John Alexander Gray Papers

The collection consists primarily of draft article manuscripts written by John Alexander Gray and relating to William Mulholland, Ezra Scattergood, William B. Matthews, and John B. Elliott, connected with the procurement of water and power from the Owens Valley (California) via the Los Angeles Aqueduct and from Boulder Dam for the city of Los Angeles. Other subjects of the articles include key institutions in Los Angeles and Southern California history including the Metropolitan Water District and the Southern California Edison Company. The correspondence includes letters responding to inquiries sent by Gray to deans and officials at several colleges, universities, and other cultural institutions in the Los Angeles area such as Disneyland, the California Institute of Technology, Wycliffe Bible Translators, California State College at Palos Verdes, San Fernando Valley State College, California State College, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles, and the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

Additionally, the collection includes a file of newspaper clippings that reflects Gray's interest in Los Angeles's air quality and educational environment and an ephemera section, which consists of some of John Alexander Gray's personal financial documents, tax receipts, and membership cards for the Los Angeles Water & Power Defense League and the University of Southern California General Alumni Association.