Throughout his varied career, Lummis was a nationally regarded photographer, poet, journalist, editor, City of Los Angeles librarian, historian and determined civil rights activist working on behalf of American Indian causes, particularly supporting the Pueblo and Hopi nations in the southwestern United States. He was a founder of the Landmarks Club, an organization credited with beginning preservation of California's missions. His photographs and collection of Southwestern art became the basis for the Southwest Museum, originally located on a hilltop above his home, El Alisal, which is now the headquarters for the Historical Society of Southern California. The Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spanish: Orden de Isabel la Católica) is a Spanish civil order granted in recognition of services that benefit the country.