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Pflueger (Donald H.) California State Polytechnic University, Pomona History Papers
0007
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Table of contents
Title: Donald H. Pflueger California State Polytechnic University, Pomona History Papers
Creator:
Pflueger, Donald H.
Identifier/Call Number: 0007
Contributing Institution:
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Special Collections and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
9.17 Linear Feet
(22 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1948-1999
Abstract: Donald H. Pflueger was a history professor at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona for nearly forty years and wrote
several books on the Pomona Valley. The collection includes manuscripts, drafts, and research materials for his book
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona — A Legacy and a Mission.
Advance notice required for access.
No copies may be made of manuscripts and drafts in the collection without the permission of the Donald H. Pflueger estate.
[Box/folder# or item name], Donald H. Pflueger California State Polytechnic University, Pomona History Papers, Collection
no. 0007, University Archives, Special Collections and
Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by David Pflueger and the Office of Ronald R. Simons. One manuscript deposited on loan by and Professor of History,
Emeritus Ralph Shaffer.
Donald H. Pflueger was born in Glendora, California in 1923 and spent his childhood on his parent's citrus farm. Pflueger
developed a love for the local area and went on to write several respected books on it, including
Glendora—The Annals of a Southern California Community,
The Government of California (co-authored with Hugh O. LaBounty),
Covina—Sunflowers, Citrus, Subdivisions, and
Charles C. Chapman—The Career of a Creative Californian.
After earning a Master's degree in history from Stanford University, Pflueger began teaching at Cal Poly Pomona (then known
as the Voorhis Unit) in 1952. Although specializing in history, Pflueger taught all social science courses, ranging from economics
to sociology. In 1956, he was was offered an appointment as a Cultural Affairs Officer with the U.S. Information Service and
spent the next two years as a Cultural Attache in Jerusalem and Amman, Jordan. Pflueger returned to Cal Poly Pomona in 1958,
where he continued his teaching career until his untimely death on November 14, 1994.
For many years, Pflueger had worked on a history of Cal Poly Pomona. In 1983, he was given a grant by Ronald R. Simons, Director
of Public Affairs, to complete and publish the book,
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona—A Legacy and a Mission, in time for the university's fiftieth anniversary in 1988. University President Hugh O. La Bounty lent his support to the
project and several members of the campus community were recruited to review and critique the text. Many efforts were made
to shape Pflueger's manuscript to please all parties involved and the subsequent delays caused Pflueger to miss the 1988 deadline.
Revisions and editorial disagreements continued until 1991, when Pflueger decided to return the remainder of the grant and
pursue independent publication at a later date. Pflueger's development of the large history continued until his death.
In 1997, Danette Cook Adamson, newly appointed Special Collections Librarian, discovered boxes full of Pflueger's research
materials and a nearly complete manuscript of the book in the University Archives. Adamson contacted the Dean of the Library,
Dr. Harold B. Schliefer, and proposed that they try to publish it. Schliefer then contacted Donald's son, David Pflueger,
for permission. David Pflueger agreed to resume the publication effort and various copies were sent out to volunteer editors
for review and commentary. The book was soon finalized and published by the Arthur H. Clark Company in 1999. This was the
first and continues to be the only book completely dedicated to the history of Cal Poly Pomona.
The majority of the collection is drafts and annotated manuscripts of
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona—A Legacy and a Mission. The collection also contains research materials for the book, notes, correspondence, photographs, newspaper articles, and
publications. The collection documents Donald H. Pflueger's research and writing process from the book's conception to its
posthumous publication.
The collection is arranged in two series: 1. Research Materials and 2. Manuscripts and Drafts.
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona University Archives Oral History Collection, Collection no. 0023, University
Archives, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Chester O. McCorkle Papers, Collection no. 0096, University Archives, Special Collections and Archives, University Library,
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Gertrude C. Boland Papers, Collection no. 0081, University Archives, Special Collections and
Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Hugh O. La Bounty Papers, Collection no. 0086, University Archives, Special Collections and Archives, University Library,
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Kenneth Haun Kitch Papers, Collection no. 0085, University Archives, Special Collections and Archives,
University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Pflueger, Donald H.
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona: A Legacy and a Mission, 1938-1989. Spokane, WA: Arthur H. Clark, 1999.
Pflueger, Donald H., ed.
Charles C. Chapman: the Career of a Creative Californian, 1853-1944. Los Angeles: Ritchie & Simon, 1976.
Pflueger, Donald H.
Covina: Sunflowers, Citrus, Subdivisions. Covina, CA: Donald H. Pflueger, 1964.
Pflueger, Donald H.
Glendora, the Annals of a Southern California Community. Claremont, CA: Saunders Press, 1951.
Pflueger, Donald, and Hugh O. La Bounty.
The Government of California. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1957.
Student Wives Poly-Annas Records, Collection no. 0078, University Archives, Special Collections and Archives, University Library,
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Pflueger's copies of
Madre Tierra 1950: California State Polytechnic, San Dimas and
Madre Tierra 1972: California State Polytechnic College, Kellogg-Voorhis Pomona were transferred to the University Archives book collection.
The collection was arranged and described by Keena Hildebrandt under the supervision of Alexis Adkins in 2016. The finding
aid was revised in 2019 to incorporate additional materials.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona