Finding aid for William Bowie papers, 1924-1989 MVC087
Finding aid prepared/updated by Stephanie Zager, 2023.
This finding aid was made possible in part through funding from the County of Ventura and the Heritage Fund at the Ventura
County Community Foundation.
Museum of Ventura County
August, 2023
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Business Number: (805) 653-0323 (Extension: 320)
library@venturamuseum.org
Contributing Institution:
Museum of Ventura County
Title: William Bowie papers
Creator:
Bowie, William
Identifier/Call Number: MVC087
Physical Description:
0.74 Cubic Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1924-1989
Abstract: Donated by community member and long-time resident of Ojai William (Bill) Bowie, this collection of printed material contains
information on the history of Ojai and its first families, initial maps, and establishment of businesses. The collection also
includes records and information on what would become the Ventura County Fire Department. Bowie collected material from his
time spent working for the United States Forest Service, Oak View Volunteer Fire Department, and eventually the Ventura County
Fire Department. An active member of the Ojai community, the collection also features extensive material on Ojai family histories
and individuals of the area. Much of the collection is photocopied material, with some original documents and records included.
Physical Location: COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Stored off-site and advance notice is required for timely retrieval. Please request materials
2-3 days in advance. Researchers MUST make a research appointment on the
Research Library website . Please make a note of the box numbers or container you are requesting.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Advance requests can be made to Research Library staff via email.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Museum of Ventura County. Literary rights, including copyright, have
not been determined. Contact the Research Library for further information: library@venturamuseum.org
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], William Bowie papers, MVC 087, Museum of Ventura County, Research Library, Ventura, California.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
William (Bill) Bowie; gift; 2015.
Processing Information
Processed by Stephanie Zager under the supervision of Krystell Jimenez, 2023.
Our collections are processed using MPLP methods so that we can prioritize access for users and identify potential priorities
for more detailed processing. If while using our collections you think there is something that should be added or amended
in the finding aid, we welcome your input. You can notify staff in the reading room or send us an email at library@venturamuseum.org
Be sure to include the collection number and name and the box number you were working with in your email.
Biographical / Historical
William (Bill) Bowie was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1902 and moved to Ojai where he remained for seventy years. Bowie
worked for the United States Forest Service until the establishment of what would become the Ventura County Fire Department.
A member of various local organizations and clubs throughout his life, Bowie was active in his community as well as being
involved in preserving Ojai history. This collection created by Bowie depicts Ojai history through newspaper clippings, photographs,
records, and notes by Bowie.
Scope and Contents
Collection contains all printed information on the establishment of Ojai, history of Ventura County Fire Department, history
of Ojai families, maps of Ojai and Nordhoff areas, photographs, newspaper clippings, USFS and VCFD records and other related
printed material concerning Ojai. Much of the collection contains photocopies of original documents, photographs, records,
and clippings.
Organization and Arrangement
Original order of materials has been maintained.
Material was originally housed in three-ring binders and has since been foldered while maintaining original order. Materials
of the same binder are noted in the finding aid.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ojai -- Genealogy
Business enterprises -- California -- Ventura County
Fire Department -- California -- Ojai
Bowie, William
Box 1, Folder 2
Nordhoff Cemetery data
1980s
Box 1, Folder 4
Nordhoff Cemetery A-K
undated
Box 1, Folder 5
The Red Cross in Ojai
1964
Box 1, Folder 6
Miscellaneous notes
undated
Box 1, Folder 7
Index to Nordhoff election precinct book
undated
Box 1, Folder 8
Ojai city directory
undated
Box 1, Folder 9
Notes on L.D. Roberts and Ojai establishment maps
1987
Box 1, Folder 10
List of people who lived and died in Ojai
1980s
Box 1, Folder 11
Building records in Ojai
undated
Box 1, Folder 13
Photo with identifying notes
undated
Box 1, Folder 14
California Ranger Region Five: vol. 1 no. 48
1931 October 30
Box 1, Folder 15
Memorandum of Walter F. Emerick on Sulphur Mountain fire of September 16, 1929
undated
Box 1, Folder 16
Photographs of main street and El Roblar Hotel
1924
Box 1, Folder 17
Ventura County Fire Headquarters employee handbook
1929
Box 1, Folder 18
VCFD Binder: Oak View Volunteer Fire Department
1981
Box 2, Folder 1
VCFD Binder: Ventura County Fire Department (Ojai) notes from Bill Bowie
undated
Box 2, Folder 2
VCFD Binder: Photographs, clippings, notes and records
1928, 1936, 1939
Box 2, Folder 3
VCFD Binder: Upper North Fork fire, USFS
undated
Box 2, Folder 4
VCFD Binder: Notes, clippings, and photographs of VCFD
1932, 1971
Box 2, Folder 5
USFS Binder: Ojai family histories
1980s
Box 2, Folder 6
USFS Binder:
Klansmen meet in hills of Ojai
1923 September 29
Box 2, Folder 7
USFS Binder: St. Francis dam
undated
Box 2, Folder 8
USFS Binder: Newspaper clippings and Ojai family histories
undated
Box 2, Folder 9
USFS Binder: Upper North Fork fire
1932
Box 2, Folder 10
USFS Binder: USFS records concerning Sr. Bowie
1925
1948
Box 2, Folder 11
USFS Binder: Sespe Hot Springs killings
undated
Box 2, Folder 12
USFS Binder: USFS rangers in Ojai
undated
Box 2, Folder 13
USFS Binder: Notes from Bill Bowie on time spent in USFS in Fillmore, Sespe, and Ojai
undated
Box 2, Folder 14
USFS Binder: USFS trails in Ojai and Sespe valleys
undated
