Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Manuscripts
Letter written by A.B. Chapman to his wife shortly after his arrival in Coronado, California. Chapman writes of the favorable comparison between rail and buggy travel, of his journey down the coast, and of his impressions of the Hotel del Coronado.
mssHM 73659
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Manuscripts
Typescript of a letter sent from "John" to "my dear Aunt," written while he was at sea heading to San Francisco on board the steamer Tennessee. He writes of leaving New York on the steamer Cherokee, canoing across the Isthmus of Panama, the scenery and native people of the area, and conditions on board the Tennessee. He concludes the letter on April 16 after his arrival in San Francisco, and briefly describes lumber and mining prospects.
mssHM 73059
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Manuscripts
Letter written by E.B. Winans shortly after his arrival in Mule Creek, California. He briefly describes his travels across the United States and the Indians he encountered along the way ("wild as the country they inhabit") before giving a detailed account of California. Winans writes in-depth descriptions of the weather, the scenery, and the condition of gold mining (including the "fabricated" stories of great wealth being acquired in gold). He also writes of the diversity of the population of the mining camps and the lack of interaction among residents.
mssHM 72993
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Manuscripts
In this letter to unidentified individuals who appear to live in Sheffield, England, Eli Fay writes of his arrival to California from England. He arrived in New York and "took the cars" to Chicago, a journey that he reports took 26 1/2 hours. He is amazed at the growth of Chicago. Leaving Chicago, again "on the cars," Fay continued west, describing the landscape in general detail. Once arriving in Los Angeles, he describes the city and its inhabitants in greater detail. Of southern California, he writes that "as a whole is but little more than a vast Sanitorium," a refuge for "people who suffer from throat and lung troubles." Fay himself is ill, and has come to California for relief, for his doctors have told him that "my only chance of recovery was in a total suspension for the time being of my pulpit labor." He reports his health has improved, and his daily horseback rides in the open country have been of vital help. He laments that he left England "before I had finished the work that I had laid out for myself" and hopes to return once he has fully recovered. He asks for details of the church he has left, and hopes all is well.
mssHM 16550
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Manuscripts
This letter was written by J. Call from San Francisco. In it, he describes his overland journey from the East coast to California. He details a cholera break out that killed many, a buffalo hunt, trading with Native Americans, and his arrival to California. He also describes life in California and the mines.
mssHM 83170
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Manuscripts
Letter from S. P. Rickard to his sister in which he describes the scenery, climate, and expenses in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
mssHM 72271