Finding Aid for the John W. Fisher papers, 1900-1959
Processed by Yasmin Damshenas in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Megan Hahn Fraser,
September 2011; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.
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: John W. Fisher papers
Date (inclusive): 1900-1959
Collection number: 261
Creator:
John W. Fisher, 1873-1959.
Extent:
2 boxes (1 linear ft.)
Abstract: The collection consists of the personal papers of John W. Fisher, owner of The Fisher Lumber Company, Santa Monica, California.
The collection includes letters and postcards, photographs, financial records, clippings, certificates and membership cards,
a few event programs and an American flag.
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 UCLA Library Special Collections
for paging information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library
Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. 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 Mrs. John W. Fisher, April 1960.
Processing Note
Processed by Yasmin Damshenas in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Megan Hahn Fraser,
September 2011.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], John W. Fisher papers (Collection 261). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, UCLA.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Biography
John W. Fisher (1873-1959) was an Iowa native and long-time resident of Santa Monica. He became a successful lumberman and
owner of the Fisher Lumber Company in 1924. Fisher's philanthropic work extended to such organizations as the First Methodist
Church in Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Young Men's Christian Association, the Santa Monica chapter of the Red Cross, Santa
Monica City College and Boys' Town, Nebraska. Fisher was closely involved with the development of the city of Santa Monica,
both as a member of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and as Treasurer for the Board of Freeboarders which helped draft
a new city charter in 1946. He also served on the Santa Monica City Planning Commission in 1954 until he was forced to retire
due to health reasons later that year. He passed away on August 9, 1959.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of the personal papers of John W. Fisher, long-time resident of Santa Monica, California, and owner
of The Fisher Lumber Company. Fisher was an active philanthropist and also involved in the development of the city of Santa
Monica during the 1940s and 50s. Documents in this collection include letters and postcards, photographs, financial records,
clippings, certificates and membership cards, a few event programs and an American flag.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Fisher, John W., 1873-1959--Archives.
Businessmen--California--Santa Monica.
Box 1, Folder 1
Business files - Lumber and Century Federal
1941-1959
Scope and Content Note
Letters from JWF to employees, letters from suppliers, financial details such as wages, price lists and trial balances. Includes
photographs of lumber businesses, some of which document a fire at Fisher Lumber. Covers JWF's time with Fisher-Schwartz Lumber,
Fisher Lumber and Century Federal Saving and Loan Association.
Box 1, Folder 2
Board of Freeholders
1946
Scope and Content Note
Documents from JWF's tenure as Treasurer for the Board of Freeholders that drafted a new charter for the city of Santa Monica.
Includes drafts of charter, letters and some financial records.
Box 1, Folder 3
Santa Monica City Planning Commission
1954
Scope and Content Note
Letters and certificate of merit from JWF's tenure as a member of the City Planning Commission.
Box 1, Folder 4
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
1943-1959
Scope and Content Note
Documents related to JWF's membership with the Chamber of Commerce. Includes a financial report, letters and list of committee
members.
Box 1, Folder 5
Letters and postcards
1943-1958
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence mentioning of the death of JWF's daughter, Marjorie Fox, as well a postcard/mailer from Richard Nixon's
1952 vice presidential campaign.
Box 1, Folder 6
Charitable donations
ca. 1948-1959
Scope and Content Note
Letters either requesting support (often later annotated with details regarding contribution amount and check number), or
thanking JWF for his contribution. Organizations represented in this file include the Santa Monica Chapter of the American
Red Cross; Santa Monica City College; Father Flanagan's Boys' Town, Nebraska; and Santa Monica Hospital.
Box 1, Folder 7
First Methodist Church
1950-1959
Scope and Content Note
Documents reflecting JFW's support of the First Methodist Church of Santa Monica, include letters, budgets, annual reports,
and a program for a memorial event.
Box 1, Folder 8
Santa Monica Young Men's Christian Association
1952-1959
Scope and Content Note
Documents highlighting JFW's involvement with the Santa Monica YMCA, include letters, summary of annual planning conference,
advisory board agendas and minutes, budgets, and list of committees.
Box 2, Folder 1
Rotary Club
1953-1959
Scope and Content Note
Documents related to JFW's membership with the Rotary Club. Includes assembly program, lists of officers and committee members,
letters and group photographs.
Box 2, Folder 2
Certificates
1934-1959
Scope and Content Note
Certificates awarded to JWF for membership, achievement, service and contributions.
Box 2, Folder 3
Cards
1914-1959
Scope and Content Note
Cards collected by JWF, including membership cards for a variety of organizations such as the International Concatenated Order
of Hoo-Hoo, Elk's Lodge, Al Malaikah Temple, Free and Accepted Masons, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and Boys' Town.
Box 2, Folder 4
Home Loan and Insurance
1929 and 1942
Scope and Content Note
Certificates, letters and clipping.
Box 2, Folder 5
Automobile
1953-1957
Scope and Content Note
Driving exam score sheet and temporary licenses for JWF.
Box 2, Folder 6
Programs
1950-1958
Scope and Content Note
Programs that JWF saved from various events, including his granddaughter's graduation.
Box 2, Folder 7
Photographs
ca. 1911-1952
Scope and Content Note
Include family snapshots, portraits, group photographs.
Box 2, Folder 8
California Building-Loan League
1930
Scope and Content Note
Group photograph taken at Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.
Box 2, Folder 10
Obituary
1959 August 9
Scope and Content Note
Includes JWF's obituary from
The California Lumber Merchant, funeral program and guest book.
