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Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company Records
mssKC  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Provenance
  • Historical Note
  • Scope and Content
  • Arrangement
  • General
  • Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
  • Bibliography

  • Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
    Title: Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company Records
    Identifier/Call Number: mssKC
    Physical Description: 2.42 Linear Feet (2 boxes, 1 volume) 113 pieces
    Date (inclusive): 1883-1933
    Date (bulk): 1883-1908
    Abstract: This collection consists of correspondence, business records, and maps of the Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company of Los Angeles, California, with the bulk dating from 1883-1908. The majority deals with the purchase of Boschke's Island in the Port of Los Angeles harbor.
    Language of Material: English.

    Access

    Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

    Publication Rights

    The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item]. Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company Records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Provenance

    Gifts of William G. Cuzner, August 7, 1958 and August 27, 1973.

    Historical Note

    The Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company was originally the Los Angeles, California, branch of the J. G. Jackson Lumber Company. James Cuzner was managing it when in 1879 William George Kerckhoff (1856-1929) approached him about purchasing a partner stake in the company. Cuzner and Kerckhoff each purchased a quarter stake in the company and it then became the Jackson, Kerckhoff & Cuzner Lumber Company. In 1883 the company incorporated, and Kerckhoff became president and Cuzner became vice-president of the renamed Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company.
    As business grew they acquired branch yards in Pasadena, Pomona, Lamanda Park, San Fernando, Hollywood, Brawley, Calexico, Imperial, and also purchased Boschke's Island (or Smith's Island, as it was also known) in San Pedro and established a wholesale mill and lumber yard there.

    Scope and Content

    This collection consists of correspondence, business records, and maps; the majority of which deal with the purchase of Boschke's Island (or Smith's Island) by the Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company from Albert and Martha Ellen Boschke. There were subsequent legal complications regarding this purchase with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and the Banning Company, primarily Joseph Brent Banning and William Banning (1858-1946). The dispute between the various parties dealt with the purchase of the island and of how much of it belonged to the respective parties. A small part of the collection deals with a bridge the Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company wanted to build from Boschke's Island (or Smith's Island) across the Wilmington slough or inner bay of San Pedro to the mainland.

    Arrangement

    The collection is organized in the following manner:
    1. 1. Correspondence and business records – Arranged chronologically – Box 1
    2. 2. Oversize folders – 15 folders
    3. 3. Ledger (account book) – 1 volume

    General

    Former call number: mssKerckhoff-Cuzner

    Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

    The ledger's binding is partially detached and fragile.

    Bibliography

    O'Melveny, H. W. (Henry William), 1859-1941. The Story of William G. Kerckhoff. U.C.L.A. magazine, Jan. 1941, v. 15, no. 10.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Harbors -- California -- Los Angeles
    Land tenure -- Law and legislation -- California
    Land titles -- California -- Los Angeles County
    Land titles -- Registration and transfer -- California -- Los Angeles County
    San Pedro (Los Angeles, Calif.) -- Description and travel
    San Pedro (Los Angeles, Calif.) -- History -- Sources
    San Pedro (Los Angeles, Calif.) -- Maps
    Articles of incorporation -- California -- Los Angeles County.
    Business records -- California, Southern.
    Contracts -- California -- Los Angeles County.
    Deeds -- California, Southern.
    Ledgers (account books) -- California, Southern.
    Letters (correspondence) -- California -- Los Angeles County.
    Maps -- California -- Los Angeles County.