Guide to the George White Marston Civic Collection
MS 35
Finding aid prepared by Lauren Rasmussen
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
October 3, 2012
Title: George White Marston Civic Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 35
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear feet
(5 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1768, 1886-1975
Abstract: The collection contains materials documenting the civic activities of George White Marston.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
creator:
Marston, George White, 1850-1946
Processing Information
Collection processed by Lauren Rasmussen on October 3, 2012.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Preferred Citation
George White Marston Civic Collection, MS 35, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Biographical / Historical Notes
George White Marston (1850-1946) arrived in San Diego in 1870. After working as a hotel clerk at the Horton House, Marston
joined the mercantile firm at A. Pauly and Sons in 1871. Then in 1872, he took a job clerking for storekeeper John Nash. Five
years later, Marston partnered with Charles Hamilton and bought the business from Nash. The association with Hamilton lasted
until 1878, when Marston opened a clothing store at 5th and D streets. The store continued to grow, and in 1912 was incorporated
as the Marston Company, which served as San Diego’s premier department store.
Marston was very active in numerous civic activities throughout San Diego. For over thirty years, Marston spearheaded the
development of the San Diego waterfront and Civic Center with the cooperation of landscape architect John Nolen. Marston also
acted as chairman of the Parks and Beaches Association, where he raised funds and donated his own money to create two state
parks in Anza-Borrego and Torrey Pines. In 1873, he was secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, where he would later serve as
president. In 1882, he joined the first board of trustees of the public library. That same year he founded the local YMCA,
and served on the board for 62 years, 22 of which he acted as president.
Marston ran for mayor twice, once in 1913 and again in 1917, and though he was popular, he was defeated in both elections.
During the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, Marston was chairman of the Building & Grounds Committee, and acted as one
of the commissioners of the California Building after the Exposition ended in 1916. He created Presidio Park in 1925, which
he then donated to the City of San Diego along with the Serra Museum in 1937. In 1928, he founded the San Diego Historical
Society and assisted in the restoration efforts of the Mission San Diego de Alcala. After a long, prolific life of civic service,
Marston died in 1946 at age 96.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into nine series:
Series I: John Nolen and the 'Nolen Plan'
Series II: San Diego Civic Center and Other City Projects
Series III: San Diego City Park (Balboa Park Pre-1915)
Series IV: Balboa Park and the Expositions 1910-1936
Series V: Presidio Park
Series VI: Torrey Pines State Park
Series VII: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Series VIII: San Diego County State Parks Commission and State-County Parks and Beaches Association
Series IX: Other Civic Activities
Items within each series are arranged by subject.
Scope and Content
The collection contains correspondence, administrative papers, essays, maps, plans, and articles related to the civic activities
of George Marston. These activities include Marston’s work with John Nolen, the development of Balboa Park and its use during
both the 1915 and 1935 Expositions; the creation of Presidio Park, Torrey Pines State Park, and Anza-Borrego State Park; and
Marston’s participation in both the State-County Parks and Beaches Association and the San Diego County State Parks Commission.
The correspondence regarding Marston’s collaboration with John Nolen focuses on the development of the San Diego Civic Center
and the San Diego waterfront, both of which were encompassed in Nolen’s larger plan for the City of San Diego. Other correspondence
with various city planners is present.
A large portion of the collection centers on the development and upkeep of San Diego County’s parks, including Balboa Park,
Presidio Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Torrey Pines State Park parks. This includes correspondence, land deeds,
and financial materials. The documents related to Balboa Park cover a lengthy period from before the 1915 Exposition through
the 1935 Exposition, including the interim period. Correspondence related to Torrey Pines State Park focuses on discussion
and opposition to the construction of Torrey Pines Road. Between 1928 and 1930, the League To Save Torrey Pines, including
Marston, fought and won against a proposed cliff road above the beach. Of particular interest is a letter written to Marston
by H.J. Hill of the Cuyamaca Club, berating Marston for his opposition to the Torrey Pines Road.
Materials related to Marston’s mayoral campaigns and his involvement with the San Diego Historical Society, the Mission San
Diego Alcala restoration, and the YMCA are also present.
Comments
"Presidio Park Statement of George W. Marston 1942" (one item) added to collection from "Presidio San Diego" file in Document
Files Collection.
Separated Materials
Maps previously separated to the SDHC Maps Collection:
La Jolla Quadrangle Topographical Map;
1931 Blackburn's map with San Diego County;
Ramona Quadrangle Topographical Map;
Map of Borego Desert Park;
Indio Quadrangle Topographical Map;
Blueprint Map Anza Desert Park;
Borego Palms - Desert Park
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Allen, Frank Phillips, Jr.
Allen, Russell C.
Angier, Harold
Broell, Percy C.
California Pacific International Exposition (1935-1936 : San Diego, Calif.).
Collier, David Charles
Cornell, Ralph D.
Crosby, W. W.
Davidson, G. Aubrey
Deering, Tam
Drury, Newton Bishop
Hewett, Edgar L. (Edgar Lee), 1865-1946
Kettner, William
Klauber, Melville
M. Hall Company.
Marston, George White, 1850-1946
Marston, Mary Gilman
Nolen, John, 1869-1937
Olmsted Brothers.
Olmsted, Frederick Law, 1870-1957
Olmsted, John Charles, 1852-1920
Panama-California Exposition (1915 : San Diego, Calif.).
Parsons, Samuel, 1844-1923
Presidio Hills Golf Club, Ltd..
Samuel Parsons & Co..
San Diego Chamber of Commerce.
San Diego County State Parks Commission.
Scripps, E. W. (Edward Willis), 1854-1926
Sefton, Joseph W., 1882-1966
Sessions, Kate Olivia, 1857-1940
Sessions, Milton
State-County Parks and Beaches Association.
Union Title Insurance Company.
United States. Works Progress Administration of California.
Wangenheim, Julius
YMCA of San Diego County.
Anza (Calif.)
Anza-Borrego Desert (Calif.)
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (Calif.)
Balboa Park (San Diego, Calif.)
Benefactors
Borrego Springs (Calif.)
City planning
Civic centers
Civic development
La Jolla (San Diego, Calif.)
Local elections
Presidio Park
San Diego (Calif.)
Torrey Pines State Reserve (Calif.)
Series I:
John Nolen and the 'Nolen Plan'
Box-folder 1:1
The Nolen Plan,
1924-1936
Includes:
“John Nolen’s Proposal Water Front Portal Entrance to San Diego” (pamphlet), undated
City Plan for San Diego, 1926
Box-folder 1:2
John Nolen correspondence,
1907 June 3-1910 September 22
Scope and Content
Subjects include general improvements to San Diego as a whole, Nolen offering his services, Marston accepting his services
(on behalf of the City Improvement Committee), discussion of printing the report as the book ‘The Improvement of San Diego’,
Presidio Park development.
Box-folder 1:3
John Nolen correspondence,
1920 May 18-1924 May 19
Scope and Content
Subjects include details of overall San Diego plan, Civic Center/waterfront headway, plans for Roseville Yacht Harbor, and
billing for conference travels.
Box-folder 1:4
John Nolen correspondence,
1924 June 10-December 23
Scope and Content
Subjects include city planning appropriation for projects, billing for Nolen’s travel, Marston’s Presidio Hills development,
Civic Center planning, reports on city planning, and Marston’s private garden.
Box-folder 1:5
John Nolen correspondence,
1925 January 14-1926 October 27
Scope and Content
Subjects include Balboa Park development, Presidio Hills Memorial Park, public parks planning.
Box-folder 1:6
John Nolen correspondence,
1927 January 11-December 27
Scope and Content
Subjects include Civic Center/waterfront development, Presidio Hills, conference travel, billing.
Box-folder 1:7
John Nolen correspondence,
1928 January 10-1929 October 26
Scope and Content
Subjects include San Diego City zoning, the San Diego Civic Association, Presidio Hills Park development.
Box-folder 1:8
John Nolen correspondence,
1929 November 8-1935 May 7
Scope and Content
Subjects include Nolen’s travel, expense accounts, Park and Planning Commissions, city parks planning, waterfront development.
Box-folder 1:9
John Nolen papers,
1926-1933 and undated
Includes:
John Nolen’s curriculum vitae pamphlet, undated
Marston’s recommendation of Nolan to the Tennessee Valley Authority, July 7, 1933
Nolen’s essay, “State Planning,” undated
Series II:
San Diego Civic Center and Other City Projects
Box-folder 1:10
Correspondence from city planners,
1907 June 10-1921 April 12
Box-folder 1:11
City waterfront improvements,
1911 November 27-1927 August 1
Includes:
Map of San Diego Bay, 1936
Box-folder 1:12
City Civic Center planning,
1909 April 2-1938 May 16
Includes:
“Tentative Proposal for Civic Center on the Waterfront , San Diego, California, and its Relation to the City Plan,” May 27,
1927
‘Radial Plan for Civic Center’ diagrams, April and August, 1936
State of California Department of Public Works Division of Highways blueprint, “Sketch of Proposed Office Site – Dist. XI”
(proposed Civic Center site) (in F4D1)
Box-folder 1:13
Civic Center election,
1933-1935 and undated
Includes:
"Special Consolidated State and County Election" sample ballot, 1935 (in F4D1)
Results of election on City-Bounty Building bonds, April 23, 1935 (in F4D1)
Box-folder 1:14
Civic Center federal funding,
1934 February 26-1936 August 1 and undated
Box-folder 1:15
Civic Center newspaper and magazine articles,
1930 October-1941 April and undated
Box-folder 1:16
Civic Center miscellanea,
1938 July 16 and undated
Includes:
Invitation to the San Diego reception of President Franklin Roosevelt, July 16, 1938
Box-folder 1:17
Pacific Highway and Harbor Drive improvements,
1939-1943 and undated
Includes:
“Points for Consideration,” report by the Pacific Highway Committee
Essay, “Pacific Highway” by George Marston, 1939
Pacific Highway Committee correspondence
Series III:
San Diego City Park (Balboa Park Pre-1915)
Box-folder 1:18
Balboa Park legal background,
1902 February 24- 1924 April 27 and undated
Includes:
"Ordinance No. 1096" granting Kate Sessions use of portions of "City Park" for tree and plant cultivation, February 24, 1902
Box-folder 1:19
Balboa Park planners correspondence,
1901 October 10-1902 October 25
Includes:
Correspondence of city planners and Kate Sessions regarding development of Balboa Park
Box-folder 1:20
Park Plans and Improvement Committee meeting minutes and secretary reports,
1903 January 6-May 25
Box-folder 1:21
Park Plans and Improvement Committee meeting minutes and secretary reports,
1903 June 3-September 30
Box-folder 2:1
Park Plans and Improvement Committee meeting minutes and secretary reports,
1903 October 1-1905 February 25
Box-folder 2:2
Park Improvement Committee correspondence,
1903 January 5-1904 August 27
Box-folder 2:3
Park Improvement Committee finances,
1902 September 27-1905 July 17 and undated
Includes:
Park Improvement Financial Committee report, July 9, 1903
Park Improvement Committee bank account booklet, September 27, 1902–May 13, 1905
Box-folder 2:4
Park Improvement Committee invoices and purchase orders,
1904 January 13-1905 May 4
Box-folder 2:5
Balboa Park development reports,
1904 February 11-1909 March 29 and undated
Includes:
Report by landscape architect George Cooke, February 11, 1904
Report by the Board of Park Commissioners to the San Diego City Auditor, January 1, 1907
Box-folder 2:6
Marston Hills and Marston Point development,
1924 June 19-November 26
Box-folder 2:7
Balboa Park newspaper articles,
1889 February 6-1911 June 20
Series IV:
Balboa Park and the Expositions 1910-1936
Box-folder 2:8
1915 Panama-California Exposition correspondence,
1910 October 31-1916 December 18
Includes:
Exchanges between the Olmsted Brothers and the Park Buildings and Grounds Committee in which the Olmsted Brothers express
concern about locating the Exposition in the heart of Balboa Park
Telegram conveying resignation of the Olmsted Brothers, September 1, 1911
Box-folder 2:9
1915 Panama-California Exposition promotions,
1915 and undated
Box-folder 2:10
1915 Panama-California Exposition newspaper articles,
1914 November 29-1916 December 30 and undated
Box-folder 2:11
Balboa Park usage, post-1915 Exposition,
1917 February 2-1933 June 29
Box-folder 2:12
Nolen's Balboa Park "general plan,"
1926 November-1927 January
Includes:
“Balboa Park, San Diego – Report to Accompany Preliminary General Plan” by John Nolen, 1926
Proposed Balboa Park “general plan” map, 1927
“Report to Accompany Final General Plan – Balboa Park, San Diego” by John Nolen, 1927
Box-folder 2:13
California Building correspondence,
1919 April 23-1920 March 22 and undated
Scope and Content
Correspondence related to the ongoing use of the California Building as the home of the San Diego Museum
Box-folder 2:14
California Building correspondence,
1920 April 2-1929 February 18
Scope and Content
Correspondence related to the ongoing use of the California Building as the home of the San Diego Museum
Box-folder 2:15
1935 California Pacific International Exposition,
1935 March 14-1936 March 2 and undated
Includes:
Invitation to George Marston’s daughter, Mary, to join the California Pacific International Exposition Women’s Executive Committee,
March 14, 1935
Box-folder 2:16
Balboa Park newspaper articles,
1921 February 18-1968 May 26
Box-folder 2:17
Balboa Park magazine articles,
1925 June-1970 July
Box-folder 2:18
Presidio Park history,
1929-1950 and undated
Includes:
"Presidio Park Statement of George W. Marston 1942," signed by Marston, June 19, 1942
Ralph D. Cornell’s essay, “Presidio Park: Atop a Buried City,” undated
Box-folder 2:19
Fort Stockton, Old Mission property,
1910 June 4-1914 April 4
Box-folder 2:20
Land purchases,
1923 April 11-1937 September 10
Box-folder 2:21
Land purchases,
1937 December 21-1943 July 8
Includes:
Resolution No. 66988 dedicating Presidio Park to the “scenic possessions” of San Diego “to be held forever,” December 21,
1937
Box-folder 3:1
Presidio Park deeds,
1910 April 7-1940 June 6 and undated
Box-folder 3:2
Presidio Park lawsuits,
1934
Box-folder 3:3
Presidio Park donation to city and upkeep,
1927 May 2-1937 December 30 and undated
Includes:
Ordinance No. 1297 dedicating the Presidio Park territory to the City of San Diego as a public park, undated
Box-folder 3:4
Presidio Park upkeep,
1937 December 21-1946 January 21
Box-folder 3:5
Presidio Park labor projects,
1934 December 1-1939 December 31 and undated
Includes:
“Report of Financial Standing Beginning March 10th, 1939 to and including July 25th, 1939” (in F4D1)
“Report of Financial Standing Beginning May 13th, 1939 to and including March 9th, 1939” (in F4D1)
Box-folder 3:6
Presidio Park construction costs,
1907 June-1936 November
Includes:
Works Progress Administration agreement for project at Presidio Park, August 8, 1935
Box-folder 3:7
Presidio Park development costs,
1930-1941
Includes:
"Presidio Park Development" accounts, 1930-1936 (in F4D1)
Box-folder 3:8
Presidio Park landscaping,
1927 December 5-1929 February 1
Box-folder 3:9
Presidio Park landscaping,
1929 February 2-1930 December 1 and undated
Includes:
“Broell’s Map of Planted Areas,” undated (in F4D1)
Receipts from Kate Sessions and Milton Sessions for plants
Box-folder 3:10
Presidio Park improvements,
1933 April-1965 June and undated
Includes:
Map of proposed Presidio Park expansion, February 15, 1940 (in F4D1)
Box-folder 3:11
Inspection tour report,
1936 May 28
Box-folder 3:12
Ralph D. Cornell correspondence,
1940 June 27-1941 February 26
Box-folder 3:13
Presidio Park maps, pictures, and blueprints,
1914-1937 and undated
Includes:
Hand-drawn Presidio Park street map on tracing paper, May 16, 1914 (in F4D1)
Map, “Presidio Hill Park, San Diego, California, Prepared for George W. Marston,” circa 1927 (in F4D1)
“Plan for lookout” drawing on onion skin prepared by Percy Broell, undated (in F4D1)
“Upper floor plan” drawing on tracing paper, undated (in F4D1)
“Proposed Overlook – Presidio Hill” elevations blueprint by John Nolen, April 1935 (in F4D1)
“View from the South East – Proposed Overlook Building in Presidio Hill” blueprint by John Nolen, March 1935 (in F4D1)
“S.D.E.Ry. Co. Old Town Extension, R. of W. Map from Concordia & Jefferson Streets to Twiggs & Couts Sts. in Old Town,” undated
(in F4D1)
Box-folder 3:14
Presidio Hills golf course,
1931 September 1-1936 January 11
Box-folder 3:15
Presidio Park newspaper articles,
1926 February-1970 August and undated
Box-folder 3:16
Presidio Park miscellanea,
1768, 1924-1967 and undated
Includes:
Page from Father Junipero Serra’s diary, 1768 (three copies in Spanish; one typed transcription in English)
Program for dedication ceremony of Serra Palm, September 2, 1950
Junipero Serra Museum 198th birthday invitation, July 15, 1967
Series VI:
Torrey Pines State Park
Box-folder 3:17
Correspondence,
1923 May 2-1934 October 29 and undated
Box-folder 4:2
Resolutions and reports,
1922 April 3-1930 June 19 and undated
Box-folder 4:3
Newspaper and magazine articles,
1922 July-1964 July and undated
Box-folder 4:4
Miscellanea,
1930-1975 and undated
Includes:
Marston’s written statement regarding his stance throughout the “Torrey Pines controversy,” April 22, 1930
Court case L.A. Civil No. 12499, Olmsted vs. City of San Diego, undated
Torrey Pines Association map of Torrey Pines Park, December 26, 1975 (in F4D1)
Series VII:
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Box-folder 4:6
Lands held in trust,
1932 February 4-September 12
Box-folder 4:7
Land deeds,
1933 October-1934 January
Box-folder 4:8
Administrative records,
1929 April 1-1937 February 17 and undated
Includes:
Financial statements
“Appraisal Report on 11,200 Acres of Land in the Upper Slopes of the Borrego Valley,” January 18, 1932
“Plan of Tam Deering” for Anza-Borrego State Park, July 9, 1933
Col. W.W. Crosby’s report to the San Diego City Council, January 28, 1937
Map of Borrego Valley illustrating acreage of Anza-Borrego State Park, undated (in F4D1)
Box-folder 4:9
Correspondence,
1932 January 15-June 22
Box-folder 4:10
Correspondence,
1932 July 5-December 28
Box-folder 4:11
Correspondence,
1933 January 3-February 21
Box-folder 4:12
Correspondence,
1933 February 22-May 26
Box-folder 4:13
Correspondence,
1933 June 7-December 29
Box-folder 4:14
Correspondence,
1934 January 4-February 19
Box-folder 4:15
Legislation,
1933 February 1-1936 June 5
Box-folder 5:1
Ephemera,
1928 March-1933 April and undated
Box-folder 5:2
Newspaper articles,
1932 January 22-1945 July 19 and undated
Series VIII:
San Diego County State Parks Commission and State-County Parks and Beaches Association
Box-folder 5:3
San Diego County State Park Commission,
1928 March 20-1932 October 5 and undated
Box-folder 5:4
State-County Parks and Beaches Association,
1930 January-1934 January
Box-folder 5:5
State-County Parks and Beaches Association: finances,
1931 May 16-1932 September 14
Box-folder 5:6
State-County Parks and Beaches Association: newspaper articles,
1931 March 9-August 27
Series IX:
Other Civic Activities
Box-folder 5:7
San Diego Historical Society correspondence,
1928 December 15-1946 January 9 and undated
Box-folder 5:8
Marston's mayoral campaigns (1913 and 1917),
1913 March 1-1917 April 4 and undated
Includes:
Statement of endorsement from the San Diego Pioneer Society, undated
Box-folder 5:9
1913 mayoral campaign newspaper articles,
1913 March 20-April 9 and undated
Includes:
Article announcing Marston’s defeat, April 9, 1913
Box-folder 5:10
1917 mayoral campaign newspaper articles,
1917 March 3-28
Box-folder 5:11
1917 Mayoral campaign newspaper articles,
1917 March 29-April 30 and undated
Includes:
Article announcing Marston’s defeat, March 4, 1917
Box-folder 5:12
Mission San Diego de Alcala restoration,
1919 April 12-1941 March 7 and undated
Box-folder 5:13
Mission San Diego de Alcala newspaper and magazine articles,
1916 June 6-1952 May 25 and undated
Box-folder 5:14
Alonzo Horton memorial,
1908 December 24-1940 July 23 and undated
Box-folder 5:15
Y.M.C.A.,
1886 November 3-1947 March 16 and undated
Includes:
Y.M.C.A. by-laws and constitution, undated
Certificate of appreciation from the Y.M.C.A. to Marston, April 13, 1920 (in Oversize Collections D__)
