L. E. Behymer Collection, 1879-1947
Finding aid created by Los Angeles Public Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
Los Angeles Public Library
2022
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Los Angeles, California 90071
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Title: L. E. Behymer Collection, 1879-1947
Dates: 1879-1947
Collection Number: Behymer_B01-Behymer_B07
Creator/Collector:
Behymer, Lyndon Ellsworth.
Extent: 7 boxes (2.75 linear feet)
Repository:
Los Angeles Public Library
Los Angeles, California 90071
Abstract: Lyndon Ellsworth Behymer was an early 20th century music impresario in the Los
Angeles area. His sixty-year career involved working with acts including Nellie Melba,
Tommaso Salvini, Edwin Booth, Ignace Jan Paderewski, Mei-Lan-Fan, Lily Pons, John
Philip Sousa, Anna Pavlova, Isadora Duncan, Maud Allen, Frederick Warde, and Mary
Garden. Behymer, known at “Bee” throughout his career, was unique in working
independently in a time when most theatre and music in the region was managed by large
corporations. He is often credited with altering the cultural scene in Los Angeles, raising
the Western city’s profile as a cultural beacon. The L. E. Behymer Collection contains
2.75 linear feet of photographs, print materials, correspondence, ephemera, and
scrapbooks that pertain to the personal life and professional activities of Lynden
Ellsworth Behymer, early 20th century, California-based impresario. The bulk of the
collection is the performer materials, consisting of autographed and unsigned
photographs of performers and other performer images, such as postcards, cartoons, and
posters.
Language of Material: English
This collection is stored on-site at the Central Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. It is open for research by appointment
only.
[Identification of item]. L. E. Behymer Collection, 1879-1947. Collection Number: Behymer_B01-Behymer_B07. Los Angeles Public
Library
Gift of Mr. Ralph W. Hoffman of Behymer, Hoffman and Hunt, circa 1968.
Biography/Administrative History
Lynden Ellsworth Behymer was born on November 5, 1866 in New Palestine, Ohio. Following the American Civil War, in which Behymer’s
father fought with the Union Army, the family moved to Shelbyville, Illinois. During his youth, Behymer cultivated an interest
in music and theatre while completing his high school education, all at the encouragement of his father to make something
of himself. After finishing his schooling, Behymer settled in the Dakota Territory to stake a mining claim during the Black
Hills Gold Rush era. It was there that he married Minetta Sparks, a local teacher and school principle. The couple settled
in present day South Dakota, where Behymer operated a store. Soon after settling down, however, the pair’s entire home and
business were destroyed in a cyclone.
In 1886, following this loss, Behymer and his wife relocated to California. It was here that Behymer began working his way
up in the music and theatrical world, starting with a job at the Grand Opera House. Behymer made his initial mark on the scene
when he helped bring the first significant opera production to Los Angeles with the National Grand Opera Company. With this
performance, Behymer began his career as a Los Angeles area impresario. His career spanned sixty years and involved bringing
such acts as Nellie Melba, Tommaso Salvini, Edwin Booth, Ignace Jan Paderewski, Mei-Lan-Fan, Lily Pons, John Philip Sousa,
Anna Pavlova, Isadora Duncan, Maud Allen, Frederick Warde, and Mary Garden. While centered around Los Angeles, Behymer played
a role in performances throughout California and the West.
In 1904, Behymer also founded the Gamut Club with a group of Los Angeles performers. This organization quickly expanded to
include other contributors to and financers of cultural events such as writers and businessmen. The Gamut Club building was
formerly located at 1044 South Hope Street in Downtown Los Angeles and included a 668-seat theatre, music, and banquet room
in addition to artists’ studios.
Behymer, known at “Bee” to those who knew him throughout his career, altered the cultural scene in Los Angeles. Previously,
most theatre and music in the region was managed by large corporations, but Bee operated independently, giving him more flexibility
and influence. Before the turn of the century, the West was never regarded as a cultural beacon, but Behymer helped to change
this impression, raising the profile of West as a cultured place capable of drawing nationally and internationally recognized
performers.
The legacy of Behymer includes organizing Los Angeles’ first symphony orchestra in 1914, which he managed for eighteen years;
formation of the Philharmonic courses throughout major cities of the American Southwest; taking part in the founding of the
Hollywood Bowl; bringing performances from the Metropolitan Opera Company and Chicago Opera Company; and playing an instrumental
role in the opening of the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. At the height of his career, Behymer organized seasons with hundreds
of bookings in cities across California and the West. Behymer was also known for his dynamic programs that appealed to the
mainstream by combining operatic performances with popular singers, such as Sarah Bernhardt, and with Vaudeville acts.
It was through this relentless pursuit of musical, theatrical, and operatic acts, and his popular programs, that Behymer was
able to raise the American West’s profile as a cultural center to rival the East.
Throughout his lifetime, Behymer received dozens of foreign honors and local accolades, including those from the International
Institute of American Ideals, the City of Los Angeles Department of Municipal Art Bureau of Music, and the International Adventurers.
Scope and Content of Collection
The L. E. Behymer Collection contains XX linear feet of photographs, print materials, correspondence, ephemera, and scrapbooks
that pertain to the personal life and professional activities of Lynden Ellsworth Behymer, an early 20th century, California-based
impresario. Professional materials document performances brought by Behymer to Los Angeles and other cities throughout the
American West, the Great Philharmonic Course program, awards, honors, and events pertaining to Behymer’s work, and documentation
of his theatre and association, the Gamut Club. Personal materials document correspondence, memorabilia, and photographs of
Behymer with colleagues and friends. Performer materials include autographed portrait photographs, unsigned photographs of
performers, and other images of performers such as postcards, cartoons, and posters.
Opera--20th century.
Theatrical producers and directors--California--Los Angeles.
Behymer, Lyndon Ellsworth.
Los Angeles (Calif.)