Fred Kiser

Fred Kiser
Brothers Fred and Oscar Kiser began taking scenic photographs as a hobby, which evolved into a business in 1902. Their early career was boosted when they were named the official photographers for Portland’s Lewis and Clark Exposition in 1905.

The brothers were in business together until Oscar died of accidental drowning in late 1905. After Oscar’s death, Fred became a premier photographer of mountain landscapes, and one of the most successful commercial photographers in the country during the first decades of the twentieth century.

Kiser’s photographs of Crater Lake helped publicize the lake, and his work photographing northwestern Montana contributed to the creation of Glacier National Park. Additionally, Kiser worked as a photographer for the Great Northern Railway and took photos of the construction of the Columbia River Highway in the years prior to World War I.

After the War, Kiser started the Scenic America Company to sell his colorized prints using the slogan “See America First.” Under this company name, he sold prints and developed film at Crater Lake throughout the 1920s.

He later moved to the Los Angeles area, where he died in 1955.

--Summarized from The Oregon History Project at ohs.org

View as List Grid

Items 1-50 of 70

Page
per page
Set Descending Direction
  1. Along the Shore at Crater Lake - c. 1910
    As low as $5.00
    This hand-tinted view by Kiser looks along the south shore of the lake, towards Mount Scott in the distance. Learn More
  2. Annie Creek Canyon, Crater Lake - c. 1925
    As low as $5.00
    Pinnacles formed by erosion around ancient volcanic vents can be seen on the right slope of Annie Creek Canyon, located near Mazama Village at Crater Lake. Learn More
  3. Applegate Peak, Crater Lake - c. 1907
    As low as $5.00
    Applegate Peak is located on the south rim of Crater Lake, just to the east of the slightly shorter Garfield Peak. It forms the western limb of Sun Notch Learn More
  4. Capt. Applegate & Joaquin Miller at Klamath Agency, Steel Excursion - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    Capt. O. C. Applegate was not a member of the Steel Excursion; he was leading his own party of thirty to the rim at the same time, and the two groups interacted. Learn More
  5. Cliffs of Garfield Peak, Crater Lake - circa 1920
    As low as $5.00
    The trail to the summit of Garfield Peak continues to be one of the most popular at Crater Lake, due both to its proximity to Crater Lake Lodge and the spectacular views it offers. Learn More
  6. Columbia River near White Salmon c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    Pine trees dominate the foreground in this scenic photo by Fred Kiser. His ability to quickly create artistic compositions is demonstrated by the thousands of scenic views he captured during his career. Learn More
  7. Crater Lake as Seen from the Studio on Victor Rock - c. 1925
    As low as $5.00
    Photographer Fred Kiser didn't have to go far to create this photograph; it's taken from the front porch of his studio on the rim of Crater Lake. Learn More
  8. Crater Lake from Castle Crest - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    This early view of Crater Lake was created by brothers Fred and Oscar Kiser, as part of a series documenting the Will G. Steel Excursion in 1903. Learn More
  9. Crater Lake from the South Rim - c. 1910
    As low as $5.00
    This colorful view of Crater Lake is recreated from a hand-tinted photograph produced by Fred Kiser in about 1910. Learn More
  10. Crown Point Before Vista House - c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    This unusual view shows Crown Point before Vista House was built, but apparently after the Columbia River Highway was completed. That would date it to a short span of time in 1916. Learn More
  11. Diamond Lake and Mount Thielsen - c 1918
    As low as $5.00
    Diamond Lake is located north of Crater Lake in Douglas County, and is about halfway between Mt. Thielsen and Mt. Bailey. Learn More
  12. Dinner at Eagle Point, Steel Excursion to Crater Lake - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    This photo showing much of the 1903 Steel Excursion was taken by Fred and Oscar Kiser, who were the official photographers of that trip. Learn More
  13. Dutton Cliff from Garfield Peak, Crater Lake - c. 1907
    As low as $5.00
    This hand-tinted photo was taken from about half-way up Garfield Peak, where a trail was built between 1905 and 1910. Learn More
  14. Eagle's Nest Closeup, Columbia River Highway - c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    This image is recreated from a hand-colored print made by the Fred Kiser Company, as part of a series publicizing the new scenic highway. Learn More
  15. Eagle's Nest, Columbia River Highway - c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    "Eagle's Nest" is the name given by Samuel Lancaster to this small viewing area when he designed it as part of the Columbia River Highway. Learn More
  16. East of Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Highway - c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    Many of Kiser's Columbia River Highway photos contrast the geometric lines of bridges and railings with the organic forms of the Columbia River Valley. Learn More
  17. Elowah Falls in Autumn, Columbia River Highway - c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    Elowah Falls are on McCord Creek, and were originally called McCord Falls, which is the name given on our hand-tinted original print. Learn More
  18. Expedition at South Sister - Circa 1918
    As low as $5.00
    Photographer Fred Kiser clearly put a lot of planning into this photo of a pack train crossing in front of Green Lake, below the west face of South Sister. Learn More
  19. First Photo Showing Entire Crater Lake, from Mt. Scott - 1903
    As low as $12.00
    Fred and his brother Oscar Kiser were very proud of this photo, as it was the first time the entire lake was captured on on photograph. Learn More
  20. Glacier Peak and Llao Rock at Crater Lake - circa 1915
    As low as $5.00
    A lone hiker takes in a spectacular view of Glacier Peak, now called Hillman Peak, as well as Llao Rock, to its right, from his perch most of the way up on the Watchman, the lake's tallest peak, located on the west rim. Learn More
  21. Grand Arch, Crater Lake - c. 1925
    As low as $5.00
    A loan boater guides his craft across Crater Lake in this photo taken from the Grand Arch on the west shore. Learn More
  22. Joaquin Miller Writing a Poem, Steel Excursion - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    Joaquin Miller, "The Poet of the Sierras", was about 65 when he joined the Will G. Steel Excursion to Crater Lake. He was hired by Sunset Magazine to report on his trip. Learn More
  23. Latourelle Bridge, Columbia River Highway - c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    Looking across the newly completed bridge, we can still see a ladder below and planks piled in the distance. Learn More
  24. Launching the Boat, Steel Party at Crater Lake - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    This was not the first boat on Crater Lake, but it was an important one, lowered to the lake by the Will G. Steel excursion in 1903. Learn More
  25. Lava Dike in Devil's Backbone, Crater Lake - c. 1907
    As low as $5.00
    This tinted photo of Devil's Backbone with Llao Rock in the background was created by Fred Kiser, likely early in his career. Learn More
  26. Llao Rock and Mt. Thielsen, Crater Lake - c. 1907
    As low as $5.00
    This early sepia-tone photo by scenic photographer Fred Kiser features Llao Rock, the vertical cliff in the center, and Mt. Thielsen, the pointed mountain in the distance. Learn More
  27. Llao Rock and Mt. Thielsen, Crater Lake - c. 1907
    As low as $5.00
    This photo was taken from Rim Village, near where Crater Lake Lodge was built. Learn More
  28. Looking Down the Deschutes River - Circa 1920
    As low as $5.00
    This image is reproduced from an early print by Oregon landscape photographer Fred Kiser. Learn More
  29. Looking Over Elk Lake Towards South Sister - c. 1918
    As low as $5.00
    We're looking north across Elk Lake towards South Sister, at a distance of about 20 miles, in Deschutes County. The mountain on the right is Broken Top. Learn More
  30. Looking up the Columbia River from Inspiration Point - c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    This vantage point takes in both Rooster Rock, on the left, and Crown Point, on the right. Vista House has yet to be constructed. Learn More
  31. Lowering a Boat through Cleetwood Canyon to Crater Lake - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    Cleetwood Canyon, located behind the current lodge, was named by William Steel because this is the location where the Cleetwood, the first boat to reach the lake, was slid down in 1886. Learn More
  32. Lowering the Boat "The Start" down to Crater Lake - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    Part of the Will G. Steel Excursion helps to lower the boat down to the lake. The boat was likely named for the fact that Crater Lake National Park was created the year before. Learn More
  33. Mazamas Descending a Glacier on the South Side of Mt. Hood - 1921
    As low as $5.00
    In addition to being a professional photographer, Fred Kiser was a dedicated mountaineer. The original print for this image is stamped with his name on the back. Learn More
  34. Mist Falls, Columbia Highway 1,200 Feet Below - c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    This image is recreated from a hand-tinted original still in its folder, labeled "Artograph, Hand colored in oil, Kiser Studio, Portland, Oregon." Learn More
  35. Mitchell's Point from the Washington Side - c. 1916
    As low as $5.00
    An unusual view of Mitchell's point, looking at it from a distance rather than the classic photos taken from inside the "windowed" tunnel. Learn More
  36. Mount Hood from Lost Lake - circa 1910
    As low as $5.00
    This classic view has been captured by many photographers; the original for this image is a hand-tinted print by Fred Kiser. Learn More
  37. Multnomah Creek Bridge, Columbia River Highway - c. 1915
    As low as $5.00
    This photo was taken shortly after the car bridge below Multnomah Falls was completed in 1914. The roadway itself was yet to be paved. Learn More
  38. Near View, Wizard Island, Crater Lake - c. 1927
    As low as $5.00
    This close-up view of Wizard Island is identified on its back as being by Fred H. Kiser, Authorized Photographer for Crater Lake National Park. Learn More
  39. Nearing Summit of Castle Crest, Steel Excursion to Crater Lake - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    Some of the twenty-seven members of the Steel Excursion make their way to the top of Castle Crest, near where Crater Lake Lodge now stands. Learn More
  40. Note / Greeting Card Assortment: Fred Kiser Tinted
    $28.00

    Six note / greeting cards from photographer Fred Kiser, selected from his hand-tinted originals.

    Learn More
  41. On Rim of Crater Lake, Will G. Steel Excursion - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    Some of the principals of the Steel excursion are artfully posed on the rim of Crater Lake by the excursion's photographer, Fred Kiser. Learn More
  42. Party Leaving Medford, Steel Crater Lake Excursion - 1903
    As low as $12.00
    In 1903, a promotional excursion to Crater Lake was organized by Will G. Steel, who advocated for the newly designated national park there for years. Learn More
  43. Party Leaving Stewarts, Will G. Steel Excursion - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    The Will G. Steel Excursion was organized by Steel to help promote the recently established Crater Lake National Park. Starting from Medford, the party spent their second night on the Rogue River at the mountain retreat of Joseph H. Stewart, a prominent Medford orchard owner. Learn More
  44. Phantom Ship and Mount Scott at Crater Lake - c. 1910
    As low as $5.00
    While the original print for this view is not signed, it is numbered on the back in pencil, with the handwriting and number series matching signed Kiser prints. Learn More
  45. Phantom Ship Island, in Crater Lake - 1919
    As low as $5.00
    This photo was used by the American landscape artist Henry Howard Bagg (1852-1928) as the foundation for his painting #1510, featured in a calendar from the Murphy Calendar Company of Red Oak, Iowa. Learn More
  46. Phantom Ship, Crater Lake - c. 1919
    As low as $5.00
    We're dating this hand-tinted photo to 1919, as the black and white version shown below in Related Items was published that year. However, the colorized version shown here was published about 1925. Learn More
  47. Pinnacles at Sand Creek Canyon, Crater Lake - c. 1925
    As low as $5.00
    The Pinnacles are spires of eroded rock, located at the confluence of Sand Creek and Wheeler Creek. Some are as much as 200 feet high. Learn More
  48. Riders at Head of Lake Chelan - c. 1920
    As low as $5.00
    Lake Chelan, in northern Washington State, is the third-deepest lake in the United States, at over 1400 feet. Learn More
  49. Sen. Fulton's Party Leaving Medford, Steel Excursion - 1903
    As low as $5.00
    A companion photo to another in this series that shows the larger part of the excursion on Medford's Main Street. Fulton's carriage is facing east at about Front Street. Learn More
  50. Sentinel Rock from the rim of Crater Lake - c. 1915
    As low as $5.00
    This view along the rim of Crater Lake features Sentinel Rock, the bare rock formation beyond the trees that reaches to the upper left corner of the photo. Learn More
View as List Grid

Items 1-50 of 70

Page
per page
Set Descending Direction