Silvestro Modesti (a.k.a. Antoine Lorette) first came to Yuma in 1870 and opened a general merchandise store in 1872. Lorette married the widow Jesus “Chu” Monreal de Aguilar. He sent to Corsica for his son, Althee Modesti (1858-1946) to come and work in his father’s store. Eventually Althee Modesti had his own store, and the Hotel Modesti at Agua Caliente Springs as well as other properties in Yuma. He married Elisa Bustamante and along with their eight children, alternated their time between Yuma and Los Angeles.
With the exception of two files, the collection consists of photographs and photo albums. Nearly all the photographs are identified with family members’ names, dates and places. Families included are: Lorette, Bustamante, Bain, Leon, Ortiz, Burgess, Foncerada, Molina, Noriega, Salazar.