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Poston (Charles D. [Charles Debrille]) Manuscript Collection
MS.592
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Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Charles D. (Charles Debrille) Poston Manuscript Collection
Creator:
Poston, Charles D. (Charles Debrille)
Identifier/Call Number: MS.592
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear Feet
(4 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1865-1977
Date (bulk): 1865-1925
Abstract: This collection includes manuscripts for a speech, a magazine article, and two monographs by Charles Debrill Poston, as well
as memorial newspaper clippings and a program for an honorary statue of Poston. Materials range from 1865-1977.
Language of Material:
English
.
Poston Memorial by Herman Ehrenberg, February 19, 1880, in MS 540 Ehrenberg Collection.
Poston Memorial by Samuel P. Heintzelman, May 13, 1880, in MS 541 Heintzelman Collection.
Processed by Glenna Schroeder, circa 1977-1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012
October 9, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).
Charles Debrille Poston (1825 April 20 - 1902 June 24) was an American explorer, prospector, author, politician, and civil
servant. He is referred to as the "Father of Arizona" due to his efforts lobbying for creation of the territory. Poston was
also Arizona Territory's first Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1851, Poston traveled to California as part of the Gold Rush and took a clerk position at the San Francisco Customs House.
While at this job, he became involved with a group of French bankers interested in the lands of the recently negotiated Gadsden
Purchase. In late 1853, with the bankers' backing, Poston joined with mining engineer Herman Ehrenberg to organize an expedition
into the territory Mexico was expected to sell to the United States.
After returning to San Francisco, Poston left for the East Coast in search of capital to fund a mining operation in the newly
acquired territory. In 1856, he secured $2 million to found the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company with Samuel P. Heintzelman
as company president and Poston as managing supervisor. The company set up headquarters in Tubac, Arizona and began mining
operations in the nearby Santa Rita Mountains and elsewhere. Poston served as alcalde of the settlement and became known as
"Colonel" Poston in the town of roughly 800 people. Mining operations produced $3,000 per day in silver until 1861. With the
withdrawal of Union troops due to the American Civil War, Tubac saw an increase in hostilities from local Apaches and the
settlement had to be abandoned.
After being forced to leave Tubac due to the Apache siege, Poston went to Washington D.C. Poston used this time to lobby both
President Lincoln and Congress for creation of an Arizona Territory, advertising the benefits of the area's mineral wealth
to the Union cause. On 1863 March 12, Poston was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs. This appointment was followed
by his election as Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives on 1864 July 18, where he served for 2 years.
After leaving Congress, Poston traveled in Europe and India, converted to Zoroastrianism, and upon returning to Arizona, built
a Sun Temple in Florence. When he passed away in 1902, this temple became the site of his burial, renamed Poston Butte.
This collection includes manuscripts for a speech, a magazine article, and two monographs by Charles Debrill Poston, as well
as memorial newspaper clippings and a program for an honorary statue of Poston. Materials range from 1865-1977.
1) Speech by Poston on Indian Affairs in the House of Representatives; March 2, 1865 (2 c., 1 is Photostat)
2) "Irrigation" by Poston, 1887
3)"Arizona" by Poston, undated
4) "Building a State in Apache Land IV: Arizona a Territory at Last" by Poston in
Overland Monthly, October 1894; Program of Services in Connection with Dedication of a Monument to the memory of Hon. Charles Debrill Poston,
Florence, Arizona, Sunday April 26, 1925, 1:00 p.m.; article with mention of Poston in
Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov 1977.
Charles D. (Charles Debrille) Poston Manuscript Collection, 1865-1977, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.592; [folder number] [folder
title][date].
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit
https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.
Purchase from Joseph Amasa Munk as part of the Munk Library of Arizoniana, 1910 May 10.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Arizona -- History
Articles
Arizona Territory
Building a State in Apache Land IV: Arizona a Territory at Last
Mines and mineral resources -- Arizona
Clippings
Manuscripts
Speeches
Indians of North America -- Arizona