Collection of materials relating to the Palos Verdes Homes Association, bulk ca 1923 - 1998 (bulk from 1920-1940)

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Collection of materials relating to the Palos Verdes Homes Association
Dates:
bulk ca 1923 - 1998 (bulk from 1920-1940)
Creators:
Cheney, Charles H., 1884-1943 and Palos Verdes Homes Association
Abstract:
Collection of subject files and restriction booklets show the early development of the Palos Verdes Homes Association, Art Jury and restrictions used in the development of the area.
Extent:
1.5 Cubic Feet 2.5 letter doc boxes, 1 legal doc box, 1 document in oversize box
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Name of item], Collection of materials relating to the Palos Verdes Homes Association (Collection 076). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

Includes subject files and restriction booklets outlining local protective restrictions, conditions, covenants, reservations, liens and charges for tracts located in Palos Verdes Estates and Miraleste.

Biographical / historical:

The Palos Verdes Homes Association incorporated as a non-profit co-operative corporation in 1923 and managed the development of what is now Palos Verdes Estates and Miraleste (located in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes). Prior to the incorporation of the City of Palos Verdes Estates in 1940, the Homes Association performed all of the functions of a city including maintaining roads, parks, a golf course and a swim club, providing police and fire protection, enforcing building standards as well as ensuring adherence and compliance with the master plan drawn up for the areas. After incorporation, much of these functions were turned over to the new city, though it maintains responsibility for enforcing building standards and land use requirements.

The major role of the Homes Assocation is to ensure the restrictions and convenants created in the 1920s and which run with the land are enforced. Since its early days, the Homes Association has had an Art Jury composed of architects whose purpose is preserve the visual character of the area by ensuring that building plans, additions and modifications to a property are of a quality and nature consistent with specifications in the master plan. Early members of the Art Jury include architects Myron Hunt, David C. Allison, Robert D. Farquhar, experts in city planning Charles H. Cheney and landscape architect and planner Frederick L. Olmsted, Jr.

Acquisition information:
Materials donated to and/or collected by the Palos Verdes Library District, Local History Center. Materials heavily annotated by Charles H. Cheney.
Processing information:

Initial rehousing and stabilization of materials by Local History Center volunteers. Final arrangement and description by Monique Sugimoto, February 2025. Multiple copies of materials weeded from collection.

Arrangement:

Arranged into two series: Subject Files and Protective Restrictions. Subject files arranged alphabetically by folder title; thereunder chronologically, with undated materials filed after dated materials. Protective restrictions organized by tract location.

Physical location:
Local History Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-11-29 15:37:28 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the Local History Center for access information.

Terms of access:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred citation:

[Name of item], Collection of materials relating to the Palos Verdes Homes Association (Collection 076). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.

Location of this collection:
701 Silver Spur Road
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, US
Contact:
(310) 377-9584