Louis Family Papers
Special Collections and Archives Department
Robert E. Kennedy Library
1 Grand Avenue
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Phone: 805/756-2305
Fax: 805/756-5770
Email: archives@calpoly.edu
URL: http://www.lib.calpoly.edu/specialcollections/
© 2012
Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Louis Family Papers
Special Collections and Archives Department
Robert E. Kennedy Library
1 Grand Avenue
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Contact Information
- Special Collections and Archives Department
- Robert E. Kennedy Library
- 1 Grand Avenue
- California Polytechnic State University
- San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
- Phone: 805/756-2305
- Fax: 805/756-5770
- Email: archives@calpoly.edu
- URL: http://www.lib.calpoly.edu/specialcollections/
- Processed by:
- Catherine Trujillo
- Processed by:
- Laura Sorvetti
- Processed by:
- Beverley Kwang
- Date Completed:
- 2012
- Encoded by:
- Byte Managers, 2013
© 2012 Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Louis Family Papers
Date (inclusive): 1872-2009
Date (bulk): (bulk 1880-1945)
Collection number: MS 167
Creator:
Louis, Ah, 1840-1936
Louis, Gon Ying, 1868-1909
Louis, Lena Ah Tye, 1891-19875
Louis, Wong Young, 1893-1988
Louis, Mae, 1895-1988
Louis, Walter Sing, 1897-1993
Louis, Helen Wong, 1903-1994
Louis, Fred Wong, 1907-1994
Louis, Howard, 1908-2008
Extent:
31 boxes (19 linear feet)
Repository:
Special Collections and Archives, Robert E. Kennedy Library, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California
93407
Abstract: 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.
Provenance
Donated in 2010.
Restrictions on Access
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.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
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.
Photocopying of material is permitted at staff discretion and provided on a fee basis. Photocopies are not to be used for
any purpose other than for private study, scholarship, or research. Special Collections staff reserves the right to limit
photocopying and deny access or reproduction in cases when, in the opinion of staff, the original materials would be harmed.
Preferred Citation
Louis Family Papers, Special Collections and Archives, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Biographical Note
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.
Louis' business ventures were many and varied. Records show he was a labor contractor for railroad and road building, mines,
farms, and other local work. In the 1870s he opened
what is believed to be the first brickyard in the county, and the bricks from his operation were used in many downtown edifices
that still remain, including the old San Luis Obispo Courthouse and his own store. Louis also engaged in vegetable farming
and later seed farming in farmland throughout San Luis Obispo County. He owned mercury and chrome mines and bred racehorses.
Louis opened a general mercantile store in 1874, to provide for the needs of his laborers and direct his labor contracts.
In 1884 he built a brick store at 800 Palm Street (the corner
of Palm and Chorro). From the building Louis operated and oversaw his many business enterprises, as well as serving as a banker,
advisor, herbalist, and merchant. The store was
stocked with Chinese foods and herbs, as well as Anglo holiday wares, firecrackers, Japanese goods, and an assortment of wares
imported from San Francisco's Chinatown or
directly from China.
In 1889 Louis married Eng Gon Ying (1868-1909) in San Francisco. Their eight children, born in the family residence located
above the Louis Store, were:
Lena Ah Tye (1891-1975)
Young Jung Yeong (1893-1988)
Mae Ah May (1895-1988)
Walter Ah Sing (1897-1993)
George Ah Him (1899-1993)
Helen Ah Heong (1903-1994)
Fred Ah Yuey (1907-1994)
Howard "Toby" Ah Toa Wong (1908-2008)
The experiences of the Louis siblings are extensive and varied. They attended San Luis Obispo public schools and Cal Poly
and worked for local businesses. They were actresses,
restaurateurs, photographers, servicemen, and participated in the development of the Chinese American community in San Luis
Obispo.
Court records suggest that Ah Louis had a son, Willie Louis, born from a previous marriage in China. It is unclear if Willie
Louis was a biological son of Ah Louis or if he was claimed as a "paper son" in order to immigrate to the United States. In
1909 Willie Louis was convicted of murdering Eng Gon Ying Louis.
In December 1932, at the age of 93, Ah Louis, accompanied by his sons, Fred and Howard, returned to China, intending to live
out the rest of his life in his homeland. However, soon after arriving in China, Louis wished to return to San Luis Obispo,
disappointed in the political upheaval and lack of social change in Canton. Ah Louis anticipated living out the remainder
of his days in China; therefore he did not have the requisite paperwork needed to return to the United States. The Chinese
Exclusion Act required all Chinese to obtain
certification for re-entry; as a result Ah Louis, accompanied by Fred and Howard, was detained at Angel Island, San Francisco.
After obtaining support of several prominent San
Luis Obispo residents, including Mayor Sinsheimer and Superior Court Judge Norton, Louis was permitted to reenter the United
States in November 1932.
Ah Louis died in San Luis Obispo on December 18, 1936.
Howard "Toby" Louis (1908-2008) was the youngest of the Louis children. He attended Court School and San Luis Obispo High
School and worked several jobs in San Luis Obispo,
including projectionist at the Elmo Theatre. He attended University of California Berkeley from 1930 until he left to accompany
his father on his trip to China.
After their return from China, Howard took over management of the Louis Store and shifted the merchandise sold from general
sundries to imported gifts and art objects. In 1941
Howard married Yvonne Sam and in 1942 was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in the 89
th Infantry Division in Europe.
After returning to San Luis Obispo, Howard resumed management of the store. In the early 1950s Howard prevented the demolition
of the store when the city wanted the space for a
parking lot. In 1965 the store was designated a state historical landmark.
Howard remained active in the San Luis Obispo community throughout his life. He provided substantial support for the Chinatown
mural on the Palm Street parking structure, the Iron Road Pioneers statue in Railroad Square, and a new entrance to San Luis
Obispo High School.
Howard Louis, the last surviving child of Ah Louis, passed away in San Luis Obispo on August 15, 2008 at the age of 100.
Sources
Wong, H. K.
Gum Sahn Yun (Gold Mountain Men). California: Fong Bros. Print., 1987.
Twelfth Census of the United States (1900)
Thirteenth Census of the United States (1910)
Articles on the murder of Gon Ying Louis published in the
San Luis Obispo Tribune, 1909
Ochs, Patricia M.
A History of Chinese Labor in San Luis Obispo County and A Comparison of Chinese Relations in This County with the Anti-Chinese
Movement in California, 1869-1894
. 1966. Senior Project, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1966.
Scope and Content Note
The Louis Family Papers contain the personal and business records of the prominent Chinese-American mercantile family of San
Luis Obispo, California.
The Louis Family Papers are organized in nine series:
Series 1. Ah Louis Personal Papers, 1891-1937
Series 2. Louis Children Personal Papers, 1914-1994
Series 3. Howard and Yvonne Louis Personal Papers, 1908-2009
Series 4. China Trip, 1932-1934
Series 5. Clippings Files, 1927-2009
Series 6. Photographs, 1888-2008
Series 7. Ah Louis Business Records, 1872-1932
Series 8. Louis Store Records, 1937-1943
Series 9. Artifacts
The records span two generations of the Louis family—patriarch Ah Louis, wife Eng Gon Ying, and their eight children and their
spouses—from the late nineteenth century through the turn of the twenty-first century. Although the collection is relatively
small in physical extent, it warrants attention as one of the most extensive sets of records of a Chinese-American family
in nineteenth- and twentieth-century San Luis Obispo County.
Records created or collected by Ah Louis in his personal or business pursuits account for only a small portion of the collection,
approximately 1 linear foot. However, his business
records are of particular interest and value to researchers of early San Luis Obispo history. The records document Chinese
laborers in the county and provide evidence of Louis' various business pursuits, including his store; agricultural and mining
interests; and labor, property, and brickyard records.
Records pertaining to Ah Louis identify him by several different names, including Wong On, Ah Luis, Ah Luey, and Ah Louis.
Howard Louis is identified in personal correspondence as "Toby."
Seven of Louis' nine children's papers are represented in the collection and include records created by their spouses. Not
found in the collection are records pertaining to sons George Louis and Willie Louis (a son from a previous marriage). The
bulk of these records were created, collected, or annotated by Howard Louis, the last surviving family member. As the final
custodian of the family's papers, Howard Louis photocopied and annotated many documents, as well as apparently reorganizing
the records. Howard Louis deposited photocopies of portions of the records with the History Center of San Luis Obispo County
(formerly the San Luis Obispo County Historical Society).
Of particular interest in the family's personal papers is Series 4, the records of a trip Howard, Fred, and Ah Louis made
to China in 1933, which comprises approximately 5 linear
feet. The China Trip Series includes correspondence to and from Howard and Fred to their friends and family in the U.S. and
China. Subseries C: Documents Regarding Ah Louis'
Return to the United States contains documents created when Ah Louis was held at Angel Island, San Francisco, awaiting permission
to reenter the United States. These documents include letters of recommendation written by prominent San Luis Obispo families
and a detailed interview with Louis, conducted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, in
which he provides valuable biographical information. Scrapbooks and hundreds of photos of the trip—many annotated near the
time of creation—are in Series 6: Photographs.
The business records are divided into two series: Ah Louis's business records and the Louis Store business records from 1937
to 1943. Ah Louis' business records document the varied business interests that Ah Louis engaged in while living in San Luis
Obispo. Series 8 contains records created while the store was primarily under the management of Howard. They provide only
an incomplete record of his full tenure, which spanned roughly 1936 to 2008.
Several series in the collection include photocopies of original documents. In some instances the originals are also included;
however, in numerous cases the originals are not present. The majority of the collection lost original order and during processing
a new order was imposed to more accurately reflect folders' contents.
In transit to Cal Poly an intermediary not affiliated with Cal Poly reorganized the collection and materials were removed
and deposited at UCLA and the National Archives at San
Francisco. Materials absent from the collection include documents related to the murder of Gon Ying Louis, the wife of Ah
Louis; Willie Louis, Ah Louis' son from his first marriage; and
personal correspondence of Ah Louis written in Chinese, which was separated from the papers and deposited at UCLA before arriving
at Cal Poly.
The Louis Family Papers are housed in 33 boxes.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Chinese--California.
Chinese--California--History--19th century.
Chinese--California--History.
Chinese Americans--California--San Luis Obispo--History.
Chinese Americans--California--History.
San Luis Obispo (Calif.)--History
San Luis Obispo County (Calif.)--History
Business records
Correspondence
Family papers
Glass and film negatives
Photographs
Scrapbooks
Secondary sources
Related Material
Related Collections:
Special Collections and University Archives, Cal Poly
Sinsheimer Collection, 1868-1997 (MS 36)
University Archives Photograph Collection
Special Collections, Young Research Library, UCLA
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Chinese American Oral History Project, 1978-1991 (MS 1688)
Ah Louis Correspondence [unprocessed]
History Center of San Luis Obispo County (previously known as the San Luis Obispo Historical Society)
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 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 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.
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 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 22
"Biographical Briefs of Ah Louis' Family," typescript by Fred Louis
1970
Box 2, Folder 23
Correspondence, Fred Louis to Howard Louis
1978
1992
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
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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 44
Schwartz, Beebee & Company
1885
1890
Box 28, Folder 45
Selby Smelting & Lead Company
1891
Box 28, Folder 48
Southern Pacific Milling Company
1905
1908
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 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 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 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 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.
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