Adrian Meewis Collection
Finding aid created by Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room staff using RecordEXPRESS
Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
2024
215 East "C" Street
Ontario, California 91764-4111
(909) 395-2206
localhistory@ontarioca.gov
https://www.ontarioca.gov/LibraryEvents
Title: Adrian Meewis Collection
Dates: 1962-1989
Collection Number: Consult library
Creator/Collector:
Meewis, Adrian
Extent: 15 linear feet
Repository:
Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room
Ontario, California 91764-4111
Abstract: This collection consists of materials relating to community activist Adrian Meewis' 35 year battle with the Los Angeles Department
of Airports over airport noise generated by Ontario International Airport.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research during the posted operating hours of the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room or
by appointment. Please contact the history room in advance for access.
Collection open for research.
[Identification of item]. Adrian Meewis Collection. Collection Number: Consult library. Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood
Model Colony History Room
Donated by Adrian Meewis on April 25, 1989.
Biography/Administrative History
Adrian Meewis came of age hiding from the Nazis in his native Holland. He immigrated to Ontario in 1947 and attained his
U.S. citizenship in the early 1950’s. Taking to heart the judge’s admonition to “get involved,” he began attending city council
meetings and soon became aware of Ontario International Airport’s growing pangs. By 1954, he maintained that the noise from
aircraft taking off from the Ontario International Airport was disrupting his life. He began to accumulate noise studies
and reports, and attend numerous city, county and regional meetings held on the subject of airport noise.
For the next 35 years he fought against the airport’s noise, wanting its operations removed to Norton AFB in downtown San
Bernardino. He helped form a citizen’s committee of homeowners that initiated a seven year lawsuit against the Los Angeles
Dept. of Airports. Early on in the lawsuit, Mr. Meewis and his committee rejected an initial settlement offer from LAX. After
a long fight the committee finally settled, unfortunately garnering less than half of that initial offer from LAX.
In 1989 he gave up the fight and moved to quieter Calimesa, Ca. He donated 69 binders documenting his fight against the airport
noise and other city affairs to the Model Colony Room on April 25, 1989. He died three years later in 1992.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection consists of materials collected by Adrian Meewis during his 35 year fight against airport noise. Materials
include correspondence, municipal documents including environmental impact reports, noise studies, and city reports, minutes
from community groups and committees, miscellaneous newsletters, brochures, and other ephemera, and newspaper clippings.
Meewis, Adrian
Los Angeles (Calif.) Department of Airports
Ontario International Airport (Calif.)
Ontario (Calif.)