Shirlie Montgomery Girl Photographer: 2020

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, August 2, 2020

SJ Ad Club Trip to Sun Valley Idaho 1964

The San Jose Ad Club used to take annual group trips ... in 1964 they went up to Sun Valley Idaho. Looks like they had a good time ... they always did!

Hotel De Anza's Danzabar Lounge in the 1940s-1950s

Back in the 40s & 50s, the Danzabar at the top of the Hotel De Anza in San Jose was THE place to be. Shirlie Montgomery was the "photo girl" at the bar ... took a photo of the patrons, developed it and then tried to sell it to the subjects ... all within one hour. I found these photos and some negatives along with a presentation folder. Shirlie marked the envelope with the negatives "May 20, 1944."

Monday, July 27, 2020

Story about Shirlie in Image Magazine 2014

Shirlie Montgomery - Girl Photographer. That was the title given to Shirlie's exhibit at History San Jose. I coined that word for them when I donated HSJ Shirlie's archive ... it was the name of the blog I have about her. Image Magazine ran this article about Shirlie and the exhibit back in 2014. I thought I would share this, as there are a few great photos included.

Monday, April 20, 2020

Mardi Gras Fun Tour 1951

My late friend Shirlie Montgomery was a member of the fun-loving San Jose Advertising Club. They took annual trips to places like Hawaii, San Diego, Japan, and this one to Mardi Gras. I put this slideshow together from a set of photos from Shirlie's archives. "The San Jose Advertising Club Embarks on a Fun Tour to New Orleans and Mardi Gras (1951)." Believe me, with the SJ Ad Club, it was always Party Time. This group knows how to have fun … and have a few drinks along the way! (1951)


Shirlie Montgomery

https://youtu.be/DTIW3kyDVcQ

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Love This Photo

Shirlie loved to dress up ... party ... go to the beach ... have fun. I just love this photo ... she was a firecracker!