Guide to the Anthony F. Sonka Papers

© Copyright 2008 Special Collections & University Archives. All rights reserved.
2008-01-04
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791

Guide to the Anthony F. Sonka Papers 1906/1972

Special Collections & University Archives

Overview of the Collection

Collection Title: Anthony F. Sonka Papers
Dates: 1906-1972
Identification: MS-0242
Creator: Sonka, Anthony F., 1885-1974
Physical Description: 0.21 linear ft
Language of Materials: English
Repository: Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791

Biographical Information:

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.

Access Terms

This collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Corporate Name:

San Diego State University. Jewelry and Metalsmithing Program

Genre/Form of Material:

Personal Papers
Photographs

Personal Name:

Sonka, Anthony F., 1885-1974 -- Archives

Topical Term:

Businessmen -- California -- Lemon Grove -- Biography -- Sources

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use:

The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine.  Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

Conditions Governing Access:

This collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation:

Identification of item, folder title, box number, Anthony F. Sonka Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.

Related Materials:

Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce, 1922-1978
Lemon Grove Coordinating Council Records, 1959-1963
Lemon Grove Historical Society Records, 1978-1979
James B. Pearce Papers, 1924-1963

Scope and Contents

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.

Box 1, Folder 1

Certificate of Membership, La Mesa Country Club 1928, 1938

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence 1934-1972

Box 1, Folder 3

General Store 1937, 1958

Box 1, Folder 4

Golf Score Cards, Photographs, Membership Cards 1906-1950s

Box 1, Folder 5

Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce 1939-1968

Box 1, Folder 6

Lemon Grove Lemon 1934

Box 1, Folder 7

Personal Writings and Notes

Box 1, Folder 8

Sonka Family History and the Significance of Number 13 by Anthony Sonka

Box 1, Folder 9

Subdivision Public Report on Sonka Urban Heights

Box 1, Folder 10

Tony Sonka Day July 18, 1963