Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Mahan, William E. research collection
MC 54
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento Room
Title: William E. Mahan research collection
Identifier/Call Number: MC 54
Physical Description:
3.5 Linear Feet
(8 Archival Boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1987-2016
Abstract: William E. Mahan was a high school history teacher, college professor, social activist, and professional historian. This collection
consists of published materials, research notes and correspondence that the creator generated on specific people, trends,
and topics in the history of Sacramento, highlighted by politician Marshall Beard, Sacramento's Progressive and Reform movements
of late-nineteenth and early twentieth-century Sacramento, the City Beautiful Movement in Sacramento, and his strong advocacy
for the works of Depression-era artist Ralph Stackpole. There are groupings of 35mm slides, one covering a trip to Europe
and a notable excursion to the home of John A. Sutter, Sr., in Kandern, Switzerland; one covering Sacramento churches; the
other, covering Stackpole and his works.
William "Bill" Edward Mahan was born in Illinois in 1931, grew up in Illinois and Wisconsin, and eventually earned an undergraduate
degree in History from San Jose State University and a graduate degree in History from Stanford University. He went on to
teach history at Sacramento's Kennedy High School for four years (where he was a teacher and mentor to political philosopher
Cornel West and his brother Clifton West) and Sacramento High School for 10 years. He transitioned to a professorship at Sacramento
City College where he taught Local and American History for over 20 years. He retired in 1994 at the age of 63, but continued
his work as a professional historian, developing walking tours, publishing scholarly articles, and producing videos on public
art and local history that appeared on local television. Over his career, Mahan developed into one of the most respected and
beloved historians of the Sacramento region and was a committed proponent of civic involvement. He passed away in August 2016.
Collection is open for research.
Restriction on Letters of Recommendation (Box 8, Folder 3) until 2067.
[Identification of item], William E. Mahan research collection, MC 54, Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento,
California.
The papers are comprised of published items, research notes, newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, photographic
slides and maps relating to Mahan's tireless effort to gain a deeper understanding of American and Sacramento history. The
original order and labeling choices of Mahan, particularly with his coverage of historic topics, have been left generally
intact. Note that a very small selection of items – notably, letters of recommendation – have been restricted to protect privacy.
Three maps were separated from the collection and filed with the Sacramento Room map collection:
1. Sacramento City, Map of. 1913 reproduction of Phinney, Cate and Marshall.
2. Sacramento County and Delta Region. Circa 1950. Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and Harry Freese.
3. Sacramento East Quadrangle, California-Sacramento Co., 7.5-minute series (topographic). 1992. United States Department
of the Interior Geological Survey.