Parcher Family Papers, 1911-1931

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Summary

Title:
William C. and Frank M. Parcher Papers
Dates:
1911-1931
Creators:
Parcher, William C., Parcher, Frank M., and Granquist, Genevieve C.
Abstract:
The collection consists of the documents of father and son, William C. and Frank M. Parcher from 1911 to 1931. William's portion includes documents from his time with the Bishop Chamber of Commerce circa 1918-1921. Frank's portion includes professional documents from his time at the Southwest Museum and his writing on Native Americans of Eastern California. William C. Parcher was father to Frank M. Parcher. William C. Parcher, born circa 1873 and died 1945, was the secretary of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce from circa 1918 to 1921. In 1920, he opened Parcher's Rainbow Camp, which to this day, still functions as a resort.
Extent:
0.75 Linear Feet (1 box); 1 oversized folder
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

William C. and Frank M. Parcher Papers, 1911-1931, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, CA: MS. 596, [folder number] [folder title][date].

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of the documents of father and son, William C. and Frank M. Parcher. William's portion includes documents from his time with the Bishop Chamber of Commerce circa 1918-1921. Items include correspondence, institutional records, ephemera, news clippings, government reports, and realia related to Owens Valley, Owens Valley, Inyo County, Bishop Chamber of Commerce, California water history, and the Los Angeles Aqueduct.

Frank's portion includes professional documents from his time at the Southwest Museum and his writing on Native Americans of eastern California. Items include correspondence; financial documents; literary manuscripts; and a newspaper article. Frank's papers also include his and Genevieve's notes on eastern California Indians; Genevieve's personal papers; four maps of California; and Frank's writings on Owens Valley.

Biographical / historical:

William C. Parcher was father to Frank M. Parcher, who inherited his father's papers to form this collection.

William C. Parcher (circa 1873-1945), was the secretary of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce (circa 1918- 1921) and in 1920, he opened Parcher's Rainbow Camp, which to this day, still functions as a resort. He was married to Marie Louise Parcher and they had two sons, Ward Parcher and Frank M. Parcher, both who would be involved in the resort, Ward more so than Frank.

In addition to working with the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, William previously worked with the Los Angeles Times and later bought the Owens Valley Herald and the Inyo Independent.

Frank M. Parcher (1903-1974) was born in Los Angeles, California. His early life was divided between the Inyo and Los Angeles areas. In 1928, Frank founded the Eastern California Museum in Independence, California. From 1930 August to 1932 March, he served as the Assistant Secretary at the Southwest Museum from which he conducted research on the Native American tribes of eastern California. He spent much of his middle to later life working as a public servant to the Native American tribes of eastern California and Nevada, with the American Red Cross, the Owens Valley Indian Rehabilitation Project, and the Federal Civil Defense Administration.

His first wife was Genevieve C. Granquist, dates of marriage unknown, with whom he had a daughter, Harriet Mary Granquist. Genevieve died and Frank later remarried Florence Parcher (Florence's maiden name is unknown).

Custodial history:

Presumably, Frank M. Parcher left these documents to the Braun. It is unknown when they were donated, as the library's records have no information.

Processing information:

Collection previously partially processed by Glenna Schroeder circa 1977-1981. Finding aid completed by Braun Research Library volunteer Lisa Bechtold, February- April 2011. Final processing of collection and publication of finding aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Arrangement:

  • Series 1: William C. Parcher Papers, 1918-1931
  • Series 2: Frank M. Parcher Papers, 1928-1931
  • Series 3: Genevieve C. Granquist papers, 1928, undated
  • Series 4: Maps and realia, 1911, 1917, undated

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Glenna Schroeder, Lisa Bechtold
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-06-15 19:15:14 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

William C. and Frank M. Parcher Papers, 1911-1931, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, CA: MS. 596, [folder number] [folder title][date].

Location of this collection:
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027, US
Contact:
(747) 201-8448
rroom@theautry.org
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