Harry W. Crosby, a renowned author, historian, and passionate advocate for the Baja California region, passed away on September 12, 2024 at the age of 98. His indelible mark on the fields of history and conservation, as well as his love for the landscapes of Baja, will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Born in Seattle, Washington in 1926, Harry’s family moved to San Diego when he was nine years old. He graduated from La Jolla High School in 1944 and went on to study at Occidental College in the US Navy’s officer-candidate program where he completed a double major in pre-med and psychology. After graduation, Harry and his wife, Joanne Haskell, returned to San Diego where Harry taught high school science for 12 years.
Harry began to focus on photography. One of his first photography assignments was in 1964 when he was hired by a magazine to photograph Tijuana for a special edition of the magazine. Those photographs eventually became the photo essay book, “Tijuana 1964,”
In 1967, Harry was commissioned as photographer for “The Call to California,” a book to commemorate California’s bicentennial. He was given the task of following the route of the Portola/Serra expedition of 1769 and to take photos to illustrate a text derived from the diaries of the original 1769 expedition. Harry rode 600 miles in Baja California on mule-back taking him through some of the remotest areas of Baja California. This trip spurred a deep connection to the region that he visited over and over and became immersed in exploring, photographing, and writing about for years to come. He became an expert in Baja’s ranching community and cave paintings.
Harry shared his explorations and discoveries with the world through photographs and writings published in multiple books such as “The Cave Paintings of Baja California: Discovering the Great Murals of an Unknown People,” “Gateway to Alta California: The Expedition to San Diego, 1769,” and “Californio Portraits: Baja California’s Vanishing Culture.”
He was recently the subject of a documentary, “The Journeys of Harry Crosby.”
Beyond his literary accomplishments, Harry was a beloved mentor and friend, known for his warm spirit and infectious enthusiasm. He often led educational tours and workshops, sharing his profound knowledge with others, and inspiring a new generation of historians and nature lovers. His legacy extends through the lives he touched and the communities he helped to build, both in Baja and in San Diego.