Los Angeles Motor Car Company, 1908-1912

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Summary

Title:
Los Angeles Motor Car Company Business Records
Dates:
1908-1912
Creators:
Leavitt, Ralph J. Cotton, Charles M. Los Angeles Motor Car Company (Los Angeles, Calif.) Locomobile Company of America (Bridgeport, Conn.)
Abstract:
Extent:
3.5 linear feet (9 legal size archival boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Los Angeles Motor Car Company Business Records. Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Background

Scope and content:

The Los Angeles Motor Car Collection is comprised of 9 legal sized archival boxes of documents, correspondence and telegrams, ledger books, minute books, invoices and sales slips. The collection is divided into the following series: Series 1. Business Correspondence, 1908-1912 Series 2. Business and Legal Records, 1908 - 1912

Biographical / historical:

The Los Angeles Motor Car Company (LAMCC) was incorporated in Los Angeles County on 3rd of October 1908. The Incorporation records list the following people as the original directors of the company: Ralph J. Leavitt, LaBree (LaBrae) Leavitt and Nathan P. Bundy. According to the Incorporation records the primary purpose of the company was “…To own, sell, manufacture, transfer, lease and deal in automobiles and vehicles of all descriptions.” The business was located at the corner of Hill and Pico Streets in Los Angeles (1301 S. Hill Street), in a building that previously housed the Success Automobile Corporation. The Los Angeles Motor Car Company was the Southern California distributor for Locomobile of America, headquartered in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Los Angeles Motor Car Company’s main line of business was selling the various models of Locomobiles in Los Angeles, Fresno, Santa Barbara, and San Diego. They also sold Locomobiles to various mining companies including Gold Star Mines Company in Dome, Arizona and Imperial Development Company Hechicera, B.C. Mexico. As part of their business the company serviced the cars, assisted with car insurance, ordered and distributed parts for the Locomobiles. Officers: Ralph J. Leavitt (1908-1910), LaBee or LaBae Leavitt (1908-1909), Nathan P. Bundy (1908), Samuel MacConnell (1908), H,.M. Cain (1908), Charles M. Cotton (General Manager 1910-1912), Valentine Peyton (President 1910-1912), Robert C. Peyton (Sec.-Treasurer 1909-1912)

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County staff.
Date Prepared:
1908-1912
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Research is by appointment only

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder

Preferred citation:

Los Angeles Motor Car Company Business Records. Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Location of this collection:
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007-4057, US
Contact:
(213) 763-3359
seavercenter@nhm.org
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