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E Clampus Vitus Records
mssEClamp
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: E Clampus Vitus records
Creator:
E Clampus Vitus
(Fraternal order)
Identifier/Call Number: mssEClamp
Physical Description:
8 Linear Feet
(5 boxes, 4 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1933-1984
Abstract: This collection contains the records of
the Platrix Chapter (Los Angeles) of E Clampus Vitus (Fraternal order).
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. E Clampus Vitus records, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts of Dr. Robert Stragnell, January 1983, January 1984, February 1986, May 1986; Gift of
Ted N. Weissbuch, April 1985; Gift of Thomas Bent, August 1989.
E Clampus Vitus was a benevolent social organization prominent in California during the
Gold Rush; it existed as a burlesque of the usual fraternal societies, but it also engaged
in charitable activities. It is thought to have started in western Virginia or eastern
Pennsylvania, traveled to the Midwest, then overland with the Forty-niners to California.
There are rival claims in California for the location of the first chapter: Downieville,
Sierra City, and Stockton. It was revived in 1932 by historian Carl I. Wheat and others with
the establishment of the "Yerba Buena" chapter in San Francisco. A year later a chapter was
formed in Los Angeles, known as the "Platrix" chapter. This irreverent organization was
founded mainly for fun and as a social organization for men interested in Western history.
There are now chapters throughout the state that hold treks to various locations and install
historical plaques.
A collection of 1,655 items which contains the records of the Platrix Chapter of E Clampus
Vitus. The records include correspondence, publicity, photographs, and material related to
the history of the Platrix Chapter from 1933 to 1984. Most of the material came from the
files of Sidney Davidson Platford (1889-1980), a long-time leader in this southern
California group and titled the first Sublime Noble Grand Humbug of the Grand Council.
Processed by Huntington Staff, circa 1985-1988. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the
finding aid derived from a legacy in-house summary report.
Arranged chronologically.
E Clampus Vitus. Platrix Chapter, no. 2 : 1983 directory of members and the history of the
first 50 years (480854); E Clampus Vitus-Platrix Chapter No. 2 slide collection (photCL
265).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Brotherhoods -- California
Fraternal organizations -- California, Southern
Business records -- California -- 20th century
Letters (correspondence) -- California -- 20th century
Manuscripts -- California -- 20th century
Platford, Sidney Davidson, 1889-1980