Collection of Materials Related to San Pedro, 1937 - 2007

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Summary

Title:
Collection of Materials Related to San Pedro
Dates:
1937 - 2007
Abstract:
Collection includes published booklets and pamphlets relating to San Pedro area history and events.
Containers:
box: SC 8
Extent:
2 Folders
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Name of item], Collection of Materials Related to San Pedro (Collection 087). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes publications relating to San Pedro area history and events. Subjects include the Centennial and Bicentennial celebrations, access routes, general history, the Port of Los Angeles and San Pedro harbor area, San Pedro Writers Guild work, and tour and tourist information.

Biographical / historical:

San Pedro, California is a neighborhood in Los Angeles located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The area was home to the Tongva people before European settlement began in earnest in 1769, when it fell under Spanish control ultimately going under U.S. control in 1848. Phineas Banning, 19th century business man and entrepreneur, worked to expand the harbor area and created Southern California's first railroad, the Los Angeles and San Pedro Railroad in 1868. In 1906, the city of Los Angeles annexed the Harbor Gateway and in 1909 Los Angeles consolidated with Wilmington and San Pedro. Prior to WWII, San Pedro was home to a thriving Japanese immigrant community who lived on Terminal Island and were essential to the canning industry. The community was destroyed when the population was incarcerated in internment camps during WWII. Landmarks in San Pedro include the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Point Fermin Lighthouse, and the Korean Bell of Friendship. San Pedro is also home to Fort MacArthur, which served as a military training center and air defense outpost, as well as the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest port in the United States by container volume.

Acquisition information:
Collected by the Palos Verdes Library District Local History Center.
Processing information:

Initial rehousing and stabilization of materials by Monique Sugimoto and Sianna Bethune. Final arrangement and description by Sianna Bethune, 06/30/2025.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically, with undated materials filed after dated materials.

Physical location:
Local History Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-08-19 13:40:16 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the Local History Center for access information.

Terms of access:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred citation:

[Name of item], Collection of Materials Related to San Pedro (Collection 087). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.

Location of this collection:
701 Silver Spur Road
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, US
Contact:
(310) 377-9584
Website