This collection contains information on the American Red Cross and its San Diego Chapter regarding internal operations, fundraising, recruitment, and various public services.

The American Red Cross (ARC) was founded 1881 in Washington, D.C. by Clara Barton, who visited Europe after the Civil War and learned of the International Red Cross. She headed the newly-formed ARC for the next 23 years, overseeing its domestic and international relief efforts which included the provision of nursing services to the United States military during the Spanish-American War. It was during this time, in 1898, that the San Diego Chapter of the Red Cross was formed, sending lemons and dried fruit to Cubans held in Spanish concentration camps in Cuba. They were also responsible for collecting donations, making garments, and shipping carloads of lemons to fever stricken soldiers quarantined at Montauk Point, New York. The San Diego Chapter was originally organized as a member of the California Red Cross State Association, but with the reorganization of the American National Red Cross under a congressional charter in 1906, the branch became a chapter of the Pacific Area office of ARC with headquarters in San Francisco.

0.5 Linear feet (1 box)

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

This collection is open for research.