time the Queen of the Fairies was being cast, guess who got elected? I've never been able to escape the spotlight.

Tools of the Trade, straight from Shirlie's "darkroom" and the diaries she kept for all of her adult life.

You meet  so many people as a photographer. How else could a poor girl meet celebrities like Eleanor roosevelt and Liberace? As a photographer, you're in all kinds of worlds, worlds you would never otherwise enter.

The Hotel De Anza, where Shirlie got her start as a photographer taking photographs in the dining room ... developing the images ... then selling them back to the guests.

Lou's Village ... one of Shirlie's favorite hangouts.

Richard Nixon and other Friends

One of the several exhibition rooms at the Leonard and David McKay Gallery in the Pasetta House. Leonard was a long time friend of Shirlie's.

The Streets of San Jose ... Shirlie was not the type of photographer that would spend all of her time in the studio ... she loved getting out and photographing real life scenes.

Holiday cards from Shirlie were DIY before DIY was a fad. Great stuff here!

Shirlie ran a business ... and she had the letterhead to prove it.

A scattering of correspondence and a day-in-the-life of a professional photographer.

Much has been said in the bloggersphere and on the web about Shirlie's wrestling photography ... she was inducted into the Slammers Wrestling Hall of Fame

Her photography ... and love of wrestling and wrestlers ... even made it into magazines and movies!

This gallery is just a part of her wrestling legacy. When the big boys start bouncing over the ropes, it's every an for himself, and that goes for girl photographers as well.

Shirlie entered some of her wrestling photos into a competition ... and took first place!

At Hotel De Anza, many of the guests she photographed were servicemen. They always held a special place in her heart. Many of these military men, after meeting her just that once, wrote her letters from the war. She sent them cookies!

Tuesday - December 9, 1941. To think that the first record I make for months is to record the shocking, incredible fact that we are at war!

"Flash" was my first nickname! I worked in the San Jose Camera Shop during the daytime, and took nite-club photos at the De Anza Hotel at night. And "Flash" was what the service-men called me. Those were the best days my friend ...

A few more entries into photography competition, including a glamorous studio shot, some horse racing at the fairgrounds and car in flames on a San Jose street.

This is Shirlie being Shirlie!

The Exhibit at History San Jose's Leonard and David McKay Gallery in the Pasetta House.


Saturday, October 11, 2014

VIDEO: Opening Day at Candlestick Park 1960 Giants vs. Cardinals



Shirlie Montgomery was a huge Giants fan. She had numerous Giants mementos, bobble heads and stuff. She adored Barry Bonds! She had met little Barry when he was just a child, so she felt a connection to him. We had some fun "battles" over his attitude and performance enhancing practices ... but we both agreed he was fun to watch.

Shirlie filmed this silent footage on the Giants' opening day at Candlestick Park, April 12, 1960, when the Giants beat the Cardinals 3-1. It features footage of Shirlie and her friends arriving at the park, spectators, the opening ceremony, some of the 9th inning play and then spectators exiting to the parking lot. Interesting that both Richard Nixon and San Francisco Mayor George Christopher are shown in this film, with Nixon signing autographs.

(If the video does not start, click here.)

Shirlie's collection of Giants' memorabilia included programs from the SF Seals era, numerous programs and booklets, and ticket stubs from the 1962 World Series ... Giants v. Yankees ... as well as one of her favorite items, a game day program featuring Willie McCovey in 1978.



NOTE: 
We donated the 8mm film to History San Jose, who had it converted to a digital video. The video is from the Bob and Susan Bortfeld, Shirlie Montgomery Collection at History San Jose. Used with permission.