Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Processing Information
Preferred Citation
Biographical / Historical Notes
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Scope and Content
Arrangement
Comments
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Title: Charles E. Arnold Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 160
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.75 Linear feet
(4 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1869-1982
Abstract: The collection contains personal and business papers of Charles E. Arnold, a prominent San Diego realtor and real estate developer.
creator:
Arnold, Charles E. (Charles Elmo)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Lauren Rasmussen on March 14, 2012.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Preferred Citation
Charles E. Arnold Collection, MS 160, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Biographical / Historical Notes
Charles Elmo Arnold was born in San Francisco on June 11, 1880 to Gilbert C. Arnold and Susan J. (née McConaughy). In October
1880, the family moved to San Diego, where Gilbert joined the prospering real estate firm founded in 1869 by his brother,
Cyrus, and his father, Philander. Arnold’s first job was as a paper boy for the San Diego Union newspaper. Between 1898 and
1900, Arnold served in the U.S. National Guard. In 1907, after a number of jobs at local banks, he joined the family business
where his father was now the sole proprietor.
During World War I, Arnold served in the U.S. Navy as a supply and disbursement officer. Gilbert died in 1920, at which time
Arnold inherited the realty company and changed the firm’s name from G.C. Arnold & Son back to Arnold Realty Co. In 1921,
he became a charter member of the San Diego Realty Board. Arnold began to push for legislation to professionalize the real
estate industry in 1922. Through his efforts, the initiative became law on April 27, 1923, requiring all real estate brokers
pass a qualification exam in order to obtain a license to practice. Arnold became president of the San Diego Realty Board
in 1930.
He sold Arnold Realty Co. in 1943 to William McCreary, a banker from Kansas, but continued to consult as a real estate advisor
and professional appraiser. He served as foreman for the San Diego Grand Jury in 1932 and again in 1946, and as foreman for
the Federal Grand Jury in 1957. He also served as the coxswain of the San Diego Rowing Club and participated in the San Diego
Historical Society, both organizations where he was an honorary life member. Arnold was heavily involved in the compilation
of “The History of the San Diego Realty Board” and would go on to publish a book entitled
The Birth of a Profession that provided an in depth overview of the history of the real estate business. Never married, he died on October 30, 1972
at age 92.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Some of the deeds are brittle and fragile. (March 14, 2012)
Scope and Content
The collection contains personal and business papers of Charles Arnold. Personal papers include correspondence, articles and
speeches written by Arnold, as well as newspaper clippings related to local real estate development and activities of Arnold’s
alma mater. Arnold Realty Co. records include administrative correspondence and property records, including estate deeds for
Arnold’s clients. The deeds include mortgage papers, estate wills, and property leases. San Diego Realty Board records contain
the constitution and by-laws, annual reports, Board correspondence, and membership lists. There are also property maps, clippings
about San Diego oil leases, and an assortment of materials about the development of the Hillcrest community. Legislative papers,
such as assembly bills and drafts, related to the professionalization of the real estate industry are also present, as well
as information on two professional real estate associations: California Real Estate Association and National Association of
Real Estate Boards. Class lists for the original licensing courses and exams are included. Additionally the collection contains
drafts and correspondence related to the publication Arnold’s book, "The Birth of a Profession."
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into five series:
Series I: Personal Papers
Series II: Arnold Realty Co.
Series III: San Diego Realty Board
Series IV: Real Estate Legislation, Associations, and Education
Series V: “The Birth of a Profession” (publication)
Items within each series are arranged by subject. Itemized database of deeds in Series II (Box 1 folder 8 thru Box 2 folder
16) can be accessed at the San Diego History Center Library.
Comments
Material added to collection from Document Files Collection - Arnold, Jeffrey & Mouser Real Estate file.
Deeds in Series II: These retain original order. For preservation purposes deeds were removed from original housing. Letters
from original dividers added to file name in corresponding folders in container list. Itemized database of deeds can be accessed
at the San Diego History Center Library.
The San Diego Realty Board is also called the San Diego Real Estate Board and the San Diego Board of Realtors on occasion
throughout the collection.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession number 820122.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Akin, William H.
Arnold Realty Co..
Arnold, Charles E. (Charles Elmo)
Arnold, Jeffery & Mouser.
California Real Estate Association.
California. Real Estate Commission.
G. C. Arnold & Son.
Hall, Michael Francis
National Association of Real Estate Boards.
Real Estate Association of San Diego.
Real Estate Exchange of San Diego.
San Diego Realty Board.
Administration of estates
Coronado (Calif.)
Hillcrest (San Diego, Calif.)
Real estate agents
Real estate boards
Real property
San Diego (Calif.)