Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Rare Books
The Historical Society of Southern California : a centennial history, 1891-1991
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Rare Books
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Visual Materials
The collection consists of 424 black-and-white photographs that document the activities of the Southern California Division of the California Centennials Commission during the years 1948 to 1950. The photographs document regional events, including ceremonies, celebrations, parades, and historical reenactments, developed by the Division to commemorate the centennials of the discovery of gold and the Gold Rush in the 1848; the 1849 Constitutional Convention; and the admission of California to the Union in 1850. Included are images of parades, such as the centennials of Beverly Hills and Long Beach; the 1948 Tournament of Roses Parade that included centennial-themed floats; and gold rush and pioneer-related parades such as those held in Paso Robles, San Bernardino, Redlands, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Monica. Photographs that document celebrations commemorating historic events and places include the Fort Moore celebration held at the Hollywood Bowl and images of the Portola Trek reenactment, including the start in San Diego and images of the riders on Spring Street in Los Angeles. The collection also includes a large number of images of the dedication of the Commission's Historical Caravan, held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Speaking at that event was Lieutenant Governor Goodwin J. Knight. Other images of the Historical Caravan include pictures of the exhibits inside the van and the van on location in Sycamore Grove (the Highland Park area of Los Angeles), at the Pio Pico Adobe in Whittier, and at China Lake. Photographs of the Centennials Commission float, which was made available to communities across the State for inclusion in centennial celebrations, are found in the collection. Among the images in which the float is featured are the Hollywood High School premiere of "California's Golden Beginnings," an educational film intended for show at schools and educational institutions across the state; and the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the centennial of Los Angeles's first post office. Notable figures in California politics and culture appear in the photographs. The images documenting the opening of the gold mining exhibit in Pershing Square include Eldred L. Meyer, past Grand President of Native Sons of the Golden West and Walter N. Bailey, Grand President of the Native Sons of the Golden West. The premiere of "California's Golden Beginnings" featured Goodwin J. Knight, Lloyd D. Mitchell, Manager of the Southern California Division, and appearing in the film (and documented in stills) was Governor Earl Warren. Other images document the unveiling of various commemorative plaques. Photographers who created the images include Otto Rothschild, Coy Watson, "Dick" Whittington Studios, J. Allen Hawkins, David F. Stevens, Lew Nichols, the Inman Company, Woro Studios, Randolph Studios, Louis, Pacific Press Photos, Gerhardt, Merriman Photo Art, Junis and Pearson Photo, and Frasher's, Inc. The photographs are mainly 8x 10 inches, and many of the photographs have captions taped to, or written on, the reverse. Many of the photographs exist in multiple copies.
photCL 400 volume 28
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Manuscripts
Professional and personal papers of Otis R. Marston and his collection of the materials on the history of Colorado River and Green River regions.
mssMarston papers
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Manuscripts
Professional and personal papers of Otis R. Marston and his collection of the materials on the history of Colorado River and Green River regions.
mssMarston papers
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Visual Materials
The album is a published collection of souvenir views of Los Angeles, California, and vicinity. Included are views of Figueroa Street; Hollenbeck Home; Adams Street; West Lake Park; Palm Drive; Plaza Church; Broadway and the "old" City Hall; the "old" Court house; Chester Place; a panorama of central Los Angeles; San Gabriel Mission; Marengo Avenue in Pasadena; the Raymond Hotel; the Mount Lowe cable incline railway; the home of Ramona (Rancho Camulos in Ventura County); Avalon harbor and Santa Catalina Island; the Potter Hotel in Santa Barbara; the Santa Barbara Mission; Redlands; the Hotel Coronado in San Diego; and Magnolia Avenue in Riverside.
photCL 400 volume 26
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Visual Materials
The album is a published collection of souvenir views of Los Angeles and vicinity. Included are views of Figueroa Street; Hollenbeck Home; Adams Street; West Lake Park; Palm Drive; Plaza Church; Broadway and the "old" City Hall; the "old" Court house; Chester Place; a panorama of central Los Angeles; San Gabriel Mission; Marengo Avenue in Pasadena; the Raymond Hotel; the Mount Lowe cable incline railway; the home of Ramona (Rancho Camulos in Ventura County); Avalon harbor and Santa Catalina Island; the Potter Hotel in Santa Barbara; the Santa Barbara Mission; Redlands; the Hotel Coronado in San Diego; and Magnolia Avenue in Riverside.
photCL 400 volume 25