Chambers Family Papers, 1884-1935

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Summary

Title:
Chambers Family Papers
Dates:
1884-1935
Creators:
Chambers Family
Abstract:
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.
Extent:
0.5 Linear feet (1 box)
Language:
and English; Spanish.
Preferred citation:

Chambers Family Papers, MS 47, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

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. Included are letters to and from members of the Chambers’ extended family throughout their lives. Some letters are in Spanish. There are also documents, deeds, and company papers related to George Chambers’ activities in both San Diego and Brooklyn, New York.

Biographical / historical:

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.

After the death of George J. Chambers, Florence and Emily purchased a ranch in Poway and began to raise cattle for dairy purposes and growing crops. Florence once again got county recognition, but this time for her work with agriculture. Florence held multiple positions in many agricultural bureaus and numerous civic positions. She was also involved with the Pomerado Soil Conservation District, and was a director of the San Diego Nutrition Society.

Emily Chambers died in 1948 and left all her belongings to Florence. In the 1970s, Florence donated most of her parent’s belongings to the San Diego Historical Society. Along with multiple items of furniture from her parents’ store, Chambers donated her ranch to Brigham Young University, after which she was awarded the University’s Presidential Medal of Honor. Florence Chambers died September 28, 1979, at age 71.

Acquisition information:
Accession #841214A
Processing information:

Collection processed by Andrew Wolfson on January 23, 2008.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into three series, with materials arranged chronologically within each subject folder:

Series I: Family Papers;

Series II: Real Estate and Business Papers;

Series III: Miscellanea.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
Date Prepared:
February 14, 2017
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2017-02-14T12:37-0800

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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

Preferred citation:

Chambers Family Papers, MS 47, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website