Description
The Louis Family Papers contains nineteenth- and early twentieth-century business records and personal papers of the Louis
family, a prominent and pioneering mercantile family in San Luis Obispo, California. Born in China, Wong On (Ah Louis) migrated
to the United States in 1861 and opened a Chinese mercantile store in San Luis Obispo in 1874. Included are the records of
Louis' children, of which Howard Louis' records comprise the bulk. The collection is comprised of approximately 20 linear
feet of family correspondence, financial and legal records, and business correspondence and financial records. The collection
was donated in 2010.
Background
Ah Louis was a pioneering merchant in nineteenth-century San Luis Obispo, California. Born Wong On in 1840 in the Ock Gong
Loong On village, Tolshan District, Guangdong Province, China, Louis immigrated to California in 1861. After traveling through
mining towns in Oregon and California, Louis settled in San Luis Obispo in 1870.
Extent
31 boxes (19 linear feet)
Restrictions
In order to reproduce, publish, broadcast, exhibit, and/or quote from this material, researchers must submit a written request
and obtain formal permission from Special Collections, Cal Poly, as the owner of the physical collection.
Availability
Collection is open to researchers by appointment only. For more information on access policies and to obtain a copy of the
Researcher Registration form, please visit the Special Collections Access page.