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Lodi (Calif.) City Records
GovRec1
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Title: Lodi (Calif.) City Records
Date (inclusive): 1907-1962
Date (bulk): bulk 1907-1943
Collection Number: GovRec1
Location:
Erickson vault
Extent:
28 linear feet
Contributing Institution:
San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95240
Language of Material: Records written in English
Abstract: This collection affords insights into the development of a small but growing agricultural community in California's San Joaquin
Valley during the Progressive Era, World Wars I and II, the Great Depression, and the postwar years, as seen through civil
and administrative records. The collection spans the years from 1907 to 1962, with bulk of material focused on 1907 to 1943.
It includes records from the City of Lodi's assessor, clerk, police, and public works department, as well as selected maps
and records of property transfers. Of special note is material that documents the course of local politics and public administration
as the city planned for, approved, and supervised contracts to improve its roads and sewers during the first two decades of
the twentieth century.
Given to the San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum by the City of Lodi in 2010.
Access Information
Collection is open for research
Conditions of Use
No access or copyright restrictions.
Preferred citation: [Item name], Lodi, California, City Records, GovRec1, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum,
Lodi, California
Related Material
Title: Lodi (Calif.) Women's Club Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1914-1970 (Ms 17)
The City of Lodi traces its origins to 1869, when a group of civic-minded residents from the small community of what was then
known as Mokelumne or Mokelumne Station convinced the Central Pacific Railroad to establish a station in their town. The next
two decades saw steady growth, due largely to the commerce that the railroad attracted. In 1878, residents changed the name
of their town to Lodi and, in 1906, voted to incorporate. At that time, the population stood at approximately two thousand.
Lodi's population continued to climb throughout the first half of the twentieth century. By 1926, it contained approximately
7,600 people. In 1940, the figure stood at 11,079, and ten years later at 13,798. The bulk of records in this collection cover
a period during which Lodi matured into a thriving agricultural center with an increasingly sophisticated government, society,
and physical infrastructure. Notable developments during this period included establishment of the Lodi Improvement Club (1906;
later Lodi Women's Club) and construction of an Opera House (1905), Library (1910), City Hall (1912), High School (1913),
and jail and first city park (1914). In 1907, the Central California Traction Company commenced service to Sacramento, to
the north, and Stockton, to the south. The same year also saw construction of the Lodi Arch, a longstanding symbol of civic
pride, and the Tokay Carnival, which celebrated Lodi's importance for California's grape and wine industries.
The Lodi City Records span the years 1907 to 1962, with the bulk of material focused on 1907 to 1943. The collection is arranged
in six series: 1. Assessor's Office, 2. Clerk's Office, 3. Police Department, 4. Public Works Department, 5. Treasurer's Office
and Nondepartmental Records, and 6. Oversize.
The Lodi City Records document the evolution of the community and its government during World Wars I and II, the Great Depression,
the post-World War II period, and some of the Progressive Era, as seen through the eyes of elected and appointed officials.
Topics it addresses include taxation, law enforcement, and administration of public works, finances, and city personnel.
Lodi (Calif.)--History
Lodi (Calif.)--Politics and government
San Joaquin County (Calif.)--History