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Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company Records
mssKC
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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.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
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.
[Identification of item]. Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company Records, The
Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Gifts of William G. Cuzner, August 7, 1958 and August 27, 1973.
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.
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.
The collection is organized in the following manner:
- 1. Correspondence and business records – Arranged chronologically – Box 1
- 2. Oversize folders – 15 folders
- 3. Ledger (account book) – 1 volume
Former call number: mssKerckhoff-Cuzner
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The ledger's binding is partially detached and fragile.
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.