Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Dennis (Jan) Papers
SPC.2020.025
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Jan Dennis Papers
Creator:
Dennis, Jan
source:
City of Manhattan Beach City Council
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2020.025
Physical Description:
39 boxes
Physical Description:
39 Linear Feet
(37 record storage cartons; 2 document cases; one oversized poster)
Date (inclusive): 1958-2021
Date (bulk): 1985-2019
Abstract: This collection contains material collected and authored by Jan Dennis regarding Manhattan Beach local politics and history.
The majority of this collection contains Manhattan Beach City Council meeting minutes, agendas, memorandums, staff reports,
and resolutions; and clippings, reports, flyers, brochures, and other documents regarding various events, locations, groups,
and programs located in Manhattan Beach. Also included in this collection are clippings, reports, and other documents related
to Manhattan Beach Unified School District; as well as a few booklets, reports, and other material related to education and
South Bay Union High School District. Lastly, this collection contains copies of Jan Dennis' published works, such as "A Walk
Beside the Sea", "Shadows on the Dunes"; "Manhattan Beach Fire Department"; and others.
Language of Material:
English
.
The Jan Dennis Papers (1977-2020; bulk 1985-2019) contains 28 boxes and 28 linear feet of material collected and authored
by Jan Dennis regarding Manhattan Beach local politics and history. The majority of this collection contains staff reports,
and meeting minutes and agendas from the City of Manhattan Beach city council; and clippings related to various events, locations,
groups, and programs in Manhattan Beach. Also included in this collection are copies of some of Dennis' published works on
Manhattan Beach, and material related to Manhattan Beach Unified School District. Series I: City of Manhattan Beach is comprised
of three subseries and includes: City of Manhattan Beach City Council Meeting minutes, memorandums, agendas, and staff reports;
documents related to budgets, resolutions, ordinances; and other material. Series II: Reference Materials contains clippings,
reports, brochures, memorandums, newsletters, Manhattan Beach General Plans, and other material related to various events,
buildings, programs, establishments, and groups located in Manhattan Beach. Series III: Manhattan Beach Unified School District
and Education Material contains documents and clippings related to Manhattan Beach Unified School District including documents
related to Mira Costa High School and the district budget; as well as documents related to the South Bay Union High School
District, Community Health Education Project and Child Safety/Abuse Prevention Program, and other educational reports, clippings,
articles, and booklets. Series IV: Published Material contains books written or co-authored by Jan Dennis on topics related
to Manhattan Beach and includes copies of "A Walk Beside the Sea"; "Shadows on the Dunes"; "Skirts Across the Sand", and others.
Janet DeNike Dennis was raised and educated in the small New England town of Ridgefield, Connecticut. After graduating from
Ridgefield High School, she attended Art Career School in New York City, which led to her initial work in newspaper advertising
for JC Penney. Jan then segued into the graphic arts department of the publishing house, YEAR Inc., where she worked on the
production of pictorial books and current event magazines.
In 1957, Jan and her husband, Stan, created Janstan Studio while living in Santa Monica, CA. Janstan Studio is a graphic arts
business that Jan continues to operate. Two years later, the Dennis' moved to Manhattan Beach, CA., where Jan developed a
rich passion for the town and its history. While raising their two children, Jan became actively involved in the community,
volunteering for nearly every non-profit organization in Manhattan Beach including the local head start program, which eventually
lead to her becoming the head of the Mira Costa PTA.
After serving on the Planning Commission, Jan was elected to the 1984 Manhattan Beach City Council, where she served as the
second female mayor in the city's history from 1986-1987 and was also the president of the Chamber of Commerce. As she became
more involved in the community, Jan found that her adopted hometown was filled with a fascinating history and realized there
was a need to explore its heritage. She began researching the town and its citizens and shared what she learned in numerous
magazine articles and nine books that were dedicated to the residents of Manhattan Beach. Her collection of materials is unparalleled
in scope and has proven to be an invaluable resource for the community.
Jan has written nine books on Manhattan Beach as of 2020. Her first book, "A Walk Beside the Sea: A History of Manhattan Beach,"
was published in 1987; followed by "Shadows on the Dunes: An Architectural History of Manhattan Beach" (2001); "Manhattan
Beach" (2001); "Manhattan Beach Police Department" (2003); "Manhattan Beach Pier" (2005); "Skirts Across the Sand: A History
of Manhattan Beach Women" (2008); "Manhattan Beach Chronicles" (2012); "A Thread in the Tapestry: A History of Sepulveda Blvd.
in Manhattan Beach" (2017); and "The History of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department" (2019). In 2006 she started the Manhattan
Beach Heritage Conservancy to "recognize, preserve, and revitalize the historic architectural and cultural resources of Manhattan
Beach" ("Manhattan Beach historical conservancy comes into 21st century"). Dennis is also a member of the Neptunian Woman's
Club of Manhattan Beach, and the local historical society.
Jan has also been recognized with numerous awards including many Community Service Awards, Outstanding Service Award and Distinguished
Service Award for the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, Medal of Valor Service Award, I Love MB City Council Commendation
Service Award, the Lion's Club International's Citizen of the Year, Manhattan Beach Chamber's Rose and Scroll Award, El Camino
College Distinguished Woman Award, and the 2013 Woman Of Distinction Award for California Assembly District 66. In 2016, she
received the Distinguished Service Award from the City of Manhattan Beach, and in 2017 she received the Bob Meistrell Local
Legend Award.
Sources: "Manhattan Beach : Dennis Becomes Mayor". 4 Sept. 1986, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-09-04-cb-13902-story.html
"About Jan Dennis." Jan Dennis - Manhattan Beach Historian, www.janstanstudio.com/jan-dennis-manhattan-beach-about.html
"Jan Dennis." Southbay, 9 Nov. 2017, southbay.goldenstate.is/jan-dennis/
"Manhattan Beach Historical Conservancy Comes into 21st Century." Easy Reader News, 30 Apr. 2016, easyreadernews.com/manhattan-beach-historical-conservancy-comes-21st-century/
Dailybreeze. "Former Mayor Jan Dennis Fell into Role as Manhattan Beach Historian." Daily Breeze, Daily Breeze, 6 Sept. 2017,
www.dailybreeze.com/2012/12/15/former-mayor-jan-dennis-fell-into-role-as-manhattan-beach-historian/
"Jan Dennis Biography", Kristin Long, 2020.
"Community Service History", Kristin Long, 2020.
| 1966-1967 | Head Start Program volunteer |
| 1968-1972 | Member of the Woman's Auxiliary for the Manhattan Beach Little League |
| 1968-1985 | International Student Service Host Family |
| 1968-1993 | Member of the Chamber of Commerce |
| 1969-1970 | Member Bay Area Narcotic Roundtable |
| 1969-1971 | Coordinating Council Narcotic Representative |
| 1969-1972 | Member Juvenile Justice Committee |
| 1969-1972 | Created/organized First Living Christmas Tree. Decorating ceremony for small children. Tree still in Polliwog Park. |
| 1969-1973 | Member of the Coordinating Council |
| 1970 | Created PR campaign for the Police Department: "Smile at the Next Policeman" |
| Created PR for Drug committee: "Action Eye Opener" | |
| "Community Service Award" — Manhattan Beach Police Department | |
| "Commendation for Community Service" Chamber Of Commerce | |
| 1970-1971 | President of the Manhattan Beach Little League Woman's Auxiliary |
| 1970-1974 | Created and published the "Dugout News" for the Manhattan Beach Little League |
| 1972-1982 | Member Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors |
| 1972-1973 | 2nd V.P. Coordinating Council |
| 1974 | Appointed to Commission for Manhattan Beach School District Educational Goals |
| "Outstanding Service Award" Chamber of Commerce | |
| 1974-1986 | Co-founder and member of the Steering Committee for the Medal of Valor Awards Luncheons |
| 1977 | President Mira Costa PTA |
| 1978 | President and formed the "Mira Costa Circle" from the Mira Costa PTA |
| 1979-1980 | President Mira Coast Circle (PTA) |
| "Distinguished Service Award" – Chamber of Commerce 1979-1984 | |
| 1979 | Appointed to the Blue Ribbon Ad Hoc Committee for consolidation of Police & Fire Department |
| 1981 | Appointed to the Planning Commission |
| Appointed to the Ad Hoc Traffic Committee | |
| 1st V.P. Chamber of Commerce | |
| Manhattan Beach profile, "Jan Dennis, Manhattan Renaissance Woman", in Beach Reporter | |
| 1982 | President Chamber of Commerce |
| Member "Re-E1ection Campaign for Marilyn Ryan" Committee | |
| Formed the Manhattan Beach Olympic Committee | |
| 1982-1984 | Chairman of the Medal of Valor Awards Committee/Luncheon |
| 1983 | Created JPH Enterprises (Touring Company) |
| Member of the El Segundo Employers Association | |
| 1984 | "Medal of Valor Service Award" for 10 years of dedication |
| 1984-1988 | Member of the City Council |
| 1986-1987 | Mayor City of Manhattan Beach |
| Chairman/ Founder of the 75th City Anniversary Committee | |
| 1986-2000 | Member Historical Society |
| 1987 | Initiated Manhattan Beach FLAG and LAPEL PIN |
| Initiated Student Government Leadership Day Program for Mira Costa students | |
| Researched, wrote and self-published a coffee table book, "A WALK BESIDE THE SEA", a history of Manhattan Beach containing 209 pages | |
| 1987-1989 | Board of Directors Historical Society |
| 1988 | Member Neptunian Woman 's Club |
| Ran for Council and Lost | |
| Founder/Member Manhattan Beach Residents Association | |
| 1988-1991 | President Manhattan Beach Residents Association |
| 1990-1991 | 1st V.P. president Coordinating Council |
| President Coordinating Council | |
| Program Chairman Manhattan Beach Residents Association | |
| 1991 | "Community Service Award" — Carnation Co. & Volunteer Center |
| 1992-1993 | Program Chairman Neptunian Woman's Club |
| 1993 | Worked on the book, "BLOW" author Bruce Porter |
| "Citizen of the Year" Lions Club International | |
| "Certificate of Appreciation — Coordinating Council | |
| 1994-1996 | Wrote for the Manhattan Beach Little League Roster |
| 1996-1998 | President Neptunian Woman's Club |
| 1997 | Created/Chairman "Envelope of Life" project |
| Developed the City's 85th display at the City Library. Subject: The Neptunian Woman's Club | |
| 1998 | started new coffee table book, "SHADOWS ON THE DUNES" a history of Manhattan Beach Architecture |
| First "Bright Light" personality in "Beach Reporter" | |
| "El Camino College Distinguished Woman Award" placed on the Women's Wall of Fame in Schauerman Library at the College | |
| 1999 | First to be declared an "Icon" of Manhattan Beach by the "Beach Reporter" |
| 2001 | Signed contract with Arcadia Publishing for the adaptation of "A WALK BESIDE THE SEA". New title "Images of America: Manhattan Beach" . |
| "Appreciation of Donation" — Manhattan Beach Police Department | |
| 2002 | Self-published "SHADOWS ON THE DUNES", 207 pages. |
| Researched & wrote "MANHATTAN BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT" for Arcadia Publishing | |
| Donated "Life Shear Rescue Tool" to Fire Department | |
| "Appreciation of Donation for Rescue Cutters" – Manhattan Beach Fire Department | |
| 2004 | Researched new book "MANHATTAN BEACH PIER" for Arcadia Publishing |
| Developed and Chaired the "Manhattan Beach Cultural Heritage Conservancy" | |
| 2004-2005 | "Certificate of Appreciation" – Home Instead Senior Care |
| 2005 | Researched and wrote, "MANHATTAN BEACH PIER", published by Arcadia Publishing |
| Donated a $14,000.00 Kiln to the Mira Costa High School Ceramic Department | |
| 2006 | Wrote history of "THE BADMINTON CLUB" for the Club's 70th Anniversary |
| Started a 4-year scholarship for Sara Hilgendorf, who graduated from Mira Costa and went to UCLA | |
| "Rose and Scroll Award" Chamber of Commerce and Don Knabe, Supervisor, 4th District | |
| 2006-2008 | Researched, wrote, and self-published "Skirts Across the Sand", a 100-year history of Manhattan Beach Women |
| Had printed & published "Skirts Across The Sand" | |
| 2009 | Chaired the Neptunian 100th Anniversary |
| Wrote "How Well Do You Know Your Town's History" for the "Manhattan Beach Sun" newspaper | |
| 2010 | Member 100th City Anniversary Committee |
| Developed "Walking Tour" for Manhattan Beach Cultural Heritage Conservancy | |
| Developed "Manhattan Beach History" Deck of Playing Cards | |
| "El Camino College Distinguished Woman Award" — placed on the Women's Wall of Fame in Schauerman Library at the College . | |
| 2016 | Distinguished Service Award City of Manhattan Beach |
| 2017 | Researched, wrote and published, "Thread in the Tapestry: A History of Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach" |
| Bob Meistrell Local Legend Award | |
| 2019 | Researched, wrote and published, "The History of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department" |
For information about citing archival material, see the
Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.
There are no access restrictions on this collection except where noted at folder-level.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Jan Dennis, 2019 and 2020.
Duplicate copies of books were removed from the archival collection and are cataloged in the Gerth Archives book collection.
One oversized poster for the "Manhattan Beach Centennial Parade and Picnic 2012" has also been removed from the collection
and is located in Map Case 4, Drawer 5.
To access copies of all of Jan Dennis' published material; as well as other published material related to Manhattan Beach
please consult the
CSUDH OneSearch catalog
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Manhattan Beach (Calif.)
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
City councils
Manhattan Beach (Calif.) -- History
Manhattan Beach Historical Committee
City of Manhattan Beach City Council