Guide to the Benjamin Sacks Papers
MS 56
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
February 17, 2017
Title: Benjamin Sacks Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MS 56
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.75 Linear feet
(2 boxes)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1990-2002
Date (inclusive): 1919-2002 and undated
Abstract: This collection contains handwritten research manuscripts by retired history professor Benjamin Sacks, focusing primarily
on the history of Coronado and the Hotel del Coronado.
creator:
Sacks, Benjamin, Dr.
Biographical / Historical Notes
Dr. Benjamin Sacks was Professor of History at the University of New Mexico for 30 years and Arizona State University for
12 years. His specialization was British history. After retiring, he relocated to San Diego and began researching the local
history of San Diego and Coronado. His writing has been published in a variety of publications including the Journal of Mississippi
History, the Journal of San Diego History, and Southern California Quarterly.
Scope and Content
This collection contains research manuscripts written by retired history professor Benjamin Sacks, focusing primarily on the
history of Coronado and the Hotel del Coronado. Subjects include construction, facilities and entertainment, Tent City, polo,
the filming of “Some Like It Hot,” and visits by prominent individuals such as Jules Verne, Margaret Howell Davis, sportswoman
Eleanora Randolph Sears, polish actress Helena Modjeska, Presidents including McKinley and Clinton, and visits by the children
of Presidents Lincoln, Grant, Garfield, and Cleveland.
Arrangement
The Benjamin Sacks Papers are in their original order as donated.
Preferred Citation
Benjamin Sacks Papers, MS 56, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession #2003.039
Processing Information
Collection processed by Sean Stewart in September 2005.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bush, George, 1924-
Carter, Jimmy, 1924-
Clinton, Bill, 1946-
Del Mar Racetrack (Del Mar, Calif.).
Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969
Ford, Gerald R., 1913-2006
Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901
Hayes, Margaret Howell Davis, 1855-1909
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
Hotel del Coronado (Coronado, Calif.).
Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963
Modjeska, Helena, 1840-1909
Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994
Reagan, Ronald
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Sears, Eleanora Randolph, 1881-1968
Spreckels, John Diedrich, b. 1853
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972
Verne, Jules, 1828-1905
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Coronado (Calif.)
Ostrich farms
Polo
Racetracks (Horse racing) -- California -- Del Mar
Some like it hot (Motion picture)
Tent City (Coronado, Calif.)
Box-folder 1:1
Hotel del Coronado: The Babcock Years, 1885-1903 Ch. 1-4,
undated
Includes:
Chapter 1: Setting, Construction, Highlights, Critiques;
Chapter 2: Personnel;
Chapter 3: Publicity;
Chapter 4: Conversational Pieces, Jules Verne, Coronado Waukesha, Spanish Fiesta, Tent City, Margaret Howell Davis.
Box-folder 1:2
Hotel del Coronado: The Babcock Years, 1885-1903 Ch. 5-11,
undated
Includes:
Chapter 5: Divertissements. Museum; Ostrich Farm; Pet Animals; Courtyard; Japanese Tea Garden; Musical Diversions; Indoors;
Chapter 6: Sports Scene. Fishing; Hunting; Golf and Tennis; Water Sports; Race Track; Miscellany;
Chapter 7: Drama; Music; Painters; Architecture;
Chapter 8: Commercial Venues. Heavy Industry; Railroad Magnates; Financial Services; Politicians;
Chapter 9: Consumers’ World. Merchants; Food Purveyors; Miscellany;
Chapter 10: Literary World;
Chapter 11: Financial Crisis.
Box-folder 1:3
Polo in Coronado,
1919-1990 and undated
Includes:
Newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and an untitled manuscript.
Box-folder 1:4
“Jules Verne: A Hotel del Coronado Vignette,”
1996-2002 and undated
Includes:
Article by Sacks on Jules Verne, as well as correspondence concerning the article and a copy of Sacks’ resume.
Box-folder 1:5
“Chapter 5: Post Civil War Descendants,”
undated
Includes:
One chapter from an unknown manuscript regarding the lives of the children of Presidents Lincoln, Grant, Garfield, and Cleveland
and their visits to Coronado.
Box-folder 1:6
“Hotel del Coronado: Eleonora Randolph Sears, An American Sportswoman,”
undated
Box-folder 1:7
“Helena Modjeska: Tragedienne, The Hotel del Coronado Chapter,”
undated
Box-folder 1:8
“Some Like it Hot: Filming at Hotel del Coronado,”
undated
Box-folder 2:1
“San Diego and Hotel del Coronado: The Presidents of the United States,”
undated
Box-folder 2:2
“San Diego and Hotel del Coronado: The Presidents of the United States” (copy),
undated
