The Anthony F. Sonka Papers (1906-1972) document Sonka's business activities in Lemon Grove, including his role with the Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce.  Of particular interest is an anecdote of the famous Hatfield Flood (1916) in the Tony Sonka Day file, and Sonka's involvement with the installment of Lemon Grove's giant lemon.  Arranged alphabetically, the collection includes correspondence, photographs, golf score cards, membership cards, a Padres ticket from 1947, and personal writings.  The majority of material dates from the 1930s.

Anthony Sonka and his family moved to Lemon Grove in 1907. His father purchased Lemon Grove's original general store shortly thereafter. In 1909, upon Sonka's father's death, Sonka and his brothers took over the general store, renaming it Sonka Brothers General Mechandise. The store served residents in Lemon Grove, La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Jamul. During this time, Sonka also served as postmaster. He later became an active member of the Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce, and was partially responsible to installing the giant lemon on Main Street. In 1945, the brothers sold the general store. Sonka passed away in 1974.

0.21 linear ft

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