California Historic Landmark Project Collection, 1936-1940 (MSS 204)

Extent: 3.2 Linear feet (8 archives boxes)

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The California Historic Landmark Project Collection contains historical essays about Californian registered landmarks, monuments and state parks. The essays were written between 1936 and 1940 as part of the W.P.A. Federal Writer's Project. In addition to typescript essays, the collection contains research notes about sites in several California counties, particularly Monterey, and miscellaneous administrative materials. The collection is organized in four series: 1) CALIFORNIA HISTORIC LANDMARK SERIES, 2) STATE PARKS, 3) RESEARCH NOTES, and 4) ADMINISTRATIVE MATERIALS.

Between 1936 and 1940, the California Department of Parks and Recreation in conjunction with the Federal Writers' Project, a component of the federal Works Progress Administration, produced a series of descriptive historical essays and monographs on a variety of the state's important landmarks, monuments and state parks.

The project editors were Clark Wing and Vernon Aubrey Neasham. Project writers included George Walcott Ames Jr., Christian Ecklon, Andrew Eggum, Russell C. Ewing, John Samuel Fox, Chester Lyle Gutherie, Esther Harlan, Oscar Houmann, John Adam Hussey, James C. Kean, Tyrrell Martinez, Don Morton, James Nebergall, Benjamin Rader, Engel Sluiter, George Tays, Kathleen Camilla Wade, H. Howe Wagner, and Lois Ann Woodward.

Through an agreement with the State Printing Office, the monographs were to be published and sold to the public for a nominal price. The historical landmarks selected for treatment included a variety of sites typifying California's "Spanish, Mexican and Early California" past. Many sites were privately owned and had been registered by the California State Chamber of Commerce as places having historical significance worthy of preservation. By 1940, 366 sites had been registered as landmarks.

The California Historic Landmarks Project also gathered information on the state's seventy parks. Like the essays written for the landmarks, the monographs on the parks provided the history of the sites, as well as physical descriptions of the park and auto route directions from major metropolitan areas. In large measure, these essays were intended to be guides for travelers to California's historic and notable sites.

The California Historic Landmark Project Collection contains typescript historical essays and research notes between 1936 and 1940 on selected California landmarks, monuments and state parks. Also included are guidelines for style, summary reports and other miscellaneous administrative materials.

Arranged in four series: 1) CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL LANDMARKS, 2) STATE PARKS, 3) RESEARCH NOTES, and 4) ADMINISTRATIVE MATERIALS.

Container List

CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL LANDMARKS

Scope and Content of Series

SERIES 1) CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL LANDMARKS: Consists of historical essays for approximately 130 of California's registered landmarks that recount events from the Spanish colonial period to the late 1930s. Descriptions of nearby points of interest and precise auto route directions are often included. The essays are arranged according to the number assigned to the landmark. An index to the numbering scheme is filed at the beginning of the series.

Box 1 Folder 1
Box 1 Folder 2

I - Monterey; II - San Jose; III - Benicia; and IV - Sacramento. By Tyrrell Martinez.

Box 1 Folder 3

By George Walcott Ames, Jr.

Box 1 Folder 4

By George Tays.

Box 1 Folder 5

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 1 Folder 6

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 1 Folder 7

By John Adam Hussey.

Box 1 Folder 8

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 1 Folder 9

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 1 Folder 10

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 1 Folder 11

By Don Morton.

Box 1 Folder 12

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 1 Folder 13

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 1 Folder 14

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 1 Folder 15

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 1 Folder 16

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 1 Folder 17

By Don Morton.

Box 1 Folder 18

By George Tays.

Box 1 Folder 19

By James Nebergall. Includes holograph notes on fishing in the Monterey area.

Box 1 Folder 20

By James Nebergall.

Box 1 Folder 21

By George Walcott Ames, Jr.

Box 1 Folder 22

By George Tays.

Box 1 Folder 23

By Victor R. Jewett.

Box 1 Folder 24

By James Nebergall.

Box 1 Folder 25

By George Walcott Ames, Jr.

Box 1 Folder 26

By George Tays.

Box 1 Folder 27

By George Tays.

Box 1 Folder 28

By Don Morton.

Box 1 Folder 29

By George Walcott Ames, Jr.

Box 1 Folder 30

By George Walcott Ames, Jr.

Box 1 Folder 31

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 1 Folder 32

By Russell C. Ewing.

Box 1 Folder 33

By George Tays.

Box 1 Folder 34

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 1

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 2

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 3

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 4

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 5

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 6

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 7

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 8

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 9

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 10

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 11

By Oscar Houmann.

Box 2 Folder 12

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 2 Folder 13

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 14

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 15

By Esther Harlan.

Box 2 Folder 16

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 17

By John Samuel Fox. Includes "A Report on the Columbia Historical Research Project #3422 H.E. Rensch, Supervisor, February 20, 1937" and "Biography and Vital Statistics."

Box 2 Folder 18

By James C. Kean.

Box 2 Folder 19

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 20

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 2 Folder 21

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 22

By George Walcott Ames, Jr. Includes 4 postcards, 1 photograph and 2 survey maps.

Box 2 Folder 23

By George Walcott Ames, Jr.

Box 2 Folder 24

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 25

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 26

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 2 Folder 27

By James C. Kean.

Box 2 Folder 28

By H. Howe Wagner.

Box 2 Folder 29

By George Tays.

Box 2 Folder 30

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 1

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 3 Folder 2

By Engel Sluiter.

Box 3 Folder 3

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 3 Folder 4

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 5

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 3 Folder 6

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 3 Folder 7

By John Adam Hussey.

Box 3 Folder 8

By Engel Sluiter.

Box 3 Folder 9

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 10

By Chester Lyle Guthrie. Includes letter to Guy L. Fleming from Marie Stewart.

Box 3 Folder 11

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 3 Folder 12

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 3 Folder 13

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 14

By Chester Lyle Guthrie.

Box 3 Folder 15

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 16

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 17

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 18

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 19

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 20

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 21

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 3 Folder 22

By John Adam Hussey.

Box 3 Folder 23

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 3 Folder 24

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 3 Folder 25

By George Tays.

Box 3 Folder 26

By George Walcott Ames, Jr.

Box 3 Folder 27

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 3 Folder 28

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 3 Folder 29

By H. Howe Wagner.

Box 3 Folder 30

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 3 Folder 31

By Engel Sluiter.

Box 3 Folder 32

By John Adam Hussey.

Box 3 Folder 33

By John Adam Hussey.

Box 3 Folder 34

By H. Howe Wagner. Includes photograph.

Box 3 Folder 35

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 3 Folder 36

By George Tays.

Box 3 Folder 37

By George Tays.

Box 3 Folder 38

By Tyrrell Martinez.

Box 3 Folder 39

By Christian Ecklon.

Box 4 Folder 1

By Engel Sluiter.

Box 4 Folder 2

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 4 Folder 3

By George Tays.

Box 4 Folder 4

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 4 Folder 5

By George Tays.

Box 4 Folder 6

By Don Morton.

Box 4 Folder 7

By James Nebergall.

Box 4 Folder 8

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 4 Folder 9

By Christian Ecklon.

Box 4 Folder 10

By Tyrrell Martinez.

Box 4 Folder 11

By Benjamin Rader.

Box 4 Folder 12

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 4 Folder 13

By H. Howe Wagner.

Box 4 Folder 14

By H. Howe Wagner.

Box 4 Folder 15

By H. Howe Wagner.

Box 4 Folder 16

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 4 Folder 17

By Don Morton.

Box 4 Folder 18

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 4 Folder 19

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 4 Folder 20

By H. Howe Wagner.

Box 4 Folder 21

By Andrew Eggum. Part 1: Her Home in Grass Valley - Nevada County, Part 2: A Chronology of Her Theatrical Career.

Box 4 Folder 22

By H. Howe Wagner.

Box 4 Folder 23

By Tyrrell Martinez.

Box 4 Folder 24

By Tyrrell Martinez.

Box 4 Folder 25

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 4 Folder 26

By Andrew Eggum.

Box 4 Folder 27

By Tyrrell Martinez.

Box 4 Folder 28

By George Tays.

Box 4 Folder 29

By Clark Wing.

Box 4 Folder 30

By George Walcott Ames, Jr.

Box 4 Folder 31

By Christian Ecklon.

Box 4 Folder 32

By Benjamin Rader.

Box 4 Folder 33

By Andrew Eggum.

STATE PARKS

Scope and Content of Series

SERIES 2) STATE PARKS: Continue the historical model provided by the landmark essays, but they also include sections of geographical description, natural history and geology. For some state parks there is only a short summary. Like the landmark series, the state park essays are organized numerically by park number.

Box 5 Folder 1

By George Tays.

Box 5 Folder 2

By Kathleen Wade.

Box 5 Folder 3
Box 5 Folder 4

By George Tays.

Box 5 Folder 5

By George Tays.

Box 5 Folder 6

By George Tays.

Box 5 Folder 7

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 5 Folder 8

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 5 Folder 9

By H. Howe Wagner.

Box 5 Folder 10

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 5 Folder 11

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 5 Folder 12

By Don Morton.

Box 5 Folder 13

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 5 Folder 14

By Don Morton.

Box 5 Folder 15

By Don Morton.

Box 5 Folder 16

By Don Morton.

Box 5 Folder 17

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 5 Folder 18

By George Tays.

Box 5 Folder 19

By George Tays.

Box 5 Folder 20

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 5 Folder 21

By Vernon Aubrey Neasham.

Box 5 Folder 22

By Kathleen Wade.

Box 5 Folder 23

By Don Morton.

Box 5 Folder 24

By Vernon Aubrey Neasham.

Box 5 Folder 25

By George Tays.

Box 5 Folder 26

By George Tays.

Box 5 Folder 27

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 5 Folder 28

By Don Morton.

Box 5 Folder 29

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 5 Folder 30

By James E. Nebergall.

Box 5 Folder 31

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 5 Folder 32

By Vernon Aubrey Neasham.

Box 5 Folder 33

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 5 Folder 34

By Lois Ann Woodward.

Box 5 Folder 35

By John Samuel Fox.

Box 6 Folder 1

By George Tays.

Box 6 Folder 2

Photographs.

Box 6 Folder 3

By Kathleen Camilla Wade.

Box 6 Folder 4

By Kathleen Camilla Wade.

Box 6 Folder 5

By George Tays.

RESEARCH NOTES

Scope and Content of Series

SERIES 3) RESEARCH NOTES: Consists of handwritten notes and drafts of essays arranged alphabetically by county. Most of the materials pertain to sites or structures in the city of Monterey and its environs.

Calaveras County

Box 6 Folder 6

Monterey County

Box 6 Folder 7
Box 6 Folder 8
Box 6 Folder 9
Box 6 Folder 10
Box 6 Folder 11
Box 6 Folder 12
Box 6 Folder 13
Box 6 Folder 14
Box 6 Folder 15
Box 6 Folder 16
Box 6 Folder 17
Box 6 Folder 18
Box 6 Folder 19
Box 6 Folder 20
Box 6 Folder 21
Box 6 Folder 22
Box 6 Folder 23
Box 6 Folder 24
Box 6 Folder 25
Box 6 Folder 26
Box 6 Folder 27
Box 6 Folder 28
Box 6 Folder 29
Box 6 Folder 30
Box 6 Folder 31
Box 6 Folder 32
Box 6 Folder 33
Box 6 Folder 34
Box 6 Folder 35
Box 6 Folder 36
Box 6 Folder 37
Box 6 Folder 38
Box 7 Folder 1
Box 7 Folder 2
Box 7 Folder 3
Box 7 Folder 4
Box 7 Folder 5
Box 7 Folder 6
Box 7 Folder 7
Box 7 Folder 8
Box 7 Folder 9
Box 7 Folder 10
Box 7 Folder 11
Box 7 Folder 12
Box 7 Folder 13
Box 7 Folder 14
Box 7 Folder 15
Box 7 Folder 16
Box 7 Folder 17
Box 7 Folder 18
Box 7 Folder 19
Box 7 Folder 20
Box 7 Folder 21
Box 7 Folder 22
Box 7 Folder 23
Box 7 Folder 24
Box 7 Folder 25
Box 7 Folder 26
Box 7 Folder 27
Box 7 Folder 28
Box 7 Folder 29
Box 7 Folder 30
Box 7 Folder 31

San Benito County

Box 7 Folder 32
Box 7 Folder 33
Box 7 Folder 34

Santa Cruz County

Box 7 Folder 35

Miscellaneous

Box 8 Folder 1

January 1899 to February 1938.

Box 8 Folder 2
Box 8 Folder 3

Translation of the PROVINCIAS INTERNAS, Tomo 216, no.1. Archivo General de Mexico.

Box 8 Folder 4
Box 8 Folder 5

ADMINISTRATIVE MATERIALS

Scope and Content of Series

SERIES 4) ADMINISTRATIVE MATERIALS: Contains guidelines and instructions for writers, as well as summary information on the extent of the project. Of particular interest is the "Report of Work Completed, in Progress and Planned as of July 1, 1937." The materials are arranged alphabetically.

Box 8 Folder 6
Box 8 Folder 7

April 28, 1937.

Box 8 Folder 13
Box 8 Folder 14

Outline and bibliography.

Box 8 Folder 15

Typescript and notes.

Box 8 Folder 16

Correspondence.