Compton History Collection

Collection

Identifier: SPC-2005-001

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Materials in this collection include newsletters, minutes, histories, correspondence, programs, yearbooks, directories, newspapers, and newsclippings. These have been organized to parallel the series and subseries arrangement of the South Bay Photo Collection.

Dates

1869-1998

Creator

California State University, Dominguez Hills (Organization)

Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

History

This collection was created by combining two Compton collections: the Compton History Collection and the Heritage House Collection. Much of the materials in the Compton History Collection were donated by Robert Gillingham. The Heritage House Museum donated their papers and historical materials to the archive when they closed in the late 1970s.

The City of Compton lies within the original boundaries of the Rancho San Pedro, granted to the Dominguez family. In 1866, Francis Temple and Fielding Gibson purchased a tract of land north of the Dominguez homestead. This land, known as the Temple and Gibson Tract, was subdivided and lots were purchased by Harmon Higgins in 1866 and a group of pioneers led by G.D. Compton in 1867. The city was first incorporated in 1888 and again in 1909, with Clarence Dickison as mayor. In 1969, Compton elected its first African-American mayor, Douglas Dollarhide.

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet (7 processed boxes; plus one unprocessed box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection includes newsclippings, histories, flyers, newsletters, minutes, correspondence, programs, yearbooks, municipal papers, and histories related to or about the city of Compton. Subjects include commerce, education, private residences, historic preservation, city anniversaries, and natural disasters.

Arrangement

Arranged in 14 series:

Series I. Buildings and Parks, 1940s-1961
Series II. Businesses, 1903-1978
Series III. Churches, 1886-1998
Series IV. City of Compton, 1869-1988
Series V. Clubs and Organizations, 1939-1974
Series VI. Earthquake, 1933
Series VII. Events, 1935-1988
Series VIII. History and Newsclippings, 1856-1994
Series IX. Landmarks, 1935-1987
Series X. Maps, 1930
Series XI. Pioneer Families, 1888-1968
Series XII. Civic Leaders, 1955-1962
Series XIII. Schools, 1891-1968

Acquisition Information

Materials in this collection were collected by archives staff and members of the community. Some of the items were from the Heritage House Museum in Compton and Robert C. Gillingham, a local historian.

Related Material

For material related to Compton and the South Bay please consult: South Bay History Collection, Compton Earthquake Postcards Collection, South Bay Photograph Collection, South Bay Photograph Digital Collection, James H. Osborne Photograph Collection , Ira Clark Collection, Charles Blanton Collection, Heritage House Collection, Robert Gillingham Collection, Rozelle Family Collection, Dennis Kroll Collection, Jim Brown Collection, Compton Newspaper Collection, Long Beach Fireman’s Historical Museum Photographs, Long Beach Fireman’s Historical Museum Photographs Digital Collection, and James H. Osborne Photograph Collection .

Project Information

This finding aid was created as part of Early Los Angeles/Rancho San Pedro Manuscript Cataloging Project, a CSU Dominguez Hills Library project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project started in 2005. Project Director was Greg Williams. Project Archivists were Thomas Philo and Jennifer Allan Goldman.