Descriptive Summary
Important Information for Researchers
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Pocket diary of a young woman traveling from New York to California
Date: 1886
Collection Number: MS-M050
Extent:
0.1 linear foot
(1 folder)
Languages: The collection is in English.
Repository:
University of California, Irvine. Library. Special Collections and Archives.
Irvine, California 92623-9557
Abstract: Written by an unidentified young woman from Elbridge, New York, the pocket diary describes her journey by train with her mother
from New York to Los Angeles, California between January 1 and April 27, 1886. While in Los Angeles for almost three months,
the diarist described the sights, scenery, foods, and flora in the area. Of particular interest, she recorded her impressions
of Los Angeles's Chinatown, describing the inhabitants and their culture as well as instances of white opposition to the Chinese.
Important Information for Researchers
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the University of California, but the item is in the public domain. For permissions to reproduce
or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
Preferred Citation
Pocket Diary of a Young woman Traveling from New York to California. MS-M050. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine
Libraries, Irvine, California.
Acquisition Information
Acquired, 2005.
Processing History
Processed by Michelle Light, 2007.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Written by an unidentified young woman from Elbridge, New York, the pocket diary describes her journey by train with her mother
from New York to Los Angeles, California between January 1 and April 27, 1886. Before reaching Los Angeles on January 27,
the diarist described her visit to a Native American camp in Needles, California. Once in Los Angeles, she described the sights
and her experiences. The scenery, foods, and flora particularly captivated her. She also recorded her impressions of Los Angeles's
Chinatown, describing the inhabitants and their culture as well as instances of white opposition to them. They left Los Angeles
on April 7 and traveled north to San Francisco, where they visited the U.S. Mint, Chinatown, and a Chinese mission home for
girls. They began their journey home on April 19.
The pocket diary measures 8.5 cm. by 14 cm. and was commercially produced. The diarist wrote on the first 25 leaves, but left
the last 31 leaves blank.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Description and travel -- Archives.
Chinatown (Los Angeles) -- Description and travel -- Archives.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Description and travel -- Archives.
Railroad travel -- United States -- Archives.
Women authors, American -- 19th century -- Diaries.
Genres and Formats of Materials
Overland journals -- California -- 19th century -- Women authors.
Diaries -- California -- 19th century -- Women authors.
No online items
