Historical Society Awarded $50,000 to Preserve New Collection

By Lookout Staff

June 30 -- A recently discovered collection of historical documents amassed by Santa Monica co-founder Senator John P. Jones will be catalogued and preserved thanks to a $50,000 gift to the Santa Monica Historical Society from the City.

The 65,000-piece collection -- which includes documents, photographs, maps, letters, architectural drawings, paintings, records and copies of deeds -- sheds a unique light on the early years of the town, which was incorporated in 1875.

"This collection is one of the most significant collections that has been discovered on the history of Santa Monica,” said Louise Gabriel, president of the Historical Society.

“We hope this collection will give people a sense of Santa Monica's multi-cultural past and a strong appreciation for the unique history and qualities of this great city," she said.

The collection includes correspondences with some of America's most notable figures, including Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain and Susan B. Anthony, as well as many local historical figures.

Notable photos of landmarks include the Santa Monica Bath House, railroads, long wharf, early Tournament of Roses floats and Santa Monica Canyon.

"We are eager to start cataloging this incredible documentation of Santa Monica's history,” Gabriel said. “We greatly appreciate the City Council's help in funding this undertaking and feel this collection will benefit researchers and scholars for generations to come.”

The collection will be catalogued and indexed with the help of John Farquhar, grandson of Senator Jones, and Ricardo Bandini Johnson, great-great nephew of the wife of Santa Monica's other co-founder Colonel Robert S. Baker.