McCoye (T.O.) Papers, 1893-1964

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Summary

Title:
T.O. McCoye Papers
Dates:
1893-1964
Creators:
McMahon, Tom
Abstract:
This collection consists of photographs, negatives, maps, brochures, notary books, newspapers, and miscellaneous office materials related to T.O. McCoye Co., Dickinson & Gillespie Real Estate, and the overall development of the Playa Del Rey area in the 1920s-30s.
Extent:
2.25 Linear Feet 3 document boxes,1 artifact box, 1 oversized box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box and Folder number, Loyola Marymount University T.O. McCoye Papers, MS134, Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University.

Background

Scope and content:

The materials in this collection were kept by T.O. McCoye throughout his career and reflect the steady development of the Playa del Rey area of Los Angeles in the 1920s and 1930s. In addition to personal office papers, this collection includes maps of Los Angeles and brochures that could have been used to entice buyers to the rapidly expanding cityscape. Included in these brochures are materials from the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and various entertainment events that took place in the area, including programs from Santa Anita Park, the Del Rey Palisades Amphitheater, Camp Loyola, and the 1932 Olympics games.

Ranging from 1925 to 1964, the newspapers included in this collection primarily focus on politics and events relating to the development of the Playa del Rey area. Occasionally there are mentions of historically significant people or Los Angeles events. Many of the clippings are advertisements for T.O. McCoye Co.

The large collection of photos and negatives are largely unidentified but depict infrastructural development of the Playa del Rey area, homeowners, and daily activities in the area. Many of the homes depicted in the photos were demolished with the creation and expansion of Los Angeles International Airport.

Biographical / historical:

Thurlow Orrin (T.O.) McCoye was born in Los Angeles in 1893 and began working as a real estate salesman for the developer Dickinson & Gillespie Corporation in 1921. When Dickinson & Gillespie closed in 1929 due to the economic struggles of the Great Depression, T.O. decided to open his own real estate sales and building contractors company. With the help of his mother-in-law, T.O. McCoye opened T.O. McCoye Co. in 1930. In addition to running this company, McCoye also owned the Arden Farms Market on Culver Boulevard and was a volunteer firefighter.

In 1960 McCoye retired, moved to Malibu, and built the Escodido Canyon Retreat, a large botancial garden with accompanying redwood and fruit tree groves that are now a part of the Santa Monica Conservancy. T.O. McCoye died in 1981 and his ashes were skattered throughout Escodido Canyon Retreat.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Tom McMahon. Accession number: 2017.42.
Custodial history:

Many of the materials in this collections were found by Brad Fowler in a trailer at T.O. McCoye's Escondido Canyon Retreat. These materials were later given by Mr. Fowler to Mr. Tom McMahon to oversee the donation to Loyola Marymount University.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged by item type in folders. See the box and folder list for the contents.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Sonja Carlson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2018-10-30 08:04:36 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount University.

Terms of access:

Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. Loyola Marymount University does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author or artists or his/her heirs, assigns, or executors.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box and Folder number, Loyola Marymount University T.O. McCoye Papers, MS134, Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University.

Location of this collection:
1 LMU Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659, US
Contact:
(310) 338-5710
Special.Collections@lmu.edu
Website