Guide to the Nancy E. Smith papers
Finding aid created by Eric Milenkiewicz, University Archivist.
Special Collections & University Archives
California State University, San Bernardino
Pfau Library
San Bernardino, California 92407
Phone: 909-537-5112
Email: archives@csusb.edu
URL: https://www.csusb.edu/special-collections
© 2023
California State University, San Bernardino. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Nancy E. Smith papers
Date (inclusive): 1934-1979, undated
Date (bulk): 1955-1975
Collection Number: SC 006
Creator:
Smith, Nancy E.
Identifier/Call Number: /repositories/3/resources/15
Extent:
10.0 Linear Feet
(6 legal document boxes, 2 flat storage boxes, and 1
shelf)
Repository:
Pfau Library. Special Collections & University Archives
Abstract: This collection includes
correspondence, documents, newspaper clippings, and other materials pertaining to the
professional life of Nancy E. Smith, the first female Chair of the San Bernardino County
Board of Supervisors, member of the Public Land Law Review Commission, and a major figure in
San Bernardino County politics during the 1960s-1970s.
Languages: The collection is in English.
Access
This collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S.
Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction, and/or commercial use, of
some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy
and publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or
reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply,
permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also
required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with
the user.
Preferred Citation
Nancy E. Smith papers (SC 006). John M. Pfau Library. Special Collections & University
Archives. California State University, San Bernardino.
Acquisition Information
The Nancy E. Smith papers were transferred from the CSUSB Department of Political Science
to Special Collections & University Archives in 2022. The collection was originally
donated to the CSUSB Department of Political Science by Nancy E. Smith's son, Gary Wenkle
Smith.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Conor Farrell, 2023.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
This collection includes correspondence, documents, newspaper clippings, and other
materials pertaining to the professional life of Nancy E. Smith, the first female Chair of
the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, member of the Public Land Law Review
Commission, and a major figure in San Bernardino County politics during the 1960s-1970s.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is arranged into the following six series:
- Series 1: Documents, 1934-1975, undated
- Series 2: Memorabilia, 1935-1978, undated
- Series 3: Newspaper clippings, 1955-1979, undated
- Series 4: Office Files, 1944-1966, undated
- Series 5: Photographs, 1965-1967, undated
- Series 6: Publications, 1958-1970
Biographical Note
Nancy E. Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 1st, 1912, and was raised
by her grandparents Will and Della DeSalyard Deshon. Following her marriage to C. Lowell
Smith in 1944, Nancy Smith moved to San Bernardino, California in 1948 where her husband
found success in real estate and she began her political career. In 1956 Nancy Smith was
elected to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to represent the 5th district and
in 1962 was elected as the county's first woman chair of the board. She served until 1964
and then again from 1973-1975. Smith also served on the California State University, San
Bernardino Advisory Board from 1968-1978. Among her most notable accomplishments, Smith was
selected by former United States President Lyndon B. Johnson to serve on the Public Land Law
Review Commission from 1965-1970. Nancy E. Smith retired from politics in 1976 and lived
with her family in Oregon until her death on November 10th, 2000.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Inland Empire (Calif.)
San Bernardino (Calif.)
Smith, Nancy E.
Politicians
Genres and Forms of Materials
Correspondence
Photographs
Press clippings
Publications
Reports
Series 1
Documents
1934-1975, undated
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains reports, correspondence, and other materials pertaining to Nancy
E. Smith's political career in San Bernardino, Calfornia. Includes information on
traffic/transportation, water districts, youth probation, and taxes in San Bernardino as
well as documentation of Smith's political campaigns and activities.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box and folder number.
Box 3, Folder 1
Correspondence with Nancy E. Smith regarding traffic/transportation,
probation, taxes, and water districts
1956-1975
Box 3, Folder 2
Reports regarding traffic/transportation, water district flood control, air
pollution, and youth probation
1950-1957
Box 3, Folder 3
Reports regarding public welfare, county libraries, and retirement
associations
1958-1959
Box 3, Folder 4
Questionnaire from the NAACP and responses from Nancy E. Smith
1956
Box 6, Folder 1
Notebooks and other handwritten notes
undated
Box 6, Folder 2
Voting records and receipts for the 72nd and 73rd Assembly
Districts
1956-1972
Box 6, Folder 3
Pamphlets and other materials regarding conservation, public lands, and
municipal courts
1934-1967
Box 6, Folder 4
Rosters and other materials regarding San Bernardino County
officials
1956
Box 6, Folder 5
Press releases regarding Nancy E. Smith's political campaigns,
advertisements, and various speeches
1960-1972
Box 6, Folder 6
Election, political, and activities record of Nancy E. Smith including
significant accomplishments and press coverage
circa 1970
Box 7, Folder 4
Certificates, resolutions, and awards presented to Nancy E. Smith
1956-1975
Series 2
Memorabilia
1935-1978, undated
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains certificates and other materials pertaining to the political
career of Nancy E. Smith. Includes election campaign signs, certificates of
appreciation/recognition for Smith, San Bernardino County voting precinct maps, and a
personal scrapbook detailing Smith's career.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box, folder, and shelf number.
Box 6, Folder 12
Menu for the United States Senate Restaurant inscribed to Nancy E. Smith from
unknown
1967
Box 7
Scrapbook pertaining to the political career of Nancy E. Smith
1956-1975
Box 7, Folder 2
Campaign signs for Nancy E. Smith
1956
Box 7, Folder 5
Maps of San Bernardino County voting precincts
1956
Box 8
Certificate of appreciation presented to Nancy E. Smith for serving as a
California State College San Bernardino Advisory Board member (framed)
1968-1978
Box 8
Award of appreciation presented to Nancy E. Smith from the San Bernardino
County Commission on the Status of Women Honors (framed)
Box 8
Political cartoon (framed)
1975
Shelf SC
18
Certificate of recognition presented to Nancy E. Smith from President Lyndon
B. Johnson (framed)
1965
Shelf SC 18
Promotional poster for the movie "Silent Valley" (framed)
1935
Series 3
Newspaper clippings
1955-1979, undated
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains newspaper clippings that document the political career of Nancy E.
Smith from her campaigns to her tenure on the San Bernardino County Board of
Supervisors.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box and folder number.
Box 4, Folder 1
Newspaper clippings pertaining to Nancy E. Smith political
campaigns
1955-1957
Box 4, Folder 2
Newspaper clippings pertaining to Nancy E. Smith and the Board of
Supervisors
1958-1959
Box 4, Folder 3
Newspaper clippings pertaining to Nancy E. Smith campaigns for the Board of
Supervisors
1960-1969
Box 4, Folder 4
Newspaper clippings pertaining to Nancy E. Smith and the Board of
Supervisors
1970-1979
Box 4, Folder 5
Newspaper clippings pertaining to city projects in San Bernardino,
CA
undated
Box 7, Folder 1
Newspaper clippings from "The San Bernardino Daily Sun" (vol. 63)
1956
Folder Scope and Content Summary
Multiple copies of the newspaper from Nancy E. Smith's campaign victory in 1956.
Series 4
Office files
1944-1966, undated
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains correspondence, reports, and other materials maintained as office
files by Nancy E. Smith. Includes materials pertaining to political issues and community
organizations in San Bernardino County as well as items documenting Smith's political
career.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box and folder number (the original order of
materials was maintained).
Box 1, Folder 1
Correspondence with Harry R. Sheppard
1956-1959
Box 1, Folder 2
Correspondence and newspaper clippings for the Del Rosa Avenue traffic light
project
1956-1957
Box 1, Folder 3
Correspondence with Santa Fe Federation No. 115
1956
Box 1, Folder 4
Reports, correspondence, and other materials from the San Bernardino County
Taxpayers' Association regarding the San Bernardino County Highway
Department
1944-1956
Box 1, Folder 5
Memorandum, correspondence, and rosters for the San Bernardino County Grand
Jury
1957-1958
Box 1, Folder 6
Correspondence, constitution, and other materials regarding the Friends
Neighborly Service Club of San Bernardino, CA
1953-1956
Box 1, Folder 7
Correspondence and other materials pertaining to Nancy E. Smith's petition
for Supervisor of the 5th District and the San Bernardino County Employees Retirement
Board
1959-1960
Box 1, Folder 8
Resume of Nancy E. Smith
circa 1960s
Box 1, Folder 9
Correspondence between Nancy E. Smith and various community
members/organizations
1956-1959
Box 1, Folder 10
Correspondence between Nancy E. Smith and others regarding official
appointments and resignations
1957
Box 1, Folder 11
Documents and reports pertaining to San Bernardino County Charity Hospital
1956
Box 1, Folder 12
Bulletins and correspondence pertaining to the Food Distribution
Program
1956-1958
Box 1, Folder 13
Documents and other materials pertaining to Soroptimist International of San
Bernardino
1956-1958
Box 1, Folder 14
Correspondence to Nancy E. Smith congratulating her supervisorial
election
1956
Box 1, Folder 15
Correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other materials pertaining to the
NAACP, Central Council of San Bernardino California, and civil rights
1956-1958
Box 1, Folder 16
Correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other materials pertaining to unions
and labor issues
1956
Box 1, Folder 17
Press release and candidate statement for Nancy E. Smith's supervisorial
election
1956
Box 1, Folder 18
Documents, newspaper clippings, and other materials pertaining to the charter
of San Bernardino County
1950-1959
Box 1, Folder 19
Correspondence and newspaper clippings from the Daily Report Co.
1956
Box 1, Folder 20
Correspondence and documents pertaining to county water and special
districts
1956-1958
Box 2, Folder 1
Annual reports, newsletters, book lists, statistical reports pertaining to
the San Bernardino County Library
1955-1958
Box 2, Folder 2
Zoning ordinance for San Bernardino County
1951-1956
Box 2, Folder 3
Memorandums and ordinances pertaining to the San Bernardino County
Counsel
1957
Box 2, Folder 4
Correspondences with between Nancy E. Smith and Harry Schultz
1956
Box 2, Folder 5
Memorandums, meeting minutes, and other materials pertaining to the San
Bernardino County Civil Service Commission
1955-1957
Box 2, Folder 6
Funeral program for James Alan Guthrie
1966
Box 2, Folder 7
Driver's examination for Nancy E. Smith
1955
Box 2, Folder 8
Speech for the Square and Compass Club
1960
Box 2, Folder 9
Correspondence, fliers, newspaper clippings, and other materials pertaining
to Eugene G. Nisbet
1957
Box 2, Folder 10
Photographs, newspaper clippings, and other materials regarding Nancy E.
Smith's 1956 political campaign
1956
Box 2, Folder 11
Correspondence and newspaper clippings regarding Edward J. Soehnel
1956-1957
Box 2, Folder 12
Newspaper clippings regarding William Allen's campaign for 5th District
Supervisor
1956
Box 2, Folder 13
Stationary (blank) for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
including Nancy E. Smith
undated
Box 2, Folder 14
Campaigning cards and business cards for Nancy E. Smith
circa 1950s-1960s
Series 5
Photographs
1965-1967, undated
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains photographs featuring or collected by Nancy E. Smith.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box, folder, and shelf number.
Box 5, Folder 1
Photographs of Nancy Smith
undated
Box 5, Folder 2
Groups photographs with Nancy Smith
undated
Box 5, Folder 3
Photographs without Nancy Smith
undated
Box 5, Folder 4
Photographs from James Guthrie ceremony
1965
Box 7, Folder 3
Group photograph featuring Nancy E. Smith, Ruben S. Ayala, James L. Mayfield,
Dennis Hansberger, and Daniel D. Mikesell
undated
Box 8
Photograph from Smith's time in the Public Land Law Review Commission
(framed)
1967
Shelf SC 18
Photograph of the Public Land Law Review Commission with signatures
(framed)
undated
Shelf SC 18
Photograph of a Nancy E. Smith headshot used for her political campaigns
(framed)
undated
Series 6
Publications
1958-1970
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains publications pertaining to San Bernardino County and the Public
Land Law Review Commission.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box, folder, and shelf number.
Box 6, Folder 7
"Our Public Lands" (vol. 7, no. 3) published by Bureau of Land
Management
1958
Box 6, Folder 8
Souvenir Program for the 3rd Annual Sheriff's Rodeo held at the 44th National
Orange Show
1959
Box 6, Folder 9
Anniversary Program for the 5th Annual Sheriff's Rodeo
1961
Box 6, Folder 10
"The County Officer" (vol. 29, no. 10), official publication of the National
Association of Counties
October 1964
Box 6, Folder 11
"The San Bernardino County Employee" (vol. 17, no. 14)
October 1965
Shelf SC
18
"Public Land Law Review Commission Study Reports" (volumes 1-16)
1965-1969
Shelf SC
18
"One Third of the Nation's Land" by Public Land Law Review Commission (signed
by Nancy E. Smith)
1970
Shelf SC
18
"Digest of Public Land Laws" published by the Public Land Law Review
Commission
1968
Shelf SC
18
"Major Public Land Laws" (bound documents with Nancy E. Smith embossed on
front cover)
1964
Shelf SC
18
"Legal Study of the Nonfuel Mineral Resources" published by the Public Land
Law Review Commission
May 1969
