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A.T. Hamilton Family Collection
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Title: A.T. Hamilton Family Collection
Dates: 1887-1926
Collection Number: Consult library
Creator/Collector:
Hamilton, Archibald T.
Hamilton, Margaret
A. T. Hamilton Family
Extent: 1.5 linear feet
Repository:
Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
Ontario, California 91764-4111
Abstract: Archibald T. Hamilton was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1860. A
merchant in ill health, he decided to emigrate to Southern California in 1887 in hopes of regaining his strength. He bought
105 acres from Charles Frankish’s Ontario Land and Improvement Company in 1890 the location of which was “southeast of the
[future] Ontario Airport” and/or “on the plains south of [the]Cucamonga [train] station” (which would be the current Hamilton
Ranch development south of Baseline and east of Carnelian). In any case, he utilized the dry farming method of raising grapes,
olives, figs and other fruit trees.
On September 24, 1890, he married Catherine Hobby. They had three
daughters, Catherine, Muriel and Margaret. By the early 1900’s the family had built a house “in town” at 519 N. Euclid. Mr.
Hamilton also purchased several parcels of land in the 800 block between H and I streets that were planted with orange trees
purchased from Armstrong Nurseries. He was active in several citrus exchange associations and was the treasurer of the Westminster
Presbyterian church at the time of his death on June 18, 1926.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research during the operating hours of the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room, or by appointment.
[Identification of item]. A.T. Hamilton Family Collection. Collection Number: Consult library. Ontario City Library, Robert
E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
This collection was donated to the Model Colony Room by Margaret A.
Hamilton, A. T. Hamilton’s daughter and former Children’s Librarian at the Ontario City Library, on Feb. 7, 1990.
Scope and Content of Collection
The A.T. Hamilton Family Collection consists of two photograph albums (most images unidentified), correspondence, A.T. Hamilton's
diary, invoices and receipts from various local businesses, and a citrus notebook written by A.T. Hamilton. Also included
is a copy of W. G. Blaikie's book, Summer Suns in the Far West and a copy of the California Citrograph dated August 1926.
Citrus fruit industry -- California -- Ontario -- History
Hamilton, Archibald T.
A. T. Hamilton Family
Cucamonga (Calif.)
Ontario (Calif.)
Citrus farming