Guide to the David W. Cunningham Diary Collection
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: David W. Cunningham Diary Collection
Creator:
Cunningham, David W., 1829-1916
Identifier/Call Number: SC.DWC
Extent:
0.50 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1883-1900
Abstract: David W. Cunningham kept a daily diary
from 1883-1900. In them he recorded a variety of details describing daily life. Nine such
diaries make up the collection. Entries are brief, taking about half of a page in the pocket
diary.
Language of Material: English
Biographical Information:
David West Cunningham was born in Boston, MA December 24, 1829. After attending Harvard
University he worked as a civil engineer. He is known primarily for his work on waterworks
and railroads, including the Cochituate Aqueduct, the Manchester and Lawrence Railroad, and
the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad. He also worked for the Lowell (MA) Waterworks,
the Stillwater (MN) Water works, the Tarkio Valley (MO) Railroad, and consulted on the
Minneapolis Waterworks.
After leaving the American northeast Mr. Cunningham spent six years in Chile, moved to
Texas following the US Civil War, farmed in North Dakota, and finally retired in Los Angeles
in 1895. He married three times, his first and second wives predeceasing him. Mr. Cunningham
died in his Montrose, California home May 11, 1916.
Scope and Contents
David W. Cunningham kept a diary from 1883-1900, nine of which make up the collection.
Cunningham moved to Los Angeles in 1895. Earlier diaries are from Kentucky. He records a
variety of details, most describing daily life. Entries include the price of train tickets
and cigars; he tells of buggy rides from Los Angeles to Hollywood and notes the Christmas
Day earthquake of 1899. Entries are brief, taking about half of a page in the pocket
diary.
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for use.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased. 1975.
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style
manual, or see the
Citing Archival
Materials
guide.
Processing Information:
April Feldman, 2014
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ephemera
