Archibald T. Hamilton was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1860. A merchant in ill health, he decided to emigrate to Southern California in 1887 in hopes of regaining his strength. He bought 105 acres from Charles Frankish’s Ontario Land and Improvement Company in 1890 the location of which was “southeast of the [future] Ontario Airport” and/or “on the plains south of [the]Cucamonga [train] station” (which would be the current Hamilton Ranch development south of Baseline and east of Carnelian). In any case, he utilized the dry farming method of raising grapes, olives, figs and other fruit trees. On September 24, 1890, he married Catherine Hobby. They had three daughters, Catherine, Muriel and Margaret. By the early 1900’s the family had built a house “in town” at 519 N. Euclid. Mr. Hamilton also purchased several parcels of land in the 800 block between H and I streets that were planted with orange trees purchased from Armstrong Nurseries. He was active in several citrus exchange associations and was the treasurer of the Westminster Presbyterian church at the time of his death on June 18, 1926.

1.5 linear feet

Collection is open for research during the operating hours of the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room, or by appointment.