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Guide to the Raymond Brandes papers
USDA_2009_007
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Title:
Raymond Brandes papers
Date (inclusive): 1926-1996
Collection number: USDA_2009_007
Creator: Brandes, Raymond
Extent:
2 boxes (2 linear feet)
Abstract:
These records document Raymond Brandes' activities as Dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education, Professor
of History, and organizer of the University of San Diego Archaeology Technician Program. Records include correspondence, memoranda,
course planning materials, news releases, fliers, and research materials.
Languages:
English
Raymond Brandes was a professor of History and Archaeology and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of San Diego.
During his 31 years at USD, Brandes directed more than 125 masters’ theses relating to the American West and San Diego. He
directed archaeological digs and research for Old Town State Historic Park, Spanish Fort Royal Presidio and Mission San Diego
de Alcalá on Presidio Hill. He also directed studies of more than 250 buildings in San Diego’s Gaslamp District.
Brandes was born on January 2, 1924 in Coronado, California. He was raised in Bario Logan and Old Town in San Diego, California.
He was a descendant of the Machado family, founders of Old Town.
Brandes served as an army technician during World War II. He then worked with the National Park Service in Arizona. Among
his accomplishments during that time was conducting an archaeological survey of the San Carlos Indian Reservation in which
he uncovered a ball court built by the Hohokam. In 1958, Brandes began working toward his B.A. and Ph.D. in Historic Site
Archaeology and Western American History from the University of Arizona. He began working as professor of History and Archaeology
at USD in the mid-1960s.
In addition to his work at USD, Brandes authored 21 books, hundreds of articles and hundreds of reports on historic San Diego
buildings. He was also the founder of the San Diego Congress of History in 1966 and the San Diego Baseball Historical Society
in 1996. He was awarded the Distinguished Historian Medal from University of Arizona in 1989 and the Medal of San Diego de
Alcalá for distinguished service from USD in 1996. Brandes passed away on April 16th, 2014 at the age of 90.
The Raymond Brandes papers largely pertain to Brandes' work as University of San Diego Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education,
particularly related to his involvement with Archaeology courses. Under Brandes' direction, USD offered an Archaeology Technician
Program to USD students, graduates, and community members. These included genealogy, historic site survey, and historic site
preservation courses. Brandes led many of these courses with USD colleague James Moriarty. These records include fliers and
brochures for the archaeology courses as well as correspondence and planning materials. Also included are materials Brandes
collected to assist students beyond their graduation from USD. These materials include internship information solicited from
a variety of institutions as well as articles and news clippings covering career opportunities for graduates in History and
Public History.
Research materials on various topics are also included. These consist of newspaper articles, copies of historic documents,
and correspondence about research requests.
These records are arranged into two series:
Each series is arranged in alphabetical order.
Access Information
This collection is open for research.
[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Raymond Brandes papers, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.
Gift of Raymond Brandes prior to 1997.
Initial processing of this collection was conducted by Tessie Camina in 2009. Further processing was conducted by Ashley Toutain
in 2017.
Brandes' research materials were located and processed in 2020.
A few photographs have been photocopied, and the original moved to photograph storage for preservation purposes. The photocopy
remains in the original photograph location.
Mission San Diego de Alcalá Historic Site Survey summary reports as well as many student theses directed by Brandes can be
found in the University Archives.
The Mission San Diego de Alcalá Excavation records contains the course records, research materials, and photographs of the historical archaeology courses led by Brandes.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Brandes, Ray, 1924-2014
Subjects and Indexing Terms
University of San Diego
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego (Calif.)
Old Town (San Diego, Calif.)
San Diego Mission
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Public history
archaeology
history
historic buildings