James Miller Guinn Papers

This collection contains the papers of Southern California educator and historian J.M. Guinn (1834-1918).

The first box contains twelve of Guinn's autograph notebooks from his research on California in general – and on many specific California counties – which served as the basis for a number of local histories he published near the turn of the century. The collection's second box features autograph and typescript drafts of Guinn's speeches and papers, many of which were published in the Annual Publications of the Historical Society of Southern California or one of Los Angeles' many newspapers. Also included are a number of speeches on the methods and practice of education.

The collection's third box contains a rather extensive collection of autograph and typescript manuscripts which formed the basis for Guinn's three-volume magnum opus A History of California and an Extended History of Los Angeles and Environs (1915).

The collection's fourth box contains correspondence and ephemera. The centerpiece of the correspondence is a folder of thirty autograph letters (many with typescript copies) and letter fragments Guinn wrote to his mother, brother, and sister while fighting for the Union army during the Civil War between 1861 and 1863. Also contained in the correspondence are letters written by Dapsiliea Marquis (Guinn's later wife) circa 1870. Ephemera includes photographs (two with duplicates) of Guinn himself, and with his compatriots at the Historical Society of Southern California. Business papers include real estate contracts, deeds, and invoices. Other ephemera includes Guinn's wallet, several of his obituary clippings from local newspapers, and pamphlets from events at the local Grand Army of the Republic, of which Guinn was a proud member. Two certificates of his rank in this organization are in an oversize folder.

Subjects in collection include: California history; the Civil War; Education; El Camino Real, Calif.; Grand Army of the Republic; Historical Society of Southern California; Los Angeles, Calif.; Orange County, Calif.; Owens River, Calif.; San Diego County, Calif.; San Louis Obispo County, Calif.; San Pedro Bay, Calif.; Santa Barbara County, Calif.; Ventura County, Calif.