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T. S. Montgomery Scrapbook and Photograph Album
2021-16
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Title: T. S. Montgomery Scrapbook and Photograph Album
Dates: 1929-1935
Collection Number: 2021-16
Creator/Collector:
Hitchman, Annie O.
Montgomery, Thomas Samuel
Montgomery, Louise
Extent: 1 linear foot (1 box)
Online items available
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California 95112
Abstract: Personalized photograph album of their home near Santa Cruz, "La Casa de Montgomery," created as Christmas present in 1929
by T. S. and Louise Montgomery; and a scrapbook (1916-1935) documenting T. S. Montgomery's donation of land to the City of
San Jose for a civic auditorium, as well as other assorted political and real estate activities.
Language of Material: English
Available to the public for research by appointment. Both items have been photographed and are available to view through the
Internet Archive.
Please contact the Research Library & Archives for information on reproduction and publication.
T. S. Montgomery Scrapbook and Photograph Album. History San Jose Research Library
Donated to History San Jose in 2021 by a member of the Hitchman family.
Biography/Administrative History
According to the donor, Annie Hitchman was Montgomery's private secretary and a companion to Mrs. Montgomery after Montgomery's
retirement. Ethel Hitchman was Annie's younger sister. The Hitchman family came from Weeping Water, Nebraska, where Annie
operated a millinery shop. During the Depression, the Montgomerys took in members of the Hitchman family, who lived in cabins
at La Casa de Montgomery. The donor's husband's father was T. S. Montgomery's driver, taking him from the estate to his offices
in San Jose.
Scope and Content of Collection
The photo album is one of several personalized photograph albums of their estate near Santa Cruz, "La Casa de Montgomery,"
created as Christmas presents by T. S. and Louise Montgomery. Inscribed on inside cover, "Christmas Greetings from Mr. and
Mrs. T. S. Montgomery, Branciforte Drive, Santa Cruz, California. December 1929. Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Hitchman, 846 Plasa Drive,
San Jose, California." Includes the brochure, "La Casa de Montgomery," and photographs of the estate as well as T. S. and
Louise Montgomery, Annie Hitchman, and Ethel Hitchman.
The scrapbook is inscribed on inside back cover, "This scrapbook is hereby presented to Miss Annie O. Hitchman who aided me
very much in compiling the same. T. S. Montgomery." Contents document T. S. Montgomery's real estate and political activities,
primarily during the 1930s. Contains newspaper clippings, letters of appreciation, images of Casa de Montgomery, photos of
groups outdoor, letters from politicians including Calvin Coolidge and Hiram Johnson, typed manuscripts by Montgomery "How
a neighbor, in early days lost $10,000.00," "Politics 50 years ago," "Dear Mr. Kent," image of Mr. Kent's house in Saratoga.
Topics include: Donation of Park Hotel site for Civic Auditorium, Republican Party, Mercantile Trust Company retirement (1925).
The scrapbook also contains assorted illustrations and poems unrelated to Montgomery.
Real estate development
Auditoriums
Nineteen thirties
Nineteen twenties
Real estate business
Municipal buildings
Political candidates
Houses
Thank-you notes
Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933
Johnson, Hiram, 1866-1945
Republican Party (Calif.)
San Jose (Calif.)
Santa Cruz (Calif.)
Santa Cruz Mountains (Calif.)
scrapbooks
photographic prints
clippings (information artifacts)
business letters
manuscripts (documents)
letters (correspondence)