INVENTORY OF THE GARDENA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COLLECTION,
1950-2004
Finding aid prepared by Robert Bush
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives & Special Collections
University Library, Room 5039
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3895
URL: http://www4.csudh.edu/libarchives/index
©2016
Descriptive Summary
Title: Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce Collection
Dates: 1950-2004
Collection Number: Consult repository
Creator:
Extent:
13 boxes
4.5 linear ft
Repository: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives and Special Collections
Archives & Special Collection
University Library, Room G-145
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3895
URL: http://www4.csudh.edu/libarchives/index
Abstract:
The collection consists of scrapbooks, documents, publications, photographs, videotapes, and other
material related to the history and activities of the Gardena, California, Chamber of Commerce from 1950 to 2004.
Language: Collection material is in English
Administration Information
Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Title of item], Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce Collection, Courtesy of the Department of Archives and Special Collections.
University Library. California State University, Dominguez Hills
Acquisition Information
Donated by the Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2015.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Robert Bush in March of 2016.
History
The Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce was incorporated on April 29, 1933, three years after the creation
of the City of Gardena, California. The Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization whose volunteer membership
includes businesses, civic leaders, and government officials from the Gardena Valley area, which is located
in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County.
In its early years, the chamber’s main concerns were supporting civic improvements, such as paved streets,
street lighting, a sewer system, and gas and electricity. Its primary function historically has been to further
the interests of local businesses through promotion, the sponsorship of community events, and engagement
on legislative issues.
Scope and Content
The collection documents the evolution of the business community in Gardena. It consists of scrapbooks, minutes,
official records, publications, photographs, and awards documenting the organization’s history and activities.
Chronological scrapbooks include newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, and memorabilia. Publications
in the collection include commemorative newspapers, a local business directory, and editions of the chamber’s official
publication,
Gardena Valley Business Life. Documents include board minutes, organizational charts,
annual reports, correspondence, and economic and demographic profiles of the City of Gardena.
An extensive collection of photographs documents Chamber of Commerce officers and members, including official
photographs of the organization’s presidents and board members. Also documented are organizational activities,
local business openings, and local and area sites. Local, state, and national dignitaries pictured in the collection
include Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley, Los Angeles County supervisor Kenneth Hahn, California Governor Pete Wilson,
United States Attorney General Edwin Meese, United States Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, and President
George H. W. Bush. Individual albums include images of the 1971 Gardena Expo, the Gold Cup motorcycle races held
at local race promoter J. C. Agajanian’s Ascot Park race track, and the construction of the Hustler Casino.
A small collection of VHS videocassettes containing episodes of a Chamber of Commerce television show
and other locally broadcast events is also included.
Arrangement
Arranged by folder
Indexing Terms
Subjects
Boards of trade
Chambers of commerce
Motorcycle racing
Casinos
Personal Names
Bradley, Tom, 1917-1998
Bush, George, 1924-
Hahn, Kenneth
Meese, Edwin
Weinberger, Caspar W.
Wilson, Pete, 1933-
Corporate Names
Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce
Geographic Areas
Gardena (Calif.)
Los Angeles County (Calif.)
Contributors
[Contributors]
Titles
[Titles]
Related Material
[material related to the collection]
Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce Collection
Physical Description: 4.5 linear feet [13 boxes]
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of scrapbooks, documents, photographs, and other material compiled,
produced, or acquired by the Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce between 1950 and 2004. Minutes are arranged
in their original chronological order. Where dates are known, other materials are arranged in chronological
order by year. Photographs are arranged by album, subject, or year.
Box 1, Folder 3
"Scrapbook 1967-1968" Part 1 of 4
1967 January-August
Box 1, Folder 4
"Scrapbook 1967-1968" Part 2 of 4
1967 August-December
Box 1, Folder 5
"Scrapbook 1967-1968" Part 3 of 4
1968 January-June
Box 1, Folder 6
"Scrapbook 1967-1968" Part 4 of 4
1968 July-December
Box 2, Folder 1
Scrapbook "Santa's House" Part 1 of 2
1970 August-December
Box 2, Folder 2
Scrapbook "Santa's House" Part 2 of 2
1970 December-1971 December
Box 2, Folder 3
"Scrapbook 1970-1971" Part 1 of 3
1970 July-December
Box 2, Folder 4
"Scrapbook 1970-1971" Part 2 of 3
1971 January-March
Box 2, Folder 5
"Scrapbook 1970-1971" Part 3 of 3
1971 April-June
Box 3, Folder 1
"Scrapbook 1971-1972" Part 1 of 2
1971 July-December
Box 3, Folder 2
"Scrapbook 1971-1972" Part 2 of 2
1972 January-June
Box 3, Folder 3
"Scrapbook 1972-1973" Part 1 of 2
1972 July-December
Box 3, Folder 4
"Scrapbook 1972-1973" Part 2 of 2
1973 January-June
Box 3, Folder 5
Scrapbook
1973 June-1974 June
Box 4, Folder 1
Scrapbook
1976 June-1977 June
Box 4, Folder 2
Scrapbook
1977 June-1978 June
Box 4, Folder 3
"Scrapbook 1980-1981" Part 1 of 2
1980 June-December
Box 4, Folder 4
"Scrapbook 1980-1981" Part 2 of 2
1981 January-June
Box 5, Folder 1
Newspapers, Chamber of Commerce 50th Anniversary Supplement
1977-1978
Box 5, Folder 2
Commemorative Newspapers, Gardena Valley Directory
1979-1985
Box 5, Folder 3
Gardena Valley Business Life
1979
Box 5, Folder 4
Gardena Valley Business Life
1980-1985
Box 5, Folder 5
Gardena Valley Business Life
1986-1989
Box 5, Folder 6
Gardena Valley Business Life
1990-1993
Box 5, Folder 7
Photograph-Gardena Civic Center, Telephone Directory Cover, Photo Collage
Box 5, Folder 8
Photographs-Gardena Tournament of Roses Floats
1955, 1956, 1959
Box 6, Folder 1
Roll Calls, Organizational Charts, Minutes
1971-1976
Box 6, Folder 2
Minutes, Proposed Budgets
1968-1976
Box 6, Folder 4
Hollypark Development Information, Contact Lists, Correspondence, Historical Summaries
1954-1976
Box 6, Folder 6
Gardena-Economic Profile, Election Results, Fact Sheets, Demographics
1982-1999
Box 6, Folder 9
Scrapbook-California Historical Scenes/Gardena Church of Christ Scientist
Box 7, Folder 1
Plaque-South Bay Area Telephone Directory Cover
Box 7, Folder 2
Plaque-Walter Klasse Perpetual Ambassador of the Year Award
1976-1995
Box 7, Folder 3
Plaque-Chamber of Commerce 50th Anniversary Commemoration
1983
Box 7, Folder 4
Plaque-Hall of Fame
1982-1985
Box 8, Folder 1
VHS Videocassettes-Gardena Chamber of Commerce Television Show
2003-2004
Box 8, Folder 2
VHS Videocassettes-Normandie Casino, Gardena State of the City Address, Business Person of the Year
2004
Box 9, Folder 1
Photographs-Chamber of Commerce Presidents
1950-1959
Box 9, Folder 2
Photographs-Chamber of Commerce Presidents
1960-1969
Box 9, Folder 3
Photographs-Chamber of Commerce Presidents
1970-1979
Box 9, Folder 4
Photographs-Chamber of Commerce Presidents
1980-1989
Box 9, Folder 5
Photographs-Chamber of Commerce Presidents
1990-1996
Box 9, Folder 6
Photographs-Past Presidents
Box 9, Folder 7
Photographs-Board of Directors
Box 10, Folder
Photographs-Dated Events
1960s-2000s
Box 11, Folder
Photographs-Undated Events
1950-1959
Box 12, Folder 1
Photographs-Gardena Expo
1971
Box 12, Folder 2
Photographs-Gold Cup Motorcycle Races
Box 12, Folder 3
Photographs-Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournaments
Box 12, Folder 5
"Old Gardena Valley News Pictures"
Box 13, Folder 1
Photographs-Business Openings/New Members
1960s
Box 13, Folder 2
Photographs-Business Openings/New Members
1980s
Box 13, Folder 3
Photographs-Business Openings/New Members
1990s
Box 13, Folder 4
Photographs-Business Openings/New Members
2000
Box 13, Folder 5
Photographs-Business Openings/New Members
2001
Box 13, Folder 6
Photographs-Undated Business Openings/New Members
Box 13, Folder 8
Photographs-Hustler Casino Construction
1999-2000
Box 13, Folder 9
Sign-"Gardena All-America City" (removed to map case)
Box 13, Folder 10
Large circular wooden wall hanging with Chamber of Commerce logo (stored separately)
