Finding Aid for the Ivan J. Houston papers, 1880-2009
Processed by Kelly Besser in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Megan Hahn Fraser,
2011; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.
The processing of this collection was generously supported by
Arcadia
funds.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
© 2011
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Ivan J. Houston papers
Date (inclusive): 1880-2009
Collection number: 1866
Creator:
Houston, Ivan J.
Extent:
27 boxes (12.25 linear ft.)
4 oversized boxes.
Abstract: Ivan J. Houston was born in Los Angeles, California in 1925. He worked at Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company for forty
years, including at the executive level when he became the company's President and CEO in 1970 and Chairman in 1980, a position
he held until his retirement in 1990. In 1943 he enlisted in the Army and in 1944 he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 370th
Infantry Regiment Combat Team, 92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Fifth Army, also known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Houston's
battalion journal became the basis for the memoir he published in 2009,
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II. The collection consists of documentation of Houston's World War II service; records of his tenure with Golden State Mutual
Life Insurance; materials related to the creation of
Black Warriors; various periodicals, programs and annual reports which feature Houston as well as Houston's personal papers, photos and
slides including materials related to his father, Norman O. Houston and his mother, Doris Talbot Young.
Language: Finding aid is written in
English.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special
Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special
Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library,
Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of
the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC
Regents do not hold the copyright.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Ivan J. Houston, 2010.
Processing Note
Processed by Kelly Besser in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Megan Hahn Fraser,
2011.
The processing of this collection was generously supported by
Arcadia
funds.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Ivan J. Houston papers (Collection Number 1866). Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, UCLA.
Biography
Ivan J. Houston was born in Los Angeles, California in 1925. That same year, Houston's father, businessman Norman O. Houston
helped organize Golden State Mutual Life Insurance, one of the largest historically black-owned companies in the country -
a company Houston would head over four decades later.
After graduating from L.A.'s Polytechnic High School in 1942, Houston entered the University of California at Berkeley - also
his father's alma mater. A track star in high school, Houston lettered in track as a freshman, and also boxed. However, at
this time the country was also engaged in World War II, so in 1943 he left Berkeley and enlisted in the Army.
Though the U.S. Armed Forces were still segregated, Houston was sent to the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) that
was actually integrated and only included those who were college students or graduates. In March of 1944, the Army announced
the shutdown of the ASTP and Houston was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment Combat Team, 92nd Infantry
Division of the U.S. Fifth Army also known as the Buffalo Soldiers. The 3rd Battalion became the first African American infantry
unit to engage in combat against Hitler's Nazi Germany in World War II. Houston was discharged in December 1945 as Battalion
Sergeant Major.
After the war, Houston married Philippa E. Jones, and he returned to UC Berkeley in the spring of 1946. Houston graduated
in February 1948, with a B.S. from the School of Business Administration (now the Walter A. Haas School of Business). Houston
then attended the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, to study actuarial science.
In 1948, Houston became an accountant at Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company (GSM). After working in several other
capacities, including at the executive level, Houston became the company's President and CEO in 1970. In 1980, Houston was
also elected as Chairman, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. Under his leadership, Golden State became the third
largest black-owned financial services enterprise in the United States.
Also, throughout his tenure at GSM, Houston had the opportunity to meet many historic figures including: Mayor Tom Bradley,
President Jimmy Carter, and Dr. Martin Luther King. Houston met King in 1965 during the effort to resolve the Watts Riots
aftermath, when Houston allowed him and other civic and elected leaders to conduct meetings at the Golden State Mutual Life
Insurance Building.
Acclaimed for his business acumen, Houston served as a director for other companies ranging from Fortune 500 corporations
to regional and state businesses. The companies included: Daniel Freeman Hospitals; First Interstate Bank (now Wells Fargo);
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation; Metromedia; North America Produce, Inc.; Pacific Indemnity Company; and Pacific
Telesis Group/Pacific Bell (now AT&T ).
Houston was named one of Harvard Business School's American Business Leaders of the 20th Century, and was inducted into UC
Berkeley's Haas School of Business Hall of Fame as an alumnus. He was also featured in the Los Angeles Times, and listed on
Ebony Magazine's "100 Most Influential Black Americans" for fourteen consecutive years, from 1976 to 1990. Houston, along with his wife, was
featured in
Time Magazine's June 17, 1974 cover story, "Middle-Class Blacks: Making it in America." In 1993, Pope John Paul II honored Houston as a
Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great for his meritorious service to the Church.
Houston was a member and leader in numerous professional organizations, including: the American Academy of Actuaries, American
Council of Life Insurance (board member) International Association of Black Actuaries, and the National Insurance Association
(board member). He also sat on the Boards for the California Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
Houston provided leadership in civic affairs at the local, state and national level. He was president of the Los Angeles City
Human Relations Commission and chaired the boards of the Los Angeles Urban League and the United Way of Los Angeles Central
Region. h headed the Los Angeles chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity also known as "The Boule."
Houston is the author of
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II, an account of his service in the Army.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of documentation of Houston's World War II service including copies of battalion journals, correspondence,
photos, awards and memorabilia; records of his tenure with the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance company including correspondence,
publications, photos, slides, and speeches; materials related to the creation of Black Warriors including interviews, research,
notebooks, correspondence, drafts, photos, maps, speeches, and World War II Veterans Buffalo Association newsletters. The
collection also contains various periodicals, programs and annual reports that feature Houston, as well as his personal papers,
photos and slides including materials related to his father, Norman O. Houston and his mother, Doris Talbot Young. Files have
been divided into series according to Houston's original order of the materials and into subseries according to primary genres
as interpreted by the collection processor. Folder titles have been maintained from Houston's original titles and noted as
such in the corresponding descriptions.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
- World War II
- Battalion journals
- Correspondence
- Photos
- Awards and memorabilia
- Golden State Mutual
- Correspondence
- Photos and slides
- Publicity and publications
- National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC)
-
Black Warriors
- Correspondence
- Drafts
- Research and notebooks
- Photos and maps
- Buffalo soldier speeches
- The Buffalo 92nd Infantry World War II Association
- Personal papers, photos and slides
- Ivan J. Houston
- Norman O. Houston
- Talbot family
- Publications
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Houston, Ivan J. --Archives.
African American executives --California --Los Angeles --Archival resources.
African American authors --California --Los Angeles --Archival resources.
Related Material
Container List
1. World War II
1943 - 1945
Scope and Content Note
Series comprises copies of the battalion journal Houston kept for the 3rd Battalion, 370th Regiment Combat
Team, correspondence from Houston to his mother and to his future wife, Philippa E. Jones, draft letters from the War
Department to Houston, copies of letters of commendation from the Commander of the Buffalo Division, a bulk of photos of
Houston in uniform both in Los Angeles and abroad, documents about Houston's Purple Heart award, honorable discharge
certificate, army and war publications, his personal war journal, and a leaf of remembrance from the U.S. Military Cemetery
in
Florence, Italy.
1.1 Battalion Journals
1944 August 25 -1945 June 18
Scope and Content Note
Copies of the operations journal for the 3rd Battalion, 370th Regiment Combat Team, 92nd Infantry
"Buffalo" Division of the U.S. Fifth Army. The 3rd Battalion began its combat activities in Italy on August 23, 1944. As Battalion
Clerk, Houston recorded its hourly and daily activities and produced typed copies of the journal which were sent to regimental
headquarters. Houston's folder titles were retained for this subseries.
Box 1, Folder 1
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1944 August 25 - 1944 September 5
Scope and Content Note
Two sets of photocopies, pages 1-23.
Box 1, Folder 2
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1944 October 16 - 1944 November 27
Scope and Content Note
Photocopies, pages 65-168.
Box 1, Folder 3
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1944 October 16 - 1945 February 21
Scope and Content Note
Photocopies, pages 65-259.
Box 1, Folder 4
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1944 November 26 - 1945 February 23
Scope and Content Note
Two sets of photocopies, pages 163-204 and 169-261. Missing pages 176-178.
Box 1, Folder 5
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1945 February 21 - 1945 June 18
Scope and Content Note
Two sets of photocopies, pages 260-365.
Box 1, Folder 6
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1945 February 7 - 1945 August 2
Scope and Content Note
Two photocopies of Special Secret Journal. One photocopy of Events at Forward C.P. Three photocopies of
Battalion Journal Narrative 21-28 April 1945. One photocopy of an undated handwritten two page journal entry.
Box 1, Folder 7
The History of the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment
Undated
Scope and Content Note
Three photocopies of "A Dedication" by Chaplain Hubert C. Jones.
1.2 Correspondence
1943 July 6 - 1947 January 10
Scope and Content Note
Contains War Department draft letters to Houston, letters to Houston's grandmother, Laura E. Young, from
Houston and his brother Norman, a letter of commendation and dissolution of Combat Team 370 from Colonel R.G. Sherman,
and a copy of a note from Lieutenant Horner to Lieutenant Colonel Daguette.
Box 2, Folder 1
War Department draft letters to Ivan J. Houston
1943 July 6 - 1943 July 27
Scope and Content Note
Three letters of order to active duty within six months following Houston's eighteenth birthday.
Box 2, Folder 2
Letters to Laura E. Young from Norman B. Houston
1944 May 7 - 1944 June 14
Scope and Content Note
Two letters from Norman B. Houston, Ivan J. Houston's brother. Laura E. Young was their grandmother,
referred to as "Amoo."
Box 2, Folder 3
Letters to Laura E. Young from Ivan J. Houston
1944 June 25 - 1945 October 24
Scope and Content Note
Fourteen letters in which Houston details his daily activities while stationed in Arizona, New York, Italy and
France. On July 3, 1945 he describes his pride in becoming a sergeant.
Box 2, Folder 4
Dissolution of 92nd Infantry Division Combat Team 370
1944 November 5
Scope and Content Note
Five photocopies of a letter of commendation from Colonel R.G. Sherman, commander of 92nd Infantry
Division Combat Team 370.
Box 2, Folder 5
Lieutenant Horner's message to Lieutenant Colonel Daguette
1944
Scope and Content Note
Includes a note regarding wounded soldiers, prisoners and lack of ammunition with Ivan J. Houston's
annotations regarding memories of the war.
Box 2, Folder 6
Letters to Philippa E. Jones from Ivan J. Houston
1945 January 2 - 1946 January 10
Scope and Content Note
Fifteen letters of courtship. On October 24, 1946 Houston begins to address Philippa E. Jones as Mrs. Ivan
J. Houston.
Box 2, Folder 7
Postcard and Mother's Day V-Mail to Doris T. Houston from Ivan J. Houston
1945 August 15
Scope and Content Note
Includes Houston's Monaco-Monte Carlo postcard book and his mother's War Ration Book.
Box 2, Folder 8
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry
1945
Scope and Content Note
The majority are of Ivan J. Houston.
Box 2, Folder 9
Framed photos for Philippa E. Houston
1945
Scope and Content Note
Photos include dedications to Philippa from Ivan J. Houston.
1.4 Awards and Memorabilia
1943-1945
Box 2, Folder 10
Purple Heart documents and Honorable Discharge Certificate
1945 May 25 - 1945 December 8
Scope and Content Note
Houston received the Award of Purple Heart for wounds received in Italy on April 9, 1945. Includes November
17, 1944 Los Angeles Sentinel article on Houston's "Combat Infantry Badge" award.
Box 2, Folder 11
Army and War Publications
1945
Scope and Content Note
Includes Going back to Civilian Life, Finito!: The Po Valley Campaign, Puptent Poets of the Stars and
Stripes Mediterranean and This Damn Tree Leaks: A Collection of War Cartoons.
Box 2, Folder 12
"My Part In the 2nd World War" diary
1944
Scope and Content Note
Houston's military service recorded in this spiral bound, U.S. Government issued book created specifically
for "evidence of war service." Only partially completed.
Box 2, Folder 13
Leaf from U.S. Military Cemetery Florence, Italy
undated
Box 2, Folder 14
Maps, currency and brochures
1943 - 1945
Box 31, Folder 1
Photo-tapestry and soldier frame
ca. 1943 - 1945
Scope and Content Note
"Let Freedom Ring" photo-tapestry showing Houston in uniform which belonged to his mother, and black and
white photo of Houston in uniform.
2. Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company
1944 - 2008
Scope and Content Note
Series consists primarily of documents from Houston's tenure (1970-90) as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company. Materials include photographs and slides that capture office culture,
events, conferences and prominent political leaders, correspondence, programs, newspaper clippings, company calendars,
newsletters, conference materials, copies of Houston's speeches and lectures, issues of the company publication, catalogs
of
the company's historical murals, a Who's Who in Insurance book, a poster and documentation from Houston's trip to South
Africa to speak at the National African Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) conference.
2.1 Correspondence
1988
Scope and Content Note
Commendations for Houston's 40 years of service to Golden State Mutual from California leaders such as
Gray Davis and Curtis R. Tucker.
Box 3, Folder 1
Letters of commendation to Chairman Ivan J. Houston
1988
Scope and Content Note
Includes eight congratulatory letters.
2.2 Photographs and slides
1925 - 2001
Scope and Content Note
Includes photos of Kenneth Hahn, Willie Davis, Father Fisher Robinson, Richard Riordan, Mike D.
Antonovitch, Norman O. Houston, Tom Bradley and Esther Rolle.
Box 3, Folder 2
Photographs
1925 - 1960
Scope and Content Note
Office culture and events.
Box 3, Folder 3
Slides
1958
Scope and Content Note
Exterior of building.
Box 3, Folder 4
Slides
1959
Scope and Content Note
Company picnic.
Box 3, Folder 5
Photographs
1960-2001
Scope and Content Note
Includes photos of Kenneth Hahn, Willie Davis and Father Fisher Robinson.
Box 3, Folder 6
Slides
1963
Scope and Content Note
Norman O. Houston and Ivan J. Houston.
Box 3, Folder 7
Slides
1965
Scope and Content Note
Company picnic.
Box 3, Folder 8
Slides
1965
Scope and Content Note
40th anniversary party.
Box 3, Folder 9
Slides
1972
Scope and Content Note
Home office.
Box 3, Folder 10
Photographs
1975
Scope and Content Note
Queen Mary celebration photos with Tom Bradley and Esther Rolle.
Box 3, Folder 11
Slides
1979
Scope and Content Note
Houston from the office to the home.
Box 3, Folder 12
Photographs
1979-2002
Scope and Content Note
Includes photos of Houston with Richard Riordan and Mike D. Antonovitch.
Box 3, Folder 13
Photographs
1980s
Scope and Content Note
Color photo album of Houston at his desk.
Box 3, Folder 14
Slides
1985
Scope and Content Note
Conference in Jamaica.
Note
Arranged in order of carousel.
Box 3, Folder 15
Slides
1970s
Scope and Content Note
Conference and family vacation.
Box 31, Folder 2
Photographs
1950s - 1980s
Scope and Content Note
Photos of Houston at Golden State Mutual
2.3 Publicity and publications
1944 - 2008
Scope and Content Note
Contains the first issue of the Golden State Messenger, a Golden State Mutual applications for life
insurance poster, historical murals catalogs, newspaper clippings, speeches, programs, annual reports, tributes and
calendars.
Box 4, Folder 1
Golden State Messenger
1944-1959
Scope and Content Note
Contains the first issue of the "Family News Letter" to be published monthly and distributed to company
personnel at home and abroad and GSM founder and first President William "Pops" Nickerson, Jr.'s copy of the 20th anniversary
edition. Also included, "A Pictorial Review" special edition and two copies of "The GSM Story."
Box 4, Folder 2
Application for life insurance poster
1953
Scope and Content Note
Poster 1 of 225 created by artist Sid Campbell. Poster replicates a GSM life insurance application with
Norman O. Houston a.k.a. "The Big Boss" listed as beneficiary.
Box 4, Folder 3
Art collection and historical murals catalogs
1952-1990
Scope and Content Note
Catalogs describe two 1949 murals on "The Negro in California History" hung in the GSM home office lobby.
Box 4, Folder 4
Who's Who In Insurance
1955
Scope and Content Note
This book is a section of the Insurance Almanac and contains a biographical sketch of Norman O. Houston.
Box 4, Folder 5
Newspaper clippings
1960-1985
Scope and Content Note
The majority of the clippings are from the Los Angeles Times, including a laminated photo of Ivan J.
Houston's presentation of a contribution from his company to the NAACP Freedom Seals campaign.
Note
These clippings were kept together to reflect the creator's original order.
Box 4, Folder 6
Newspaper clippings
1961-1980
Scope and Content Note
The majority of the clippings are from the Los Angeles Sentinel or the Southwest Wave.
Note
The creator's plastic sleeves were kept as protective enclosures for these materials.
Box 4, Folder 7
Newspaper clippings
1962-1988
Scope and Content Note
These clippings are from a file entitled, "IJH Business."
Note
The creator's plastic sleeves were kept as protective enclosures for these materials.
Box 4, Folder 8
Souvenir journals
1966-973
Scope and Content Note
Includes materials from the NAACP Convention 57th Annual Meeting and Los Angeles Links cotillions.
Box 4, Folder 9
Magazines
1966-1991
Scope and Content Note
Includes Jet, UCB Banker, Sepia, Time and an Ebony with the Ivan J. Houston United Airlines
advertisement.
Box 5, Folder 1
Newspaper clippings
1972-1979
Scope and Content Note
The majority of the clippings are from the Los Angeles Sentinel or the Southwest Wave.
Note
The creator's plastic sleeves were kept as protective enclosures for these materials.
Box 5, Folder 2
Golden State Minority Foundation (GSMF)
1972-1991
Scope and Content Note
Contains GSMF press clips, publications and annual reports.
Box 5, Folder 3
Annual reports and tributes
1973-1981
Scope and Content Note
Includes materials from GSM, the Los Angeles chapter of the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Area
Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way.
Box 5, Folder 4
The Golden Pen
1973-1991
Scope and Content Note
Contains issues of the company's publication, including 8 copies of the Fall/Winter 1981 issue which
includes Norman O. Houston's obituary on the cover.
Box 5, Folder 5
Conferences
1976-1994
Scope and Content Note
Includes materials from the Los Angeles Urban League and the California Chamber of Commerce among
others.
Box 5, Folder 6
Speeches and Lectures
1977-2005
Scope and Content Note
Includes a program from Ivan J. Houston's lecture at the University of Dallas and copies of his speeches for
the company's 75th and 80th anniversaries.
Box 5, Folder 7
Calendars
1979-2000
Scope and Content Note
Includes company calendars from 1979, 1989 and 2000.
Box 5, Folder 8
Programs
1985-2008
Scope and Content Note
Includes materials from Community Involvement Teams in Every Sector, the Los Angeles Urban League, and
the International Association of Black Actuaries.
Box 5, Folder 9
Newspaper clippings
1986-1996
Scope and Content Note
Clippings are from the Los Angeles Sentinel and Holoman's Black Achievers. These clippings were kept
together to reflect the creator's original order.
2.4 National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC)
1981 July 6 - 15
Scope and Content Note
Contains Houston's materials from the conference including his binder, speech, slides, photos, brochures,
bulletins, magazines, receipts, menus, boarding passes, newspapers, and press on Houston's trip.
Box 6, Folder 1
Ivan J. Houston's GSM binder
1981 July 6 - 11
Scope and Content Note
Binder with Ivan J. Houston's name plate on the cover contains the conference program, his notes, his
conference speech, a GSM brochure for policy owners, a copy of the Golden Pen and a notepad.
Note
Everything in the binder maintains Houston's original order.
Box 6, Folder 2
Ivan J. Houston's conference speech
1981 July 7
Scope and Content Note
Contains Houston's speech entitled, "The Strategies for Accelerating the Growth of Minority Business
Enterprises in the United States during the 80s" and other related materials.
Note
These materials maintain Houston's original order.
Box 6, Folder 3
South Africa slides
1981 July 6 -11
Scope and Content Note
Includes images from the conference in Port Elizabeth as well as Soweto and Johannesburg.
Note
These slides were rehoused in original order from Houston's slide carousel.
Box 6, Folder 4
New Brighton and Port Elizabeth slides
1981 July 15
Box 6, Folder 5
University of Port Elizabeth slides
1981 July 11
Box 6, Folder 6
Soweto and Black Chain slides
1981 July 13
Box 6, Folder 7
Visit to Permanent Life, Johannesburg slides
1981 July 14
Box 6, Folder 8
Photo album
1981 July 6 - 11
Scope and Content Note
The majority of the photos are from a fishing expedition.
Note
These pages were removed from the album's cover and maintain Houston's original order.
Box 6, Folder 9
Brochures and bulletins
1981
Scope and Content Note
Includes NAFCOC brochures and various African bulletins.
Box 6, Folder 10
Travel magazines
1981
Scope and Content Note
Includes airline publications, a Port Elizabeth promotional publication, and various South African tourist
publications.
Box 6, Folder 11
Travel receipts and memorabilia
1981
Scope and Content Note
Includes receipts, menus, boarding passes, postcards and a NAFCOC "Rise in Faith" patch.
Box 7, Folder 1
Ivan J. Houston's NAFCOC conference binder
1981
Scope and Content Note
Contains copies of Houston's speech, speeches of other attendees, and various conference related
materials.
Note
These materials maintain Houston's original order.
Box 7, Folder 2
USSALEP correspondence and accompanying materials
1981
Scope and Content Note
USSALEP is a private, interracial organization dedicated since 1958 to open communication between the
South Africa and the United States.
Note
These materials were rehoused from Houston's folder with his original order.
Box 7, Folder 3
The Evening Post's feature on Ivan J. Houston
1981 July 8
Scope and Content Note
Twenty five copies of an article from a Port Elizabeth publication that features Houston's speech. Includes a
letter from Houston's daughter Pamela B. Houston who assisted with this publicity.
Box 7, Folder 4
South African newspapers
1981 July 10 - 11
Scope and Content Note
Copies of the Evening Post, the Weekend Post and the Eastern Province Herald.
3. Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II
1942 - 2009
Scope and Content Note
Series contains the materials Houston used to create his memoir on his service with the 92nd Infantry, also
known as the Buffalo Soldiers. This includes Houston's correspondence with Buffalo Soldiers, news clippings related to Black
military history, summaries of his combat journal, drafts of Black Warriors, photos and maps used in this book, copies of
Houston's Buffalo soldier speeches and the Buffalo Association bulletins and newsletters.
3.1 Correspondence
1980 - 2009
Scope and Content Note
Contains letters from Buffalo Soldiers, a letter Houston sent to General Colin L. Powell and electronic
correspondence with Black Warriors publisher, iUniverse.
Box 7, Folder 5
Letters to Ivan J. Houston from former Buffalo Soldiers
1980 December 23 - 2008 August 24
Scope and Content Note
Also contains a letter Houston sent to General Colin L. Powell to solicit feedback on his memoir.
Box 7, Folder 6
iUniverse electronic mail
2008 - 2009
Scope and Content Note
Electronic correspondence between publishers at iUniverse and Ivan J. Houston.
3.2 Drafts
2007 November - 2009 April 9
Scope and Content Note
Drafts with Houston's annotations and Gordon Cohn's comments.
Box 7, Folder 7
An African American Soldier's Memoir: The Truth Behind the Lie about the 92nd Infantry in WWII & Other Casualties of
a Segregated America
Undated
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston
Note
Creator's signed folder retained. Includes color copied attachments for images.
Box 7, Folder 8
An African American Soldier's Memoir: The Truth Behind the Lie about the 92nd Infantry in WWII & Other Casualties of
a Segregated America
Undated
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston
Note
Includes color copied attachments for images.
Box 8, Folder 1
Black Warrior manuscript edits
2007 October - 2008 June
Scope and Content Note
Manuscript corrections mailed to Gordon Cohn.
Box 8, Folder 2
Black Warriors: Memories of the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment in the Only Negro Infantry to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2007 November
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn
Box 8, Folder 3
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 January
Scope and Content Note
Draft sent to Lyle Marshall for review. Marshall returned the draft with a letter and comments regarding
editorial feedback.
Box 8, Folder 4
Black Warriors: Memories of the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment: The Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in
Europe During the Second World War
2008 January
Scope and Content Note
Draft sent to Gordon Cohn and returned with a letter from Cohn and suggested corrections.
Box 8, Folder 5
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 March
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn, annotated by Houston on flagged pages.
Box 8, Folder 6
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 April
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn.
Box 8, Folder 7
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 April
Scope and Content Note
First bound draft labeled "1st Manuscript." Pagination annotations on post-its attached to various pages.
Box 9, Folder 1
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 April 9
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes images of maps.
Box 9, Folder 2
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 April 15
Scope and Content Note
Second bound draft labeled "1st Manuscript."
Box 9, Folder 3
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 August 15
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes flagged map pages.
Box 10, Folder 1
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 August 15
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes Houston's biography and images.
Box 10, Folder 2
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 August 15
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes Houston's biography and images.
Box 10, Folder 3
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2008 August 15
Scope and Content Note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes Houston's flagged photo annotations.
Box 10, Folder 4
Black Warriors final draft
2008 August
Scope and Content Note
Electronic copies of the final draft, includes photos and maps.
Box 10, Folder 5
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2009 March 23
Scope and Content Note
First iUniverse bound draft.
Box 10, Folder 6
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2009 April 8
Scope and Content Note
iUniverse draft includes annotated pages flagged for edits.
Box 11, Folder 1
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2009 April 9
Box 11, Folder 2
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe
During the Second World War
2009 April 9
3.3 Research and notebooks
1984 - 2007
Scope and Content Note
Research, manuscripts and memoirs shared with Houston by former Buffalo Soldiers, newspaper
clippings, magazine articles, and Houston's hand written notebooks, notecards, and combat journal summaries.
Box 11, Folder 3
Lieutenant Colonel Major Clark's research
1984-1985
Scope and Content Note
Contains copies of Clark's research for his book on the Buffalo Division in World War II.
Box 11, Folder 4
The Buffalo Division in World War II
1985 March 28
Scope and Content Note
Two copies of manuscript by Communications Officer, 3rd Battalion, 365th Infantry Regiment Jehu C. Hunter
and Lieutenant Colonel Major Clark, 597th Field Artillery.
Box 11, Folder 5
U.S. black military history newspaper clippings
1986-2009
Scope and Content Note
Newspaper clippings from the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Wilmington Journal, USA
Today, the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Washington Times, the Arizona Daily Star and the Plain Dealer.
Box 11, Folder 6
Black soldiers of World War II magazine articles
1993-2007
Scope and Content Note
Includes a New Republic article by Jeffrey Goldberg, two copies of the U.S. News & World Report cover
story on Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker, and a People magazine feature on Baker.
Box 11, Folder 7
African American service in World War II articles
2003
Scope and Content Note
Includes the World War II Chronicles with a note to Houston from Keith M. Morrill, Dale E. Wilson's "Recipe
for Failure…," and Spencer Moore's "92nd Infantry Division."
Box 12, Folder 1
Research notebooks
2003
Scope and Content Note
Four bound notebooks in which Houston transcribed the details for Black Warriors.
Box 12, Folder 2
World War II combat journal summaries
2007
Scope and Content Note
Various summaries of the combat journal Houston kept for the 3rd Battalion, 370th Regiment Combat Team,
92nd Infantry Division.
Box 12, Folder 3
American Battle Monuments Commission Selected Burials
2007
Scope and Content Note
Lists of World War II soldiers from Combat Team 370 of the 92nd Division buried at the Florence American
Cemetery.
Box 12, Folder 4
Notecards and loose leaf notes
2007
Scope and Content Note
Houston's research for Black Warriors transcribed on notecards and loose leaf notebook paper.
Box 12, Folder 5
J. Curtis Foster Jr.'s World War II memoir
undated
Scope and Content Note
Foster's writing details his military service with the 92nd Infantry Division.
Box 12, Folder 6
Autobiographical notes
undated
Scope and Content Note
Houston's life story notes, including childhood and service with the World War II Buffalo Division.
3.4 Photos and maps
1942 - 2008
Scope and Content Note
Original photos of the 92nd Division's return of Christopher Columbus' ashes to Genoa in 1945 and combat
maps annotated by Houston.
Box 13, Folder 1
Photos and maps for publication of Houston's memoir
1942 - 2002
Scope and Content Note
Includes copies of photos and maps used in Black Warriors. Also included are original photos of the 92nd
Division's return of Christopher Columbus' ashes to Genoa in 1945.
Box 13, Folder 2
Florence American Cemetery and Memorial photos
1993 - 2003
Scope and Content Note
Houston's photos of the cemetery and grave sites of his comrades from the 92nd Division.
Box 13, Folder 3
Google Maps images and copies of photos
1999
Scope and Content Note
Includes copies of Google map images which locate the terrain covered by the 92nd Division. Also included
is a photo of Houston with the 370th Infantry's Vernon Baker, Medal of Honor recipient.
Box 13, Folder 4
Annotated combat maps
2008
Scope and Content Note
Combat maps used in Black Warriors with annotations and notes by Houston, Paul Choldenko and Gordon
Cohn.
Box 13, Folder 5
Maps of Italy
undated
Scope and Content Note
Three maps that cover Italy & Balkan Peninsula, Firenze, and Viareggio.
3.5 Buffalo soldier speeches
1985 - 2003
Scope and Content Note
Copies of speeches Houston delivered to gatherings of The Buffalo 92nd Infantry World War II Association.
Box 13, Folder 6
Ivan J. Houston's Buffalo Soldier speeches
1985 - 2003
Scope and Content Note
Includes copies of multiple versions of Houston's "The Buffalo Soldier in Italy" and "World War II Buffalo
Soldiers in Battle."
3.6 The Buffalo 92nd Infantry World War II Association
1946 - 2004
Scope and Content Note
The Buffalo Association is comprised of World War II veterans of the 92nd Infantry Buffalo Division. The
Association's bulletins or newsletters are published quarterly.
Box 13, Folder 7
The Buffalo Association bulletins and newsletters
1985 - 2004
Box 13, Folder 8
The Buffalo Association 50th Anniversary button
1992
Scope and Content Note
Commemorative button in honor of the Buffalo Ninety-Second Infantry Division World War II Association's
50th anniversary.
Box 13, Folder 9
World War II Veteran identification cards
1946
Scope and Content Note
Houston's United States Infantry Association identification card and War Manpower Commission United
States Employment Service identification card.
4. Personal papers, photos and slides
1880 - 2005
Scope and Content Note
Series includes primarily Houston and Talbot family photos and slides. Also contains personal papers,
correspondence and newspaper clippings related to Houston's father Norman, his mother Doris Talbot, and his grandmother,
Laura Young.
4.1 Ivan J. Houston
1925 - 2005
Scope and Content Note
Bulk of material includes family photos and slides. Contains images of looted storefronts from the 1965
Watts riots and images of Norman O. Houston and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a community meeting held at the Golden State
Mutual Life Insurance building. Also contains trophies, plaques and certificates for civic leadership and memorial cards for
Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Box 14, Folder 1
Childhood and college photos
1925 - 1942
Box 14, Folder 2
Bakersfield, Kellogg House Ranch, Mt. Whitney and Mt. Palomar slides
1952
Box 14, Folder 3
Vancouver, BC and Butchart Gardens slides
1953 July
Box 14, Folder 4
Mono Lake, Crater Lake and Owens River slides
1953 July
Box 14, Folder 5
Disneyland and Marineland slides
1956
Box 14, Folder 7
Above Santa Barbara slides
1957
Box 14, Folder 8
Poppies and wildflowers slides
1958 April
Box 14, Folder 9
Pinnacles, beach trip, and Christmas slides
1958
Box 14, Folder 10
Aunt Agnes and Uncle Rosie, Chinatown and Thanksgiving slides
1958
Box 14, Folder 11
Morgan Hill trip slides
1958
Box 14, Folder 13
San Francisco slides
1958
Box 14, Folder 15
Ocean and children slides
1958
Box 14, Folder 19
Knott's Berry Farm slides
1959
Box 14, Folder 20
Christmas play and ocean slides
1959
Box 14, Folder 22
Party slides
1959
Scope and Content Note
Includes Pam's, Ivan's, Boots and Maurice's, and the Williams' parties.
Box 15, Folder 1
Color family photos
1959-1995
Box 15, Folder 3
San Francisco and Sacramento slides
1962 July
Box 15, Folder 4
Family picnic slides
1962 March
Box 15, Folder 6
Roscoe's Boat, Chicago slides
1963 July
Box 15, Folder 7
Niagara Falls II slides
1963 July
Box 15, Folder 8
Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Utah slides
1963 June - July
Box 15, Folder 9
Norwalk and Grand Canyon slides
1963 June - July
Box 15, Folder 10
New York World Fair and Montreal trip slides
1964 May
Box 15, Folder 11
[Watts Riots aftermath] slides
1965 August
Scope and Content Note
Includes images of looted storefronts and separate images of Norman O. Houston and Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. at a community meeting held at the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance building.
Box 16, Folder 1
[New York] slides
1967 April
Box 16, Folder 2
Hawaii slides
1969 January
Box 16, Folder 3
[Hoover Dam and Las Vegas] slides
1970 December
Box 16, Folder 4
[Airplane interior] slides
1971 August
Box 16, Folder 5
Picnic, Jackson Ranch slides
1972 May - June
Box 16, Folder 6
New Orleans, Mexico City, Jackson Ranch, Houston, Texas slides
1972
Box 16, Folder 7
Acapulco/Mexico City slides
1972
Box 16, Folder 8
[Louisiana] slides
1972 June
Box 16, Folder 10
Angel City Links Art Fair slides
1976
Box 16, Folder 11
Alaska - Canadian Arctic tour photo album
1976
Scope and Content Note
Spiral bound album of color photos from the tour.
Box 16, Folder 13
European vacation photos and negatives
1978
Box 16, Folder 14
European vacation color negatives
1978
Box 16, Folder 15
European vacation photos and negatives of Philippa Houston
1978
Box 16, Folder 16
London and Paris slides
1978
Box 16, Folder 17
[England and Italy] photo album 1
1978 September - October
Box 16, Folder 18
[England and Italy] photo album 2
1978 September - October
Box 16, Folder 19
[England and Italy] photo album 3
1978 September - October
Box 17, Folder 1
Europe slides
1978
Scope and Content Note
Removed from carousel with original order maintained. All slides labeled by Houston.
Box 17, Folder 2
Europe slides
1978
Scope and Content Note
Removed from carousel with original order maintained. All slides labeled by Houston.
Box 17, Folder 3
Europe slides
1978
Scope and Content Note
Removed from carousel with original order maintained. All slides labeled by Houston. Includes a sound
cartridge labeled "demo-tape."
Box 17, Folder 4
Citta del Vaticano and Versailles slides
1978
Scope and Content Note
Standard pre-packaged color slides made in Italy.
Box 17, Folder 6
Philippa Houston photos and negatives
1983 October
Scope and Content Note
Photos and negatives from Napa, Rosarito, Koblintz, Pisa and Venice.
Box 17, Folder 7
Europe photos and negatives
1983 October
Scope and Content Note
1 - 8 of 16 sets.
Box 17, Folder 8
Europe photos and negatives
1983 October
Scope and Content Note
9 - 16 of 16 sets.
Box 18, Folder 1
Europe slide carousel
1983 September 20 - 1983 October 14
Scope and Content Note
Slides arranged in carousel's original order.
Box 18, Folder 2
European postcards and maps
1983
Box 18, Folder 4
Rio slide carousel
1985
Scope and Content Note
Slides arranged in carousel's original order. Last sheet includes slides from 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Box 18, Folder 5
Thanksgiving photo album
1986
Scope and Content Note
Inside cover of album inscribed to Philippa and Ivan from Agnes, Thanksgiving 1986.
Box 18, Folder 6
World travels photos and negatives
1988 August
Box 18, Folder 7
Ivan J. Houston and Philippa E. Houston travel postcards and photos
1988
Box 18, Folder 8
Family color photos and negatives
1993
Scope and Content Note
Includes two photos of Ivan J. Houston and Richard Riordan.
Box 18, Folder 9
Ivan J. Houston and Philippa E. Houston Cancun and St. Tropez Vacation
1994 November
Box 18, Folder 10
Serra retreat slides
undated
Box 18, Folder 11
Atlantic City slides
undated
Box 18, Folder 12
Boy Scouts slides
undated
Scope and Content Note
Slides moved from 3 boxes to protective sleeves.
Box 18, Folder 13
Salton Sea and Catalina slides
undated
Box 18, Folder 14
Mount Wilson slides
undated
Box 19, Folder 1
Pamela Houston's First Communion slides
undated
Box 19, Folder 2
Los Angeles parade slides
undated
Scope and Content Note
Includes a slide of Ethel Maddison of Birmingham, Alabama - church bombing survivor.
Box 19, Folder 3
Disneyland slides
undated
Box 19, Folder 4
Republic of Guinea slides
undated
Box 19, Folder 6
Family at home slides
undated
Box 19, Folder 7
Family photo album
undated
Scope and Content Note
Photos removed from album and numbered 1-32 to maintain original order.
Box 19, Folder 8
New York and Los Angeles family negatives
undated
Scope and Content Note
Negatives rehoused in envelopes to maintain original order.
Box 19, Folder 9
Undated slides
undated
Scope and Content Note
Slides organized by slide type.
Box 19, Folder 10
Photos and news items album
1974 - 1976
Scope and Content Note
Twenty items removed from album and numbered to retain original order.
Note
1 of 3
Box 19, Folder 11
Photos and news items album
1974 - 1976
Scope and Content Note
Newspaper clippings tucked in front of album, removed and rehoused in original order.
Note
2 of 3
Box 19, Folder 12
Photos and news items album
1974 - 1976
Scope and Content Note
1976 Salute to Minority Education card and May 13, 1976 Underwriter's Report magazine with Houston on
the cover tucked in back of album. Items removed and rehoused.
Note
3 of 3
Box 19, Folder 13
Philippa Houston photos and papers
1980s
Scope and Content Note
Photos of Philippa and Ivan, birthday and mother's day cards from Ivan and a signed letter from Mayor Tom
Bradley regarding her decision to no longer serve on the Greek Theater Advisory Committee.
Box 20, Folder 1
Education documents
1940 - 1953
Scope and Content Note
John H. Francis Polytechnic High School report cards, Hi-Y student club constitution and an authorization
certificate for the California Veteran's Educational Institute.
Box 20, Folder 2
Honors and certificates
1951 - 1996
Scope and Content Note
Certificate of completion from the Life Office Management Association Institute, certificates of membership
for the American Arbitration Association and honorary GSM retirement luncheon materials.
Box 20, Folder 3
IJH monogrammed business card case
undated
Scope and Content Note
Twenty pages of business cards with Houston's annotations, including Chairman of the Board, Franklin D.
Murphy's Times Mirror card and Yvonne Brathwaite Burke's signed 37th District Congressional card.
Box 20, Folder 4
The Wellness Engagement Calendar
1994
Scope and Content Note
Houston's annual calendar with notes for meetings, appointments and vacations.
Box 20, Folder 5
Catholic photos and papers
1953 - 1993
Scope and Content Note
Photos from Houston's annual Serra Retreat in Malibu and photos of Pope John Paul II's arrival in
Popemobile for Mass at the Memorial Coliseum.
Box 20, Folder 6
Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. memorial cards
1968
Scope and Content Note
Memorial cards for Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Junior.
Box 20, Folder 7
Childhood art work
undated
Scope and Content Note
"This Little Pig Had Beef Stake!" crayon drawing, signed Ivan James Houston and laminated drawing of Ivan
and his brother Norman with a black and white photo of the brothers attached.
Box 20, Folder 8
Norman B. Houston funeral registry
2005
Scope and Content Note
Facsimile copy of friends and relatives who attended Norman B. Houston's funeral.
Box 20, Folder 9
Newspaper clippings
1962 - 1991
Scope and Content Note
Clippings from the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Sentinel originally labeled "IJH Social."
Newspapers kept in Houston's original housing and order.
Box 20, Folder 10
National Geographic article and postcard
ca. 1982
Scope and Content Note
Contains National Geographic "Carrara Marble" article by Cathy Newman and post card of African American
sculptor Barthe's statue, "Come Unto Me."
Box 20, Folder 11
Golden State Minority Foundation/ CTV Scholarship Golf Tournament Plaque
2005 September 23
Scope and Content Note
Presented to Ivan J. Houston for sponsorship of this 31st Anniversary tournament. N
Box 27, Folder 2
Photos of Ivan Abbott Houston
ca. 1970s
Scope and Content Note
Includes photos of Houston's son and U.S. military tanks.
Box 29, Folder 1
Community service trophies and plaques
1984 - 1998
Scope and Content Note
Includes plaques from the Young Men's Christian Association and the Lynch Street CME Church and
trophies of recognition from Daniel Freeman Hospitals and the Southeast Symphony Association.
Box 31, Folder 4
City of Los Angeles certificates of recognition
1987 - 1990
Scope and Content Note
Certificates of recognition for Houston's service to Golden State Mutual, the city of Los Angeles and the
nation.
4.2 Norman O. Houston
ca. 1900 - 1981
Scope and Content Note
Contains awards, clippings, certificates, and photos of Norman O. Houston from his military service, Ralph
Bunche, Joe Louis and Dynamite Jackson. Also included are photos of Ivan and Philippa Houston with Jesse Jackson, a
signed photo of Golden State Mutual founder, William Nickerson Jr. and photos of Muhammad Ali with his autograph enclosed.
Also contains invitations and letters from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, President John F. Kennedy, President Richard
Nixon and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Box 21, Folder 1
Clippings, awards and certificates
1931 - 1964
Scope and Content Note
Newspaper clippings, awards and certificates such as his certified Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity membership.
Note
All contents of this folder were rehoused directly from Houston's original folder.
Box 21, Folder 2
Event programs
1947 - 1955
Scope and Content Note
Programs for luncheons, dinners and ceremonies.
Note
All contents of this folder were rehoused directly from Houston's original folder.
Box 21, Folder 3
Texas auto accident photos, clippings and insurance files
1954
Scope and Content Note
Documents relating to Houston's auto accident outside San Antonio, Texas where he suffered injuries along
with fellow passengers Mrs. Elois Davis and his wife Edith Houston.
Note
All contents of this folder were rehoused directly from Houston's original folder.
Box 21, Folder 4
Photos with African American leaders
1919 - 1960s
Scope and Content Note
Photos of Houston with Buffalo Soldiers, Ralph Bunche, Joe Louis and Dynamite Jackson. Also included are
photos of Ivan and Philippa Houston with Jesse Jackson and photos of Muhammad Ali.
Box 21, Folder 5
Family and business photos
1928 - 1975
Scope and Content Note
Photos of Houston with his family, politicians and business associates. Group photo of 28th Street Branch
of the YMCA moved to Box 31, folder 5.
Note
This folder was originally labeled "Old Pictures."
Box 21, Folder 6
Framed and matted photos
ca. 1900 - 1930s
Scope and Content Note
Includes photos of Houston's grandmother, Donnie Jackson Crow, mother Lillian Harris, and signed photo of
GSM founder, William Nickerson Jr.
Note
This folder was originally labeled "NOH Photos."
Box 21, Folder 7
Photo with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger
ca. 1970s
Box 22, Folder 1
Talbot and Harris family photos
1915 - 1939
Note
This folder was originally labeled "NOH Photos."
Box 22, Folder 2
World trip photos and draft of general observations
1963
Scope and Content Note
Includes photos of Houston and his wife in Japan and Egypt as well as a draft of Houston's observations
during his travels to China, India, Israel, Switzerland, Rome, and England.
Box 22, Folder 3
Invitations and correspondence from U.S. elected officials and political leaders
1962 - 1977
Scope and Content Note
Includes invitations and letters from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, President John F. Kennedy,
President Richard Nixon and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Box 22, Folder 4
Interview and flexograph recording of Lillian L. Harris
1949 May 6
Scope and Content Note
Original interview transcription is a third person narration of the interview with Houston's mother. Presumably,
the flexograph recording holds the original interview.
Box 22, Folder 5
Magazine clippings and book excerpts on Black Americans
1902 - 1977
Scope and Content Note
Most coverage relates to the contributions of Black veterans.
Box 22, Folder 6
Personal file
1923 - 1954
Scope and Content Note
Includes certificate of service for World War I, copies of resume, a biography, and a copy of his graduate
certificate for completion of Pacific Mutual School for Salesmen.
Box 22, Folder 7
Newspaper and magazines features
1929 - 1970
Scope and Content Note
All publications prominently feature Houston.
Box 22, Folder 8
Bethune - Cookman College
1931 - 1954
Scope and Content Note
Includes Houston's Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity membership card and college charters, newspapers and
convocation announcements.
Box 22, Folder 9
Wilberforce University
1951 - 1952
Scope and Content Note
Includes commencement brochure for Houston's Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws and his suggested
acceptance speech.
Box 22, Folder 10
Keepsakes
1906 - 1950
Scope and Content Note
Includes post cards, City of Hope pamphlet, Sportsmen's Club dinner program
Box 22, Folder 11
Obsequies of Norman O. Houston and Los Angeles City Council memorial tribute
1981 October
Scope and Content Note
Contains funeral program for Norman O. Houston (1893 - 1981) and Los Angeles City Council memorial
tribute.
Box 29, Folder 1
Wilberforce University Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws
1951 June 14
Box 29, Folder 2
Bethune-Cookman College Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws
1951 March 21
Box 31, Folder 3
Photographs of Norman O. Houston at Golden State Mutual
undated
4.3 Talbot family
1880 - 2005
Scope and Content Note
Contains correspondence, Houston's mother's bridal book, genealogical records, scrapbooks and photos
including an 1880 tintype of Ivan J. Houston's great uncle, Ben.
Box 23, Folder 1
Correspondence between Laura E. Young and Doris T. Houston
1908 - 1950
Scope and Content Note
Contains a 1933 letter from Ivan J. Houston and brother Norman B. Houston sent by grandmother Laura E.
Young to their mother, Doris T. Houston. Also included is a 1950 letter from Ivan and Norman to their grandmother, "Amoo."
Box 23, Folder 2
Doris T. Young's Los Angeles High Annual, diploma cover and autographed figurine
1916
Scope and Content Note
Doris Young appears in the "Senior A Personals" section as "Darling Youngster."
Box 23, Folder 3
Doris Talbot Young's bridal book
1920
Scope and Content Note
Doris Talbot Young married Norman Oliver Masson Houston on December 29, 1920. This book contains
documentation of their marriage.
Box 23, Folder 4
Laura Talbot Young's Electa Chapter No. 3, Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.) due book and Mrs. Doris T. Houston
business cards
1917 - 1925
Scope and Content Note
Los Angeles members' due book is signed by Laura Talbot Young with her address as 1844 E. 54 street,
Los Angeles, California. Book tracks monthly dues over for 8 years. Business cards list Houston as a "Fashionable Milliner"
at
the same Los Angeles address as Laura Talbot Young.
Box 23, Folder 5
Talbot family genealogical search records
1803 - 2005
Scope and Content Note
Many of these records are the result of a 2005 genealogical search that traces the Talbot family to Zebedie
Talbot and wife, Sylvia Ann Talbot. These documents retain original order and include a handwritten "Family of Doris T. Young"
tree.
Box 23, Folder 6
Elizabeth Ann Talbot photograph
undated
Scope and Content Note
Ivan J. Houston's note attached to photo reads, "Great Grandmother, Elizabeth Ann Talbot (Hines). Born
London, England." Photo was removed from frame.
Box 23, Folder 7
Talbot photographs album
1921 - 1930
Scope and Content Note
Photographs captioned in black ink and some are dated.
Note
Photographs removed from album, sleeved in Mylar and album retained.
Box 23, Folder 8
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1920s
Scope and Content Note
Photos feature Norman O. Houston, Doris Talbot, Amoo, Aunt Bernice, Vivian Talbot, and Ivan J. Houston's
sister, Betty Jean.
Box 23, Folder 9
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1900s - 1950s
Scope and Content Note
Photographs, including one of Mrs. Mabel Bryant and Mrs. Laura Young as they arrived for their vacation
stay at the Colonial hotel that was published in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on May 1, 1950.
Box 23, Folder 10
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1920s - 1950s
Scope and Content Note
Small black and white family photographs feature Laura Young, Doris Talbot, Betty-Jean, Ivan and Philippa
Houston and their daughter "Pamby."
Box 23, Folder 11
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1930s - 1950s
Scope and Content Note
Majority letter sized photographs sleeved in Mylar and feature Ivan J. Houston, Philippa Houston, Doris T.
Morris, Laura Young and Betty-Jean.
Box 23, Folder 12
Talbot "Seattle, Washington" photographs album
ca. 1940s - 1950s
Scope and Content Note
Photos and newspaper clippings removed from album, rehoused and order retained. Includes a 1951 clipping
that mentions Laura E. Young as a Seattle house guest of her daughter, Doris Morris, wife of contractor, Walter Morris.
Box 23, Folder 13
Talbot family photographs
1880 - 1950s
Scope and Content Note
Includes an 1880 tintype of Ivan J. Houston's great uncle, Ben.
Box 24, Folder 1
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1900 - 1940s
Scope and Content Note
Includes photos of Ivan J. Houston as a child, his sister Betty-Jean, his brother Norman B., his mother Doris,
his father Norman O., his grandmother Amoo, and his father's mother Lillian Harris.
Box 24, Folder 2
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1900s
Scope and Content Note
Photos feature Ivan J. Houston's great grandmother, Elizabeth Anne Hines Talbot, grandmother, Laura
Elizabeth Talbot Young and mother, Doris Talbot Young Houston.
Box 24, Folder 3
Mrs. Mary Anna Crowe funeral services program and newspaper announcement
1924 June 3
Scope and Content Note
Mary Anna Crowe (1854 - 1924) was Norman O. Houston's grandmother.
Box 24, Folder 4
Doris Talbot Houston Morris memorial materials
1977
Scope and Content Note
Includes a negative of Ivan J. Houston's mother, funeral services program, and letters of sympathy from
Golden State Mutual, the First African Methodist Episcopal Church and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.
Box 28, Folder 1
Laura Talbot Young greeting card album
ca. 1920s - 1930s
Box 28, Folder 2
Doris Morris scrapbook
1936 - 1966
Scope and Content Note
Contains photos, clippings certificates and awards about Ivan J. Houston.
5. Publications
1950 - 1994
Scope and Content Note
Series comprises primarily periodicals which feature Houston as well as programs and annual reports from
his service with civic organizations and corporate boards.
Box 25, Folder 1
American Processional: The Story of Our Country
1950
Scope and Content Note
Published by The National Capital Sesquicentennial Commission on the occasion of American Processional,
a special exhibition held at The Corcoran Gallery of Art from July 8 through December 17, 1950, to commemorate the
establishment of the permanent seat of the federal government in Washington in the year 1800.
Box 25, Folder 2
The ABC Picture Book of Eminent Negroes Past & Present and John F. Kennedy Memorial Album
1959 and 1964
Scope and Content Note
The cover of the ABC publication reads, "Property of Doris T. Morris" and features a feature on Norman O.
Houston, "Outstanding Insurance Executive And Civic Leader."
Box 25, Folder 3
Time magazines
1967 and 1974
Scope and Content Note
The May 26, 1967 issue features a cover story entitled "The Negro in Viet Nam." The June 17, 1974 issue
features a "Middle-Class Blacks: Making it in America" cover story that prominently features Ivan J. Houston's family.
Box 25, Folder 4
Black Enterprise magazines
1975, 1977, 1978 and 1979
Scope and Content Note
All June issues feature "The Nation's Leading Black Businesses." Every issue features Golden State Mutual
as one of the top three insurance companies in the nation. The June 1979 issues features Houston's successful leadership of
the
company.
Box 25, Folder 5
Black Enterprise magazines
1980, 1981 and 1983
Scope and Content Note
All June issues feature "The Top 100 Black Businesses." In 1980 Golden State Mutual ranked second top
insurance company in the nation and in 1981 and 1983, it placed third. The 1983 issue includes a feature on Houston's
innovations at Golden State Mutual.
Box 25, Folder 6
History of Black Americans in the Santa Clara Valley
1978
Scope and Content Note
Contains a feature on Norman Oliver Houston.
Box 25, Folder 7
The Executive of Los Angeles magazine
1981 August
Scope and Content Note
Features a cover story on Golden State's Ivan J. Houston.
Box 26, Folder 1
Mainstream America magazine
1982 November
Scope and Content Note
Features a cover story on Ivan J. Houston, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer Golden State Mutual Life
Insurance Company.
Box 26, Folder 2
Various periodicals
1972 - 1988
Scope and Content Note
Includes copies of issues/ideas, Performing Arts, Dollars and Sense, New Horizons, Stars in Motion, and
Black Angelenos: The Afro-American in Los Angeles, 1850 - 1950.
Box 26, Folder 3
Annual reports and programs
1979 - 1991
Scope and Content Note
Includes Los Angeles Urban League 70th Anniversary program with a feature on the foundation of Golden
State Mutual. Houston served as the Los Angeles Urban League's Board Chairman from 1976 - 1979.
Box 26, Folder 4
Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Roster of Archons and Boule Journals
1990 - 1991
Scope and Content Note
The Boule Journal is the publication of Ivan J. Houston's fraternity. The Winter 1990 issue previews the
organization's 40th Grand Biennial Boule, held in Los Angeles. The Fall 1990 issue features his letter of gratitude for the
success
of the organization's 40th Biennial Grand Boule. Houston served as Co-Chairman of this event which generated unprecedented
funds for Sigma Pi Phi's social action programs.
Box 26, Folder 5
Pacific Telesis Group annual reports
1990 - 1993
Scope and Content Note
Ivan J. Houston served on the Board of Directors for this telecommunications corporation located in San
Francisco.
Box 26, Folder 6
Pacific Telesis Group annual reports
1994
Box 27, Folder 1
Ebony magazines
1976, 1981 and 1988
Scope and Content Note
Each issue's "The 100 Most Influential Black Americans" features Ivan J. Houston.
