Homer Laughlin business records

Finding aid prepared by Brooke M. Black.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Manuscripts Department

The Huntington Library

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2191

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Descriptive Summary

Title: Homer Laughlin business records

Inclusive Dates: 1909-1997

Bulk Dates: 1919-1950

Collection Call Number: mssLaughlinrecords

Creator: Laughlin, Homer, 1843-1913

Extent: Approximately 350 items in 4 boxes.

Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2191

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Abstract: The business records of Homer Laughlin and the Laughlin Building in Los Angeles, California.

Language of Material: The records are in English.

Administration Information

Access

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Publication Rights

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Homer Laughlin business records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Acquisition Information

The collection was a gift of Adele Yellin, who was the wife of Ira Yellin, November 2016.

Historical Note

Homer Laughlin founded the Homer Laughlin China Company of Ohio in 1873. In 1896, Laughlin sold his business and moved to Los Angeles, California, where he was active in real estate. The Homer Laughlin Building, located at 317 South Broadway, was designed in 1896 by John B. Parkinson and was expanded in 1905 by Harrison Albright. In 1917, the Grand Central Market opened inside the building. Real estate developer Ira Yellin purchased the Homer Laughlin Building in 1984, along with other historic properties including the Million Dollar Theater and the Bradbury Building. In the 1990s, Yellin engaged Brenda Levin to complete a major renovation of the building.

Scope and Content

This collection provides documentation on the history of the Laughlin Building, the Grand Central Market and Homer Laughlin and his business activities. There is also some material related to Homer Laughlin, Jr., Homer Laughlin, III, and businessman Beach D. Lyon. There are a few items that were used for advertising the Grand Central Market.

Indexing Terms

Personal Names

Laughlin, Homer, 1843-1913

Lyon, Beach D.

Yellin, Adele, former owner

Corporate Names

Grand Central Market (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Subjects

Businessmen -- California -- Los Angeles

Real estate developers -- California -- Los Angeles

Real property -- California -- Los Angeles

Geographic Areas

Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.

Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century -- Sources

Genre

Booklets -- California -- 20th century

Building plans -- California -- 20th century

Business records -- California -- 20th century

Estate records -- California -- 20th century

Fliers (printed matter) -- California -- 20th century

Leases -- California -- 20th century

Legal documents -- California -- 20th century

Wills -- California -- 20th century

Box 1

Beach D. Lyon - University Club Bonds

Folder 1

Beach D. Lyon Notes and Correspondence (1931-1934)

8 items.

Folder 2

Bill for Legal Services and Clipping (1952-1997)

5 items.

Folder 3

Bond of Administrator Documents and Agreements (1924-1940)

8 items.

Folder 4

"Feeding a Million People:" Advertising Booklet for Grand Central Public Market [approximately 1923]

2 items. One copy is no longer bound.

Folder 5

Full Reconveyance Document (1975, Oct. 28)

1 item.

Folder 6

Homer Laughlin Notes and Deeds (1919-1923)

8 items.

Folder 7

Homer Laughlin, Jr. Mortgage (1921, Sep. 1)

1 item.

Folder 8

Homer Laughlin III Insurance Premium Documents (1959-1962)

6 items.

Folder 9

Lauglin-Goss Insurance Advertising Flyer [1920s]

3 items.

Folder 10

Last Will and Testament of Homer Laughlin, 1843-1913, and Estate Documents (1909-1913)

2 items.

Folder 11

Last Will and Testament of Homer Laughlin, Jr., and Related Documents (1921-1932)

8 items.

Folder 12

Miscellaneous Bill of Sale and Transfer (1960)

2 items.

Folder 13

Miscellaneous Leases and Agreements (1949-1958)

2 items.

Folder 14

Miscellaneous Receipts for Payments on Stalls, Balance Due Notes, Promissory Notes (1966-1983)

Approximately 100 items.

Folder 15

Notes Receivable - Homer Laughlin Building (1918-1995)

Approximately 100 items.

Folder 16

Preliminary Title Search Documents - Chicago Title Insurance Company (1985)

1 item.

Folder 17

Riverside County Property Documents (1931-1967)

9 items.

Folder 18

Sale of Ford Truck (1930-1932)

20 items.

Folder 19

Stock Certificates (1914-1919)

3 items.

Folder 20

University Club Bonds (1932-1934)

5 items.

Box 2

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls A - D

Folder 1

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls A (1940-1953)

6 items.

Folder 2

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls B-C (1943-1945)

3 items.

Folder 3

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls D 1-5 (1942-1955)

8 items.

Folder 4

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls D 6-7 (1946-1949)

4 items.

Folder 5

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls D 8-16 (1940-1946)

9 items.

Box 3

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls E - J

Folder 1

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls E 2-4 (1942-1949)

4 items.

Folder 2

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls E 8-12 (1942-1950)

5 items.

Folder 3

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls F (1940-1950)

7 items.

Folder 4

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls G (1941-1951)

8 items.

Folder 5

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls H (1946)

3 items.

Folder 6

Expired and Cancelled Leases Stalls J (1941-1951)

4 items.

Box 4

Notebook and Homer Laughlin Buildling Plan

Folder 1

Notebook: Notes, Lists of Stalls, Contacts, Homer Laughlin Building Plan, Address Book (1957-1988)

1 notebook.

Folder 2

Homer Laughlin Building Plan (1954, Apr.)

2 copies.