Inventory of the Torrance Oral History Project SPC.1900.042
Jennifer Hill
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
December 4, 2023
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Torrance Oral History Project
Creator:
Sipe, Molly
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.1900.042
Physical Description:
1 box
Physical Description:
0.33 Linear Feet
Date: April 3-June 2, 1987
Abstract: This collection includes oral histories recorded in partial fulfillment for a Masters Degree in Public History by Molly M.
Sipe. It includes interviews of former City of Torrance Mayors, Jim Armstrong, Ken Miller, and Katy Geissert, as well as other
residence and city officials. These include Gerald L. Alter, Rick Capellino, Mikko Haggott-Henson, and J. Walker Owens. This
collection has been digitized and is available online.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
Scope and Contents
The Torrance Oral History Collection (April 3-June 2, 1987) includes 0.33 linear feet of 1/8 inch audio cassette tapes of
oral history interviews by Molly M. Sipe. The oral history interviews were recorded as part of a project, Oral History Collection
- Re Torrance Growth and Development, 1970-1987, as part of a requirement for a Masters Degree in Public History, in Fall
of 1987. The oral history interviews include former mayors, Jim Armstrong, Katy Geissert, and Ken Miller. Other interviews
include Gerald L. Alter, Rick Capellino, Mikko Haggott-Henson, and J. Walker Owens. The topics of these interviews include
political campaigns, growth in Torrance, Pacific Electric Railway Depot, and other topics related to the city of Torrance.
These interviews have been digitized and are available online.
Existence and Location of Copies
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in one box.
Biographical / Historical
The City of Torrance was founded in 1912. The land that would become Torrance was aquired from the Dominguez Family by Jared
Sidney Torrance and his investors who formed the Dominguez Land Company. Planners and archictects such as Irving Gill, were
hired to design buildings, homes for workers, commercial buildings, and the Pacific Electric Railway.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Torrance (Calif.)
Oral history
Local government -- California
Interviews
Geissert, Katy
Armstrong, James
Miller, Kenneth
Alter, Gerald
Capellino, Rick
Haggott-Henson, Mikko
Owens, J. Walker
box 1
Alter, Gerald L.
April 3, 1987
Oral history interview with Gerald Alter and Molly M. Sipe
Material Specific Details: 1 1/8 inch audio cassette tape; 35 minutes
Scope and Contents
Oral history interview with Gerald Alter and Molly M. Sipe. Topics include real state, political experience, and Torrance
growth.
box 1
Armstrong, Jim
May 14, 1987
Oral history interview with Jim Armstrong and Molly M. Sipe
Material Specific Details: 2 1/8 inch audio cassette tapes; 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Scope and Contents
Oral history interview with former City of Torrance Mayor, Jim Armstrong and Molly M. Sipe. Topics include political experience,
real estate, and Torrance growth.
box 1
Capellino, Rick
May 21, 1987
Oral history interview with Rick Capellino and Molly M. Sipe
Material Specific Details: 1 1/8 inch tape; 25 minutes.
Scope and Contents
Oral history interview with Rick Capellino and Molly M. Sipe. Topics include his company's plans to restore the old Pacific
Electric Station (now the restaurant, The Depot).
box 1
Geissert, Katy
May 13, 1987
Oral history interview with Katy Geissert and Molly M. Sipe
Material Specific Details: 2 1/8 inch audio cassette tapes; 1 hour, 20 mins.
Scope and Contents
Oral history interview with Mayor Katy Geissert, and Molly M. Sipe. Topics in the interview include real estate, politics,
and growth in Torrance.
box 1
Haggott-Henson, Mikko
May 8, 1987
Oral history interview Mikko Haggott-Henson with Molly M. Sipe
Material Specific Details: 2 1/8 inch audio cassette tapes; 1 hour 40 minutes.
Scope and Contents
Oral history interview with Mikko Haggott-Henson, and Molly M. Sipe. Topics include narration of cultural growth and development
in Torrance and Kashiwa via the Sister City organization.
box 1
Miller, Ken
April 8, 1987
Oral history interview with Ken Miller and Molly M. Sipe
Material Specific Details: 2 1/8 inch audio cassette tapes; 1 hour, 45 minutes.
Scope and Contents
Oral history interview with Ken Miller, former Mayor of the City of Torrance, and Molly M. Sipe. Topics include real estate,
political experience, and Torrange growth.
box 1
Owens, J. Walker
June 2, 1987
Oral history interview with J. Walker Owens and Molly M. Sipe
Material Specific Details: 1 1/8 inch audio cassette tape; 1 hour.
Scope and Contents
Oral history interview with J. Walker Owens and Molly M. Sipe. Topics include the growth and development of the City of Torrance
and the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce.
