Scope and Contents
Biography
Arrangement
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Separated Materials
Custodial History
Related Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
William H. Hannon Library, Archives & Special Collections, Manuscripts
Title: T.O. McCoye Papers
source:
McMahon, Tom
Identifier/Call Number: MS.134
Physical Description:
2.25 Linear Feet
3 document boxes,1 artifact box, 1 oversized box
Date (inclusive): 1893-1964
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.
Scope and Contents
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.
Biography
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.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by item type in folders. See the box and folder list for the contents.
Access
Collection is open to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount
University.
Publication Rights
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.
Separated Materials
1 hard drive
1 notary notebook (poor condition. facsimile may be available)
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.
Related Materials
The materials in this collection pertaining to T.O. McCoye's time with Dickinson & Gillespie may overlap with the Fritz Burns
papers, also located within the Loyola Marymount University Special Collections and Archives. Fritz Burns was vice-president
of Dickenson & Gillepsie real estate firm in the 1920s, and oversaw the development of Palisades Del Rey (now Playa Del Rey).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Tom McMahon. Accession number: 2017.42.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Rancho La Ballona
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History
Ballona Creek (Calif.)
Ballona Wetlands (Calif.)
Boards of trade
Olympics--History
Olympics programs
California - Maps
Real estate development
Real estate developers -- California, Southern -- Biography -- Sources
Real estate development -- California, Southern -- History -- Sources
McMahon, Tom