T.O. McCoye Papers MS.134
Sonja Carlson
William H. Hannon Library, Archives & Special Collections, Manuscripts
2018
Loyola Marymount University
William H. Hannon Library, Archives and Special Collections
1 LMU Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
special.collections@lmu.edu
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
Photographs
Scope and Contents
Photographic prints of varying sizes depicting houses, people, and places in T.O. McCoye's business and life. Photos were
taken or otherwise collected by T.O. McCoye.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Photos are in various physical states with some yellowing.
Arrangement
A few photos have identifying information on the back, but the photographs are generally organized by pictoral content.
box 3, folder 1
2 large photos - Dickinson & Gillespie Annual Picnic
box 3, folder 2
5 large photos - men at beach and cycling
box 3, folder 3
5 large photos - miscellaneous
box 3, folder 4
10 photos - miscellaneous buildings 1 of 2
box 3, folder 5
13 photos - miscellaneous buildings 2 of 2
box 3, folder 6
8 photos - "McCoye" houses
box 3, folder 9
15 photos - miscellaneous
box 4, folder 1
1 large photo - signed male headshot
box 4, folder 2
1 large photo - signed Dorothy Gordon headshot
Negatives
Scope and Contents
Photographic negatives taken or accumulated by T.O. McCoye for personal or business purposes.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Some negatives show signs of silver mirroring, which may affect quality of scans.
Arrangement
The negatives are organized according to the separated groups created by Tom MacMahon during his digitization process.
box 1, Folder 1
12 negatives - "Sharon 1... Speedway"
box 1, folder 2
6 negatives - "dredging & misc"
box 1, folder 3
13 negatives - "unknown areas"
box 1, folder 4
3 negatives - "TLM scanned"
box 1, folder 5
8 negatives - "TLM scanned"
box 1, folder 6
12 negatives - "people houses"
box 1, folder 7
6 negatives - "houses - surf/pali"
box 1, folder 8
11 negatives - "houses - not scanned"
box 1, folder 9
9 negatives - " houses - not scanned"
box 1, folder 10
10 negatives - "scanned" 1 of 2
box 1, folder 11
11 negatives - "scanned" 2 of 2
box 1, folder 12
12 negatives - "houses - not scanned" 1 of 3
box 1, folder 13
11 negatives - "houses - not scanned" 2 of 3
box 1, folder 14
11 negatives - "houses - not scanned" 3 of 3
box 1, folder 15
11 negatives - "houses del rey" 1 of 3
box 1, folder 16
10 negatives - "houses del rey" 2 of 3
box 1, folder 17
10 negatives - "houses del rey" 3 of 3
box 1, folder 18
8 negatives - "houses PDR" 1 of 3
box 1, folder 19
10 negatives - "houses PDR" 2 of 3
box 1, folder 20
10 negatives - "houses PDR" 3 of 3
box 1, folder 21
15 negatives - "scanned 2x3s" 1 of 4
box 1, folder 22
15 negatives - "scanned 2x3s" 2 of 4
box 1, folder 23
15 negatives - "scanned 2x3s" 3 of 4
box 1, folder 24
18 negatives - "scanned 2x3s" 4 of 4
box 1, folder 25
11 negatives - "houses - not scanned" 1 of 3
box 1, folder 26
11 negatives - "houses - not scanned" 2 of 3
box 1, folder 27
11 negatives - "houses - not scanned" 3 of 3
box 1, folder 28
12 negatives - "houses - not scanned" 1 of 3
box 1, folder 29
12 negatives - "houses - not scanned" 2 of 3
box 1, folder 30
11 negatives - "houses - not scanned" 3 of 3
box 1, folder 31
10 negatives - "T.O. McCoye shots"
box 1, folder 32
10 negatives - "1920-1930s PDR people?" 1 of 2
box 1, folder 33
10 negatives - "1920-1930s PDR people?" 2 of 2
box 1, folder 34
11 negatives - "PDR early houses or businesses"
box 1, folder 35
15 negatives - "TLM scanned"
box 1, folder 36
8 negatives - "dredging Marina or Ballona creek"
box 1, folder 37
10 negatives - "Sharon 1 speedway"
box 1, folder 38
6 negatives - "TLM scanned"
box 1, folder 39
10 negatives - "houses" 1 of 2
box 1, folder 40
10 negatives - "houses" 2 of 2
Newspapers
Scope and Contents
The newspapers collected by T.O. McCoye chronicle the story of Playa del Rey's land development and related infrastructural
politics. Newspapers include the Los Angeles Evening Herald, Palisades Del Rey Press, and the LA Times.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
These old newspapers are delicate at best. Many show signs of brittle onion skinning and should be handled with care.
Separated Materials
Newspapers showing signs of severe water damage, rodent chewing, or mold were separated for preservation purposes.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by publication date when visible.
box 4, folder 3
Palisades Del Rey Press Pictorial - n.d.
box 4, folder 4
19 miscellaneous newspaper clippings - 1930s
box 4, folder 5
39 miscellaneous newspaper clippings - n.d.
box 4, folder 6
Newspapers 1925-1927
1925-1927
box 4, folder 8
Newspapers 1934-1936
1934-1936
box 4, folder 9
Newspapers 1937-1938
1937-1938
box 4, folder 10
Newspapers 1952-1964
1952-1964
Brochures
Scope and Contents
The brochures in this collection are related to T.O. McCoye Co., Dickinson & Gillespie real estate, or Los Angeles in the
1920s and 1930s.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Some are black and white and others in color. All are delicate with some deterioration of corners, and along bindings. Many
have strong fold creases with some tearing along the crease. Some include rusted staples along the bindings that cannot be
removed without risking the structural integrity of the booklet.
Arrangement
Generally arranged by creator (when apparent) or content.
box 2, folder 3
8 miscellaneous brochures - 1 of 2
box 2, folder 4
9 miscellaneous brochures - 2 of 2
box 2, folder 5
9 LA Chamber of Commerce papers and brochures
box 2, folder 6
LA Chamber of Commerce Books - 1 of 2
box 2, folder 7
LA Chamber of Commerce Books - 2 of 2
Maps
Scope and Contents
Includes maps of local roadways, attractions, and train routes. Includes the oldest element of the collection, a city map
of Los Angeles dating back to 1893.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Delicate, brittle paper with signs of yellowing. Many strong folds with minor tears.
Business papers and materials
Scope and Contents
Includes business cards, stationary, stamps, notarial records, address books, and miscellaneous invoices and receipts related
to T.O. McCoye Co..
Arrangement
Larger items are foldered individually with other papers organized by content type.
box 2, folder 9
Dickinson & Gillespie maps and brochures
box 2, folder 10
T.O. McCoye Co. brochures and business cards
box 2, folder 11
2 T.O. McCoye Co. informational flyers
box 2, folder 12
5 sheets "McCoye-Gram" stationary
box 2, folder 13
15 miscellaneous receipts from McCoye family
box 2, folder 14
11 miscellaneous Palisades Del Rey Water Company invoices to T.O. McCoye
box 2, folder 15
T.O. McCoye's Address Book - n.d.
box 2, folder 16
T.O. McCoye's Notarial Record - December 1931 to March 1939
1931-12-1939-03
box 5
T.O. McCoye stamps and sponge
Scope and Contents
Includes 2 stamps - "McCoye-Grams" and a square map
White sponge with printed McCoye logo and contact information
Miscellaneous papers
Scope and Contents
Includes school and health records for members of the Holloway family, as well as NRA stickers and the front page of the July
1936 "The Grape Vine," the official organ of the LA Firemen's Relief Assn.