Clifton's Cafeteria collection of circulars, 1931-1995

Finding aid prepared by Alisa Monheim and Amanda Hale, 2008; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1575
(310) 825-4988
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
Online finding aid last updated 23 February 2018.


Title: Clifton's Cafeteria collection of circulars
Collection number: 1827
Contributing Institution: UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 3.5 linear feet (7 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1931-1995
Abstract: Clifton's Cafeteria was opened in downtown Los Angeles in 1931 by Clifford E. Clinton, who also opened several other branches of his restaurant in later years. Clinton was also active in local politics and an advocate for civil reform. His restaurant published circulars, beginning in 1931, containing inspirational thoughts, poetry, short prose pieces and a calendar of upcoming events for customers, first weekly and then monthly. It ceased publication in 1995.
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance through our electronic paging system using the request button located on this page.
Creator: Clifton's Cafeteria.

Conditions Governing Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance through our electronic paging system using the request button located on this page.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Copyright to portions of this collection has been assigned to the UCLA Library Special Collections. The library can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish must be submitted in writing to Library Special Collections. Credit shall be given as follows: The Regents of the University of California on behalf of the UCLA Library Special Collections.

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Gift of Donald and Robert Clinton, 2008.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Clifton's Cafeteria Collection of Circulars (Collection 1827). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 6213881 

History

Clifton's Cafeteria was opened at its first location in Los Angeles in 1931 by Clifford E. Clinton (b. Aug. 1900; d. Nov. 1969), a member of the Clinton family of restauranteurs (now spanning many generations). Clinton moved the cafeteria to Broadway in 1935 and, though a few more satellite cafeterias were opened in later years, the Broadway location has remained in business ever since that time. Nearly from the outset, Clinton began distributing these sheets of inspirational thoughts, poetry, short prose pieces and a calendar of upcoming Los Angeles events for his customers. After a slightly irregular start, the circulars began to be issued weekly in 1932; that frequency was retained for nearly 40 years, changing to monthly only in May of 1971, just a few years after Clinton's death. The final issue came out in October, 1995, with a note from its editor, Esther York Burkholder: "Over the years it has been a privilege and a pleasure to share with you bits of wisdom and beauty and humor from the pens of many writers. ... Until, and if, we eventually resume publication, dear readers, you have our best wishes always". Throughout the run, the circulars were printed on just one sheet, usually folded in half (lengthwise) to make 4 pages. Up until 1967, the cafeteria's motto ("A tra-ful for a tri-ful") always appeared somewhere near the title; from 1967-1995 the motto changed ("Food for the soul is important too"), and began appearing regularly below the title.

Scope and Content

The circulars contain quotes, facts about Los Angeles, announcements for events, meetings and recitals, useful telephone numbers, and observations and sayings for the benefit of Clifton's Cafeteria customers. It began in 1931 and ceased publication in 1995.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year:
  1. Box 1: 1931 (The Bulletin board; Clifton's Bulletin board; Restaurant Alliance Bulletin board)
  2. 1932-33 (The Clifton tray)
  3. 1934 (The Clifton tray; The Clifton tray-- Food 4 thot; The Clifton tray of-- Food 4 thot)
  4. 1935-39 (The Clifton tray of-- Food 4 thot)
  5. 1940 (The Clifton tray of-- Food 4 thot; Food 4 thot)
  6. 1941 (Food 4 thot; Clifton's Food for thot) -- Boxes 2-7: 1942-1995 (Clifton's Food for thot).

Related Material

Clifford E. Clinton Papers (Collection 2018).   Available at UCLA Library Special Collections.
Meals for Millions Foundation records (Collection 1107).   Available at the UCLA Library Special Collections.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Clinton, Clifford E., 1900-1969
Clifton tray of-- Food 4 thot.
Clifton tray.
Clifton's Bulletin board.
Clifton's Food for thot.
Food 4 thot.
Restaurants--California--Los Angeles--Archives.
Soup kitchens--California--Los Angeles--Archives.

Box 1, Folder 1

Bulletin Board (The). Issue no. 16 1931.

Box 1, Folder 1

Restaurant Alliance Bulletin Board. 1931.

Physical Description: 1 item (2 copies)
Box 1, Folder 1

Clifton's Bulletin Board. Issue nos. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 1931.

Box 1, Folder 1

Bulletin Board (The). Issue nos. [1], 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 1931.

Box 1, Folder 2

Take This Along if You Wish. 1932.

Physical Description: 29 items
Box 1, Folder 2

Clifton Tray (The). 1932.

Physical Description: 9 items
Box 1, Folder 3

The Clifton Tray:66. 1933.

Physical Description: 5o items
Box 1, Folder 4

Clifton Tray (The). Issue nos. 94-118, 119, 119, 129, 122-125, 128-137, 139-144 1934.

Box 1, Folder 4

Clifton Tray -or- Food for Thot (The). Issue nos. 145, 146 1934.

Box 1, Folder 5

Program for the Song Festival. 1935.

Physical Description: 1 item
Box 1, Folder 5

Programme Sarred Concert. 1935.

Physical Description: 1 item
Box 1, Folder 5

Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 147-152, 154-167, 169, 170-171, 173-198 1935.

Box 1, Folder 6

Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 212, 214, 217, 219, 220-227, 229-248, 250, 251, 251 1936.

Box 1, Folder 7

Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 252-276, 278, 278-299, 263, 301-303 1937.

Box 1, Folder 8

Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 304-332, 334-338, 340-353, 355 1938.

Box 1, Folder 9

Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 135-406 1939.

Box 1, Folder 10

Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 410-465, 457-459 1940.

Box 1, Folder 11

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 488-511, 514 1941.

Box 1, Folder 11

Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 461-485, 385, 487 1941.

Box 1, Folder 11

Citizen's Service Digest. Issue no. 1 1941.

Box 2, Folder 1

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 512-515, 517-519, 521-563 1942.

Box 2, Folder 2

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 565-569, 573-603, 605-613, 615 1943.

Box 2, Folder 3

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 617-624, 626-653, 655-662, 664-668 1944.

Box 2, Folder 4

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 669-677, 679-703, 705-712, 714-720 1945.

Box 2, Folder 5

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 724, 745, 747, 750, 753-755, 761-767, 769, 772-773 1946.

Box 2, Folder 6

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 774-798, 800-804, 806-808, 810-826 1947.

Box 2, Folder 7

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 827-878 1948.

Box 3, Folder 1

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 880-931 1949.

Box 3, Folder 2

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 932-945, 947-983 1950.

Box 3, Folder 3

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 984-995 (2 copies), 977, 1199-1006, 1008-1013, 1066, 1014-1015, 1017-1025, 1027-1029, 1031-1035 1951.

Box 3, Folder 4

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1036-1039, 1041-1070, 1073-1080, 1082-1087 1952.

Box 3, Folder 5

Samaria-Sebastia Project (The). Issue nos. 1110-1140 1953.

Box 3, Folder 5

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1088-1109 1953.

Box 3, Folder 6

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1141-1192 1954.

Box 3, Folder 7

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 1193-1226 (2 copies), 1227-1244 1955.

Box 4, Folder 1

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1245-1296 1956.

Box 4, Folder 2

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1297-1340, 1345-1348 1957.

Box 4, Folder 3

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1349-1367, 1372-1373, 1375, 1377-1400 1958.

Box 4, Folder 4

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1402-1437,1439-1453 1959.

Box 4, Folder 5

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1454-1462, 1464-1468, 1470-1482, 1484-1490, 1492-1495, 1497-1505 1960.

Box 4, Folder 6

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1506-1557 1961.

Box 5, Folder 1

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1610, 1559-1576 (2 copies)-1584, 1587, 1591-1592 (2 copies), 1595-1596 1962.

Box 5, Folder 1

Literature Handout. Issue nos. 1598-1609 1962.

Box 5, Folder 2

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1611-1624, 1626-1661 1963.

Box 5, Folder 3

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1662-1668, 1670-1675, 1677-1683, 1688-1691, 1693-1699, 1701-1712 1964.

Box 5, Folder 4

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1715-1731, 1733, 1736-1763, 1765-1766 1965.

Box 5, Folder 5

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1767-1791, 1794-1808, 1810-1818 1966.

Box 5, Folder 6

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1819-1870 1967.

Box 6, Folder 1

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1871-1879, 1884-1922 1968.

Box 6, Folder 2

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1923-1926, 1928-1937, 1939-1940, 1942-1956, 1958-1974 1969.

Box 6, Folder 3

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1975-1986, 1988-1990, 1992-2027 1970.

Box 6, Folder 4

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2028-2052 1971.

Box 6, Folder 5

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2053-2064 1972.

Box 6, Folder 6

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2065-2076 1973.

Box 6, Folder 7

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2077-2088 1974.

Box 6, Folder 8

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2089-2100 1975.

Box 6, Folder 9

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2101-2112 1976.

Box 6, Folder 10

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2133-2124 1977.

Box 6, Folder 11

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2125-2136 1978.

Box 6, Folder 12

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2137-2148 1979.

Box 6, Folder 13

Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 2149-2160 1980.

Box 6, Folder 14

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2161-2172 1981.

Box 6, Folder 15

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2173-2184 1982.

Box 6, Folder 16

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2185-2196 1983.

Box 7, Folder 1

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2197-2208 1984.

Box 7, Folder 2

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2209-2220 1985.

Box 7, Folder 3

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2221-2228(2 copies)-2232 1986.

Box 7, Folder 4

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2233-2244 1987.

Box 7, Folder 5

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2245-2256 1988.

Box 7, Folder 6

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2257-2268 1989.

Box 7, Folder 7

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2269-2280 1990.

Box 7, Folder 8

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2282-2292 1991.

Box 7, Folder 9

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2293-2304 1992.

Box 7, Folder 10

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2305-2316 1993.

Box 7, Folder 11

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2317-2328 1994.

Box 7, Folder 12

Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2329-2338 1995.