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Dentzel (Carl S.) Collection
URB.CSD
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Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Carl S. Dentzel Collection
Creator:
Dentzel, Carl S., 1913-1980
Identifier/Call Number: URB.CSD
Physical Description:
12.17 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1932-1996
Date (bulk): 1932-1975
Abstract: The
Carl S.
Dentzel Collection
documents the work and influences of Carl S. Dentzel throughout
his lifetime as a journalist and a community activist, including the renaming of the city of
Northridge, the coverage of the conflicts abroad between the U.S., Central America, South
America, and Europe, and his work with organizations including the Museum Association, and
the Municipal Arts. It includes correspondence, pamphlets, annual reports, budgets, minutes,
newsletters, reports, maps and photographs.
Language of Material: English,
Chinese,
Spanish; Castilian,
Portuguese,
German
Carl Schaefer Dentzel was born in 1913, the son of Edward P. Dentzel, a councilman and
mayor of Beverly Hills, and Mrs. Emma P. Dentzel, co-founder of the park system for Beverly
Hills. He attended Beverly Hills High School and continued his education studying abroad in
Berlin, Munich and Mexico City before beginning a career as a journalist.
Between 1933 and 1936, Dentzel was a syndicate news correspondent in Europe and Asia. He
traveled extensively before returning to Southern California in 1940. He settled in the
Northwest Region of the San Fernando Valley, known at the time as Zelzah and North Los
Angeles (later renamed "Northridge"), where he became a determined leader in the cultural
affairs of his community.
He served as editor and writer of the
Northridge Herald and
The Federalist, and as president of the Chamber of Commerce.
During WWII he acted as an official of the Office of Inter-American Affairs, which led to
his post as executive secretary of the Southern California Council of Inter-American Affairs
during the late 1940s. Dentzel had a lifelong interest in the Southwest and a commitment to
preserving its unique Native American, Spanish and Mexican Heritage. He wrote and spoke
often on the importance of American cooperation with Latin America during their periods of
civil unrest, and served as Director of the Southwest Museum for 25 years, building up a
repository of history and archaeology within the museum.
Dentzel was dedicated to preserving the landmarks of Los Angeles, and played a major role
in founding the city's Cultural Heritage Board in 1962. His relationship with the Board
continued beyond its founding and Carl served as both president and vice-president. He also
was a member of the "El Pueblo de Los Angeles Movement," which helped preserve historic
landmarks of Los Angeles, particularly in the downtown area.
The
Carl S. Dentzel Collection documents the work and
influence of Carl S. Dentzel throughout his lifetime as a journalist and a community
activist, including the renaming of the city of Northridge, the coverage of the conflicts
abroad between the U.S., Central America, South America, and Europe, and his work with
organizations including the Museum Association and the Municipal Arts. It includes
correspondence, pamphlets, annual reports, budgets, minutes, newsletters, reports, maps and
photographs. The collection consists of six major series:
International
Affairs
(
1939-1943),
Local Affairs
(1932-1967),
Museum Association
(1941-1996),
Municipal Art (1940-1975),
Photographs (1954-1975), and
Oversize
Material
(1932-1975).
Series I,
International Affairs, consists of materials that
document Dentzel's work as a correspondent with a particular focus on international issues
and geopolitics. The series includes newsletters, correspondence, and flyers, as well as
other materials regarding the political, economic, and cultural relationships between the
United States and other nations and communities. Also included are materials regarding civil
issues within foreign nations, especially those in Central America, South America, and Asia.
The series is filed alphabetically.
Series II,
Local Affairs, consists of materials that document
Dentzel's work and involvement in local politics and community work. Included are materials
related to his work with several local colleges and universities, as well as his involvement
with the Chamber of Commerce and other local institutions. The series includes
correspondence, minutes, notes, flyers, and other materials. The series is filed
alphabetically.
Series III,
Museum Association, consists of materials that
document Dentzel's work with the Museum Association, an organization specifically concerned
with museum and exhibit work, as well as providing support for museums in Los Angeles
County. The series includes correspondence, minutes, notes, flyers and other documentation
relating to Board meetings and activities within the Museum Association, and it is filed
alphabetically.
Series IV,
Municipal Art, consists of materials that document
Dentzel's work within the Los Angeles and Northridge communities, including the Cultural
Heritage Board, Heritage Square, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, and his efforts to improve and
preserve Los Angeles's cultural history. This series includes correspondence, flyers,
articles, minutes, and other documentation pertaining to his work on various boards,
projects dedicated to the restoration and preservation of city landmarks, and the cultural
history of Los Angeles County as a whole. This series has been further divided into three
subseries:
General (1943-1969),
Cultural
Heritage Board
(1958-1970), and
El Pueblo de Los Angeles
(1947-1975). The series is filed alphabetically.
Series V,
Photographs, consists of photographs documenting
Dentzel's participation in numerous events with the League of Women Voters, with whom he
maintained a partnership during his years of community outreach and involvement. Also
included is a folder of photographs of various people and events. The series is filed
alphabetically.
Series VI,
Oversize Material, consists of oversized materials
from Series I through Series V. It includes maps, newspapers, posters and various other
materials. The series is filed alphabetically.
Series I: International Affairs, 1939-1943
Series II: Local Affairs, 1932-1967
Series III: Museum Association, 1941-1996
Series IV: Municipal Art, 1940-1975
Subseries A: General, 1943-1969
Subseries B: Cultural Heritage Board, 1958-1970
Subseries C: El Pueblo de Los Angeles, 1947-1975
Series V: Photographs, 1954-1975
Series VI: Oversize, 1932-1975
The collection is open for research 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
Carl S. Dentzel and Elizabeth Waldo Dentzel. 04/16/1986.
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual,
or see the
Citing Archival Materials
guide.
Sara Pacheco, 2012
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Maps
Documents
Photographs