This collection contains correspondence, deeds, and business papers of the family of Olympic swimmer Florence Chambers, who lived in San Diego in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

George and Emily Chambers moved to the San Diego area in 1886. They left their business in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Pacific Beach to open the Pacific Beach Hotel and a furniture store. In 1908 they had a daughter named Florence. At the age of nine Florence was in an accident in which she had to receive extensive physical therapy. The doctors decided to put Florence on a new experimental form of physical therapy, known as water therapy. From this experience Florence developed a love for swimming. She started to win local San Diego swimming contests and gained recognition in San Diego as a formidable swimmer. In 1924 at the age of sixteen she participated in the Paris Olympics and brought back a bronze metal for the 100-meter backstroke. In the 1930s Florence formed the Florence Chambers Swimming Club in Mission Bay and made it her goal to teach young people to swim.

0.5 Linear feet (1 box)

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

This collection is open for research.