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Inventory of the Fritz Burns Papers
CSLA-2
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Title: Fritz Burns papers
Bulk Dates: 1939-1972
Collection number: CSLA-2
Creator: Burns, Fritz
Creator: Marlow, F. W.
Collection Size: 21.5 linear feet
Repository: Loyola Marymount University. Library. Department of Archives and Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90045-2659
Abstract: The collection contains business files from Fritz Burns's association with Fred W. Marlow. There is also biograpical information
about Burns and photographs of Burns, his wife Gladys, son F. Patrick, and others. Many photographs show Hawaiian hotels in
which Burns had a business interest along with Henry J. Kaiser and Conrad Hilton.
Physical location: Collection stored offsite. Research use requires both an advance notice of intent to use the collection and an appointment.
To schedule an appointment, please contact the Department of Archives and Special Collection, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola
Marymount University: 310-338-2780, 310-338-5357.
Languages: Languages represented in the collection:English
The Fritz Burns Papers are part of the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles Research Collection,
a program of the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University. The Department
of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount University, administers the Research Collection. Collection is open
to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola
Marymount University.
Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise,
Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher
must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. Loyola Marymount University does not assume any responsibility
for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author or artists or his/her heirs, assigns, or
executors.
[Identification of item], Series number, Box and Folder number, Fritz Burns papers, CSLA-2, Department of Archives and Special
Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University.
The Fritz B. Burns Foundation donated this collection to LMU in 1996 (Accession Number: 1996.26).
Biography / Administrative History
Fritz Bernard Burns (1899-1979), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was a powerful real estate developer in Southern California.
As vice-president of Dickenson & Gillepsie real estate firm in Los Angeles in the 1920s, he oversaw the development of Palisades
Del Rey (now Play Del Rey). With partner F. W. Marlow, he was involved in the development of Westchester, Windsor Hills,
Panorama City, parts of North Hollywood and other areas in Los Angeles. Such projects made him a prominent developer in Los
Angeles and a leader in the development of mass-produced housing, resulting in community development and the notion of middle
class ownership of homes as a way of life. He was, consequently, a leading civic figure in the city. Burns was also a major
philanthropic benefactor to Roman Catholic institutions, including Loyola Marymount University and Aquinas College. Burns
was President of the Home Builders Association of Los Angeles in 1942 and of the National Association of Home Builders in
1945.
| 1899 | Born Fritz Bernard Burns, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| 1916-1932 | Salesman, sales manager, and executive vice president, Dickinson & Gillespie Corporation. Responsible for the development of Palisades del Rey, a beachfront area of Los Angeles County. |
| 1924 | Marries Lucille Robinson, whom he divorced in 1927. The couple has one son, Fritz Patrick Burns (1925-1980). |
| 1937-1944 | General partner with F. W. Marlow in Marlow-Burns Development Company, which develops Windsor Hills, Toluca Wood, Westchester, and parts of West Los Angeles. |
| 1940 | Marries Gladys Carson Scheller (1897-1985). |
| 1945 | With Henry J. Kaiser forms Kaiser Community Homes. Best known development is Panorama City. Also the two partners develop properties in Hawaii. |
| 1955 | Burns receives "Man of Achievement" award from the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. |
| 1960-1979 | CEO, Fritz B. Burns and Associates. Partner in development of hotels and shopping centers in the Los Angeles area. |
| 1979 | Death of Fritz B. Burns. |
Scope and Content of Collection
The Fritz Burns Papers (CSLA-2)consist of textual and non-textual materials that provide excellent coverage of the development
of Los Angeles in in the 1940s and 1950s. The holdings cover the following partnerships of Burns: Marlow-Burns Development
Co.; Murphy-Baker-Burns; Marlow-Burns Investment Co.; Marlow & Co.; Marlow-Burns and Co. The holdings in these areas include
information on properties owned by Burns with these various partners. There are partnership agreements, leases, mortgage and
tax information, internal office memos, real estate brochures and maps, and other materials pertaining to property ownership.
In addition there are newspaper clippings and scrapbooks with articles related to Burns's real estate developments. Filling
out the collection are photographs of Fritz Burns, Burns and his business associates, Burns and his family, and some of his
developments. Finally there is memorabilia consisting of the many awards that Burns received for his philanthropy and professional
achievements.
The Fritz Burns Papers (CSLA-2) are arranged in five series:
- Series One: Business Files, 1939-1985
- Series Two: Biographical Files, 1922-1982
- Series Three: Scrapbooks and Clippings, 1939-1966
- Series Four: Photographs, 1922-probably 1973
- Series Five: Awards and Honors, 1918-1979
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Burns, Fritz
Marlow, F. W. (Fred W.)
Marlow-Burns Development Company -- Archives
Real estate developers -- California, Southern -- Biography -- Sources
Real estate development -- California, Southern -- History -- Sources
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Philanthropists -- California -- Los Angeles -- Biography -- Sources
Keane, James Thomas.
Fritz B. Burns and the Development of Los Angeles. Los Angeles, 2001
The guide to the Fritz Burns Papers (CSLA-2) can also be found at the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola
Marymount University website: http://www.lmu.edu/Page4582.aspx.
James Keane Collection of Fritz Burns Biographical Materials, 1923-2001 (CSLA-24): http://www.lmu.edu/Page6554.aspx.
Fritz Burns Papers, 1939-1973 (CSLA-2): http://www.lmu.edu/Page4582.aspx.
These two collections are also part of the OAC.