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Table of contents What's This?

Collection Inventory

 

1. Ah Louis Personal Papers 1891-1937

Scope and Content Note

Contains 2 subseries: A. Ah Louis Personal Papers and B. Gon Ying Louis Personal Papers.
 

A. Ah Louis Personal Papers 1894-1937

Scope and Content Note

Contains financial and legal records, including photocopies annotated by Howard Louis, arranged chronologically. See Series 3 Subseries B: Howard Louis Correspondence for photocopies of Ah Louis' correspondence. 7 folders.
Box 1, Folder 1

Pacific Coast Savings Society Stock 1894 1900-1901

Box 1, Folder 2

Invoice, Pierson & Regan 1905

Box 1, Folder 3

Life Assurance 1912

Box 1, Folder 4

Deed of Trust, Ah Louis and Young Louis 1916

Box 1, Folder 5

Deed of Gift [Louis Store], Ah Louis to Lena Toy Hong, et al. 1932

Box 1, Folder 6

Ah Louis funeral expenses 1937

Box 1, Folder 7

Child's prescription undated

 

B. Gon Ying Louis Personal Papers 1891-1914

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence and probate records, arranged chronologically by date. 2 folders.
Box 1, Folder 8

Correspondence, Fong Sir San, Wong Long Shing, and Wong Loey Goey, Rancho Piedra Blanca, to Gon Ying Louis 1891

Box 1, Folder 9

Probate record, Gon Ying Louis 1914

 

2. Louis Children Personal Papers 1915-1994

Scope and Content Note

Contains 6 subseries: A. Elaine Lena Louis, B. Wong Young Louis, C. Mae Louis, D. Walter Sing Louis, E. Helen Wong Louis, F. Fred Wong Louis. The Louis siblings' papers were retained by Howard as the last surviving brother, which is why their personal papers contain records relating to their passing. Due to the size and scope of Howard Louis' records, they are found in a separate series, Series 3.
 

A. Elaine Lena (Ah Tye) Louis 1925-1975

Scope and Content Note

Contains vital and property records of Lena Louis Toy, arranged chronologically. 3 folders.
Box 2, Folder 1

Marriage certificate to Toy Ho Lung 1925

Box 2, Folder 2

Property records 1941-47

Box 2, Folder 3

Vital and death records 1964 1975

Scope and Content Note

[includes photocopies]
 

B. Wong Young (Jung Yeong) Louis 1920-1947

Scope and Content Note

Contains business and property records of Wong Young Louis, arranged chronologically. 3 folders.
Box 2, Folder 4

Business records for Louis Store, A-K 1920-1932

Box 2, Folder 5

Business records for Louis Store, L-Z 1920-1932

Box 2, Folder 6

Property records 1925 1947

 

C. Mae (Ah May) Louis 1936

Scope and Content Note

Contains registration certificate. 1 folder.
Box 2, Folder 7

Certificate of Registration, San Luis Obispo 1936

 

D. Walter (Ah Sing) Louis 1993

Scope and Content Note

Contains photocopies of estate records. 1 folder.
Box 2, Folder 8

Estate records 1993

 

E. Helen Wong (Laine Heung/Ah Heong) Louis 1915-1994

Scope and Content Note

Contains personal papers of Helen Louis, including schoolwork, correspondence, and a biographical essay on Helen Louis, arranged chronologically. 9 folders.
Box 2, Folder 9

School composition books circa 1915 1917

Box 2, Folder 10

Application for permission to enter Canada 1930 1932

Box 2, Folder 11

"A Century of Progress" identification card, Chicago 1933

Box 2, Folder 12

Correspondence, Ted [unidentified] to Helen Louis 1938

Box 2, Folder 13

Marriage certificate for Helen Louis and Thomas B. Jean 1938

Box 2, Folder 14

Passports 1968-1997

Box 2, Folder 15

Correspondence, Helen Louis to siblings 1942 1968 1975-6 1993

Scope and Content Note

[includes records of Lena's passing]
Box 2, Folder 16

A Vital Hyphen: A Study of the Life and Influence of Helen Wong Jean, student essay by Linda Sue Holubek 1979

Scope and Content Note

[76 pages]
Box 2, Folder 17

Vital Records 1988-9 1994

Scope and Content Note

[includes joint memorial for Helen and Fred]
 

F. Fred Wong Louis (Ah Yuey) 1920-1994

Scope and Content Note

Contains personal papers of Fred Louis, including a biography of the Louis family written by Fred, arranged chronologically. 7 folders.
Box 2, Folder 18

Biographical and military information circa 1920-1987

Box 2, Folder 19

Grades, California Polytechnic School 1924

Box 2, Folder 20

Correspondence, Standard Talking Film Service to Fred Louis 1934

Box 2, Folder 21

Property records 1947

Box 2, Folder 22

"Biographical Briefs of Ah Louis' Family," typescript by Fred Louis 1970

Box 2, Folder 23

Correspondence, Fred Louis to Howard Louis 1978 1992

Box 2, Folder 24

Death records 1994

 

3. Howard and Yvonne Louis Personal Papers 1908-2008

Scope and Content Note

Contains 4 subseries: A. Howard Louis Student Papers, B. Howard Louis Correspondence, C Howard Louis Records, D. Yvonne Louis Records.
 

A. Howard "Toby" Louis Student Papers 1921-1944

Scope and Content Note

Contains academic records from Howard Louis' time at San Luis High, University of California Berkeley, and U.S. Army Specialized Training Program, arranged chronologically. See Series 6 Subseries C for photographs taken at this time. 9 folders.
Box 3, Folder 1

San Luis Obispo High School - Notebook 1921-22

Box 3, Folder 2

San Luis Obispo High School - Records 1921-28

Box 3, Folder 3

San Luis Obispo High School - Yearbook 1927

Box 3, Folder 4

San Luis Obispo High School - Notebook 1928

Box 3, Folder 5

Yoke Choy Life Newsletter 1928

Box 3, Folder 6

University of California Berkeley - International House Yearbook 1931-1932

Box 3, Folder 7

University of California Berkeley - Coursework 1931-1932

Box 3, Folder 8

Army Specialized Training Program - academic transcripts 1943-1944

Box 3, Folder 9

Army Specialized Training Program - Chinese language flashcards undated

 

B. Howard Louis Correspondence 1928-2008

Scope and Content Note

Contains Howard Louis's correspondence with family, school and military acquaintances, professors, and historical societies, arranged chronologically. Of particular interest is the correspondence from Howard to Yvonne while he was serving in Europe in 1945 and photocopies of Chinese correspondence included with the Fetzer correspondence. 27 folders
Box 4, Folder 1

Christmas Cards, folder 1 of 4 1928

Box 4, Folder 2

Christmas Cards, folder 2 of 4 1928

Box 4, Folder 3

Christmas Cards, folder 3 of 4 1928

Box 4, Folder 4

Christmas Cards, folder 4 of 4 1928

Box 4, Folder 5

Hughes, Rush to Howard Louis 1937

Box 4, Folder 6

Louis, Howard to Willy Wong 1937

Box 4, Folder 7

Jean, Helen Louis and Thomas to Howard Louis 1940

Box 4, Folder 8

On, Ho to [Howard] Louis 1940

Box 4, Folder 9

Burpee Company to Howard Louis, regarding floral arranging 1941

Box 4, Folder 10

Women's Army Corps Recruiting Headquarters to Howard Louis 1944

Box 4, Folder 11

Louis, Howard to Yvonne Louis 1945

Scope and Content Note

[photocopies, includes transcription]
Box 4, Folder 12

Louis, Howard, to unidentified [Yvonne?] circa 1945

Box 4, Folder 13

Louis, Fred and Iris to Howard Louis 1945

Box 4, Folder 14

Louis, Howard to Helen and Lena Louis 1950

Box 4, Folder 15

Louis, Howard to San Luis Obispo High School Class of 1927 1977

Box 4, Folder 16

Lee, Chantal [Canadian Consulate General] to Howard and Yvonne Louis 1989

Box 4, Folder 17

Wong, Mae to Howard Louis 1992

Box 4, Folder 18

Correspondence re death of Helen Louis 1994

Box 4, Folder 19

Fong, Jane Y. to Howard Louis, including Cal Poly students' work 1995

Box 4, Folder 20

Bashore, Anne to Howard and Yvonne Louis 1999

Box 4, Folder 21

Robison, Homer to Howard Louis 2002

Box 4, Folder 22

Louis, Howard to San Luis Obispo Tribune 2003

Box 4, Folder 23

Certificate of Appreciation, Chinese Historical Society of Southern California 2003

Box 4, Folder 24

Good Samaritan of the Year, Help Hospitalized Veterans 2005

Box 4, Folder 25

Birthday Celebrations: 2006 2007

Box 4, Folder 26

Kongable, Ross, South County Historical Society to Howard Louis 2007

Box 4, Folder 27

Fetzer, Joel to Howard Louis 2008

Scope and Content Note

[includes photocopies of Chinese correspondence]
 

C. Howard Louis Records 1928-2000

Scope and Content Note

Contains financial and vital records, as well as records documenting Howard Louis' efforts to fund and design the Chinatown mural and the SLO High School entry courtyard, arranged chronologically. 13 folders.
Box 5, Folder 1

Financial records 1928 1950 1952-3

Box 5, Folder 2

Power of Attorney for siblings 1951-52 1987

Scope and Content Note

[includes correspondence]
Box 5, Folder 3

Ah Louis Store - Program, dedication as State Historical Landmark 1965

Box 5, Folder 4

Grant deeds of Louis family 1981

Box 5, Folder 5

Ivory and snuff bottle inventory [for Louis Store?] 1987

Box 5, Folder 6

San Luis Obispo Chinatown Mural - correspondence and proposals 1990 1995-97

Box 5, Folder 7

San Luis Obispo High School Entry Courtyard - plans 1993

Box 5, Folder 8

San Luis Obispo High School Entry Courtyard - photographs 1994

Box 5, Folder 9

Documents regarding Fred Louis's death and burial 1994

Box 5, Folder 10

Documents regarding Helen Louis's death and burial 1994

Box 5, Folder 11

San Luis Obispo Chinatown Mural - dedication 1997

Box 5, Folder 12

Ah Louis Store - brochure 1997

Box 5, Folder 13

Passport 2000

 

D. Yvonne Louis Records 1908-1964

Scope and Content Note

Contains vital and property records for Howard's wife Yvonne Louis, arranged chronologically. 4 folders.
Box 5, Folder 14

Biographical information 1908 1918 1941-43 1953 1964

Box 5, Folder 15

Divorce, Yvonne Seto vs. Joseph Seto 1941

Box 5, Folder 16

Marriage Certificate for Yvonne Seto and Howard Louis 1941

Box 5, Folder 17

Property Records 1946-48

 

4. China Trip 1932-1934

Scope and Content Note

Contains 3 subseries: A. Correspondence, B. Travel Ephemera, C. Documents re Ah Louis' return to United States. Photographs, scrapbooks, and negatives of the trip are located in Series 6 Subseries D and E.
 

A. Correspondence 1932-1934

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence written to and from Howard and Fred Louis while accompanying their father on his return to China. Arranged alphabetically by name. The majority of the letters sent to the family were addressed to Mae and were intended to be shared with all the Louis siblings. Includes an introduction and transcription completed by a family member in 1996. 21 folders.
Box 6, Folder 1

Introduction and transcription of Louis brothers' 1932-33 correspondence, created by Ed Watson 1996

Box 6, Folder 2

Chang, Rose and family to Howard Louis February - May 1933

Box 6, Folder 3

Chang, Rose and family to Howard Louis June - August 1933

Box 6, Folder 4

Jowe, Bob to Howard Louis 1933

Box 6, Folder 5

Lee, Dora, to Howard Louis 1933

Box 6, Folder 6

Louis, Howard to family December 1932 - March 1933

Box 6, Folder 7

Louis, Howard and Fred to family July, 1933 August, 1933 and October 1933

Box 6, Folder 8

Louis, Howard to family April 1934

Scope and Content Note

[includes key to location of photographs found in Series 7 Subseries D]
Box 6, Folder 9

Louis, Howard to Ross Miller May 1933

Box 6, Folder 10

Louis, Mae, Young, and nephews to Howard and Fred Louis 1933

Box 6, Folder 11

Lowe, I.D. "John" to Howard Louis 1933

Box 6, Folder 12

Lowe, Lorna to Howard Louis May 1933

Box 6, Folder 13

Lowe, Lorna to Howard Louis July - September 1933

Box 6, Folder 14

Wong, Anne to Howard Louis 1933

Box 6, Folder 15

Wong, Jimmy to Howard Louis 1933

Box 6, Folder 16

Yanagimachi, Nobuko to Howard Louis 1933

Box 6, Folder 17

Correspondence, First Names Only, A-B 1933

Box 6, Folder 18

Correspondence, First Names Only, H-P [no Q-Z] 1933

Box 6, Folder 19

Correspondence, Surname A-L 1932-34

Box 6, Folder 20

Correspondence, Surname M-Z 1933

Box 6, Folder 21

Unidentified correspondence undated

Scope and Content Note

[includes photographs]
 

B. Travel Ephemera 1932-33

Scope and Content Note

Contains a newspaper, map, luggage tags, tickets, and travel ephemera, arranged alphabetically. 4 folders.
Box 7, Folder 1

Hongkong Weekly Press, newspaper March 1933

Box 7, Folder 2

Travel ephemera, Canton 1932-33

Box 7, Folder 3

Travel ephemera, Hong Kong 1932-33

Box 7, Folder 4

Travel ephemera, steamships 1932-33

 

C. Documents Regarding Ah Louis' Return to United States 1933

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence and governmental records regarding Ah Louis' return to the U.S., including letters of recommendation from prominent San Luis Obispo businessmen and forms that provide descriptions of Louis' life in San Luis Obispo; arranged chronologically. The majority of the records are photocopies. The originals and additional records are held at the National Archives and Records Administration at San Francisco. 3 folders.
Box 7, Folder 5

Forms and correspondence regarding application for visa October 1933

Box 7, Folder 6

Letters of recommendation from San Luis Obispo businessmen November 1933

Scope and Content Note

[including Mayor Sinsheimer and Superior Court Judge Norton]
Box 7, Folder 7

Angel Island reentry forms November 1933

 

5. Clippings Files 1927-2009

Scope and Content Note

Contains 1 subseries: Clippings Files.
 

A. Clippings Files 1927-2009

Scope and Content Note

Contains clippings from California and U.S. newspapers and magazines relating to Ah Louis, the Louis Store, and the Louis family, arranged chronologically. 6 folders.
Box 8, Folder 1

Press coverage of Ah Louis, Ah Louis Store, and Louis Family 1927-1947

Box 8, Folder 2

Press coverage of Ah Louis, Ah Louis Store, and Louis Family 1951-1967

Box 8, Folder 3

Press coverage of Ah Louis, Ah Louis Store, and Louis Family 1970-1978

Box 8, Folder 4

Press coverage of Ah Louis, Ah Louis Store, and Louis Family 1980-1988

Box 8, Folder 5

Press coverage of Ah Louis, Ah Louis Store, and Louis Family 1990-1999

Box 8, Folder 6

Press coverage of Ah Louis, Ah Louis Store, and Louis Family 2000-2009

 

6. Photographs 1888-2008

Scope and Content Note

Contains 6 subseries: A. Photographs, B. Oversized Photographs, C. Scrapbooks, D. China Trip Photographs, E. Negatives, F. Young Louis Cal Poly Prints and Negatives.
 

A. Photographs 1888-2008

Scope and Content Note

Contains photographic prints and reprints of family members and San Luis Obispo places and events; arranged alphabetically by subject and thereunder chronologically. Creators unidentified. 27 folders.
Box 9, Folder 1

Louis, Ah circa 1888

Box 9, Folder 2

Louis, Ah circa 1930s

Box 9, Folder 3

Louis, Ah with Howard Louis and unidentified circa 1933

Box 9, Folder 4

Louis, Fred 1943 Circa 1957, undated

Box 9, Folder 5

Louis, George and unidentified undated

Box 9, Folder 6

Louis, Gon Ying undated

Box 9, Folder 7

Louis, Helen Circa 1939, undated

Box 9, Folder 8

Louis, Howard circa 1925-1945

Box 9, Folder 9

Louis, Howard - World War II circa 1945

Box 9, Folder 10

Louis, Howard - World War II, includes negatives circa 1945

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of Fred and Yvonne.
Box 9, Folder 11

Louis, Howard - floral arrangements, reprints 1947

Box 9, Folder 12

Louis, Howard circa 1950s-2008

Box 9, Folder 13

Louis, Howard - San Luis Obispo High School, Class of 1927 60 th reunion 1987

Box 9, Folder 14

Louis, Howard - Red Cross World War II exhibit no date

Box 9, Folder 15

Louis, Howard and Yvonne circa 1940-50s

Scope and Content Note

Includes marriage, travel, Louis storefront
Box 9, Folder 16

Louis, Howard and Yvonne 1969-1990s

Scope and Content Note

Includes portraits, travel, and interior of Louis store
Box 9, Folder 17

Louis, Young and Stella 1980 1983, undated

Box 9, Folder 18

Louis siblings - group portraits circa 1900 1961 1965 circa 1974

Box 9, Folder 19

San Luis Obispo - Chinatown Mural Dedication 1997

Box 9, Folder 20

San Luis Obispo - La Fiesta Parade 1957 1967, undated

Box 9, Folder 21

San Luis Obispo - Louis Store, San Luis Obispo circa 1900-1910

Box 9, Folder 22

San Luis Obispo - Louis Store, San Luis Obispo circa 1955

Box 9, Folder 23

Watson, Ed - exhumation of deceased, San Luis Obispo circa 1926

Box 9, Folder 24

Watson, Ed, Jane and Jim 1995

Box 9, Folder 25

Watson, Eddie and Billy, Richard Chong, and Yvonne Louis undated

Box 9, Folder 26

Wong, Anna Mae undated

Box 9, Folder 27

Unidentified portrait undated

 

B. Oversized Photographs undated, 1923-1925

Scope and Content Note

Contains oversized photographic prints, arranged alphabetically by subject. 6 folders
Box 10, Folder 1

Group portrait - "Pak Ching, Chui King, Pak Ho, and Pak Chun," undated

Box 10, Folder 2

Louis, Howard undated

Box 10, Folder 3

Louis Brickyard undated

Box 10, Folder 4

Unidentified family 1924

Box 10, Folder 5

Wong, Anna May 1923 1925

Box 10, Folder 6

Wong, Lulu Harriett undated

Scope and Content Note

[inscribed to Stella]
 

C. Scrapbooks 1925-1931

Scope and Content Note

Contains scrapbooks created by Howard and Fred Louis, arranged chronologically See Subseries C for their China Trip scrapbooks, which include photographs taken after Howard's return to California. 4 scrapbooks.
Box 11, Folder 1

Howard Louis - Scrapbook 1925-33

Scope and Content Note

Includes photos of San Luis Obispo High School sports, University of California Berkeley and Yoke Choy Club, Central Coast, Louis family photos of the Louis Store
Box 11, Folder 2

Howard Louis - Scrapbook, University of California Berkeley 1929-33

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs of campus and students while Howard Louis' attended University of California Berkeley, including International House students
Box 12, Folder 1

Fred Louis, Scrapbook, Album 1 of 2 1931

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs of family and friends, Yosemite, Pismo Beach, and the University of Chicago.
Box 12, Folder 2

Fred Louis, Scrapbook, Album 2 of 2 1929-31

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs University of Chicago and traveling for wrestling competitions, family and friends, and Pismo Beach
 

D. China Trip Photographs 1932-1933

Scope and Content Note

Contains photographic prints and scrapbooks, arranged in original order. 5 boxes
Box 13, Folder 1

Howard Louis, typescript, descriptions of numbered photographs 1933

Box 13, Folder 2

China Trip contact prints, folder 1 of 2 1932-33

Box 13, Folder 3

China Trip contact prints, folder 2 of 2 1932-33

Box 14, Folder 0

China Trip photographs 1932-33

Scope and Content Note

[approximately 400, some duplicated in scrapbooks]
Box 15, Folder 1

Howard Louis - Scrapbook, China Trip 1932-33

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs from the first leg of the trip, including Honolulu, Shanghai, Hangchow, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canton.
Box 15, Folder 2

Howard Louis - Scrapbook, China Trip 1932-33

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs from the first leg of the trip, including Honolulu, Shanghai, Hangchow, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canton. For numbered photographs see Howard Louis's captions Box 13 Folder 1.
Box 16, Folder 1

Howard Louis - Scrapbook, China Trip 1932-33

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs of Macao, Honam, Ah Louis' birthplace, and the Wong ancestral temple. For numbered photographs see Howard Louis's captions in Box
Box 16, Folder 2

Howard Louis - Scrapbook, China Trip 1932-33

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs of Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Lingnan University. Some photographs include captions.
Box 17, Folder 1

Howard Louis - Scrapbook, China Trip 1932-33

Scope and Content Note

Lacks captions, comprised primarily of duplicates, includes some commercial prints.
Box 17, Folder 2

Howard Louis - Scrapbook, China Trip 1932-33

Scope and Content Note

Lacks captions, comprised primarily of duplicates
Box 17, Folder 3

Howard Louis - Scrapbook, China Trip and California 1933-36

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs of the return voyage from Hong Kong to San Francisco, travels in Canada and Arizona, Chicago, the 1934 Fiesta de los Flores, and the Central Coast.
 

E. Negatives 1920s-1930s

Scope and Content Note

Contains photographic negatives, including glass plate negatives, arranged in original order, undated, probably from 1920s through 1930s. The creators are unidentified, although it appears Howard and Fred created the majority of the negatives. Many negatives have corresponding prints in Subseries C. and D. The negatives from the China trip were originally stored in several negatives scrapbooks. They are rehoused, but preserved in original order. 8 boxes.
Box 18, Folder 1

Louis, Ah, glass plate negative circa 1933

Box 18, Folder 2

Louis, Ah and Mae Louis, half-tone plate circa 1934

Box 19

Negatives undated and circa 1935

Box 20

Negatives circa 1935

Box 21

Negative 35 mm film strips, rehoused from original canister circa 1930

Scope and Content Note

[including China trip negatives]
Box 22

Negative 35 mm film, rolled, rehoused from original canister circa 1930

Scope and Content Note

[including Fred Louis at the University of Chicago]
Box 23

Negatives, China Trip 1932-33

Box 24

Negatives, China Trip 1932-33

Box 25

Negatives and damaged negatives originally housed together circa 1933

 

F. Young Louis Cal Poly Prints and Negatives 1935-1940

Scope and Content Note

Contains prints and negatives of Cal Poly taken by Young Louis, arranged alphabetically by subject. Folder descriptions taken from captions included with negatives. The set came as a separate collection that preceded the Louis donation. 23 folders.
Box 26, Folder 1

Agriculture, Interior View 1937

Box 26, Folder 2

Agriculture, Pruning Trees circa 1937-38

Box 26, Folder 3

Cal Poly Campus, Campus Views 1938

Box 26, Folder 4

Cal Poly Campus, Crandall Gymnasium 1940

Box 26, Folder 5

Cal Poly Campus, Lecture Rooms 1938

Box 26, Folder 6

Cal Poly Faculty, Faculty Group 1935

Box 26, Folder 7

Cal Poly Music Department, Cal Poly Band 1937

Box 26, Folder 8

Cal Poly Music Department, "Collegians" Dance Band 1940

Box 26, Folder 9

Cal Poly Music Department, Glee Club 1939

Box 26, Folder 10

Cal Poly Sports, Baseball Squad 1939

Box 26, Folder 11

Cal Poly Sports, Basketball Team 1935

Box 26, Folder 12

Cal Poly Sports, Basketball Team 1939

Box 26, Folder 13

Cal Poly Sports, Basketball Team 1940

Box 26, Folder 14

Cal Poly Sports, Football Team 1938

Box 26, Folder 15

Cal Poly Sports, Football Team 1939

Box 26, Folder 16

California Agriculture Teachers Association 1938

Box 26, Folder 17

Monogram - CP 1937

Box 26, Folder 18

Poly Royal, Executive Committee 1935

Box 26, Folder 19

Poly Royal, Executive Committee 1936

Box 26, Folder 20

Poly Royal, Executive Committee 1937

Box 26, Folder 21

Poly Royal, Executive Committee 1938

Box 26, Folder 22

Poly Royal, Executive Committee 1939

Box 26, Folder 23

Poly Royal, "Hungry Five" Band 1939

 

7. Ah Louis Business Records 1872-1932

Scope and Content Note

Contains 5 subseries: A. Banking and Financial Records, B. Store Records, C. Purchase and Sales Invoices and Receipts, D. Business Records, E. Freight Bills.
 

A. Banking and Financial Records 1888-1914

Scope and Content Note

Contains bank account books, paid checks, and Wells Fargo money receipts, including photocopies that appear to be annotated by Howard Louis, arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. These records detail Ah Louis' management of his finances, as well as the individuals he was receiving and paying money from/to. 10 folders.
Box 27, Folder 1

Account Book, Commercial Bank 1899-1901

Box 27, Folder 2

Account Book, County Bank 1895-1899

Box 27, Folder 3

Account Book, Jack, Goldtree and Company 1885-1895

Box 27, Folder 4

Money receipts, Wells Fargo & Co's Express 1888-89 1890-92 1899 1906

Box 27, Folder 5

Paid Checks, Commercial Bank 1899-1900

Box 27, Folder 6

Paid Checks, Commercial Bank 1901

Box 27, Folder 7

Paid Checks, Commercial Bank 1902

Box 27, Folder 8

Paid Checks, Commercial Bank 1906-07 1914

Box 27, Folder 9

Paid Checks, First National Bank 1888-1894

Box 27, Folder 10

Paid Checks, First National Bank 1895-1898

 

B. Louis Store Records 1879-1932

Scope and Content Note

Contains records relating to the management of the Louis Store while under Ah Louis' management, including photocopies that appear to be annotated by Howard Louis, arranged alphabetically by record type. 7 folders.
Box 28, Folder 1

Account books, Sinsheimer Brothers 1890-96 1896-97

Box 28, Folder 2

Account book, unidentified 1883-89

Box 28, Folder 3

Business licenses 1887-8 1891-92 1925

Box 28, Folder 4

Liquor license and taxes 1890-92

Box 28, Folder 5

Post office box rent 1888 1891

Box 28, Folder 6

Tax receipts 1879 1886 1890-1891 1926

Box 28, Folder 7

Utilities bills 1888-89 1891 1931-2

 

C. Purchase and Sales Invoices and Receipts 1878-1932

Scope and Content Note

Business receipts and invoices from individual customers, business accounts, and vendors, arranged alphabetically. Included are photocopies annotated by Howard Louis. These records provide evidence of the goods and services Ah Louis purchased to stock his store and support his related business enterprises. See also Subseries E Freight Bills 50 folders
Box 28, Folder 8

A. D. Barling 1899

Scope and Content Note

[labor at celery ranch]
Box 28, Folder 9

A. Blochman and Company 1878

Box 28, Folder 10

Boston Tailoring Company 1891

Box 28, Folder 11

Braunschweiger & Company 1885-88

Scope and Content Note

[alcohol purchase]
Box 28, Folder 12

R.S. Brown & Company 1889

Box 28, Folder 13

California Fireworks Company 1919

Box 28, Folder 14

Central Milling Company 1892

Box 28, Folder 15

Correa, E. G. 1887

Scope and Content Note

[rent]
Box 28, Folder 16

Crawford, E.H. 1885

Scope and Content Note

[race horse purchase]
Box 28, Folder 17

Daily Republic 1886

Box 28, Folder 18

Dallidet, P.H. 1891

Scope and Content Note

[rent]
Box 28, Folder 19

M.F. Dorsey and John F. Hogan 1887 1892

Box 28, Folder 20

Dutton's Reliance Grocery 1899

Box 28, Folder 21

Eagle Oil and Refining Company 1889

Box 28, Folder 22

Charles Errickson 1900

Box 28, Folder 23

Fireman's Fund Insurance Company 1899

Scope and Content Note

[brick purchase]
Box 28, Folder 24

Goldtree Brothers 1887-88

Box 28, Folder 25

Goodenough Shoeing Shop 1890-92

Box 28, Folder 26

Green, Monroe D., Import/Export 1929

Box 28, Folder 27

Kaetzel, Phil 1888

Box 28, Folder 28

Lewis, E.B. 1897

Scope and Content Note

[for family photographs]
Box 28, Folder 29

Louisville Puritan Club Company 1907

Scope and Content Note

[alcohol purchase]
Box 28, Folder 30

Ludeke [sp?], Henry 1887

Box 28, Folder 31

Maino, C.A. [car] 1919

Box 28, Folder 32

G.W. McCabe, Blacksmith 1888

Box 28, Folder 33

Michalitschke Bros. & Company 1886

Box 28, Folder 34

M.C. Nason & Company 1891

Scope and Content Note

[produce]
Box 28, Folder 35

Newcombe Restaurant 1913

Scope and Content Note

[sales invoice from Ah Louis?]
Box 28, Folder 36

Quong Lee Company 1932

Box 28, Folder 37

Pioneer Hay Scales 1885 1892

Box 28, Folder 38

Realty Syndicate of San Francisco 1899 1909

Box 28, Folder 39

Salinas Valley Lumber Company 1899 1905

Box 28, Folder 40

San Luis Hardware & Implement Company 1917

Box 28, Folder 41

San Luis Obispo Flour Mills 1886-87

Box 28, Folder 42

San Luis Paving and Improvement Company 1889

Box 28, Folder 43

W. Sandercock 1884

Box 28, Folder 44

Schwartz, Beebee & Company 1885 1890

Box 28, Folder 45

Selby Smelting & Lead Company 1891

Box 28, Folder 46

Sinsheimer Brothers 1897

Box 28, Folder 47

Smith & Waite 1885-86

Box 28, Folder 48

Southern Pacific Milling Company 1905 1908

Box 28, Folder 49

Teele Company 1917

Box 28, Folder 50

Thomas Pattison 1888 1890

Box 28, Folder 51

Tribune Printing Company 1890

Box 28, Folder 52

Unidentified invoices 1889-92 1905 1909

Box 28, Folder 53

Union Sugar Company 1917

Box 28, Folder 54

F. W. Vetterline 1891

Box 28, Folder 55

August Vollmer & Company 1891-93

Box 28, Folder 56

J.W. Wilkinson Company 1928

Box 28, Folder 57

Willson's Fireworks Company 1919

 

D. Other Business Records 1871-1918

Scope and Content Note

Contains records of Ah Louis' businesses excluding the Louis Store, including photocopies annotated by Howard Louis, arranged alphabetically by subject. The correspondence relates primarily to the contracting of Chinese labor and Ah Louis' varied agricultural pursuits. 15 folders.
Box 29, Folder 1

Agricultural Records 1898-1909 1918

Scope and Content Note

[including leases for land and sugar beet contracts]
Box 29, Folder 2

Applications to travel abroad, Low Lum 1901, and Wong Ah Yick 1904

Scope and Content Note

Identified in applications as Louis employees.
Box 29, Folder 3

Brickyard Records between 1884 and 1905

Box 29, Folder 4

Business Cards undated

Box 29, Folder 5

Business Contract between Antonio de la Rosa and Ah Louis for "Sea-Lion Trim," 1900

Box 29, Folder 6

Business Correspondence 1871-1880s

Box 29, Folder 7

Business Correspondence circa 1895

Scope and Content Note

Includes envelopes addressed to Chinese employees care of Louis.
Box 29, Folder 8

Business Correspondence circa 1905

Scope and Content Note

Includes correspondence in Chinese.
Box 29, Folder 9

Business Correspondence undated

Box 29, Folder 10

Court Records, San Luis Obispo Water Company v. Joaquin Estrada, et al. 1888

Box 29, Folder 11

Labor Contracts 1881-82 1886 1891-92

Box 29, Folder 12

Mining Claims 1872 1879 1882

Box 29, Folder 13

Opium Sales 1889-1891

Box 29, Folder 14

Property Records 1873-5 1878-9 1885

Scope and Content Note

[includes 1874 deed for Louis Store property]
Box 29, Folder 15

Property Records 1901 1914 1917

 

E. Freight Bills 1887-1914

Scope and Content Note

Louis depended on the combination of steamship and narrow gauge railway to transport his cargo to San Luis Obispo. Most freight bills are from the Pacific Coast Railway/Pacific Coast Steamship Company and Southern Pacific Company. The bills provide evidence of the types of items that Louis sold in his store and provided for his laborers. Included are photocopies that are annotated by Howard Louis when he was researching the consumption of rice by Chinese laborers during the construction of the railroad. Arranged chronologically. 9 folders.
Box 29, Folder 16

Freight Bills 1887

Box 29, Folder 17

Freight Bills 1888

Box 29, Folder 18

Freight Bills 1889

Box 29, Folder 19

Freight Bills 1890

Box 29, Folder 20

Freight Bills 1891

Box 29, Folder 21

Freight Bills 1892

Box 29, Folder 22

Freight Bills 1894

Box 29, Folder 23

Freight Bills 1914

Box 29, Folder 24

Folders with Howard Louis's holographic notes tracking his research re rice shipped to Ah Louis undated

 

8. Louis Store Records 1937-1943

Scope and Content Note

Contains 4 subseries: A. Purchase Invoices and Receipts, B. Sales Invoices, C. Business Ephemera, D. Freight Bills. Records were originally housed in metal filing boxes.
 

A. Purchase Invoices and Receipts 1937-1943

Scope and Content Note

Contains purchase invoices and receipts and associated incoming and outgoing correspondence, arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by business name. 16 folders.
Box 30, Folder 1

Purchase invoices and receipts, A-C 1937

Box 30, Folder 2

Purchase invoices and receipts, F-I 1937

Box 30, Folder 3

Purchase invoices and receipts, M-O 1937

Box 30, Folder 4

Purchase invoices and receipts, P-Q 1937

Box 30, Folder 5

Purchase invoices and receipts, S 1937

Box 30, Folder 6

Purchase invoices and receipts, T,V-W 1937

Box 30, Folder 7

Purchase invoices and receipts, Y-Z 1937

Box 30, Folder 8

Purchase invoices and receipts, A-B 1941

Box 30, Folder 9

Purchase invoices and receipts, C Folder 1 of 2 1941-2

Box 30, Folder 10

Purchase invoices and receipts, C Folder 2 of 2 1941-3

Box 30, Folder 11

Purchase invoices and receipts, F-I 1941

Box 30, Folder 12

Purchase invoices and receipts, J-N 1941 1943

Box 30, Folder 13

Purchase invoices and receipts, P 1941 1943

Box 30, Folder 14

Purchase invoices and receipts, Q-R 1941

Box 30, Folder 15

Purchase invoices and receipts, S 1940-41 1946

Box 30, Folder 16

Purchase invoices and receipts, T-U, W, Z 1940-43

 

B. Sales Invoices 1937-1941

Scope and Content Note

Contains sales invoices and correspondence, arranged alphabetically by customer. 4 folders.
Box 31, Folder 1

Corner Cupboard, Carmel, California 1937

Box 31, Folder 2

Green, Milly, Missouri 1941

Box 31, Folder 3

Jones, Robert M., Cambria, California 1937

Box 31, Folder 4

Tucks's Gift Shop, Paso Robles, California 1937

 

C. Business Ephemera 1937-1944

Scope and Content Note

Contains business-related ephemera including receipts for utilities and store upkeep, receipts for rental property, and completed census and tax records. Some personal receipts are included. 10 folders.
Box 31, Folder 5

Business licenses 1937 1941 1943-44

Box 31, Folder 6

Utilities and maintenance bills 1936-7 1941 1943

Box 31, Folder 7

Personal receipts and correspondence 1936-37 1941

Box 31, Folder 8

Hostess for Hospitality Merchant Frances Campbell, agreements and invoices 1941 1943

Box 31, Folder 9

Census of Business report and taxes 1939

Box 31, Folder 10

Advertising receipts 1937-8 1941

Box 31, Folder 11

Sales and Property taxes, receipts and correspondence 1937-43

Box 31, Folder 12

Ah Louis Store - shipping tags, business cards undated

Box 31, Folder 13

Receipts for Palm Street rentals 1937-1941

Box 31, Folder 14

Unidentified business correspondence and receipts undated

 

D. Freight Bills 1937-1943

Scope and Content Note

Contains freight bills recording transport of merchandise from companies in San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles. Some receipts provide evidence of the varied merchandise that stocked the Louis Store, including chinaware, groceries, and fireworks The records are in original order. 3 folders.
Box 31, Folder 15

Freight Bills 1937

Box 31, Folder 16

Freight Bills 1941

Box 31, Folder 17

Freight Bills 1934-1943

 

9. Artifacts

Scope and Content Note

Contains 1 subseries: A. Artifacts.
 

A. Storage Containers 1930s-1943

Scope and Content Note

Contains storage containers in which photographs and Louis Store records were originally housed. 2 boxes.
Box 25

Cardboard boxes with handwritten labels that originally housed negatives of China Trip and family photographs

Box 25

Metal canisters that originally stored 35mm film circa 1930s

Box 25

Negative scrapbooks that originally stored negatives from China Trip circa 1933