Los Angeles Corral of Westerners records, 1946-2019

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Summary

Creators:
Westerners. Los Angeles Corral, Blew, Robert, Cavallo, Joseph, Denzel, Carl, Duke, Donald, Hull, Lonnie, Nelson, Eric A., Newton, Frank Q., Nunis, Doyce B. (Doyce Blackman), 1924-2011, and Robinson, John W., 1929-
Abstract:
The Los Angeles Corral of the Westerners was founded in 1946 and promotes the study and understanding of Western history through publications and events. This collection contains correspondence, financial and publication records, photographs, artifacts, scrapbooks and drafts of articles documenting the history of the Los Angeles Corral of the Westerners.
Extent:
202.8 Linear Feet 114 boxes and 3 mapcase folders
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Los Angeles Corral of the Westerners records, Collection no. 0117, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the records of the Los Angeles Corral of the Westerners, including correspondence pertaining to Westerner activities, membership and publications, financial records, the publication records of works published by the group, audiocassettes and DVDs of Westerner programs and lectures, and scrapbooks of photographs of Westerner events. The publication records for the Branding Iron (a quarterly periodical), the Brand Book (an annual or bi-annual monograph length publication) and Keepsakes (irregular publications) include correspondence with authors, drafts of articles including art, floppy and zip disks, and proofs. Artifacts found in the collection include printing plates and a plaque. One of the larger series, the John W. Robinson collection, is comprised of Robinson's subject files, maps, and photographs-- many of which served as research for a number of books that he authored.

Biographical / historical:

The first Westerners Corral was established in Chicago in 1944 with the aim of promoting the study and understanding of Western history. Soon, corrals were springing up all over the United States-- and even internationally-- with the Los Angeles corral being established in 1946 by oil executive Homer Britzman--who also was elected founding Sheriff. The last remaining founding member, Glen Dawson, was one of the L.A. Corral's early Sheriffs and was a well-known rock climber, mountaineer, antiquarian bookseller (Dawson's Bookshop in Los Angeles, founded by his father Ernest Dawson), and also served as Director of the Sierra Club from 1937 to 1951. The Los Angeles Corral of the Westerners regularly convenes to hear historians and other speakers present western-related topics as well as to celebrate the western spirit through annual Rendezvous and Fandangos. The Corral has published 22 Brand Books, almost 250 Branding Irons, and numerous other publications. Originally restricted to men, the organization now welcomes and encourages women to participate in the Corral.

Acquisition information:
The Los Angeles Corral of the Westerners records were donated to USC Special Collections by the Los Angeles Corral of Westerners in 1985. Since the initial donation of records in 1985, multiple new accessions have also been received.
Arrangement:

Within series, records are generally arranged in chronological order. Whenever possible, files that were the provenance of individual members were kept together with their original file headings, although sometimes spelled out more completely for clarity.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access. Consult finding aid for additional information.

Terms of access:

The collection contains published articles; researchers are reminded of the copyright restrictions imposed by publishers on reusing their articles and parts of books. It is the responsibility of researchers to acquire permission from publishers when reusing such materials. The copyright to unpublished materials belongs to the heirs of the writers. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Los Angeles Corral of the Westerners records, Collection no. 0117, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Location of this collection:
Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library, Room 209
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189, US
Contact:
(213) 740-5900
specol@usc.edu
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