Monterey County Local Historical Directory of Archives and Resources

A project of the Monterey County Historical Advisory Commission in conjunction with the Monterey Regional Collections Roundtable. This directory lists local archives and local resources pertaining to Monterey County history. It includes information about archival holdings. It is a successor to the Union Catalog of Historic Documents, Monterey County, California.

This Directory is keyword searchable by pressing CTRL-F in your browser. You can also click a link in the list below to jump to a given section.

This Directory underwent an extensive update in 2022-2023. Thanks to assistance from Michele Diaz, MCFL Local History Graduate Student Intern, the Monterey Regional Collections Roundtable, and participating local organizations.

Contact Jennifer Smith at SmithJA@countyofmonterey.gov to include your agency or submit updates.

Alphabetical List:

A-H

Agricultural History Project
Archives of the Diocese of Monterey
Asian Cultural Experience of Salinas
Atascadero Historical Society
Big Sur Historical Society
Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office (includes: Fort Ord National Monument)
California Agricultural Workers History Center
California Rodeo Salinas Heritage Museum
California State University Monterey Bay
California Views Historical Photo Collection
Carmel-By-The-Sea
Carmel Heritage Society
Carmel Valley Historical Society
City of Monterey, Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Division
City of Seaside, Arts & History Commission, Archive & Collections
Cooper Molera Adobe
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center
First Mayor's House of Salinas City
Harold A. Miller Library at Hopkins Marine Station
Harrison Memorial Library (Carmel Public Library)
Hartnell College Library- Special Collections
Heritage Society of Pacific Grove

J-N

Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library (Monterey History and Art Association)
Mission San Antonio de Padua
Monterey Bay Aquarium Image Resources Department
Monterey California FamilySearch Center
Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum
Monterey County Free Libraries
Monterey County Genealogy Society, Inc.
Monterey County Historical Society, Inc.
Monterey History and Art Association
Monterey Museum of Art
Monterey Peninsula College Library
Monterey Public Library California History Room & Archives
Nacitone Regional Interpretive Center
National Steinbeck Center
Naval Postgraduate School

O-Z

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Pacific Grove Public Library
Pajaro Valley Historical Association
Presidio of Monterey Museum
Salinas Public Library
San Antonio Valley Historical Association
Soledad Historical Society
Zena Holman Research Library

 

Agricultural History Project

Description: The Agricultural History Project’s (AHP) mission is to preserve and promote the history of agriculture on the Central Coast. The ground floor of the Codiga Center and Museum houses displays including a Timeline of Agricultural History of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties; Awesome Apple, a history of the local apple industry; Pick-Now – Eat Later, a display of the commercial food preservation industries so important to local agriculture; Crossing the Bar, the history of Hudson’s Landing; Legacy of the Vaqueros, an exhibit on the cattle industry from mission days to current practices; an extensive milk bottle collection and information and artifacts from Central Coast dairies; a fruit jar display; and Yesterday’s Kitchen. The Santa Cruz Room on the second floor houses a growing library of agricultural related items including UC Agricultural Extension Service Circulars, local history books and publications, selected years of the “Yearbook of Agriculture”, farm equipment manuals, farm maps, crop reports, photographs, and apple and vegetable labels.

Information: Agricultural History Project, 2601 East Lake Ave. Watsonville, CA 95076

Phone: 831.724.5898

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1181 Watsonville, CA 95077

Website: https://www.aghistoryproject.org

Days and Hours Open:

Open every 2nd Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. for Second Saturday on the Farm.
Tuesday - Saturday by appointment.
Research by appointment only.

Contact Person:

Access: The displays, farm implements and artifacts are available for viewing during stated open hours. Use of the library and its materials requires a prior appointment with the volunteer library coordinator. AHP volunteers will arrange for all reproduction or copying of materials at designated fees. U.S. copyright law governs reproduction and other uses of copyrighted materials. Please visit the AHP website for further descriptions of AHP and its activities.

Identification of resources: AHP is in the process of cataloging its collection.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: N/A
• Books and Manuscripts:
  UC Agricultural Extension Service Circulars, local history books and publications, selected years of the “Yearbook of Agriculture”, farm equipment manuals.
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material: N/A
• Other visual materials: Farm maps
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera:
  Apple and vegetable labels.

Special Note: N/A

 

Archives of the Diocese of Monterey

Description: The Diocese of Monterey is an administrative territory of the Roman Catholic Church that is comprised of the counties of Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo. The Archives of the Diocese collects the records of the diocesan central administration, of the various parishes in these four counties and of any other Catholic institution owned by the Bishop of Monterey. Seven of the California Missions fall within the area of the diocese (Santa Cruz, San Juan Bautista, Carmel, San Antonio, Soledad, San Miguel, and San Luis Obispo). In addition to church records, the Archives collect documentation on other matters concerning the Catholic faith in the four county areas.

Information: Diocesan Archives, 580 Fremont Street, Monterey, CA 93940

Website: www.dioceseofmonterey.org/archivist

Phone: 831.373.2127

Fax: 831.655.4809

Email: archives@dioceseofmonterey.org

Days and Hours Open:

By appointment

Contact Person:

Diocesan Archivist

Access: An appointment is necessary for access to the Archives. Limitations of staffing make an appointment necessary. An appointment can be requested by phone, fax, e-mail or post. Rules for use will be described when the appointment is made. One must sign-in upon arrival. Identification may be requested. All of the record holdings of the Archives are the property of the Diocese of Monterey and are under copyright. Published materials in the Archives are governed by U.S. copyright law.

Sacramental records (baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths) are subject to privacy restrictions and are not open to the public.

Limitations of staffing prevent the diocese from being able to allow the public to do personal research on family history.

Limited access to baptism and marriage records is possible by petition. An application form is provided upon request. The form can be requested by phone, fax, e-mail or post. The research will be done by the archives staff and each application will be answered in writing.

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:

  Harry Downie Collection of books, periodicals, manuscripts, document facsimiles, photographs and images in various media for supporting his restoration work on the Old Missions. The collection includes some of his records as curator of the missions in the Diocese of Monterey.

  Msgr. James H. Culleton Collection compiled by this local historian in support of his research during the 1940s and 1950s.

  Rev. Angelo Delfino Casanova Collection of personal papers from his time as pastor of San Carlos of Monterey (1870 to 1893).

  Visit of Pope John-Paul II to Monterey and Carmel (1987).

  Diocesan Process for the Sainthood of Junipero Serra (1940). This group includes the official investigation of witnesses conducted on the central coast by church authorities as part of the process for sainthood.

  Junipero Serra Bicentennial Commission (1984-1987). This group records the efforts made to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of Serra’s death, the contestations of them, and the beatification of Serra in 1987.

  Diocesan Process for the Sainthood of Cora Evans (2023). This group includes the official investigation of witnesses conducted on the central coast by church authorities as part of the process for sainthood.

  Sacramental records (baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths)

• Books and Manuscripts:
  California Collection: This collection includes non-fiction works from multiple disciplines concerning the social and cultural development of central coast California from Hispanic times to the present. The books assembled by Harry Downie to support his work on the Old Missions are the nucleus of the collection. The collection includes most of the titles published by the Academy of American Franciscan History as well as the Calendar of Documents in the Archival Center of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It includes religious devotional books used by Hispanic Californios during the 19^th century.
• Newspapers:
  Newspapers published under Catholic Church auspices in central coast California from 1939 to the present.
• Periodicals:

  Three series of annual directories to church personnel and institutions, one for the worldwide Catholic Church (Annuario Pontificio) continuous since 1962, one for Catholic dioceses in the United States (The Official Catholic Directory) continuous since 1958, and one for the counties of the Diocese of Monterey continuous since 1967.

  The Americas, a quarterly review of inter-American cultural history, published by the Academy of American Franciscan History from 1944 to 1961.

  The Academy Scrapbook, published by the Academy of California Church History in Fresno from 1950 to 1959.

• Photographic material: Yes
• Other visual materials: Yes
• Audio/Visual materials: Yes
• Ephemera: Yes

Special Note: N/A

 

Asian Cultural Experience of Salinas

Description: Asian Cultural Experience of Salinas (ACES) is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization centered in Salinas Chinatown. Founded in 2007 and incorporated in 2011, ACES is unique due to its history of collaboration among members of the Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and Latino communities that once lived in Chinatown. The Chinatown neighborhood was founded in 1893, and descendants of its founders are members or on the ACES Board today.

Our Mission:

To preserve, promote, and enrich the history and multicultural identity of Salinas Chinatown.

Our Vision:

The people, cultural life, and contributions of the multiethnic communities in Salinas Chinatown are valued as an integral part of the Salinas Valley’s collective history.

Information:
Asian Cultural Experience of Salinas
21 Soledad Street, Suite A
Salinas, CA 93901

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 574
Salinas, CA 93901

Website: https://www.salinasace.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACESalinasChinatown

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianculturalexperienceace/

Phone: 408.968.9081

Days and Hours Open: Wednesday - Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm and by appointment. Contact Larry Hirahara seedyguy@aol.com or Jason Agpaoa Jason.agpaoa@gmail.com

Email: acesalinas2014@gmail.com

Identification of Resources: Currently cataloging and digitizing our photo collection. No other written or online identification resources are available.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
• Books and Manuscripts: ACES has a substantial historic library of items relevant to Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino history and these are available to be viewed on-site. We have books unique to Salinas Chinatown. Please contact ACES for specific holdings information.
• Newspapers: Partial collection of pre-World War II Filipino newspapers, including The Philippines Mail (Salinas) and Philippines Star Press (Los Angeles).
• Periodicals:
• Photographic material: In the process of being digitized. Contact ACES for holdings information.
• Other visual materials:
• Audio/Visual material: AV resources include oral histories and stories recorded by CSUMB, including Chinese, Filipino, Japanese and Mexicano oral histories; videos of co-sponsored projects and joint ventures, including those with UC Santa Cruz; and video documentaries, including Chinese and Filipino National Steinbeck Center exhibition videos and student oral history presentations, such as A Neighborhood Forgotten (2005) by Katie Beckerson and Christa Miles; The Republic Café (2014) and Chinatown by Night (2014) by Silvia Turchin. Other AV resources: Imagine Salinas Chinatown: An Oral History Walking Tour, and Filipino Postcards from Salinas – A visual exhibition of Filipino postcards by Narcisco Caliva from the 1940’s. Some AV resources are on ACES YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@asianculturalexperience-ac2011/videos
• Ephemera: Original 1950’s menu from the Republic Café. Artifacts from Chinatown pre-World War II era, including glass, containers, bowls and jars from geologic dig.

 

Atascadero Historical Society

Description: To educate the public on the history of Atascadero, California.

Information:
Atascadero Historical Society
6600 Lewis Avenue
Atascadero, CA 93422

Website: https://www.atascaderohistoricalsociety.org

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/people/North-County-Historical-Co-Op/100064481388465

Phone: 805.466.8341

Days and Hours Open: Wednesdays, 1:00 - 4:00pm

Contact Person: James Wilkins, President/Curator

Email address: atascaderocolonymuseum@gmail.com

Access: Via our website and in-person at our museum.

Identification of Resources: Nearly 4,000 searchable photos on our website.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: We have documented nearly 10,000 photos and artifacts using PastPerfect archiving software. We are continuing to document our collection on an ongoing basis.
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: Bound copies of Atascadero News 1916 - 2013.
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material: Thousands of historic photographs from 1904 - present.
• Other visual materials: Paintings by local artists as well as by our town's founder, E.G. Lewis.
• Audio/Visual material: Audio tapes of the pioneers of our county. We are in the process of digitizing these.
• Ephemera: N/A

Equipment: We are in the process of making an in-house computer terminal available to the public for the purpose of researching our archives.

Special Note: N/A

 

Big Sur Historical Society

Point Sur Lighthouse, c. 1900
Courtesy of Pat Hathaway Collection of California Views, Monterey, CA

Description: The Big Sur Historical Society was founded in 1978 to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Big Sur. Our collections are housed in the Bill and Lucy Post Archives on the Post Ranch, and include photos, memoirs, writings and objects from the lives of prominent Big Sur pioneers, writers and artists. The time period covered is from 1860 to the present. We operate the Ranch House Museum in Andrew Molera State Park in partnership with the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Our publications include "Recipes for Living in Big Sur" and "Big Sur" from the Images of America series.

Information: The Big Sur Historical Society operates the Ranch House Museum in Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur. During the summer months the museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 to 3:00 p.m.. During the winter it is open on non-rainy weekends 11:00 to 3:00. Private or group tours may be arranged by appointment.

Website: https://www.bigsurhistory.org/

Access: Our archives are not open to the public. An appointment and several weeks of lead time are necessary to access material. The archivist will make arrangements to bring materials to the Ranch House Museum at Andrew Molera Park. There are charges for reproduction and publication.

Identification of resources: Our holdings are cataloged in a printed guide and a digital format but are available only by arrangement at the Ranch House Museum.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  There is a large collection of government materials chiefly pertaining to management of the Los Padres National Forest; the 1970s - 80s attempt to federalize Big Sur; and the creation of the Coast Highway Management Plan; various letters, documents, memoirs and scrapbooks of local families. By collection we hold The Harry Dick Ross (Lillian Bos Ross, Eve Miller Ross) Collection - diaries, letters, art, clipping scrapbooks, material pertaining to the period of 1924 - 1980s; The Hans Ewoldsen Collection - notebooks and political papers; The Post Ranch Collection - notes on interviews, transcripts of diaries ; The Jean Widaman Collection -research notes and clippings ; The Esther Pfeiffer Ewoldsen Collection - early diaries, Pfeiffer resort ledgers, legal documents pertaining to transfer of land to State Park; The Katherine P. Short Collection - materials from the 1920s to 1990s including Jaime de Angulo materials, political papers and letters concerning Coast Property Owners Association.; and the Margaret Waters Harrell Collection - photographs and artifacts from five Big Sur families.
• Books and Manuscripts:
  We have a small library of books about Big Sur; and books by local authors.
• Newspapers:
  We have a newspaper clipping file that covers from 1960's to the present; bound sets of The Big Sur Gazette; an almost complete set of The Big Sur Round Up, 1956 to the present.
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material:
  Portraits of local people; photos of early industry; shipwrecks; highway construction; resorts; meetings and events.
• Other visual materials:
  We have a limited selection of art by local artists.
• Audio/Visual materials:
  We have audio and video oral history interviews in addition to tapes of meetings, community events, storms and road closures.
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office (includes: Fort Ord National Monument)

Description: Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office, including Fort Ord National Monument. Geographical scope of collection includes Monterey County, San Benito County, and Santa Cruz County. Chronological scope includes documentary administrative federal records since 1850s, other reference materials and some artifacts dating to at least several hundred years old. Topical areas of scope primarily relate to activities in support of federal land management.

Information: United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office & Fort Ord National Monument 940 2nd Ave. Marina, CA 93933

Phone: 831.582.2200

Fax: 831.582.2266

Website: https://www.blm.gov/office/central-coast-field-office

Days and Hours Open:

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m.  – 4:00 p.m. (Excluding Holidays)

Access: Contact Field Office Archeologist, Rebecca Spitzer at rmspitzer@blm.gov for inquiries.

Identification of resources: Finding aids at the local Field Office level, but other materials may be available through Bureau-specific information requests, Library of Congress Archives, or Department of Interior Inter-Library Loan.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Archeological (limited); historic primary (limited); natural resources, technical.
• Books and Manuscripts:
  Mining
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals:
  "News from Native California;" limited issues of "CRM"
• Photographic material: N/A
• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

California Agricultural Workers History Center

Description: The California Agricultural Workers History Center is a research center that focuses on the diverse and multicultural history of the people who work in California agriculture. This collection contains the CAWHC circulating and reference collections, the Californiana reference collection, microfilm of the Register-Pajaronian and other newspapers dating from circa 1865, and the Genealogy reference collection.

Information: The California Agricultural Workers History Center is located on the second floor of the Watsonville Public Library.
275 Main St., Suite 100
Watsonville, CA 95076

Website: https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/401/California-Agricultural-Workers-History-

Phone: 831.768.3400

Days and Hours Open:

Monday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 8:00pm
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Contact Person:

Watonka Addison, Principal Librarian

Email: watonka.addison@watsonville.gov

Access: The California Agricultural Workers History Center is accessible during all hours that the library is open. The collection includes circulating and non-circulating materials. Reference materials housed in locked cases require staff assistance to access.

Identification of Resources: Most materials are listed in the library online catalog. There are digital archives and digital materials such as Kalifornski, print books, newspaper clippings of Watsonville historical events, the Harris case which contains information about the Watsonville Canning Strike, Haines Directory, DVDs, microfiche, reference pamphlets from Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA), and the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  The California Agricultural Workers History Center has archival documents available.
• Books and Manuscripts:
  The California Agricultural Workers History Center has an assortment of books and manuscripts available.
• Newspapers: The California Agricultural Workers History Center has newspaper clippings, microfilm of the Register-Pajaronian, and other newspapers dating from circa 1865.
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material: The California Agricultural Workers History Center has microfiche available.
• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: The California Agricultural Workers History Center has audio/visual material available
• Ephemera: The California Agricultural Workers History Center has ephemera available such as posters, and brochures available.

Special Note: N/A

 

California Rodeo Salinas Heritage Museum

Courtesy of Monterey County Historical Society

Description: Items such as banners, photographs, saddles and artifacts of historical value have been collected and preserved. The exhibits are rotated each July and new video history programs are done each year.

Information: California Rodeo Salinas Heritage Museum, 1034 North Main Street, Salinas, CA 93906

(California Rodeo Grounds)

Website: https://www.carodeo.com/

Museum web page: https://www.carodeo.com/p/about-us/history/heritagemuseum

831.775.3100

Days and Hours Open:

Open during the four days of the annual Rodeo. It is also open by special appointment throughout the year.

Contact Person:

Access: There are 18 members of the California Rodeo Salinas Heritage Committee that are available for tours.

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: N/A
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material: N/A
• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera:
  An adjoining building houses a 125-year-old restored Wells Fargo Coach. This coach is permanently on display. In addition, many artifacts on loan from Wells Fargo Bank are displayed.

Special Note: N/A

 

This collection documents the activities of the Peninsula Professional Network (PPN), a Monterey Bay area LGBTQ professional, social, and educational organization founded in 1983. The bulk of the collection consists of monthly newsletters containing meeting information and member announcements from 1984-2005. Additional materials include event fliers, financial statements, meeting details, and correspondence.

Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays records

This collection consists of organizational records of the Monterey County chapter of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), including founding documentation, board meeting minutes, and newsletters.

Demeter newspapers and ephemera

This collection contains newspapers, posters, programs, and other materials related to Demeter Resources, a nonprofit women's organization founded in 1978, dedicated to the growth of the feminist community and the development of women's culture in the Monterey Bay area. The newspapers date from 1979-1985, with other materials from 1979-1981.

Fort Ord Collection, which includes the following:

Fort Ord unit books, similar to high school yearbooks.

Richard "Dick" Puckett papers

This collection documents the career of Richard “Dick” Puckett, director of the Fort Ord Arts and Crafts program from 1960 to 1986, as well as the activities and operations of the program itself during that time. It includes information related to the history of the arts and craft programs, administrative papers and correspondence, and policies and procedures for running the craft shops, specifically those located on Fort Ord, but also other shops within the Crafts Complex, such as the Presidio of Monterey. This collection also includes training materials, job descriptions, letters of recommendation, activity and attendance reports, interest surveys, budgets, and floor plans. Materials documenting programming include photographs and slides of art gallery events, specific pieces of art, art photography, photographs of classes and students, fliers, clippings, ephemera, artifacts, and framed items.

Farr Legacy Collection, which documents the public service careers of Congressman Sam Farr and his father, state Senator Fred Farr, and the impact of their work throughout the state of California and across the United States.

Additional materials related to local regional history:

Robert Lindsey papers

This collection documents the career of journalist and author Robert Lindsey. Materials are largely related to research for his various publications and collaborations and include news clippings, interview transcripts and recordings, correspondence, notes, photographs, and audio/visual materials. It also includes working manuscripts and published copies of his books, as well as newspaper clippings of Lindsey's articles from 1959-1989.

Ric and Billie Barbara Masten papers

Writings, correspondence, clippings, photographs, business records, recordings, publications, fliers, posters, artwork, notes, scrapbooks and other personal papers of Carmel poet Ric Masten and his wife, poet Billie Barbara Masten, from 1894, 1929-2008. The bulk of the collection documents Ric’s career as a traveling poet and folk singer. Additional items include materials documenting Billie Barbara’s work as a poet, artist, and performer.

Bill "Woody" Woodworth papers

This collection is primarily composed of materials amassed by water conservationist Bill “Woody” Woodworth, during his more than thirty years of public advocacy, from the 1970s through 2002. Materials include reports, clippings, publications, and subject files, predominantly related to Woodworth's research on water use and conservation on the Monterey Peninsula and his work as a board member of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (1978-1983). Also included are materials related to reuse planning of the former Fort Ord military base (1990-2002).

 

California Views Historical Photo Collection

Photographers on California Coast, 1887, Frank B. Rodolph Photo CU#79-083-0004

Information: In 2022, this collection was transferred to the Monterey County Historical Society.

Description: Central California Coast from Santa Barbara North to Marin County. The bulk of the collection is of the Monterey Bay environs, Monterey adobes, Monterey fishing industry, Cannery Row, Chinese fishing villages, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Hotel Del Monte, Carmel Mission and most of the other California Missions, San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906, Yosemite, U.S. Naval vessels, transportation including horse-drawn vehicles, railroad, automobiles, early aviation, John Steinbeck, Ed F. Ricketts, Jo Mora (artist), Robinson Jeffers (poet), Robert Louis Stevenson (writer). Please see our website for a complete listing.

Identification of resources: Some images can be viewed here: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/montereycountyhistoricalsociety?tab=about  Older website includes descriptions and listings of collections: http://www.caviews.com

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: N/A
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material:
  C.W.J. Johnson, R.J. Arnold, E.A. Cohen, C.K. Tuttle, Lewis Josselyn, L.S. Slevin, I.W. Taber, A.C. Heidrick, C.E. Watkins, Dan Freeman, George A. Robinson, George J. Seideneck, Wm. L. Morgan, Donald L. Woodward, Pillsbury Picture Co., Julian P. Graham, Rey J. Ruppel, Zan Stark, C.B. Clark, Dan Freeman, F.C. Swain, Leopold Hugo. Over 80,000 images and over 31,600 have been cataloged in our computer database. We currently list over 1000 individual photographers in our database. Glass Plate Negatives 4"x5" to 11"x14", Film Negatives 35mm to 8"x10". Original prints, albumin prints, post cards, stereo views, photo albums.
• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: In 2022, this collection was transferred to the Monterey County Historical Society.

 

Carmel-By-The-Sea

 Ocean Avenue between San Carlos and Dolores Streets
 Contributed by Everett Shephard

Description: Documents relating to the operation of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea from October 1916 to the present, including city council minutes, ordinances and resolutions. Property files and other information relating to individual properties and buildings are available online. In addition, there is a collection of early 20th century paintings by local artists on display in the building.

Information: City Hall, Monte Verde between Ocean and 7^th, Carmel, CA 93921

Phone: 831.620.2000

Mailing Address: P.O. Box CC, Carmel, CA 93921

Website: https://ci.carmel.ca.us/

Days and Hours Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Contact Person: City Clerk, cityclerk@ci.carmel.ca.us

Access: Collection is open to the public by appointment with the City Clerk only. Requests for access to specific meeting minutes or resolutions may be filled by email. A copy machine is available for public use.

Identification of resources: No index is available

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
• City Council meeting minutes, resolutions and ordinances, 1916 - present
• Planning Commission meeting minutes, 1922 - present
• Property Files, including building permits, construction information, and blueprints or individual properties, are available online: https://planningsites.org/CarmelPlanning/
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material: N/A
• Other visual materials:
• Maps of Carmel are stored in the Planning Department
• Collection of art by early 20th century artists is on display
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

Carmel Heritage Society

First Murphy House

Description: The Carmel Heritage Society, which is recognized by the City of Carmel, functions as an independent non-profit organization. Our mission is to "preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Carmel" and to foster an appreciation of this tradition. We operate, with volunteer docents, the historic First Murphy House at Lincoln and Sixth as a community welcome center, source of local information, and exhibition space which includes a continuing display of then and now photography of Carmel; an arts and crafts library; an oral history library; and changing exhibits with a focus on Carmel

Information: Carmel Heritage Society, Lincoln and Sixth P.O. Box 701 Carmel, CA 93921

Website: https://www.carmelheritage.org

Phone: 831.624.4447 Fax: 831.624.1970

Email: info@carmelheritage.org

Days and Hours Open:

Contact Person:

Cathy Collum
Operations Manager

Access: View and purchase Carmel history video, Don't Pave Main Street, narrated by past mayor, Clint Eastwood. Other items for sale include notecards and books. We also offer a membership program to the Carmel Heritage Society, which entitles members to special discounts and invitations to our annual house and inns tours, as well as membership functions, exhibitions and other activities.

The First Murphy House is available to rent for small group meetings, by reservation, subject to availability. Please call for information.

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources: N/A

• Archival Documents and records:
• Books and Manuscripts:
• Newspapers:
• Periodicals:
• Photographic material:
• Other visual materials:
• Audio/Visual materials:
• Ephemera:

Special Note: N/A

 

Carmel Valley Historical Society

Description: The Carmel Valley Historical Society was founded in 1987 to preserve and promote the history and heritage of Carmel Valley for current and future generations. The History Center Museum curates several new exhibits each year, hosts school and special interest groups, and annually exhibits in the Carmel Valley Library Community Art Gallery. The Society's newsletter, The Carmel Valley Historian, is published quarterly and an update for docents, News Around The Barn, is written each month. A dozen books written by Society historians and commemorative wall tiles are available for purchase.

Information: The Carmel Valley History Center is located just west of the Carmel Valley Village on the southeast corner of the Community Park at 77 W. Carmel Valley Road. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1612, Carmel Valley, CA 93924-1612. Messages may be left at 831-659-5715.

Website: https://carmelvalleyhistoricalsociety.org A virtual tour of the History Center Museum is available through the website.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CVHistoryCenter

Email: cvhs3@live.com

Access: The History Center is kid-friendly and staffed by knowledgeable docents on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00-4:00pm, and by special arrangement.

Identification of resources: There is a workroom plus inside and outside storage for artifacts. The office includes a desktop computer with museum management software PastPerfect and two printers. Usable exhibit space is in two rooms, approx. 2,000 sq. ft. in area. The exhibits are primarily displayed in refurbished, internally-lighted glass cabinets. Overhead floodlights illuminate Museum walls and floor. Approximately 200 feet of wall area is used for interior display. Major exhibits include:

• history of the Valley's indigenous people, including a full size tule boat, mortars and pestles, arrowheads, photographs, and many other artifacts
• history of ranches and ranching including antique western saddles (one for children to sit on) and a special display of Carmel Valley's Piazzoni cowgirls
• history of the unique geological formation of the Valley
• history and artifacts of the Valley's Volunteer firefighters, including a WWII era alarm siren and signaling device
• touchable mastodon bone, grizzly bear and coyote pelts; a boar's head and Great Horned Owl
• large historic wall pictures, including turn of the century panoramas
• Carmel River history including the building and eventual removal of the San Clemente Dam
• rare history of the Jamesburg Earth Station and its role in the Apollo 11 Moon Landing and other historic events
• 3-D model of Carmel Valley

Resources:

• Newspapers and Periodicals:
  Carmel Valley newspaper collections dating from the 1940s. A digitized collection of historic CV Outlook newspapers has 868 editions (1962-1981) accessible via a searchable database.
• Photographic material:
  A significant collection of historic photographic negatives and prints from the James Ziegler, George Seideneck, and George T.C. Smith photography collections.
• Other visual materials:
  Doyt Early’s block prints, watercolors, and memorabilia; Alex Weygers' artwork, photography, and memorabilia; Jack Swanson's writings and paintings; a 5-foot diameter pear wagon wheel; and artifacts and history of Carmel Valley's Volunteer Firefighters and Vintage Airfield. The History Center also has an antique Rosewood Square grand piano, the first in Carmel Valley, that is the centerpiece of the Victorian parlor exhibit of the Valley's pioneering Hatton family.

Special Note: N/A

 

City of Monterey, Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Division

Colton Hall

Description: City of Monterey Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Division the City of Monterey Museums acquire, preserve, manage and interpret artifacts, documents, books and art objects documenting the history, culture, and artistic representation of the City of Monterey. Monterey area (Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties) Early California period - present day Culturally - Native people, Spanish, Mexican and American Historical Documents, Artifacts, literature and art.

Information:

Museum and Cultural Arts Division
570 Pacific Street Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: 831.646.5648 Fax: 831.646.3917

Colton Hall
570 Pacific Street Monterey, CA 93940 

Phone: 831.646.5640 (Museum) Fax: 831.646.3917 

Website: https://www.monterey.org/city_facilities/museums/discover_museums/colton_hall_museum.php

Days and Hours Open:

Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day

Presidio of Monterey Museum
Corporal Ewing Road, Bldg. 113
Monterey, CA 93944 

Phone: 831.646.3456 Fax: 831.646.3917

Website: https://www.monterey.org/city_facilities/museums/discover_museums/presidio_of_monterey_museum.php

Days and Hours Open:

Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

Alvarado Gallery
Second floor of the Monterey Conference Center, One Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940 

Phone: 831.646.5648 (Museum)
831.646.3770 for weekend schedule information 

Website: https://www.monterey.org/city_facilities/museums/explore_public_art/alvarado_gallery.php

Days and Hours Open:

Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May be open on weekends for scheduled events

Access: City of Monterey - Museum Division Access to collections - By appointment
Colton Hall Museum - Free and open to the public
Presidio of Monterey Museum - Free and open to the public
Alvarado Gallery - Free and open to the public
Pacific Biological Laboratory - Special request; Reproduction/Filming request forms are required for most collection and site usage.

Identification of resources: Holdings are cataloged/inventoried only on site.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: Constitutional Convention Documents; Early City Records
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material:
  City of Monterey Photograph Collection; Oliver Collection
• Other visual materials:
  City of Monterey Art Collection
• Audio/Visual materials:
  City of Monterey Oral History Project
• Ephemera:
  City of Monterey Postcard Collection

Special Note: N/A

 

City of Seaside, Arts & History Commission: Archive & Collections

Description: The archives and artifacts cover the history of Seaside from founding (the 1880s) through incorporation (1954) to the present, including the original areas of Seaside (now part of Monterey and Sand City) and the former Ft. Ord. The collection focuses primarily on the people and families who created, settled, and developed the city and forged a close relationship with the base at Fort Ord.

Information:

Oldemeyer Center
986 Hilby Avenue
Seaside, CA 93955

Website: https://www.ci.seaside.ca.us/158/Art-History-Commission

Days and Hours Open: City of Seaside Archives are not available for viewing at this time.

Contact Person:

Ashley Collick, Assistant City Manager

Phone: 831.899.6812

Email: acollick@ci.seaside.ca.us 

An Archives Management Plan is being developed by the City and Commission. Initially, this will provide better storage and cataloging to facilitate research; the ultimate goal is a digitized archive accessed via Past Perfect Online. The City website History page is being updated and expanded and will be the access point for web-based history. Access for family history and research purposes is by appointment and with City approval only at this stage. Reproductions of archival materials (e.g. photographs) is possible after clearance by the City and families involved.

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources: The collection includes photographs, newspapers, letters, maps, magazine clippings, records of Commissions and City Departments from 1955 on; maps and blueprints from pre- and post- incorporation and later Redevelopment projects.

Historical Commission scrapbooks.

Household artifacts covering household and civic life.

• Archival Documents and records:
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: The years 1970 - 1975 of the Seaside Post News-Sentinel are available online on the Internet Archive
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material: yes
• Other visual materials: yes
• Audio/Visual materials:
  Oral histories, some on videotape.
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

Cooper Molera Adobe

Description: The Cooper Molera Adobe, originally dating from 1827, is a National Trust for Historic Preservation site in Monterey’s Old Town Historic District. It represents the diverse and layered history of the families who lived in and built Monterey, from its early years as the political and commercial capital of Mexican Alta California, through the development of the State of California.

Cooper Molera includes two adjacent adobe homes, a corner store, an adobe warehouse, a barn complex, and beautiful gardens and grounds, all on roughly 2.5 acres surrounded by a historic adobe wall in downtown Monterey. A revived “shared use” model for the property now includes an active program of historic interpretation by the National Trust centered on the Cooper and Diaz Adobes, along with compatible commercial uses appropriate to the historic setting. This new version of shared use is an especially fitting model, since the site has combined commercial and residential uses for most of its history.

Information:

Located next to the Simoneau Plaza in downtown Monterey. Parking on Munras, Polk and Calle Principal streets.

Cooper-Molera Adobe: 506 Munras Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940, Museum Front Desk Phone: 831.223.0172 x7776

Alta Bakery: 502 Munras Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940, Phone: 831.920.1018

The Barns at Cooper Molera: 535 Polk Street Monterey, CA 93940 Events By Classic, Phone: 831-647-0114

Email:
Historic Museum: KLee-Garcia@savingplaces.org
Alta Bakery + Cafe: info@altamonterey.com
Cella Restaurant + Bar: info@cellarestaurant.com
The Barns: info@eventsbyclassic.com

Websites:
https://coopermolera.org
https://altamonterey.com
https://www.cellarestaurant.com
https://coopermolerabarns.com

Days and Hours Open:
Gardens and grounds open 7am-4pm everyday
Cooper-Molera Adobe: Administrative Hours, M-F, 9am-5pm
Alta Bakery + Cafe: Open 7am-4pm everyday
Barns: Open for tour by appointment only

Contact Person:
Cooper-Molera Adobe: Karyn Lee-Garcia, Executive Director
Alta Bakery: Kirk Probasco, Owner
Barns at Cooper Molera: Amanda Hope, Sales Director

Access:

Exhibits focus on the history of Cooper, Molera and Vallejo families. The Museum features our Skylight room, Archaeology room, Dining room, Artichoke Room, and 2 Salas. The Cooper-Molera Adobe Barns, and garden spaces are available to rent for small group meetings, private tours, and events, by reservation, subject to availability. Please call or email for information. Alta Bakery + Cafe has an indoor and outdoor garden seating and hosts small gatherings, receptions, and pop-up sales. Offers coffee, pastry, salads, pizza, sandwiches and to-order wedding cakes and sweets.

Identification of resources:

Holdings are not online. Printed catalogue of Cooper Molera Adobe holdings is only for staff use until archive can be organized for research purposes. The archive is currently only for staff use.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  • Monterey State Historic Park Site Administrative Records
  • The Adobe Restoration Project Records
  • Marcia F De Voe Collection
  • Cooper Molera Adobe Site Records: 43 binders:
    • A chronological history of the Collections Management program of MSHP including Pacific House, Stevenson House, Larking House, and Custom house. Research on history of JBR Cooper, files on restoration, archaeology, and interpretation of Cooper Molera Adobe, Archaeological field sketches.
  • Molera Family Papers:
    • AJ Molera’s business documents including: Publications, El Sur Kennels, Invoices, Castroville Ranch, Shipments of Artichokes, Sur Ranch, Moro Cojo Rancho, files regarding leases, income tax returns, livestock, mortgages, rents. As well as personal journals, estate files, news clippings, inventories, annual reports, balance sheets, land leases, expense vouchers,
    • Frances Molera files, journals, handwritten notes
    • Letters for and from the Molera Family 1945-56
  • Cooper, Wohler, and Molera Family papers
    • Telegrams, invitations, calling and business cards, Larkin business documents, Cooper personal handwritten documents. Various handwritten letters to locals including H. Escolle, Thomas O Larkin, Vallejo family, Eusebius Molera, Soto, Wilson, Marcia De Voe research.
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals:
  • Farming and Livestock related periodicals between 1904 and 1960
• Photographic material:
  • Molera Family Photograph Collection
  • Kenneth Cardwell Photograph Collection
  • Marcia F De Voe Photograph Collection
  • Adobe Restoration and MSHP Archives Photographs
  • Amelie Elkington Photograph Collection
  • Cyanotypes of Molera Ranch Properties
• Other visual materials:
  • Molera Map Collection
  • Molera Architectural Drawings
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera:
  • Wallpaper specimens circa 1860-90s
  • Architectural Drawings of all buildings on Cooper property

 

Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

 

 In this archival photo, an Army archivist shows the Historical Records Collection of the Defense Language Institute to future researchers from the Porter Youth Center.

Description: The Command History Office of the Defense Language Institute (DLI) collects and maintains historical files relating to the history of the Army on California's Central Coast, focused primarily on DLI and defense language training, the Presidio of Monterey, Fort Ord, and associated installations. Photographic documentation is particularly rich and accessible across all phases and periods in the history of the language schools, the Presidio of Monterey, and Fort Ord. Our historical files also include a significant collection of oversize maps, blueprints, panoramic photos, and a few military posters. Finally, the Command History Office curates a collection of Works Progress Administration (WPA)-era artworks, a few contemporary military-themed paintings, and several historical exhibits that are on display on post and at various institutions in the Monterey Bay area, including at the Maj. Gen. William H. Gourley VA-DoD Outpatient Clinic, and the University Center of California State University Monterey Bay.

Information: The DLI Historical Records Collection (archives) is located at the Chamberlin Library, Ord Military Community, on General Jim Moore Blvd in Seaside, CA (Bldg. 4275).

Website: https://www.dliflc.edu/about/command-history/

Access: The public may make appointments to conduct research by contacting the DLI Archivist at 831-242-7437 or via email at CMD_History_Office@dliflc.edu. Note: our activities are intended to support military commanders and the military community foremost, but we are happy to answer public queries or schedule researchers as resources allow.

Identification of resources: A general finding aid for the Historical Records Collection is available from the Command History Office page from the DLI website. Additional finding aids are maintained onsite by the archivist. Significant works published by the Command History Office are also accessible via the DLI website, which include all DLI command histories, a history of the Presidio of Monterey, a pictorial history of the Institute, and a history of Nisei linguists who served in the Military Intelligence Service during World War II (WWII).

Resources:

• Language School Records

  The main collection is rich in the history of the Defense Language Institute; the Army Language School (ALS); the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS); the Fourth Army Intelligence School, and the Defense Foreign Language Program. Within the various collections of the Language School Records are the papers of many former staff or officers associated with the school as well as the extensive Command History document files. Valuable historical information about the formation of ALS and DLI available within these collections consists of organizational charts, departmental timelines, instructor recruitment, photographs, newsletters, periodic reports and records, news clippings scrapbooks, brochures, flyers, and oral histories.

  Audio/Visual Collections
  The main collection includes several important oral histories that document the history of the school and the Nisei linguists; there are holdings of various films or videos produced by the school, and numerous examples of school foreign language audio-visual training aids.

  Command History and Adjutant General Collections
  The Command History Records Collection (1986-present) and the separate Adjutant General Collections (1964-1982) include extensive historical documentation collected by staff officers or historians to compose annual historical summaries of Institute activities. These records are used primarily to write command histories and to support administrators in their duties.

  Language School Records and Department Histories Collections
  These collections contain surviving information from the earliest years of the school's history and include information on early courses and curriculum, teaching methodologies, faculty rosters and appointments, graduation programs, and early administrative policy. These records are often of interest to descendants of early faculty for their genealogical content.

  The Defense Language Institute Research Collection
  The DLI Research Collection includes an extensive collection of reports written by or about DLI or its programs between 1959 and 2014. The topics covered focus on foreign language learning and teaching but are eclectic within that domain. These records are of use to technical experts and historians.

  The LP Phonograph Record Collection
  The LP Phonograph Record Collection includes a variety of recordings made using both 16-inch transcription and regular LPs vinyl media. The material generally focuses on early language coursework but includes recordings of military marching music, military foreign language choirs, recordings of special events and ceremonies, as well as ethnic or world music recordings. This material generally dates to the late 1940s and early 1950s, with some material in the 1960s, and can be used for a variety of activities. The collection is currently being processed and only a portion of it is accessible.

  The Globe Magazine Collection
  A product of the DLI Public Affairs Office, the Globe magazine collection includes all copies of the Globe and its predecessor periodical the Forum, both official organs of the Institute. The Globe has been continuously published in some form dating back to the earliest newsletter-style issues of the 1970s. The magazines detail numerous programs, activities, and events of the school and primarily support historians or those interested in the history of DLI. An index exists for much of the collection.

  Nisei Linguist Collections
  Within the Nisei Linguist Records are several collections that consist of documents, photographs, audio recordings, video cassettes, and oral history transcripts of Nisei linguists who served with the MISLS during WWII. Contained in these collections is valuable historical information about the MISLS and formation of its successor, the Army Language School (ALS). Other subjects include information about individual linguists, faculty and school administrators, language training, basic Army training for the Nisei, and a general image of life at the Presidio of San Francisco, Camp Savage and Fort Snelling (first locations of the school). These collections also include several historically valuable faculty scrapbooks, such as the Thomas N. Tanimoto Collection and the Yutaka Munakata Collection, that provide excellent documentation of MISLS and Nisei life during WWII.

  Dr. James C. McNaughton Research Collection
  We are pleased to hold the Dr. James C. McNaughton Research Collection, which contains extensive information about the creation of the school, the WWII-era Japanese language programs, and the wartime operations of Japanese linguists in the MISLS. Dr. McNaughton gathered this material over many years while serving as the DLI Command Historian. It includes material copied from other venues, research notes, much original documentation, many oral history interviews, and supported the writing of his seminal work Nisei Linguists: Japanese Americans in the Intelligence Service during World War II.

  These collections support military history and genealogical research as well as those interested in the history of the Japanese American experience and the history of the school.

  Presidio of Monterey Historical Records
  The Presidio of Monterey Historical Collection consists of documents and a significant set of photographs regarding the history of the U.S. Army's Presidio of Monterey from the 1900's to 1980s, as well as local Monterey historical information. Military units included are the 1st, 10th, 8th, 9th, and 11th Cavalry, the 12th and 20th infantry, as well as the 76th Field Artillery, CMTC, ROTC, and CASA. The subject matter consists of marches, maneuvers, parades, training, training, individuals, and general images of camp life. Also included are documents and images of early Monterey, its downtown and Cannery Row areas, and information regarding early Spanish exploration and settlement.

  General Edward H. Plummer Collection:
  The General Edward H. Plummer Collection consists of documents, photographs and articles from the personal and military records of General Plummer, builder of the U.S. Army's Presidio of Monterey. The collection ranges in subject matter from correspondence and orders relating to General Plummer's assignments, including his activities as an Army Indian agent in the 19th century, his deployment as a regimental commander during the Philippine American War, and his life in retirement in Pacific Grove, California.

  Black Military History Collection:
  The Black Military History Collection consists of records, sketches and photographs regarding the history of black soldiers who began serving in the U.S. military in the French and Indian Wars, as well as the Revolutionary War. This record group has specific information on the history of the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry. The 9th/10th Cavalry came to the Presidio of Monterey in November 1902. The 425 black troopers of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry under the command of Captain G.W. Read pitched their tents near the Chinese fishing village in Pacific Grove (near the present day Hopkins Marine Station). The 9th Cavalry were the first black soldiers stationed in California.

  Colonel Roger Fitch Collection
  The collection contains the papers of Col. Roger Fitch, U.S. Army, and focuses on Fitch's military career from 1898-1943. Colonel Fitch began his service with the famous "Rough Riders" organized by future U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, saw extensive service in the Philippines, commanded the 11th Cavalry Regiment at the Presidio of Monterey, and in retirement he co-founded the Monterey History and Art Association (MHAA) becoming its first president. Fitch also advocated for the creation of Fort Ord and was recalled to active duty to command Fort Ord from 1941 to 1943.

  Fort Ord Historical Records
  The Fort Ord Historic Collection generally consists of photographs from the early 1930s until the closure of the base. Topics include the history of the base as well nearby military facilities and areas. The collection contains pamphlets, newspaper articles, numerous photographs, postcards, maps, and three separate collections of unit books from various military training classes that underwent basic training at Fort Ord. Subject matter of the collection relates to training, camp life, maneuvers, marches, troop reviews, inspections, recruits, aerial images, military equipment and buildings, encampments, firefighting and fire prevention, movies filmed at Fort Ord, and many other topics. The collection captures information about Camp Gigling, Camp Huffman, Camp Ord, Camp Clayton, Camp Roberts, Fort Hunter Liggett, Fort Ord and base closure activities, known as BRAC, as well as some information about the base after its closure. In general, the collection is of interest to local communities impacted by Fort Ord or its closure, veterans and their families who served at Fort Ord, and historical researchers of several varieties seeking to learn more about the history of the base.

  Notable Fort Ord-related collections include:

  Army Community Services Stilwell Collection
  This collection includes information about the Army Community Services at Fort Ord, the Stilwell Community Center, Stilwell Hall (the now demolished enlisted men's club), and the life, family, and military service of General Joseph W. Stilwell, who organized the 7th Infantry Division and activated Fort Ord in 1940 before serving as the American commander of the China-Burma-India Theater during WWII.

  7th Infantry Division Records
  This collection contains articles, building records, publications, photos, maps, information about films shot at Fort Ord, and military operations in Panama, Desert Shield, and Just Cause as well as BRAC-related items relating to Fort Ord and the 7th Infantry Division (Light).

  Bruce Strange Collection
  This collection consists of Fort Ord basic training unit class books and is only one of three such collections. Veterans and their families seek out military unit books like high school graduates seek out their class yearbooks.

  Ephemera Collection
  This collection includes miscellaneous items such as football game programs, WWI surrender documents, 7th Infantry Division newsletters, personal histories, posters, and random photographs.

  Roger Maitral Collection
  This collection consists of official photos taken by the official Fort Ord base photographer between 1965-1967.

  Stephen Levinson Collection
  This extensive collection contains a significant assemblage of historical documents related to Fort Ord. It includes general paperwork, books, maps, manuals, newspapers, audio/visual items, unit books, postcards, photographs, soldier correspondence, and ephemera amassed by a retired California State University professor. The collection is currently being processed and only a portion of it is accessible.

  Panorama Newspaper Collection
  The Fort Ord Panorama Newspaper Collection contains a nearly complete collection of the Fort Ord Panorama newspaper from the opening of the base in 1940 until its subsequent closure in 1993. The newspaper provides a unique lens into the life and activities of service members and their families stationed at Fort Ord and nearby bases for over half a century on the Monterey Peninsula. The collection has been digitized and a limited number of copies may be requested by the public. General access can be arranged by appointment with the DLI archivist at the Chamberlin Library in Seaside, California. An index to the paper currently covering the years 1940-1980 is also available.

  Together the Fort Ord historical and newspaper collections constitute the most extensive repository of historical information pertaining to the closed base known to exist.

  Historical Books
  The Command History Office maintains a noteworthy collection of published works on military history, including the Army Green Book series documenting WWII history. Many of these publications do not circulate and may only be used within the archive. However, a significant percentage of the collection can be requested by readers via inter-library loan by arrangement with DLI's John Aiso Academic Library, which also maintains a catalog for this collection.

Special Note: N/A

 

First Mayor’s House of Salinas City

Description: The First Mayor’s House is the only living history museum in Monterey County. Built in 1868, it is the oldest residence in Salinas and has been restored to the 1870 era and established as a non-profit corporation. The mission of the FMH is: The First Mayor’s House, the front porch of Salinas, provides educational and cultural programs that showcase our history and the parts that have led us to the present. (June 2020)

Information:
First Mayor’s House
21 Station Place, Salinas, CA in the Intermodal Transportation Center
Mailing Address: 820 Park Row #715, Salinas, CA 93901

Website: https://www.firstmayorshouse.org/

Phone: 831.214.8661

Days and Hours Open: Open houses on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Individuals or groups wishing to tour at other times can make a reservation by contacting firstmayorshouse@gmail.com Student visits are on Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to noon during the months of September-November and March-May.

Contact Person: Mary Randall

Email address: firstmayorshouse@gmail.com

Resources:

Our website includes teacher and student materials, virtual field trips, family history and other resources. The House contains many items dating to the 1870s belonging to the Harvey family or donated by the community. Books, clothing, and other artifacts are on display or are housed in our archived collection

In our educational center, we have a computer, LCD projector and large screen for in-services or exhibits. The space is available for group meetings or other events. Email us for more information. The gardens have also been used for historic gatherings, memorial services, vintage sales and other events.

• Archival Documents and records:
• Books and Manuscripts:
• Newspapers:
• Periodicals:
• Photographic material:
• Other visual materials:
• Audio/Visual material:
• Ephemera:

 

Harold A. Miller Library at Hopkins Marine Station

Description: The Harold A. Miller Library supports the research and teaching needs of Hopkins Marine Station. Its primary focus is on marine biology, but it also collects materials on oceanography, fisheries, and other aquatic sciences. The Hopkins Marine Station Library is located in Pacific Grove about 90 miles from Stanford. The Library is open to all members of the Stanford community and is accessible to people with limited mobility. Unique collections include the Hopkins Marine Station Student Papers (1963-2011), Ed Ricketts Materials, and the Frank Mace MacFarland Molluscan Collection.

Information:
Harold A. Miller Library at Hopkins Marine Station (Stanford University)
120 Oceanview Blvd.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Website: https://library.stanford.edu/libraries/harold-miller-library-hopkins-marine-station

Days and Hours Open: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Access: The Library is open to all members of the Stanford community and is accessible to people with limited mobility.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: Unique collections include the Hopkins Marine Station Student Papers (1963-2011), Ed Ricketts Materials, and the Frank Mace MacFarland Molluscan Collection.
• Books and Manuscripts:
• Newspapers:
• Periodicals:
• Photographic material:
• Other visual materials:
• Audio/Visual material:
• Ephemera:

 

Harrison Memorial Library (Carmel Public Library)

Philanthropist Virginia Stanton and actress Wilna Hervey play softball in Carmel's Abalone League, 1930s.

Description: The Henry Meade Williams Local History Department is part of the Harrison Memorial Library, the public library of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Since the 1930's, Carmel Librarians have been acquiring historical materials that were kept and used in the library's reference department. A separate Local History Department was established in 1989 to better house, care for, and expand the collections, and to increase public awareness of local history. The Henry Meade Williams Local History Room is devoted to acquiring, preserving, and making available historically significant items concerning the history of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea from its earliest days in the 1900's to the present. These collections include over 7,000 photographs, 2,000 books and letters, diaries, manuscripts, programs, maps, scrapbooks and works of art.

Information: Local History Department, Park Branch Library, Mission Street and Sixth Avenue, P.O. Box 800, Carmel, CA 93921

Phone: 831.624.1615

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 800, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

Website: https://ci.carmel.ca.us/local-history

Email: hml.localhist@gmail.com

Days and Hours Open: Monday - Friday, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and by appointment

Contact Person: Katie O'Connell, Local History Librarian

Access: All materials are non-circulating and may be used in the Local History Reading Room. Collections and items that are being processed, are not yet arranged, or are exceptionally fragile may have restricted access. A copy machine and book scanner are available in the department. For information on photograph reproductions, please contact the Local History Librarian.

Identification of resources:

• Online Catalog: The online catalog shows the Local History Department's holdings of books and collections made up largely of published materials.
• Card Catalog: Indexed in the card catalog are most photographs, collected papers, pamphlets, manuscripts, posters, scrapbooks, clippings, etc. donated before 2005. Since 2005, the Carmel Pine Cone has been indexed in the online catalog instead of the card catalog.
• Finding Aids and Inventories: Finding Aids are available for a large portion of the Collections in the Department and are accessible in the department. Some finding aids are available on the Online Archive of California.

Online Resources:

• Internet Archive: Carmel Pine Cone newspaper 1915-2006; oral history interviews with James Hopper, Herbert Heron, Walter Victorine, Ruth Warshawsky and others; local history lectures on topics including the Del Monte Express, Monterey Peninsula artists, Cole Weston, Nora May French; photographs of plays at the Forest Theater 1910-1960s; scrapbooks for the Forest Theater, Carmel Arts and Crafts Club, and more.
• Carmel Development Company Collection: Business records of the development of Carmel, from Devendorf and Powers, 1891-1997. (Full collection guide)
• Carmel Fire Department Films: Historical films from the Fire Department, 1930s-1980s.
• Herbert Heron Collection: Hundreds of photographs from the Forest Theater (1910-1960s) and the diaries of the Theater's founder. (Full collection guide)
• Local History Lecture Series: Lectures on the history of Point Lobos, Robinson Jeffers, Henry Miller, and much more.
• Local History Shorts: Short educational videos on topics in Carmel history.
• My Carmel Oral History Project: Interviews with Carmel residents that capture some of the history and daily life of our village.
• Carmel Pine Cone: 1915-2006 (with some search tips) and 2007-present
• Carmel Periodicals: Carmel Cymbal, Carmelite, Pacific Weekly and more

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Collections relating to the history and development of Carmel, such as the Devendorf Collection of Carmel Development Co. Papers, the city clerk's building permit books, personal written memories of Carmel, correspondence, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, etc.
  
  Subjects of major archival collections include:
  • Carmel Bach Festival
  • Carmel Citizens Committee
  • Carmel Fire Department
  • Carmel Music Society
  • Carmel Preservation Foundation
  • Carmel USO
  • Hugh Comstock
  • Jean Kellogg Dickie
  • Ella Reid Harrison and the Harrison Memorial Library
  • Herbert Heron and the Forest Theater
  • Edward Kuster and the Golden Bough Theater
  • Gunnar and Wies Norberg
  • Geza Saint Galy
  • Enid Sales
  • Vincent Torras
  • Alexander and Marian Weygers
  • and more
• Books and Manuscripts:
  Fiction and non-fiction books about Carmel and Carmel residents, as well as select books written by Carmel residents, that cover topics that include history, geography, art, architectures, photography, drama, and biography. Also included are the Polk's City Directories 1925-1987, and reverse lookup directories 1977-2014. Manuscripts include play and television scripts, memoirs, and fiction manuscripts by local authors such as Herbert Heron, Perry Newberry, Robert Campbell, Albert Leon Van Houtte, and Steve Crouch.
• Newspapers:
  Full run of the Carmel Pine Cone 1915-present available online and on microfilm. Full and partial runs of other local newspapers, including the Carmel Cymbal, the Carmelite, Carmel Spectator, Carmel Sun, and the Big Sur Gazette, available online, on microfilm and/or in hard copy. See: https://ci.carmel.ca.us/local-history
• Periodicals:
  Magazines published in the Carmel area from 1925 to the present, including full runs of Game and Gossip and Carmel Magazine. Magazines from throughout the U.S. from the 1890's to the present containing articles by Carmel authors or about the Monterey Peninsula. Newsletters from most of Carmel's various organizations.
• Photographic material:
  Over 7,000 photographs from the Carmel area's early days up to the present, scenes of Carmel's natural beauty, architecture, personalities, cultural events. Also represented are views of Point Lobos and other Peninsula cities.

Significant photographic collections include:
• Carmel Bach Festival
• Edgar A. Cohen
• Forest Theater
• Golden Baugh Theater
• Lewis Josselyn
• Arthur McEwen
• Margye Neswitz
• Perry and Ida Brooks Newberry
• Catherine and George Seideneck
• Louis Slevin
• Lincoln Steffens and Ella Winter
• Franz Wulzen
• and more
• Other visual materials:
  Forest Theater posters, as well as posters for other plays and events held at other Carmel playhouses, early Carmel maps.
• Audio/Visual materials:
  Audio, VHS, and DVD recordings of Local History lectures, the Authors-by-the-Sea Series, VHS recordings about the history of Carmel and Carmel events, and oral histories on audio tape and CD. Many are available online:
• Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/harrisonmemoriallibrary
• Library Website: https://ci.carmel.ca.us/library-programs
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

Hartnell College Library - Special Collections

Hartnell College

Description: Special Collections in the Hartnell College Library includes the O. P. Silliman Memorial Library and the Hartnell College Archives. The Silliman collection was bequeathed to the college in 1946 and includes books and periodicals relating to the ornithology and natural history of the Pacific coast. The college archives include yearbooks, newspapers, college catalogs, schedule of classes, reports, meeting minutes, and photographs.

Information: Hartnell College Library, Special Collections, 411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901

Website: https://www.hartnell.edu/library/

Phone: 831.755.6872

Days and Hours Open:

Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Closed Holiday Weekends and during School Breaks

Summer Hours:

Monday – Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Closed weekends

Contact Person:

Reference Services

Phone: 831.759.6078

Access: Collection is open to the public by appointment only. Copying facilities are available for a charge.

Identification of resources: The collection is indexed separately. Contact Reference Services for more information.

Resources: N/A

• Archival Documents and records:
• Books and Manuscripts:
• Newspapers:
• Periodicals:
• Photographic material:
• Other visual materials:
• Audio/Visual materials:
• Ephemera:

Special Note: N/A

 

Heritage Society of Pacific Grove

Description: N/A

Information: N/A

Website: https://www.pacificgroveheritage.org/

Access: On site, by appointment. Copies may be requested.

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Biographical, documents, clipping files containing information about Pacific Grove residents, businesses, buildings, events past and present. Files are sorted alphabetically, by subject.
  Files contain documents noting location, ownership (when available), construction dates, etc., for structures built in 1926 or earlier, located in Pacific Grove. File 60% complete. Files are sorted by street address.
  
  Photocopies of County Assessor's records for parcels located in Pacific Grove, 1902 – 1926, except 1916.
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals:
  The complete run of the Pacific Grove Heritage Society publication, The Board and Batten, including Index and Table of Contents.
• Photographic material:
  Photographs of the more than 1,200 homes and commercial structures listed on the Pacific Grove Historic Resources Directory. Collection of approximately 1,000 historic photographs (400 cataloged). Approximate date and description noted on incomplete index.
• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library

(Monterey History and Art Association)

Description: The Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Research Library is in what was the first protestant church in Monterey, built in the fall of 1876. The building was consecrated in July 1878, and services were regularly held there for many years. MHAA purchased the building from the Urban Renewal Agency in June 1969 and moved it to its present location in January 1970. Library was dedicated in August 1970.

Information: Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library, 155 Van Buren, Monterey, CA 93940

Phone: 831.747.1027

Email: Contact form

Website: https://www.mayohayeslibrary.org/

Days and Hours Open:

Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 1:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. or by Appointment

Contact Person:

Gary Spradlin,
MHAA Board Member representing the Library

Access: Materials must be used on the premises. Copying facilities are available in the Library.

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources: N/A

• Archival Documents and records:
  Genealogical source material
  Extensive clippings file
  Memoranda on Monterey County families artists, homes and businesses
  Special collections from many local families
• Books and Manuscripts: Local History Books
• Newspapers:
• Periodicals: Historical Periodicals
• Photographic material: Extensive historical photo collection
• Other visual materials: Maps
• Audio/Visual materials:
• Ephemera:

Special Note: The Mayo Hayes ODonnell Library web site provides access to the Library's collection of historic photos of the Monterey Peninsula and surrounding area, biographies of many local families and important local personalities, a searchable file of our book holdings, lists of our archive contents, over one-hundred and forty oral histories and stories of the old Monterey.  Please visit our website for details.

 

Mission San Antonio de Padua

Mission San Antonio de Padua

Description: Mission San Antonio and any subject relating thereto from 1771 to the present time. Books, correspondence, documents, some copies of manuscripts, souvenirs, copies of plans and drawings, and a few original plans and drawings. Dr. Robert Hoover’s collection from the Archeological Field School is also available for scholarly research.

Information: Mission San Antonio de Padua, Jolon, CA 93928

Website: https://www.missionsanantonio.net/

Phone: 831.385.4478

Days and Hours Open:

Wed. - Sat. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Check website for up-to-date schedules

Contact Person:

Joan Steele

Access: Files are used constantly. Material will not be removed from the files. Special permission to use the collection must be obtained in advance, and a contact person (listed above) from the museum committee must be present.

Identification of resources: Files maintained in past perfect system.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Mission San Antonio, related places, events and people from 1902 to the present.
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers:
  Mission San Antonio, related places, events and people from 1902 to the present.
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material:
  Photos of the Mission showing its decline, decay, and subsequent restoration in 1948-9; a few photos of manuscript pages; and some photographic copies of old drawings of Mission plans, water system, etc.
• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

Monterey Bay Aquarium Image Resources Department

Description: The Monterey Bay Aquarium Image Resources Department supplies images in-house for exhibits, publications, promotions, educational programs, and the website (www.montereybayaquarium.org).

Information: Monterey Bay Aquarium Photo Archive, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940

Phone: 831.648.4841

Email: trininger@mbayaq.org

Contact Person:

Tyson Rininger

Access: It is not open to the public. By special request, images are occasionally made available to other conservation non-profit organizations and to scholars.

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: N/A
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material:
  The collection includes the following digital images:

  Aquarium construction site at all stages, construction of the addition completed in 1996.

  Interior, exterior, and aerial shots

  All exhibits

  Exhibit animals, past and present

  Present and previous aquarium employees and volunteers

  Special events and programs

  Animals and plants in the wild

  Prints (limited prior to 1970):

  Chinese settlement

  Early boats in the harbor

  Canneries during their heyday

  Cannery Row in the 1970s

  Hovden Cannery prior to the construction of the aquarium

• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

Monterey California FamilySearch Center

Description: N/A

Information: In 2023, the Monterey Bay Family History Center adopted a new organization name, now the Monterey California FamilySearch Center.

Physical Address:

Corner of Noche Buena and Plumas (back of building)

Seaside, CA 93955

Website: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Monterey_California_Family_History_Center

Phone: 831.394.1124

Mailing Address:

25721 Box Canyon Lane, Salinas, CA 93908

Days and Hours Open:

Tuesday and Thursday: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Contact Person:

Don Locke
Director

Access: All materials must be used on the premises. A microfilm/ microfiche reader printer is available at .10¢ a copy. A photo duplication machine is available for books, etc. at .10¢ a copy. Internet use for family history research is available at no charge.

The FamilySearch Center is run entirely by volunteer librarians. It is a non-profit organization. The public is welcome. There is no charge other than for copies or microfilm orders.

Presently the FamilySearch Center has two microfiche, six microfilm readers and six computers with Internet access. There are nearly 5,000 items in the book and film collection. The Center accepts books, films and monetary donations

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  1850 and 1860 California Census Indexes

  1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 Monterey County Federal Censuses

  California Map Guide to the US Federal census

  California Pioneer Register and Index, 1542-1848, including Inhabitants of California 1769-1800, Hubert Bancroft

  Cemeteries of Northern California

  Great Registers of California, Voting Registration Books

  King City, California, The First Hundred Years, 1886-1986

  Medical History of Monterey County

  Monterey City Tombstone Inscriptions

  Monterey-Pacific Grove City Directory for 1962

  Mortality Census for 1870

  Newspapers in California (where to get them and how to use them), a guide

  Pacific Grove, California 1875-1975, a history

  Pacific Grove Birth Records 1905-1923, Death Records 1915-1923

  Personal Name Index to the 1856 City Directories of California

  Presidio of Monterey Index of Names to Burials, 1904-1983

  Salinas Cemetery Records, Calvary Cemetery, 1977

  Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California, Vol. 1, Marie Northrop

  Old Calvary Cemetery on Castroville Hwy.

  History and Biographical Record of Monterey and San Benito Counties, James Miller Guinn and some copies of original records, 1877, 1893-97.

  History of Monterey County, Research Publications

  Catholic Church: Mission San Miguel Registers 1797-1937; Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, Church Records, Confirmations, Deeds and Maps, on microfilm.

  Monterey County Vital Records on Microfilm: Births, deaths, delayed birth certificates, marriage records.

  King City Death Records 1916-1920.

  Voting Registers for 1866-1867, 1869, 1872, 1875-76, 1879-80, 1884, 1886, 1888, 1890, 1892, 1893, 1896, 1898

  Aromas City Births 1918-1938

  Mission San Carlos Borromeo 1851-1932

  Carmel City Deaths 1918-1938

  San Antonio de Padua, the Missions in the Sierras, Catholic Church History

  Mission San Antonio Registers 1771-1882

  Soledad (Spanish), Catholic Church records, 1791-1894

  Newspaper Indexes of Obituaries for select years

  The History of Alta, California, by Osio

  It Happened in Soledad

  Anza’s Return from Alta, California

  The Anza-Rivera letters 1775-1776

  The Japanese in the Monterey Bay Region

  Monterey County Place Names

  History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California

  Memories of the San Antonio Valley

  Newspaper Abstracts, “The Salinas Index,” 1873-1882

  All 21 Missions Registers on Micro Film

• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material: N/A
• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera:
  Online access to genealogical records and resources including digitized census files and subscription genealogy sites which patrons can use at no charge. A comprehensive collection of CDs including Pedigree Resource File and Vital Records Indexes.

Special Note: For $6.00 for four-week loans, research films may be requested from the largest genealogical collection in the world. The cost is just .15¢ to request a microfiche. This massive collection includes over five million volumes in print and in microfilm.

Photo duplication services are also available to request copies of books in their collection.

Records on microfilm include:

1) Vital records: Births, deaths, marriages, christening, burials.

2) Court records: Probate, orphan's court, administrations, estate settlements, tax records, etc.

3) Land and property records

4) Military records

5) Census

6) Family histories and genealogies

7) County histories

The above is just a sampling as the FamilySearch Library includes something for nearly every country in the world. Due to the right of privacy of living individuals, not all records are made available to the public. A complete index is available at the FamilySearch Center and online at familysearch.org.

 

Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum

The Brunetti Store, King City, c. 1910
Courtesy of the Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum

Description: N/A

Information: Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum, 1160 Broadway, King City, CA 93930

Website: https://www.mcarlm.org/

Phone: 831.386.0965

Days and Hours Open:

The Main Exhibit Barn

Tuesday - Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Archive Room by Appointment Only

Access: Please call the Museum office for information or an appointment: 831.386.0965

Identification of resources:

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: N/A
• Books and Manuscripts:
  An assortment of books on the following subjects dating from approximately 1850 to 1955.

  School Texts - A collection of text books from grammar to high school levels including art, English, grammar, the classics, dictionaries, history, hygiene, business, arithmetic, science, music, animals, government, geography, biographies, religion, maps and novels.

  The Young Folk’s Encyclopedia, 1901

  New People’s Cyclopedia of Universal Knowledge, Vol I - IV, 1888

  Encyclopedia Britannica, 9th Edition, 1892

  New Pictorial Encyclopedia of the World, 18 Vol. & Atlas, 1955

  The Farmers Encyclopedia, 1914

  Agricultural Reports, 33 Volumes, 1848 to 1880

  History and Biographical Record of Monterey & San Benito Co., 1910

  Yearbook of U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1897

  Farming - Equipment and its repair: carriages, sleighs, wagons, farm machinery, steam engines, blacksmithing, machinist’s tools, antique tools. Farm magazines and assorted tractor manuals.

  Misc. - Cookbooks, children’s stories, how-to books, museum manuals (collections care).

  California Historical Society Quarterly – 1944 - 1978

• Newspapers:
  Assortment of newspapers from Monterey County including King City Herald editions from 1924-5 and 1937, and the Rick Wilkerson Collection.
  Monterey County Library collection: Assortment of Salinas newspapers from the early 1900s to the late 1940s. Carmel, Monterey Peninsula, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield & King City from mid-1950s to 2006.
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material:
  The following files include an assortment of over 2500 photographs dating from c1860 to c1965.

  Agriculture - Dry farming, orchards, sugar beets, row crops, viticulture, land preparation, drought and floods, etc.

  Animals - Beef and dairy cattle, work and pleasure horses, hogs, etc.

  Buildings - Monterey County and surrounding areas, adobes.

  Cities - Assortment of Monterey County and surrounding area towns including; Bradley, San Miguel, San Lucas, Pleyto, Manchester, Lockwood, Jolon, King City, Soledad, Gonzales, Spreckels, Salinas, Natividad, Monterey, Pajaro, etc.

  Dairy - Assorted dairies, cattle herds, milking scenes.

  Equipment - Tractors, wagons, implements (horse and tractor drawn), machinery, tools.

  Harvesting - Dry farming, crews, equipment, etc.

  Irrigation - Ditches, pipes, flumes, dams, pumps and equipment.

  Mining - Coal, sand, rock quarries.

  Misc. People

  Post cards - Assortment of county-wide scenes.

  Railroads - Southern Pacific, local narrow-gauge.

  Ranching – Beef cattle operations, branding, roundups.

  Schools - Salinas Valley and San Antonio Valley grammar schools, Salinas and King City high schools.

  Social Life – Picnic scenes, parades, celebrations, etc.

  Spreckels - Extensive factory and field images.

  Transportation - Horse drawn, railroad, school bus and auto.

• Other visual materials: Assortment of county-wide maps from c1885.
• Audio/Visual materials:

  Oral history audio tapes of Salinas Valley dairy farmers

  Oral history video tape of the Museum’s agricultural equipment collection

  Oral history video tape of country store proprietors

  Oral history video tape of one-room school attendees

  Oral history video tape of Lucille Getzleman, one-room school teacher

• Ephemera: Assortment of personal and business receipts, ledgers, letters, legal documents and statements c1880 to c1950. Lettuce crate and canned goods labels.

Special Note: N/A

 

Monterey County Free Libraries

Alpine Evaporated Cream Co. Gonzales, CA 1921

Description: Established in 1912, this County of Monterey historical archive is a public service of the Monterey County Free Libraries. Current emphasis is on preserving and collecting materials representing the Monterey County Free Libraries service areas, including: Aromas, Big Sur, Bradley, Buena Vista, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Pajaro, Parkfield, Pebble Beach, Prunedale, San Ardo, San Lucas, Seaside, Spreckels, Soledad and the other unincorporated areas of Monterey County.

Information: Monterey County Free Libraries Administrative Offices, 188 Seaside Circle, Marina, CA 93933

Website: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-i-z/library

Phone: 831.883.7512

Days and Hours Open:

By appointment.

Contact Person:

Jennifer Smith, Local History and Special Projects Librarian, Smithja@countyofmonterey.gov

Access: Open to the public for research by appointment. Photocopy and digital reproduction services available for a fee. All materials to be used in the library only. Donations to the collection are considered or referred to the most appropriate local archive.

Local History Page: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-i-z/library/learn-explore/local-history

Identification of resources:

Local history titles are listed in the MCFL Online Catalog: https://catalog.emcfl.org/?browseCategory=main_new_fiction

Digitized archival materials can be viewed on the MCFL Local History Digital Archive: https://emcfl.contentdm.oclc.org

A brief collection guide is available on the Online Archive of California: https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0j49r7c2/

Additional digitized materials can be viewed on Calisphere and California Revealed: https://calisphere.org/institution/91/collections/

Additional finding aids are available on-site, including topical and biographical file indexes, map lists, and newspaper lists.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: Early MCFL institutional documents, housed at the Administrative Offices, and a small collection of older reports and pamphlets that were published by County agencies or departments.
• Books and Manuscripts:
  Approximately 3,000 books related to Monterey County are held at the Prunedale Branch Library, including Polk's City Directories and county directories. These titles are listed in the MCFL Online Catalog: https://catalog.emcfl.org/?browseCategory=main_new_fiction Call (831) 796-3080 for hours and how to make an appointment.
• Newspapers:

The MCFL Archive at the Administrative Offices houses a series of biographical and obituary clippings files, and a series of clippings and ephemera files by subject.

The Gonzales Tribune from 1891 - 1997 is accessible on microfilm at the Soledad Branch Library. Call (831) 386-6890.

The King City Rustler from 1901 - current is accessible on microfilm at the King City Branch Library. Call (831) 386-6885.

The Soledad Bee from 1909 - 1997 is accessible on microfilm at the Soledad Branch Library. Call (831) 386-6890.

The Salinas Californian from 1873 - current is accessible on microfilm at the Seaside Branch Library. Call (831) 899-8222.

The Monterey County Herald from 1922 - current is available on microfilm at the Seaside Branch Library. Call (831) 899-8222.

Back issues of some local newspapers are stored at the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum in San Lorenzo Park: (831) 386-0965, and at the Soledad Branch Library: (831) 386-6890.

• Periodicals: Limited, includes Monterey Life, and some issues of Noticias del Puerto de Monterey.
• Photographic material:
  Historical photographs housed at the Administrative Offices. Digitized materials can be viewed at https://emcfl.contentdm.oclc.org
• Other visual materials: Collection of historical maps and artwork in the MCFL Archives housed at the Administrative Offices.
• Audio/Visual materials:
  Small collection of local history AV in the MCFL Archives at the Administrative Offices. Digital stories and oral histories online at https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-i-z/library/learn-explore/local-history/digital-storytelling
• Ephemera: Collection of pamphlets, posters, clippings, brochures, newsletters, and other ephemera in MCFL Archives at the Administrative Offices.

Special Note: Contact the Seaside Branch Library system reference staff for general local history assistance. (831) 899-8222.

 

Monterey County Genealogy Society, Inc.

Description: The Society’s Goals are to provide education, fellowship and support to its members and to the community of family history researchers both locally and throughout the world.

Information: Monterey County Genealogy Society Inc. P. O. Box 8144, Salinas, CA 93912-8144

Website: https://www.mocogenso.org

Access: Monthly meetings, with guest speakers and mini-workshops, are held on the First Thursday of each month except July at the Monterey Family History Center, corner of Noche Buena and Plumas, in Seaside, CA. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for socializing and research; meetings begin at 7 p.m. The library is open until 9 p.m. on meeting nights.

Identification of resources: MoCoGenSo offers a research service provided by qualified members to individuals looking for information that can be found in Monterey County, California records. Family Research project members will conduct up to a two hour search of local records, using the titles which will be most helpful in answering the specific inquiry. For this service, a donation is requested per name. Copies of birth, marriage, or death certificates may require an additional fee as set by the county. Forms are available on the web site.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  1890 Monterey County Great Register of Voters
  Soldiers and Census Records Early Monterey Alta California 1779-1850
  Monterey County Birth Records Vol. 1-4
  1889 Monterey County Directory
  MoCoGenSo Newsletters 1994-Present
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers:
  Salinas Index Newspaper Abstracts 1876-1886 (A-K)

  Salinas Index Newspaper Abstracts 1876-1886 (L-Z)

  - Periodicals: N/A

  - Photographic material: N/A

• Other visual materials: N/A

  - Audio/Visual materials: N/A

  - Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

Monterey County Historical Society, Inc.

Description: The five acre Boronda Adobe History Center is the site of the Jose Eusebio Boronda Adobe built in 1844, Historical Monument #870 refurnished by the Monterey Committee, National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in California to the period of the Boronda Family; the Lagunita One Room Schoolhouse originally built in 1897 moved to the Boronda Complex in 1986 from San Juan Grade Road facing Sugar Loaf Mountain in Salinas; the schoolhouse is completely restored to what it was in its prime;

the World War II Bataan Monument dedicated to the one hundred and five brave men of Company C 194th Tank Battalion of the Salinas and Pajaro Valleys who were captured in Luzon Philippine Islands by Japanese forces and marched in the Bataan Death March; the Filipino Farm labor Bunkhouse moved from Balestra Farms and donated to the Society by Bunn & Yuki families. Restored by the Filipino American National Historical Society (Monterey Bay Chapter) the building depicts the living conditions of Filipino farm laborers; the Robert B. Johnston Archival Vault the only such facility outside of universities on the Central California Coast (humidity and temperature controlled); an 1897 Williams Weeks House soon to be a house museum depicting lifestyles at the turn of the century; the first jailhouse of Salinas, a small wooden two cell jail; a square box 1930s home used for the Society's office.

Most importantly the Society is in the process of building a 12,400 square foot Agricultural Museum and Cultural Center along with a research library and community room, park with barbeque pit and gazebo.

Information: Monterey County Historical Society, Inc. Boronda Adobe History Center:

333 Boronda Road
Salinas, CA 93907

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 3576
Salinas, CA 93912

Website: https://mchsmuseum.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCountyHistoricalSociety

Phone: 831.757.8085

Days & Hours Open:

Boronda History Complex

Monday – Friday  9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Adobe

Monday – Friday by appointment only.

Researchers by appointment only.

Contact Person:

James Perry
Executive Director

Access: N/A

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:

  Monterey County Records:

  Robert B. Johnston Archival Vault Collections

  Assessment Rolls 1850-1947

  Lot books (real estate records when the land grants were subdivided)

  Grantor Records – deeds and grants 1889-1897

  Probate Superior Court (bonds, wills) 1850-1947

  Loose Marriage Records 1849-1861

  Solares

  Record of Insane Commitments 1897-1940

  Court of Session Criminal Records 1850-1864

  District Court Judgments 1850-1864

  Great Register 1866- 1870, 1886-1890, 1992-1915 (completeness varies)

  Poll Lists

  Superior and Civil Court Documents 1859-1970

  Criminal Dockets and Small Claims 1913-1960

  Superior Court Minutes 1880-1911

  Criminal Dockets (Sheriff) 1889-1966

  Jail Registers 1990-1966

  Superior and Civil Court Records 1859-1970

  Board of Supervisors Minutes 1913-1964

  Board of Supervisors Accounting Books 1883-1916

  Board of Supervisors Budget 1945-1950

  Clerks Office Fee Book 1888-1940

  Auditors Office Warrant Records 1895-1904

  1899-1902

  1931-1953

  Auditors Office 1850-1959

  Auditors Receipt and Expenditures 1917-1928

  Soldiers Burial Records 1897-1925

  Ex-Union Soldiers, Sailors and Marines

  Spanish and

  Mexican Archives, 1780 – 1850

  Spanish material consists primarily of military records and correspondence, with most items dated in the 1780s.

  Mexican records, which comprise the bulk of the collection, cover a wide range of topics including official and private correspondence, real estate transactions, land grant petitions, civil and criminal court records, military matters, immigration papers, and various records of the alcaldes of Monterey, New Helvetia, San Francisco, and elsewhere.

  The American occupation documents deal primarily with the routine business of magistrates, alcaldes, and other government offices.

  Of particular interest in the collection are a few of the papers of Thomas Larkin as U.S. Consul; information on the elections of 1839; a registry of cattle brands for the period 1835 - 1850; a building lot survey of Monterey completed in 1838; and various listings of residents, foreigners, and officials from the 1830s.

• Books and Manuscripts:

  Archives of Robert B. Johnston Research Papers

  History and Geography of the Salinas Valley

  Monterey County History

  Historic Sites of Monterey County and Salinas Area

  Salinas History

  Caminos Hotel

  Hunting Near Salinas

  Earthquakes and the San Andreas Fault

  Cemetery of San Carlos and Church

  Monterey Cemetery

  Presidio of Monterey-American Period

  Adobes of Monterey

  Political Trade in Monterey County 1861-1904

  Building the Pacific Railroad

  Crimes of Violence Tiburcio Vasquez

  Prewett Murder Trail 1885-1886

  Cultures of California 1879-1920

  History of the California Rodeo

  History of Spreckels

  History of Spanish and Mexican Land Grants

  Cattle Ranching Years Monterey County

  Mining in Monterey County

  Gold country (California)

  History of Towns/Places

  Castroville

  Moss Landing

  Hilltown

  Gonzales

  Soledad

  Hotel Del Monte

  King City

  Fort Romie

  Natividad

  Crime in Monterey County 1850-1865

  Schools of Monterey County

  Fire Department Salinas

  Revolution in Agriculture Grain, Hay and Dairy Farming

  History of Jesse D. Carr – (collection fills an entire filing cabinet)

  History of Julius Trescony

  History of William Hartnell

  George Gary

• Newspapers:

  Monterey Peninsula Papers

  Carmelite [Carmel] 1928-1943

  Carmel Pine Cone 1915- 1942

  Carmel Pine Cone-Cymbal 1943- 1969 (Incomplete)

  Monterey Cypress 1891-1898 (Incomplete)

  Monterey Daily Cypress 1891-1898 (Incomplete)

  Monterey Daily Cypress and Monterey American 1922 (Incomplete)

  Monterey New Era 1893-1903 (Incomplete)

  Peninsula Daily Herald [Monterey] 1922-1948 (incomplete)

  Monterey Republican

  Monterey Sentinel 1856 (Incomplete)

  Monterey Trader 1934-1939

  The California Democrat (incomplete)

  Monterey Newsdaily (1940 incomplete)

  The Monterey Trader 1941-1950

  The Montereyan 1951-1955 Continues as the Monterey County Democrat [Salinas]

  Pacific Grove Review 1898 (incomplete)

  North County Papers

  Castroville Argus 1869-1881 (Incomplete)

  The Daily Evening News [Castroville] 1894 (Incomplete)

  Castroville Enterprise 1881-1907 (Incomplete)

  Castroville Gazette 1889 (Incomplete)

  Castroville News 1931-1943

  Castroville Times 1947-1959

  Hollister Enterprise 1873 (Incomplete)

  Spreckels Courier-Enterprise

  Spreckels Courier 1913 (Incomplete)

  Spreckels Courier-Enterprise 1913 (Incomplete)

  Salinas City Papers

  Monterey Democrat [Salinas] 1879-1890 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Democrat 1892-1896 (Incomplete) The Salinas Democrat continues as the Salinas Weekly Journal

  Salinas Weekly Journal 1897-1905 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Daily Journal 1891-1927 (Incomplete) The Salinas Daily Journal continues as the Salinas Index-Journal

  Salinas Weekly Recorder 1876 (Incomplete) Continues as the Salinas City Index

  Salinas City Index 1877-1882 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Weekly Index 1886-1894 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Index, Weekly Edition 1895-1904 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Weekly Index 1905-1931 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Daily Index 1897-1928 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Index-Journal 1928-1942 (Incomplete) Continues as the Salinas Californian

  Salinas Californian 1942-1950

  The Daily Owl [Salinas] 1894-1897 Continues as the Salinas Evening Democrat

  Salinas Evening Democrat 1897-1899

  Salinas Morning Democrat 1910-1914

  Monterey County Democrat [Salinas] 1903-1914 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Independent 1933-1942

  Salinas Daily Post 1933-1936 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Morning Post 1936-1942

  East Salinas Pioneer 1941-1943

  Monterey County Democrat [Salinas] 1955-1966

  South County Papers

  Gonzales Tribune 1916-1955 (Incomplete)

  King City Herald 1915-1937 (Incomplete)

  Salinas Valley Rustler 1909, 1911 (Incomplete)

  The Rustler-Salinas Valley 1913-1937 (Incomplete)

  King City Rustler-Herald 1937-1956 (Incomplete)

  Soledad Bee 1919-1952

  Souvenir and Singleton Editions Unlike the newspaper series, these are not limited to Monterey County, California.

• Periodicals:
  California Democrat [Monterey] 1939 (Incomplete)

  Western Ranch and Home Magazine 1944-1964

• Photographic material:
  A wide range of rare photographs of Monterey County which include group scenes; individuals; agriculture; businesses; city and street scenes; rural scenes, transportation; military; sports; aerial photos; schools; buildings; slides; and postcards. Our collection has over 40,000 photographs and negatives combined from the early 1800s to the early 2000s. In 2022, The California Views Pat Hathaway Collection was added to the collection.
• Other visual materials:
  Survey maps of the entire Monterey County for individual land owners from 1955-1998 (boxed maps) collection includes rolled maps of Monterey County from 1895-2001

  Audio/Visual materials: N/A

• Ephemera:

  Spreckels- Complete collection of the Spreckels Sugar Plants in California which includes photographs, ranch maps, plant architectural drawings, irrigation maps, scrapbooks, magazines, newspapers, architectural drawings by William Weeks and homes built in the town of Spreckels. Still in the process of cataloging.

  Union Ice Company- Complete collection of California includes agriculture, ice displays, horse drawn ice trucks, plant processing, and plant photographs; correspondence; scrapbooks; plant architectural drawings; legal papers.

  City of Salinas and Monterey County business papers; receipts; advertising; Christmas, Valentine and Birthday Cards; business cards; election cards; letters; military records; genealogy records; diaries; land and deed papers; homestead papers; business journals; rare books; club and organization records and scrapbooks.

  The Society is under contract with Archaeological Consulting and Cal Trans and houses rare archaeological materials found in Monterey County.

  Artifacts -The Society’s collection of artifacts includes Native American materials such as baskets, bowls, mortars, etc., period clothing, agriculture tools and machinery, mining equipment, household goods, notary stamps from banks in Salinas; rare bottles; saddles; furniture; tools; etc.

Special Note: N/A

 

The Monterey History and Art Association

 

Description:

From its founding in 1931, the Monterey History & Art Association’s primary mission has been to help preserve the irreplaceable reminders of Monterey’s colorful heritage. Over the past nine decades, the Association has worked closely with the City of Monterey, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and other agencies. As a result, more old adobes have been preserved and restored in Monterey than anywhere else in California.

The Association instituted Monterey’s historic landmark program and created the Path of History which guides visitors to historic sites in old Monterey. It possesses extensive collections of furnishings, paintings, photographs, costumes, books, manuscripts, and other artifacts. Use the links below to explore MHAA properties and web resources:

• Casa Serrano – An 1843 Adobe
• Doud House – An 1868 wooden frame house
• Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library – An 1876 church now used as a library–website includes images and documents from the collection
• Stanton Center – Now featuring Armin Hansen, Paul Whitman, Jo Mora, and Salvador Dali
• Jo Mora Collection – Preserving and honoring the legacy of artist Jo Mora
• MHAA Indexes – Indexes and full text of Noticias del Puerto de Monterey issues and Peninsula Diary columns
• Sloat Landing – A reenactment
• Interactive Map – Explore and engage with the history of Monterey. Created by CSUMB student Hanna Sobonya. More information.

The Association has been a guiding force in Monterey’s vital historic stewardship. Guarding Monterey’s precious community assets and preserving and presenting its historical heritage for future enjoyment has been made possible by citizens who care and give generously of their time and resources.

Information:

Monterey History and Art Association
P.O. Box 1082, Monterey, CA 93942
Email: mhaa.org1931@gmail.com

Website: https://montereyhistory.org/ 

 

Days and Hours Open:

For information regarding days and hours please utilize the links above.

Access:

N/A

Identification of resources:

N/A

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: N/A
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material: N/A
• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: November 2022: The Jo Mora Collection was recently added to MHAA.

 

Monterey Museum of Art

Description:  

Our Mission: The Monterey Museum of Art cultivates curiosity in the visual arts and engages community with the diversity of California art – past, present, and future. Our Vision: The Monterey Museum of Art is a collaborative center where art and community engage.

Information:

Monterey Museum of Art - Pacific Street: 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940

Monterey Museum of Art - La Mirada: 720 Via Mirada, Monterey, CA 93940

Phone: 831.372.5477

Website: https://montereyart.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montereyart.org

Email: info@montereyart.org

Days and Hours Open:

MMA Pacific Street location is open Thursday - Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving Day.

MMA La Mirada location is open only for special museum events and programs. We accept appointments for educational and research purposes.

Admission:
Adults: $15.00
Students and Active Military w/ID: Free
18 years and under: Free
Members: Free
NARM and AAM Members: Free

Visitor can purchase tickets at the door, or book ahead by going to MMA's website.

Bicyclists: Receive 50% off Museum admission on Thursday when you show us your helmet. Excludes special programs and events.

Museums for All: Individuals and families presenting a CalFresh/SNAP Electronic Benefits (EBT) card, and a valid form of photo ID receive free admission for up to a group of four.

Access:

Museum archives are accessible to professional researchers, thesis and dissertation students and local historians by appointment only. Reproduction and publication of archival material and collection photographs must be approved in writing by the Museum in advance. A fee schedule for rights and reproductions is available upon request.

Identification of resources: Museum archives are arranged alphabetically by artist name. A finding aid and list of artists represented in the Betty Hoag Mc Glynn Archive are maintained.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  The Museum Archive includes annual scrapbooks documenting its exhibitions and activities; The California Artist Archive includes personal papers, scrapbooks, photographs of artwork, exhibition catalogs, books and manuscripts authored by artists, and photographs by Morley Baer documenting adobes in the Monterey Peninsula area; The Betty Hoag Mc Glynn California Archive was assembled by its namesake over a period of 60 years and includes monographs, exhibition catalogs, hand-written notes and artist files. Artist files include artist biographical information, newspaper clippings, exhibition records, awards and honors, Panama-Pacific International awards and ephemera, prints and drawings, WPA art and bookseller's catalogs.
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material:
  The Museum maintains photographic documentation of its permanent art collection. Reproduction and publication of collection photographs must be approved in writing by the Museum in advance. A fee schedule for rights and reproductions is available upon request; The Morley Baer collection of archival prints of Monterey Peninsula adobes may be viewed by appointment only. These photographs may not be reproduced or published.
• Other visual materials:
  The holdings of the Monterey Museum of Art encompasses the art and photography of California from approximately 1875 to the present. The art collection includes paintings, photography, prints, drawings, works on paper, sculpture, and decorative arts.
• Audio/Visual materials: Reel-to-reel and cassette tape recordings of interviews with California artists conducted by Betty Hoag McGlynn and Donald A. Anderson [Note: these materials are currently offsite being digitized through a project supported by California Revealed and administered in California by the State Librarian. The program is made possible by funding from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.]
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note:

 

Monterey Peninsula College Library

Description: Monterey Peninsula College Library - The Archives and Special Collections Department. The Archives and Special Collections Department of Monterey Peninsula College Library (the Archives) supports the mission of the College and the Library by collecting, preserving, administering, and providing access to its holdings. The Archives strives to enhance instruction through presentation and use of archival materials in classroom or other institutional settings. The Archives strives to inform and educate the larger community through exhibits and presentations that expand public awareness of the value of preserving our cultural memory. Archival holdings include non-current institutional records of historic value, college publications, photographs and other items important to documenting the social and cultural heritage of the college. Special Collections houses a variety of material, including art and books, selected to help preserve the cultural heritage of the Monterey Peninsula.

Information: Monterey Peninsula College Library - The Archives and Special Collections Department. Library & Technology Center 980 Fremont Street Monterey, CA 93940

Website: https://www.mpc.edu/academics/library-learning-centers/library/archives-and-special-collections-department

Contact:

library@mpc.edu

Phone: 831.646.4262

Access: Access is by appointment only. Please see website for all policies.

Identification of resources: Some finding aids are available on the Online Archive of California.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Institutional, including administrative and departmental records;
• Books and Manuscripts:
  The yearbook, El Paisano, 1949-1959; books by College faculty; books by and about guest lecturers;
• Newspapers:
  College student newspaper, El Yanqui, 1948-1978 is available online on the Internet Archive; Clippings from various newspapers, including biographical information on College faculty and staff.
• Periodicals:
  Miscellaneous student publications;
• Photographic material:
  Photographs; slides; film/video; Particular focus are events from the athletics department and guest lecturers; campus life; early campus construction
• Other visual materials:
  Photographs; paintings; fiber art; sculpture; posters; predominately by artists of the Monterey Peninsula.
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note:

Special collections include the Frances Adler Elkins Collection, the Shirrel Rhoades Photography Collection, the Nelle Currie Fry Collection, Hollywood Studio Photographs dating from the 1930's to the 1950's; original art by painters Abel Warshawsky and William Rabinovich and photography by Ansel Adams. Brett and Edward Weston and Wynn Bullock photography collection on long term loan to the Monterey Museum of Art.

 

Monterey Public Library California History Room & Archives

Photograph by Vern Fisher, Monterey Peninsula Herald

Description: The Monterey Public Library, a department of the City of Monterey, collects and preserves written, visual and audio materials documenting the history of the Monterey area. The Library’s California History Room and Archives is a resource center focusing on the communities of the Monterey coast from Big Sur and Carmel Valley to Moss Landing, and early California history. Since Monterey was the capital of Alta California, the collections emphasize California history to statehood. The collections also cover art, biography, family and community history, government and politics, and natural history.

Research room materials include books, magazines, pamphlets, journals and newsletters, videocassettes, newspapers and news clippings files, and other material documenting and illustrating various aspects of life in the Monterey area.

Archival research collections include photographs, drawings and maps, documents, and other archival materials. These materials are especially valuable for research by students, teachers, historians, genealogists, writers, local residents and other researchers.

Information: Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific Street Monterey, CA 93940

Website: https://www.monterey.org/library/services/research/history_room/index.php

Phone: 831.646.3741 or 831.646.3933

Email: libchr@monterey.org

Days and Hours Open:

Research Room:

Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Archival Research (Photo, etc.) by appointment

Contact Person:

Access: The California History Room is available for use by registering at the Library’s Reference Desk. It is accessible during all hours that the Library is open. Appropriate identification (photo I.D. or a Monterey or Pacific Grove Library Card) and completion of the registration form is required. User must agree to comply with access and use rules. Archival materials (photos, etc.) require an appointment with the Archivist.

Copying equipment is available. U.S. copyright law governs reproduction and use of copyrighted materials. Materials on the open shelves or in the clipping files may be photocopies. Note: archival materials and locked case books must be copied by staff. Reproduction of archival materials (including photos) requires the completion of a permission form. The Archivist will arrange for all reproduction or copying of archival materials at designated fees.

History Volunteers are available on specified days to assist researchers.

Identification of resources:

1. The Library catalog lists all books, pamphlets, microfilm and microfiche, and audiovisual materials. The catalog https://www.montereylibrary.org/cgi-bin/koha/opac-main.pl may be used in the Library or on the Library’s website: https://www.monterey.org/library/index.php . The catalog is shared with the Pacific Grove Public Library. It also is the book catalog for other local history collections, including Colton Hall Museum and the Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library (see separate listing for these local history collections in this volume). To locate local history materials, go to “Search the Catalog”; limit your search by choosing “Local History.”
2. Archival Collections. In 2005 the library began adding the Archival Collections of the California History Room to the PALS catalog. Maps have been listed individually. The clipping file is listed at the subject folder level. Other archival materials are listed at the collection level. Inventories of various collections are currently being added as the project progresses. Selected digital images of photographs, maps and documents from collections have also been added to the catalog.
3. Newspapers and Magazines are listed at https://www.monterey.org/library/services/research/history_room/historical_newspapers.php. Ask the Reference Librarians or the Archivist.
4. Card Catalogs for the Clipping File, Game and Gossip (magazine) and Monterey Life (magazine) are also available.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Registers include the Monterey County Jail Register, 1850-1872, among several others. Documentary records included the pioneer Pyburn Papers, 1850-1899, James McKinley Store Ledger, 1850-52, Edward F. Ricketts Papers, Wing Chong Co. Records, WPA Historical Survey of the Monterey Peninsula, 1936-1938, and many more.
• Books and Manuscripts:
  Books and pamphlets include primary and secondary sources on the history, culture and environment of early California and the Monterey area, including early accounts of Native Indian Peoples, Spanish and Mexican California, early American California; works by Bancroft, Hittell, and other major historians, county and area histories; directories; censuses; building surveys; guidebooks; yearbooks; biographies; local authors collection, city and county planning and environmental reports.
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals:
  Journals, magazines and newspapers pertaining to California and Monterey regional history and culture, including California History, Noticias del Puerto de Monterey (Monterey History and Art Association Journal), local historical organization newsletters and bound newspapers (for example, Monterey Trader). Most Monterey newspapers are available on microfilm, located on the main floor. Check with the Library Help Desk or call 831.646.3933.
• Photographic material:
  The Archives includes unpublished historical research collections: photographs
• Other visual materials:
  Maps include city and county maps, plans, geological and topographical maps, as well as posters and pictorial maps.
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera:
  Microfilm sources are located on the main floor. Includes: Monterey newspapers (1846 to current); federal and state censuses of Monterey County (1850-1930); county directories (1870s-1880s), the Mexican Archives of Monterey County (1780s – 1849) and the Index to the Mexican Archives of Monterey County; Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado’s History of California, Sanborn Maps of Monterey, and other materials. Microfilm is available by request at the Reference Desk on the main floor.

Special Note: N/A

 

Nacitone Regional Interpretive Center

Lockwood Store, 1940s.
Courtesy of the Nacitone Regional Interpretive Center

Description: A collection of artifacts and equipment that will demonstrate the daily farming, family habits, and survival of the multi-cultures of the 1800s and 1900s who lived in the canyons, plains, and caves of the San Antonio Valley Region.

Information: Nacitone Regional Interpretive Center, Physical Address: 68901 Jolon Road, Bradley, CA 93426

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 278, Lockwood, CA 93426

Website: https://nacitonefoundation.org

Phone: 813.206.6255

Days and Hours Open:

First Saturday of the Month, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Access: N/A

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources: N/A

• Archival Documents and records:
• Books and Manuscripts:
• Newspapers:
• Periodicals:
• Photographic material:
• Other visual materials:
• Audio/Visual materials:
• Ephemera:

Special Note: N/A

 

National Steinbeck Center

 

Description: The National Steinbeck Center (NSC) in Salinas, California, has a permanent exhibit hall relating to John Steinbeck, his times, life, works and family. Exhibits depict a specific work with descriptive panels, photographs and artifacts. The collection consists of Steinbeck material and local history pertaining to Steinbeck’s works. Agricultural items and material are about the Center. Steinbeck material covers worldwide events.

Information: National Steinbeck Center, One Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901

Website: https://www.steinbeck.org

Days and Hours Open:

Wednesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Closed on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Contact Person: Guest Services

Phone: 831.775.4721

Access: The Archivist is available Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For in-person research, appointments are required. Fee for photograph reproduction is $15.00. Sign-in sheet with particulars; usual copyright laws apply. All recordings must be used on-site. Material will be pulled. This department does NOT write term papers.

Identification of resources: Holdings are not currently online. There is an on-going project to put a complete catalog of the John Steinbeck Archive Collection online. Please contact the Archivist for specific questions about our holdings.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Manuscripts; oral interviews; 35mm film reels
• Books and Manuscripts:
  First and variant editions; signed; manuscripts of The Pearl, The Wizard of Maine; War Journal; Of Mice and Men musical, original letters.
• Newspapers:
  Articles are items pertaining to Steinbeck.
• Periodicals:
  Academic journals; non-academic journals, magazines
• Photographic material:
  Original family photographs; photos by journalists
• Other visual materials:
  Original art, sketches, movie posters; festival posters
• Audio/Visual materials:
  Videocassettes; oral history on tapes, transferred to CDs; 35mm film reels; photograph records.
• Ephemera:
  Fourteen boxes of items about the NSC, John Steinbeck, the Steinbeck family, local history, and events.

Special Note:

 

Naval Postgraduate School

Description: The Naval Postgraduate School provides graduate and executive programs for officers of all U.S. uniformed services, officers of about 50 allied nations and U.S. homeland security professionals. The university campus is the former site of historic Hotel Del Monte, predecessor of today’s Pebble Beach. Archival collections focus on NPS; two Navy commands that utilized Hotel Del Monte during World War II prior to the Navy’s purchase of the resort – Del Monte Pre-Flight School and Naval Technical School, Del Monte; Hotel Del Monte; a few specialized holdings such as the Yangtze River Patrol Collection; and rare books on naval and military history.

Information: Special Collections & Archives Dudley Knox Library Naval Postgraduate School 411 Dyer Rd. Monterey, CA 93943. Appointments are necessary, especially for general public access. 

Phone: 831.656.2947.

Days and Hours Open: Special Collections and Archives is not currently open with regular hours of operation. Appointments are necessary, especially for general public access.

Website: https://library.nps.edu/special-collections

Contact Person: Digital Services Librarian Irene Berry

Email: ask@nps.libanswers.com

Digital archive: Calhoun, the NPS Institutional Archive: https://calhoun.nps.edu/

Access: Some historical documents are available online through the library’s institutional archive, NPS Archive: Calhoun (https://calhoun.nps.edu/) however appointments for personal research visits are necessary to access rare books and archival records. In general, archival materials may be used in publications and productions without restrictions. The library does request appropriate credit for this use; please contact the library for appropriate wording.

Identification of resources: Over 50,000 NPS reports, technical reports, theses and dissertations, and unique historical documents have been digitized and are accessible through NPS Archive: Calhoun (https://calhoun.nps.edu/). The library also offers an online guide to Hotel Del Monte history at https://library.nps.edu/hotel-del-monte .

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Print documents in Special Collections & Archives include limited biographical files of NPS faculty, leadership and alumni; research dossiers; accreditation studies and reports; reports of board convened by the Secretary of the Navy; NPS publications; and NPS and Hotel Del Monte ephemera. Finding Aids for print collections are available in NPS Archive: Calhoun; see https://library.nps.edu/print-collections.
• Books and Manuscripts:
  Special Collections & Archives has several hundred rare books on naval and military history. These include records of 16th and 17th Century exploration and discovery. Manuscript collections include works by naval scholars such as Captain Wayne P. Hughes, Jr. and noted computer scientist Richard W. Hamming, as well as personal scrapbooks, memos, correspondence, scrapbooks and diaries of notable military leaders, defense analysts, scholars, and diplomats who have been part of the NPS community.
• Newspapers:
  The Navyator (Del Monte Pre-Flight School); The Technavian (Naval Technical School, Del Monte); The Quarterdeck (Naval Postgraduate School); and, Campus News (Naval Postgraduate School) and other NPS-published print publications have been digitized and are available by title via NPS Archive: Calhoun. Due to fragility, use of print newspapers is discouraged.
• Periodicals:
  In Review, Update NPS, NPS Journal, and Alumni@NPS and other NPS-published print periodicals have been digitized and available by title via NPS Archive: Calhoun.
• Photographic material:
  The NPS archives holds a small set of historic photographs that include 19th Century Hotel Del Monte cabinet cards; hotel souvenir books and postcards; and an aerial survey circa 1923. NPS photographs include a collection of class photos from the 1920’s through early 1940’s and a limited set of public affairs photos. Some historical photographs have been digitized and are available in NPS Archive: Calhoun.
• Other visual materials: Special Collections & Archives has maps and architectural drawings of the Hotel Del Monte and the NPS site.
• Audio/Visual materials:
  Film/video related to Hotel Del Monte and NPS is available online via the NPS Archive: Calhoun.
• Ephemera/Realia:
  NPS holdings include early scientific and engineering instruments and computing devices. Del Monte Pre-Flight School holdings include class notes and the flight gear of aviation cadet Ed Deutschman. Hotel Del Monte holdings include items ranging from china, silver service and wine bottles to sheet music for the Del Monte Waltz.

Special Note: The Frederick S. Stanley Collection includes correspondence and mementos of his father, Carlos Stanley, who was Hotel Del Monte’s manager from 1915-1942. The manuscript collection of Richard W. Hamming includes scientific papers from 1947-1997 while the manuscript collection of Wayne P. Hughes includes class notes as an NPS student in the early 1950’s to published and unpublished works through 2012. Holdings in the Yangtze River Patrol Collection include the only known set of Yangtze River Patroller Newsletter (1976-1995). The USS Macon Collection includes historic photographs of the airship and its Sparrowhawk aircraft in flight as well as materials about the discovery of the Macon’s undersea debris field.

 

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Description: The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History's mission is to inspire discovery, wonder, and stewardship of our natural world. Although the primary focus of the Museum's collection is dedicated to California's central coast, the collection consists of ethnographic and natural history objects from around the world. Some highlights are Native American artifacts including a large basketry and pottery collection, A herbarium with plant specimens from Monterey and the surrounding counties, A collection of Bird specimens native to or seen in Monterey county, the C.K. Tuttle photography collection, and much of the original Chautauqua library. Most objects are from the late 19th century through the present, but there are also older objects including prehistoric items such as fossils, gems and minerals. The collection is an eclectic mix of materials brought to the Museum over the years by a science oriented, globetrotting local population.

Information: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History 165 Forest Ave. Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Phone: 831.648.5716

Website: https://www.pgmuseum.org/

Days and Hours Open:

Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Access: Access to the collection area is restricted, however researchers and students may be able to access certain objects and conduct research in the Museum's library by appointment and under the supervision of the Museum's Curator. Staff contact information is available online at  https://www.pgmuseum.org/staff_3  Much of the Museum's photography collection can be viewed online: https://pgmuseum.pastperfectonline.com/  Digital copies and prints are also available.

Identification of resources: Currently the Museum's collection is cataloged in a PastPerfect database, as well as in a card catalog. Access to the collection catalog is restricted, however the Curator is happy to facilitate specific requests.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Museum scrapbooks containing newspaper articles and documents relevant to the history of Pacific Grove
• Books and Manuscripts:
  Reference library includes many books on several natural history topics; Many books from the original Chautauqua library
• Newspapers:
  A very small collection of newspapers
• Periodicals:
  A small collection of publications from museums; The Auk, A quarterly journal of Ornithology, 1899-1914 with some volumes missing;
• Photographic material:
  The C.K. Tuttle Photography collection; collection of photographs of early Pacific grove taken by various photographers; collection of photography focused on local flora and fauna
• Other visual materials:
  Several painting by local artist Albert deRome; Several paintings and works on paper by various artists
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera:
  Overview of Collections Anthropological collections including art, basketry, pottery, tools, weaponry etc.; African; Americana; Asian; Australian; Central American; Eskimo; European; Mexican; Native American; Pacific Islander; South American; Natural History Collections; Amphibia (Amphibians); Arachnida (Spiders); Asteroidea (Starfish); Aves (Birds); Botany; Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fishes); Coelenterata (Corals, Anemones, Jellyfish); Crustacea (Crustaceans); Diplopoda (Millipedes); Gastropoda (Gastropods); Insecta (Insects); Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Moths); Mammalia (Mammals); Mollusca(Molluscs); Osteichthyes (Bony Fish); Pelecypoda (Bivalves); Reptilia (Reptiles; The Museum also has an Education collection used for hands-on activities and outreach.

Special Note: 452 Life mounted birds on display in the main gallery consist of birds native to Central California or have been seen in Central California. Herbarium consisting of 7,762 specimens from Monterey and surrounding counties.

 

Pacific Grove Public Library

Description: Pacific Grove Public Library is a resource for historical information on the city of Pacific Grove and to a lesser extent, its surrounding regions.

Information: Pacific Grove Public Library 550 Central Avenue Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Phone: 831.648.5762

Website: https://www.pacificgrovelibrary.org/

Email: dgodwin@cityofpacificgrove.org  

Days and Hours Open:

Monday 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Contact Person:

Diana Godwin

Access: All material is available during regular library hours. One photocopy machine is available. Circulating books may be checked out with a card from Pacific Grove or Monterey Public Library. Library cards are free of charge to residents of California. Proof of residency is required.

Identification of resources: Books are arranged by the Dewey Decimal System and can be located by using the library catalog, either from the library computers or on the Web. Clippings and pamphlets are indexed by subject in the local history card catalog. Photos are listed on a master list, but not catalogued by subject.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: N/A
• Books and Manuscripts:
  County and area histories, guidebooks, biographies, yearbooks, and a local author’s collection. Limited holdings of city directories dating from 1907-1987.
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals:
  Collection includes Pacific Grove newspapers dating back to 1888, Board and Batten, the newsletter of the Pacific Grove Heritage Society, and the Monterey County Herald from 1961. Contents of these periodicals are indexed by a card catalog. The Pacific Grove newspapers and the Monterey County Herald are available on microfilm. The Monterey County Herald is available on microfilm from 1961 - 1989.
• Photographic material: N/A
• Other visual materials:
  The collection includes newspaper and magazine clippings stored in file drawers. Also included in the collection are photographs, artwork, maps and pamphlets.
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

Pajaro Valley Historical Association

Description: The Pajaro Valley Historical Association is located in the city of Watsonville. It was established in 1940. The primary objectives and purposes of this association are to: Promote interest in the history of the Pajaro Valley (which includes parts of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties); Gather items pertaining to the history of the Pajaro Valley; Preserve these items; Create exhibits of historical items; Interpret these exhibits for the general public and visitors; Maintain our historic facilities and grounds.

Information: Location 332 East Beach St. Watsonville, CA Hours Tuesday-Thursday 11AM to 3PM Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623 Watsonville, CA 95077

Phone: 831.722.0305 Fax: 831.722.5501

Email: info@pajarovalleyhistory.org

Website: https://www.pajarovalleyhistory.org

Access: Research appointments are preferred. Copying equipment is available. U.S. copyright law governs reproduction and use of copyrighted materials. Forms and fees will be required for reproductions. Student and member fees are discounted.

Identification of resources: There are inventories/indexes of all the various collections. Some of these indexes are available online at our website.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  There are thousands of historical documents and ephemera cataloged under the following indexed subject collections: family histories, businesses, organizations, agriculture, government entities, (such as schools, police and fire departments), buildings and homes. There are also indexed collections of historical maps, and property deeds.
• Books and Manuscripts:
  The Archive Library includes local history books, family histories; Watsonville High School yearbooks (1905-2000’s); Watsonville City Directories (1873-2020); Local newspaper columnist clippings: including those of Ralph Salazar, Betty Lewis, Howard Sheerin, and Steve Bankhead. There are some books for sale.
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material:
  There are thousands of historical photographs, cataloged under the following indexed subject collections: family histories, businesses, organizations, agriculture, government entities, (such as schools, police and fire departments), buildings and homes. Collections of glass negatives, daguerreotypes and tintypes as well as stereopticon photos. The Register-Pajaronian 35 mm film from 1960-2000.
• Other visual materials:
  Collections of historical maps, posters, albums, scrapbooks, calendars, postcards, agricultural labels, and deeds in the Borina-Snyder-Borg Archive. Collections of historical artifacts depicting a turn of the century home, school, general store and business, in the Carriage House Volk Museum. Collections of historical clothing and accessories, home furnishings, and art in the Historic Bockius-Orr Home.
• Audio/Visual materials:
  Oral history collections, Index of Oral History Transcriptions, Index of Video Histories, Index of Regional History Project oral history titles, Index of Oral History recordings
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: Special collections: local historical figures, Stagecoach driver Charley Parkhurst, Architect William H. Weeks, Judge and city founder John Watson, Local historian Betty Lewis, Watsonville Buddhist Temple albums

 

Presidio of Monterey Museum

Calvary in the Surf, 1935 by Julian P. Graham

Description: Exhibits interpret the activities of the Presidio in terms of its relationship to and within the City of Monterey. Periods interpreted include:

- Native American

- Hispanic and

- American

Of particular interest is the modern American Period post 1902.

A variety of artifacts and other visual material is used to interpret the various periods. Included are a Spanish era cannon muzzle discovered on site, period American military uniforms; edged weapons; a 19th century rifle; a World War I era horn; music; a 1917 A1 machine gun; a mounted horse exhibit with interactive component; a DVD video of the Presidio 1938 to 1939; numerous photographs, some memorabilia, oral histories and period miniatures.

Information: Presidio of Monterey Museum Building, 113 Corporal Ewing Boulevard, Monterey, CA 93940

Website: https://monterey.org/city_facilities/museums/discover_museums/presidio_of_monterey_museum.php

Phone: 831.646.3456

Mailing Address:

Museum & Cultural Arts Division- City of Monterey, Monterey, CA 93940

Days and Hours Open:

Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Contact Person:

Email: museumpt@monterey.org

Access: The resource collection is available to qualified researchers. Space is limited and appointments are required.

Identification of resources: The exhibits can be explored in an historic contest chronologically. Other resource materials are available upon request from the volunteer guides.

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records: N/A
• Books and Manuscripts: N/A
• Newspapers: N/A
• Periodicals: N/A
• Photographic material: N/A
• Other visual materials: N/A
• Audio/Visual materials: N/A
• Ephemera: N/A

Special Note: N/A

 

San Antonio Valley Historical Association

The Dutton Hotel Courtesy of the San Antonio Valley Historical Association

Description: The collection is stored in the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum's archive room in the Irrigation Building at San Lorenzo Park, King City and at the King City Library. The collection contains approximately thirty oral history compact discs concerning the history of the area, along with several publications and papers on local history, and a collection of photographs.

Information: San Antonio Valley Historical Association P. O. Box 145 Lockwood, CA 93932

Website: https://www.savha.org

Email: savha4@gmail.com

Access: Contact SAVHA via email.

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources:

• Archival Documents and records:
  Avila Family

  Aloha-Ferguson Adobe

  Bolton Adobe and Escalastica Bolton

  Jess and Warren Cornwell

  Gil Adobe

  Leon Gil Adobe (Las Potrancas)

  Garcia Ranch

  Charlotte Hickeys Ancestry

  El Piojo

  John Hames, Life of

  Glau Adobe

  Donald Howard, Life of

  LeRoy Gimbal, Life of

  Dorothea Heinsen, Life of

  George Heinsen, Life of

  Charles King, Life of

  Belva Lockwood, Life of – with tape

  Lockwood – Misc. Ref., Collection of Residents through the Century

  Jan Martinus, Life of

  Molly Morgan, Hist. Ref.

  Patterson Adobe

  Porter Sesnon, Life of

  Ramona Duck Sutfin, Life of

  Schnoeberg Adobe

  Thomas Theodore Tidball, Life of

  Gwendolyn Rogers Reid, Letter 1938

  Hames Valley, Families of

  Bessie Wood, My Life

  Laguna Family

  San Miguelito Adobe

  Velma Dayton, Autobiography

  Los Ojitos Adobe

  San Bernabe Ranch

  Schools of San Antonio Valley District

  Fort Hunter Liggett – Historical Reference

  Butterfield Overland Mail Route and Coastal Route

  General Information on Adobes in the San Antonio Valley

  Regarding the Original El Camino Real

  Trails and Mail Route to Coast

  Post Offices, Post Masters, Location of

  Cemeteries with Accompanying Map

  Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Survey of Fort Hunter Liggett

  Archaeological Survey Draft of Area around Dutton Hotel

  1911 Survey of Town Site of Jolon

  Proposed Master Plan for Dutton Hotel

  Memorabilia Donated by P.O. Calvert

  Box of Tidball Store Memorabilia

  WWII Hunter Liggett Military Reservation Yearbook

  70^th Anniversary of the King City Rustler

  Oral History Video Tapes of SAVHA's Annual Spring Tours

  Salinan Indians and Indians of San Antonio Mission

  The Building of San Antonio Dam

• Books and Manuscripts:
  Articles of Incorporation, minutes, correspondence from 1968 to present.

  Historical Reference Books by local authors, family histories, country schools, post offices and Salinan Indians as follows:

  Adobe Museums, Conservation in History, Pub. 1986

  American West, Mag., Feb 1967

  California Historian, Mag., Pub., Dec 1970 – Spring 1999

  Juan Bautista de Anza – Map Supplement, Pub. Sept 1994,

  Local Government Records, Pub. 1990

  Lost Adobes of Monterey County, Pub. 1950

  Monterey County Resources History, Pub., 1889, (donated by Rachel Gillett, via Bess Pinkerton & Roger Lynch)

  Monterey County Historical Center – Archives Handbook, Pub. 1988

  Monterey County Cultural Council, Pub. 1983 – 1987

  Rural Historic Landscapes, National Register Bulletin 30: Pub. 1990

  National Geographic Mag., Pub. Jan 1975, June 1979, Jan 1982

  Out and About in Monterey County, Pub. 1987

  Salt of the Earth and Pepper Edition – James Pettitt, Pub. 1980

  Porter Sesnon, Life of, Pub. 1950

  Padres and People

  Path to the Past – Interpretive Idea for Jolon Historic District

  A Cultural Resources Overview of the Coast and Coast Valley Study Areas

  King City, The First Hundred Years, Pub. 1988

  Oxcart, Chuckwagon, and Jeep

  San Antonio Valley (Arcadia Publishing)

• Newspapers:
• Periodicals:
• Photographic material:
  Tidball Field School and Restoration

  Schools of San Antonio District

  Adobes

  Residents of the San Antonio Region

  Farm Equipment

  St. Luke’s Church, Jolon

  Fiesta at San Antonio Mission 1910 and 1918

  Pictures are restricted to library area. Arrangements for copies at customer's expense may be made.

• Other visual materials:
• Audio/Visual materials:
• Ephemera:
  Stone Canyon - Indian Valley

  Sunset Rock - Memorial Park

  Bradley - Bridges of Bradley

  Soledad - Los Coches Adobe

  Lone Oak - Saloon Ledger – 1888

  Parkfield - Cholame Valley

  San Antonio Lake – Bradley, So. Shore Museum 1980-86

  King City - Library Misc. Ref.

  San Ardo - Misc. Ref.

  San Lucas - Misc. Ref.

  Camp Roberts - Misc. Ref.

  Nacimiento River - Misc. Ref.

  Bee Rock - Misc. Ref.

  Los Burros Mining District

  Priest Valley - Misc. Ref.

  Lockwood - Misc. Ref.

  San Antonio Valley - Misc. Ref.

  San Antonio Mission –Misc. Ref.

  Jolon - Misc. Ref.

  Pinkerton Ranch - Misc. Ref.

  Pleyto - Misc. Ref.

  Fort Hunter Liggett - Misc. Ref.

Special Note:  N/A

 

Soledad Historical Society

Soledad’s Catholic Church built in 1857 and replaced in 1942.

Description: The Soledad Historical Society is a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed in 2010. The Society opened its museum at 137 Soledad Street in 2013 and has rotated displays through the museum ranging from local vintage wedding dresses to pictures tracing the histories of local schools. Many of our displays are designed to meet California Content Standards so that they can be used by local schools to augment their instruction. Those displays have included:

• Pictures and artifacts of local indigenous people for the 4th grade curriculum.
• Picture and artifacts of the early schools for 1st grade students to compare and contrast.
• Pictures, uniforms, and artifacts telling the stories of how our local people participated in World War I and II. In each of these displays were then augmented to address all of the Content Standards for those two periods, including the Tuskegee Airmen, the role of women, the Japanese internment camps, the 442nd Combat Unit, the information on each of the major battles discussed in the Content Standards.
• Pictures, uniforms, and artifacts telling the stories of how our local people participated in the Korean War and Vietnam. The display was augmented to address the Content Standards, including the Red Scare, Joseph McCarthy, the assassinations, the Civil Rights movement, and the Anti-War movement.

The Society has recently renewed its lease with the City and plans on continuing to restore the International Harvester Showroom, which serves as our museum, and to expand it to better serve our community and to further our mission "to preserve and convey to future generations the heritage and history of the Soledad area."

Information: Soledad Historical Society, P.O. Box 593 Soledad, CA 93960

Website: http://www.soledadhistory.org/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Soledad-Historical-Society/100057208400187/

Phone: 831.678.3504 (home phone of Graig Stephens)

Contact Person:

Graig Stephens graigstephens@yahoo.com

Robert Gwinn treasurer@soledadhistory.org

Access: N/A

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources:

• Schools
  • Gonzales School District
  • Gonzales High School
    • Yearbooks: 1920, 1932, 1935-1960, 1962-1978, 1980-1983, 1985, 1994-1996, and 1998
    • Pictures: Class and team pictures 1919-1960s in two binders
    • Ephemera: graduation announcements and program, football game program from 1960s, Comet and Spartan student newspapers, football game jersey from late 1940s, and awards and trophies
    • "The History of Spartan Football" by Arthur Brusa
    • Two binders of school and team pictures including graduation and performance programs
  • Gonzales Elementary Schools
    • Pictures of first and second school
    • Class pictures for Fairview:1962-1976
    • Class pictures for La Gloria: 1976-1973
    • Class and faculty pictures in two binders including ephemera like graduation programs and performance programs many from 1940’s
    • Panorama picture of Fairview School with students 1933
  • Soledad School District
  • Soledad High School
    • Yearbooks: 2000-2009, 2012, 2014-2017
    • Binder with pictures of the building of the school
  • Soledad Grammar Schools
    • School Board meeting minutes: 1896-1904, 1921-1934, 1935-1949, 1950-1956, 1957-1963, 1964-1969, 1970-1973
    • Soledad School District financial books: 1915-1920, 1920-1927
    • Soledad Parent Teachers Association meeting minutes: 1921-1923, 1929-1932, 1932-1936, 1940-1945, 1951-1958, 1959-1962, 1971-1974
    • Soledad PTA’s Dental Clinic financial records:1954-1966’s Treasure’s records: 1966-1975
    • San Vicente Class Pictures: 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1993-1994, 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010
    • Gabilan Class Pictures: 1985-1986, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1990-1991, 1993-1994, 1994-1995, 1996-1997
    • Seven binders of staff and school pictures, including ephemera like graduation programs and performance program
    • Soledad Elementary School diploma awarded 1916
    • Yearbooks: Main Street Middle School Yearbook: 2001; Gabilan Elementary School Yearbook: 2003, 2007, 2008
  • Chualar Elementary School
    • Panorama picture of Chualar Elementary School with students 1934
  • Camphora School
    • Copy of a picture
    • Written account of that school by Mr. Dave Teves who attended there in 1917
  • Soberanes School
    • Three copies of pictures of the school
    • Original Souvenir (Yearbook) dated 1904
  • Warm Springs School (Also known as Paraiso Springs School)
    • Ten copies of different pictures of the school and/or students
  • Fairview School (not the one in Gonzales)
    • Six copies of different pictures of the school and/or students
    • Original Souvenir (Yearbook) dated 1898
  • Romie School
    • Six copies of pictures of the school and/or students
    • Newspaper article explaining how this school was moved to what is how Greenfield to be its first school
  • Buena Vista School
    • Two copies of pictures of the school and/or students
  • Mission School
    • Original Souvenir (Yearbook) dated 1907
  • King City High School
    • Yearbooks: 1929, 1930, 1940, 1941, 1942
    • Senior Record Class of 1943
    • Senior picture album class of 193_
  • Salinas High School
    • Yearbooks, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939
  • Hartnell College
    • Yearbooks: 1948, 1949, 1963
• Native Californian Collection
  • Baskets
    • Baby carrier basket
    • Cooking basket
    • Two sifter baskets
    • Two food preparation baskets
    • Food storage basket
    • Grass beater/acorn scoop basket
  • Stone Tools
    • Six arrow heads found near 146 to Pinnacles so probably from Chalon people
    • Five Mortars. One found on East side of valley so Chalon, and the others from the West side so probably Esselen
    • Six pestles
  • Trifolds for Native Californian Collection
    • One explaining acorn preparation
    • One explaining the roles of men/boys
    • One explaining the roles of women/girls
    • One explaining the foods they ate
    • Map of local tribes
• World War I
  • Uniforms
    • Two World War I Army uniforms worn by two local veterans
    • One heavy wool coat with slit to fit over horse’s rump
    • One Navy blouse worn by local veteran
• World War II
  • Uniforms
    • Two World War II era Navy uniforms worn by local veterans
    • One World War II era Marine uniform worn by local veteran
    • One World War II era Army uniform worn by local veteran
    • One World War II era Army Air Corp pilot’s jacket
  • Artifacts/Ephemera
    • Six framed World War II Posters
    • One hand made blue star flag with picture of mother who made it and of her son
    • Newspaper front pages announcing the bombing of Pearl Harbor
    • Ration books
  • Trifolds
    • Batan Death March
    • Role of women during the war
    • Contrasting Tuskegee Airmen and 442nd Combat Division war record with how African Americans and Japanese Americans were treated at home
  • Soledad's World War II Prisoner of War Camp
    • Search light
    • Clock
    • Binder of copies of pictures of both prisoners and guards
    • Two first hand accounts from a German man who was a prisoner there
• Korean War
  • Uniforms
    • One Korean War Air Force Uniform worn by local veteran
  • Photographs
    • Box of pictures of local veterans
• Vietnam War
  • Photographs
    • Three boxes of pictures of local veterans

Other Resources:

• Foresters of America
  • Framed charter with original members dated 1898
  • Minute Books: 1903-1908, 1908-1917, 1917-1926, 1926-1930, 1934-1939, 1946-1952, 1961-1979, 1979-1992
  • Constitution and By-laws 1890
  • Officers’ Roll 1961-1979
• Soledad Volunteer Fire Department
  • Minute books: 1928-1935, 1935-1942, 1942-1954, 1954-1968, 1968-1985, 1985-1994
  • Drill Records: 1976-1994
  • Financial Ledger: 1927-1931, 1931-1939
  • A History of the Soledad Volunteer Fire Department
  • Binder of volunteer fire department correspondence
  • Binder showing local rural fire hydrants and alternate water supplies ca1950 drawn by the volunteers
  • Pictures of Honorary Retired who put in at least 25 years of active volunteer service
  • Two boxes of awards from south Monterey County fire Department musters and Spreckels’ musters
  • 6 fire Soledad Fire helmets, earliest from about 1950 which would have been the first
  • Two sets of turn out suits from the 70s
  • First resuscitator from about 1950
  • One fire nozzle from the City’s first fire engine a 1927 model T chemical engine
  • One vintage brass fire extinguisher manufactured between 1920 and 1940. One like this was on the 1927 and the 1937 fire engines.
  • 1 vintage hand pump water extinguisher, type used in civil defense during World War II
  • One 1927 Dodge Bros. fire engine, the City’s second fire engine
  • One 1937 International fire engine, the City’s third fire engine
• Los Coches Adobe
  • Archeological Report
  • Large painted map of Los Coches Rancho ca 1900
  • Eight boxes of artifacts from archeological dig. About half are catalogued and identified.
  • Two Rancho Period wooden chairs with leather seats (Not from this adobe)
• Family Binders
  • Fifteen binders each featuring history of local family
• Early Ag
  • Two binders of pictures of early agriculture
  • Two vintage milk machines circa 1940s
  • Two beet knives
  • Two one-legged milk stools
  • One Bordans Milk can
• Salvation Army Colony
• Two boxes of pictures and documents from Salvation Army Colony in Soledad Mission District
• Pictures, etc. of Soledad
• Three boxes of pictures, documents, and early advertising
• Paraiso Springs
• One binder of early postcards circa 1900. The earliest is 1873
• Feliciano Soberanes Archive: Owner of Ex Mission Soledad Rancho
• Two boxes and one binder of leases, legal documents, and letters (many in Spanish)
• Pamphlets and booklets
• Booklets on history of Salinas, Greenfield, Gonzales, Soledad, Arroyo Seco, and an early stage line
• History of Pinnacles by National Park Service
• Blacksmith shop

• Soledad City Government

Special Note: N/A

 

Zena Holman Research Library

Description: The Zena P. Holman Rare Book Collection is housed in the Zena Holman Library within the William Penn Mott Jr. Training Center at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds. The collection contains approximately 3,000 rare books that represent many years of selective gathering by Mrs. Holman (1891-1980). Many significant early volumes of California history, including a large portion of the Zamorano Eighty, are included in the collection. The collection also includes early English and American literature by Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, Herman Melville, and Shakespeare. California authors such as Robinson Jeffers are represented, as are limited editions of northern California presses. The collection was donated to California State Parks by Zena Holman in 1973. Holman and her husband Wilford R. Holman owned the Holman Department Store in Pacific Grove, California.

Information: The library is not currently open to the public due to a full inventory and re-housing project by California State Parks.

Phone: 831.242.0209

Mailing Address:

Zena Holman Research Library
Attn: Annie McCausland
804 Crocker Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Website: N/A

Days and Hours Open:

Not currently open to the public.

Contact Person: Annie McCausland, State Historian II, Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds

Access: The library is not currently open to the public. When the inventory project is complete the library will be available for research by appointment only.

Identification of resources: N/A

Resources: N/A

• Archival Documents and records: Correspondence between Mrs. Holman and various book sellers.
• Books and Manuscripts: Various works of British, American, and California literature dating from the sixteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. Also, an extensive collection of early California history books.
• Newspapers: Several large scrapbooks of newspaper clippings related to the Lindbergh kidnapping in the 1930s.
• Periodicals: Various copies of magazines, including Sunset and National Geographic.
• Photographic material:
• Other visual materials:
• Audio/Visual materials:
• Ephemera:

Special Note: Thank you for your patience during this full collection inventory project.

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