Crippen Family Papers
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Copyright 2010
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
spcoll@ucsd.edu
Descriptive Summary
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Crippen Family Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0729
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear feet
(1 archives box and 1 card file box)
Date (inclusive): 1888-1969
Abstract: Papers of the Crippen Family, including patriarch George H. Crippen, who settled in San Diego in 1886 and helped develop the
city through real estate and investment ventures. The papers include writings of John Crippen, son of George Crippen, personal
diaries and correspondence of several family members, and amateur historian Marvin Studebaker's research on the Crippen family.
Scope and Content of Collection
Papers of the Crippen Family, including patriarch George H. Crippen, who settled in San Diego in 1886 and helped develop the
city through real estate and investment ventures. The papers include writings of John Crippen, son of George Crippen, personal
diaries and correspondence of several family members, and amateur historian Marvin Studebaker's research on the Crippen family.
Arranged in two series: A) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS and B) DIARIES.
MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS include financial records from George Crippen, fictional writings by John Crippen, Melissa Crippen's
typed recollections of her childhood in Ohio, copy photos of the family members, and Marvin Studebaker's writings and research
notes on the Crippen family.
DIARIES were written by Melissa Daniel Crippen, and her sons Roy and John. Handwritten entries describe many early events
in San Diego such as the first cross-bay ferry service and the openings of schools, as well as daily events in their personal
lives. The 1914 diary of Melissa Crippen includes several newspaper clippings and gelatin silver prints of unidentified subjects,
which have been placed in envelopes with the diary. The diaries are arranged chronologically.
Biography
After serving in the Civil War, New York native George Crippen moved to Kansas where he met and married Melissa Daniel of
Ohio. They moved to San Diego in 1886 with their sons John and Roy. Included in the move were Melissa Crippen's sister and
brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jennings, and their daughter Belle. In San Diego the Crippens had two more children, both
girls; one died in infancy and the other, Ruth, died in 1918.
George Crippen was a prominent businessman and had a hand in developing the Point Loma neighborhood Roseville, and surrounding
San Diego areas. John Crippen was an early school teacher for San Diego City schools before he pursued a masters in education
at Columbia University.
After living in Point Loma, the Crippens sold their land and moved to downtown San Diego and kept a cabin in Ramona.
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Acquisition Information
Acquired 1983.
Preferred Citation
Crippen Family Papers, MSS 729. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Point Loma (San Diego, Calif.)
Crippen family -- Archives
Box 1, Folder 1, Oversize FB-203-07
State and county tax receipts detailing properties owned
1893-1909
Box 1, Folder 2
San Diego City tax receipts detailing properties owned
1894-1912
Box 1, Folder 3, Oversize FB-203-08
Federal tax return detailing investments and properties owned
1916-1927
Box 1, Folder 4
Fictional writings
undated
Box 1, Folder 5
Teaching application and recommendations
1906-1908
Box 1, Folder 6
Crippen, Melissa Daniel - "Life in Early Ohio"
1911
Box 1, Folder 7
Crippen, Roy - Correspondence with family
1918
Box 1, Folder 9
"A Literary Treasure Lost"
1968
Box 1, Folder 10
Research notes on Melissa Crippen
1967-1969
