Paul A. Palmer and Agnes Blomquist Collection
Finding aid created by Sherman Library and Gardens staff using RecordEXPRESS
Sherman Library and Gardens
2020
614 Dahlia Ave.
Corona del Mar, California 92625
(949) 673-1880
library@slgardens.org
http://www.slgardens.org/
Title: Paul A. Palmer and Agnes Blomquist Collection
Dates: 1928-1976
Collection Number: 2018_04
Creator/Collector:
Palmer (Paul A.)
Blomquist (Agnes)
Newport Balboa Saving and Loan Association
P. A. Palmer Real Estate
Extent: 8 archives boxes; 3 linear feet, 6 inches.
Online items available
Repository:
Sherman Library and Gardens
Corona del Mar, California 92625
Abstract: In 1935, Palmer was hired as the general sales agent for Griffith Company, which owned much of Lido Isle. Palmer and his associates
eventually founded Newport Balboa Savings & Loan Association in 1936 as a means of helping home buyers to obtain financing.
This collection includes maps, advertisements, official documents, and photographic prints and negatives. The subject of materials
include real estate and banking in the city of Newport Beach, California and specifically in Lido Isle. The collection includes
maps and advertisements promoting the affordability and luxury of the Lido Isle subdivision. A majority of the advertisements
include the Newport Balboa Savings and Loan Association, a company which specialized in financing homes on Lido Isle. The
photographs in this collection feature images of real estate in Southern California and many images of the construction of
Newport Balboa Saving and Loan’s headquarters, employees and company events.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Sherman Library. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by
the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The Sherman Library do not hold the copyright.
Paul A. Palmer and Agnes Blomquist Collection. Sherman Library and Gardens
This collection was a gift of the estate of Agnes Blomquist.
Biography/Administrative History
Paul Arthur Palmer was born on June 26, 1893 in San Francisco, CA. He began a career in real estate in 1920. He worked in
the firm responsible for developing Belmont Shores in Long Beach, and later became the sales manager of the Long Beach office.
After the real estate in Long Beach was completely sold, Paul Palmer established his own real estate offices in Pasadena,
Hollywood, Glendale, and downtown Los Angeles.
In 1935, Palmer obtained the exclusive sales contract from the Griffith Company for Lido Isle, a neighborhood in Newport Beach,
California. Because of the lack of local financial institutions willing to extend mortgages, Palmer and five other businessmen
founded Newport Balboa Savings and Loan Association. Palmer served as manager, president, and then chairman of the board
for the Newport Balboa Savings and Loan Association which grew to serve the greater Orange Coast area. Palmer died April
17, 1979.
Agnes Bloomquist was most notable for her accomplishments as a realtor and later president of the Newport Balboa Savings and
Loan Association in Newport Beach, California. From the mid-1930s Blomquist worked alongside Paul A. Palmer, the first president
of the Newport Balboa Savings and Loan Association. Bloomquist eventually was named president of the Association. She was
also the president of Lido Insurance Agency, the president of Lido Isle Properties, and the president of the Newport Beach
United Fund. In 1963, the Los Angeles Times, named Agnes Blomquist Woman of the Year.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection includes maps, advertisements, official documents, and photographic prints and negatives. The subject of materials
include real estate and banking in the city of Newport Beach, California and specifically in Lido Isle. The collection includes
maps and advertisements promoting the affordability and luxury of the Lido Isle subdivision. A majority of the advertisements
include the Newport Balboa Savings and Loan Association, a company which specialized in financing homes on Lido Isle. The
photographs in this collection feature images of real estate in Southern California and many images of the construction of
Newport Balboa Saving and Loan’s headquarters, employees and company events.
Banks and banking – California – Lido Isle – Photographs.
Building construction – California – Lido Isle – Photographs.
Beckner Photo Service
Newport Beach (Calif.)
Lido Isle (Calif.)
photographs
maps
brochures