The collection consists of correspondence, documents, and news clippings related to the life and professional activities of George Tompkins Peabody.

George Tompkins Peabody was born July 23, 1879 in Sacramento, California to Henry Adams Peabody and Sallie Bradley Peabody. Peabody was a key figure in the development of the City of Newport Beach. He served on the first Board of Trustees of Newport Beach following the city’s incorporation in 1906. The following year, he was one of the sixteen “Harbor Boosters” responsible for the creation of the Chamber of Commerce, for which he later served as President. During his tenure, he handled the public relations and politics related to the Newport Harbor Development, public voting bond issues, and public hearings before the Board of Army Engineers attempting to gain federal assistance. Recognizing the potential of Pacific Electric Island as a commercial harbor, Peabody was instrumental in persuading oil tycoon W.K. Parkinson to purchase the island (renamed Lido Isle) in 1923. He, along with Harry Welch, aided Parkinson in obtaining a permit to build a bridge between Lido Isle and the Newport Beach mainland.

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