50 historic Fresno photos on display at City Hall

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A 40-year history of the Fresno area is now on display at city hall and one man is responsible for all it.

An ArtHop reception Thursday night at Fresno City Hall unveiled 50 historic photographs taken by Fresno's Photo Laureate Howard Watkins. He has taken more than 300,000 photographs of various people and community events. Chances are you or your neighbors are in one of those pictures.

"You're going to recognize at least somebody in at least one of the photos, and if you've been active in the community you're going to recognize dozens, if not hundreds, of people," said Howard Watkins, Fresno Photo Laureate.

Watkins' photos will be featured on the ground and second floors of City Hall during the month of September. He is also currently raising funds for a huge archiving project to take these historic photo prints and turn them digital for future generations.