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*Information taken from Provo City Directories and obituaries.
Thomas Christian Larson was born 2 March 1880 in Pleasant Grove, Utah to Thomas C. and Karen M. Hansen Larson. He married Martha Worthen 1 July 1904 in Springville, Utah. He and Martha had three children, a daughter (Melba) and two sons (O. Blaine and G. Clyde).
Thomas was active with the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Silver Beaver award for his participation with this organization. He was a past president of the Provo Rotary Club, a charter member of the Timpanogos Knife and Fork Club and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Thomas Larson lived with George Edward Anderson for a time where he was able to refine his photography skills. Larson worked with George Edward Anderson's brother for a time before he joined forces with Peter Nygreen. Nygreen and Larson operated a photography studio in Provo, Utah between 1916 and 1920. Larson partnered with L.D. Rollow in 1922. By 1924 the Provo directories listed his business as the Larson Studio which retained this name through the 1960s. Thomas Christian then went into business with his son O. Blaine around 1929. The studio was located at 63 East Center Street where the Paramount Theatre building now stands. In 1935-1936, O. Blaine was listed as a partner in the company. The studio then moved to 77 N. University Avenue, Provo, Utah. In 1953 the studio moved again to 28 North 100 East, Provo, Utah. Thomas Christian died 30 October 30 1957 and O. Blaine is listed as proprietor in the Provo City Directories after 1958.
Orville Blaine Larson was born 9 October 1906 to Thomas Christian and Martha Worthen Larson in Provo, Utah. He married Marie Tervort on 12 June 1929. He attended Provo public schools and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1928. He owned and operated Larson's Photo Studio until 1968, when he retired. He was active in politics and served as the city secretary for his political party for a number of years. He also served as district chairman and attended city, county and state political conventions. He was also a member of the Lions Club. He died 9 June 1986 in Provo, Utah.
The 17,000 plus studio portraits are dated 1947-1966. The street scenes of Provo and Utah County date to the turn of the century. Included are buildings, street scenes, agriculture, Mt. Timpanogos, Provo Canyon, Utah Lake, American Fork Canyon, Brigham Young University, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks, Nebo Loop, Box Canyon and mayors of Provo (1851-1958). The "Day Books" list the name of the person photographed along with a negative number.
Larson Studio Negative Collection, 1916-1968, Utah State Historical Society.
Gift of O. Blaine Larson, Provo, Utah
The Larson Studio Negative Collection is the physical property of the Utah Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah. Literary rights, including copyright, may belong to the authors or their heirs and assigns. Please contact the Historical Society for information regarding specific use of this collection.