Jeff Norman Collection
Finding aid created by Monterey Public Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
Monterey Public Library
2023
625 Pacific Street
Monterey, California 93940
(831) 646-3741
https://monterey.org/library/services/research/history_room/index.php
Title: Jeff Norman Collection
Dates: 1850–2007
Collection Number: ARC 630
Creator/Collector:
Jeff Norman
Extent: 25 boxes (1 document case; 1 flatbox; 5 binder boxes; 5 CD boxes; 12 record boxes); 29.3 linear ft.
Repository:
Monterey Public Library
Monterey, California 93940
Abstract: The Jeff Norman Collection includes materials written and/or compiled by Jeff Norman (September 19, 1951 – October 31, 2007).
The items in this collection include: articles, correspondence, electronic files, lectures, newspapers, pamphlets, photographs,
registers, reports, research notes, maps and pamphlets.
Language of Material: English
By appointment only; Contact Local History Librarian or designated staff.
Reproduction by Local History Librarian or other designated staff; may be restricted due to condition of the materials
[Identification of item]. Jeff Norman Collection. Collection Number: ARC 630. Monterey Public Library
Bequest of Jeff Norman, 2007
Biography/Administrative History
Jeff Norman (September 19, 1951 – October 31, 2007) was born in Oakland, CA and moved to Pebble Beach in 1962 with his parents,
Don and Kathy Norman. He graduated from Pacific Grove High School and University of California, Santa Cruz. At the age of
14, Norman discovered a fern unknown in Monterey County, starting his career as a biologist and cultural historian. He worked
for US Forest Service, California State Parks, University of California, Santa Cruz, Big Sur Natural History Association,
Esalen Institute, Monterey County Planning and Building Inspection Department, and others. He was an active member of the
California Native Plant Society and a consultant for the Big Sur Land Trust and the Monterey Pine Forest Watch.
For 28 years, Norman lived in what was considered to be the region’s most interesting pioneer home, Alta Vista, where he wrote
most of his books. He contributed to Donald Clark’s Monterey County Place Names (1991) and coauthored Big Sur Observed (1994)
with Kip Stewart. In 2004, he coauthored with the Big Sur Historical Society, Images of America: Big Sur, a book tracing the
history of the coast with more than 200 photographs. In his lifetime, Jeff Norman made tremendous contributions to the history
of Big Sur by chronicling its past and preserving its natural and cultural history. He died at the age of 56.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection is organized into 14 different series, which include the following: I. Big Sur Families; II. Big Sur Region:
Organizations, People, Places; III. Big Sur History; IV. Native Americans; V. Natural History; VI. Photographs; VII. Maps
& Pamphlets; VIII. Pfeiffer Ranch Resort guest register (copy); IX. Lectures & Publishing Documents; X. Correspondence & Personal;
XI. Newspapers; XII. Photographic Slides; XIII. Maps – Oversize; XIV. Electronic and Audiovisual Files (images, interviews,
presentations, publications).
Organized by series, then folders with arrangement chronologically within folders. Photographic slides and compact discs are
grouped by subject.
Biography
Native Americans
Maps
Natural History
Norman, Jeff
Norman
Big Sur, CA
Monterey County, CA
Articles
Compact discs
Correspondence
Photographs
Maps
Newspapers
Research notes
Reports
Typescripts