Collection Guide
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Solter, Samuel B. Architectural Drawings
CSU.061
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
California State University Archives
Title: Samuel B. Solter Architectural Drawings
creator:
California. Office of Architecture and Construction
creator:
Solter, Samuel B. (Samuel Bernard Solter)
Identifier/Call Number: CSU.061
Physical Description:
28 items
4 oversized folders;
Print copies mounted on artist board. One (1) architectural drawing is printed directly on the board and two (2) items on
paper.
Generally, the items are posterboard with dimensions of 16 x 20 in. and images with dimensions of 9 x 14 in.
Date (inclusive): 1966
Abstract: Architectural drawings of proposed California State University campus buildings (California State Colleges at the time of
rendering) and California State buildings drawn by Samuel B. Solter (May 30, 1920-May 4, 2016).
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The California State University Archives acquired the Samuel B. Solter Architectural Drawings as a gift from Nancy Solter
Amodeo and Tony Amodeo.
The drawings are arranged in four folders separated by California State University buildings, California State buildings,
and unknown buildings.
Samuel Bernard Solter (May 30, 1920- May 4, 2016) was an architectural illustrator and model-builder in the California Office
of Architecture and Construction. He was born in Kerhonkson, New York to Harry and Sadie Solomiansky, Jewish immgrants from
Eastern Europe. He moved to Los Angeles as a child where his family owned a grocery store and his father also worked in carpentry.
Solter served in World War II as a sergent in the Army Air Corps. After serving in the army, he attended the Art Center College
of Design in Los Angeles on the G.I. Bill (Government Issue). Throughout his life, Solter had various careers including hand-painted
tie business, a family pearl business, and a family stained glass business in addition to his work for the State of California.
Solter was married to Marie Solter and they had two children: Ken Solter and Nancy Amodeo.
[Title of item], Samuel B. Solter Architectural Drawings, Courtesy of the California State University Archives at the Gerth
Archives and Special Collections, University Library, California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Processed in September 2019.
The architectural drawing are limited to California State University (California State College at the time of drawing) and
California State buildings. All drawings are printed facsimilies that were likely presented to governing agencies who made
decisions about the construction of State buildings. This includes the Board of Trustees of the California State University
for drawings of the college campuses, as sometimes noted in the drawing's accompanied text.
All items, with the exception of three (3) are in color. Black and white drawings are of the Small College at California State
University, Dominguez Hills, six (6) pages (counted as one item) of architectural rederings and a drawing of the California
State University, Fullerton cafeteria, and one unidentified drawing on paper.
All California State University campuses are identified by a previous system name of "[Campus] State College". In one drawing,
California State University, Fullerton is identified as Orange State College, a previous name noting the campus location in
Orange County, California. The California Science Center is also identified by a previous name, as the Museum of Science and
Industry. University names rendered by the archivist in this finding aid use the campus name only, (i.e. ...Fullerton campus).
In a few instances the head of the OAC (Office of Architecture and Construction), Carl C. McLevy (AIA), and the consulting
architects Smith, Powell and Morgridge are identified in the drawings' accompanied text. Solter's signature is also painted
in the drawings for most items. On the reverse of some of the boards is a stamp: "Hecht Color Laboratories, Incorporated,
at Columbia Studios, 1339 No. Beachwood Drive., Hollywood 28, Calif. Phone: Hollywood 5-8311."
Although many of the drawings include a building name, it is unclear if all buildings in this collection have been constructed.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from the collection must be submitted in writing to the CSU Archives. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of Archive as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California State University and Colleges
California State University
Campus planning—California
College buildings—California
California.--Office of Architecture and Construction
Chino, (Calif.)
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, Northridge
San Bernardino, (Calif.)
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
California State University, Long Beach