Matfield Family Collection: Finding Aid mssMatfield
Finding aid prepared by Brooke M. Black, September 3, 2002.
The Huntington Library
2002
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Note
Finding aid last updated on July 17, 2024, by Mari Khasmanyan.
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Matfield family collection
Creator:
Matfield family.
Identifier/Call Number: mssMatfield
Physical Description:
5 Linear Feet
(4 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1849-1993, bulk
1873-1918
Abstract: This collection consists of material
collected by physician Robert Stragnell (1923-2015) regarding the Bella Union Hotel, its
owners the Matfield family, and early Los Angeles and California history, chiefly dating
from 1873-1918.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Matfield family collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Dr. Robert Stragnell, October 4, 2001.
Biographical / Historical
In the 1860s, the Matfield family became owners of the Bella Union Hotel, one of the
earliest hotels in Los Angeles, California. The family consisted of George Matfield, his
wife Alice, and their children James and Dora.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of material collected by Southern California physician Robert
Stragnell (1923-2015) regarding the Bella Union Hotel, early Los Angeles and California
history and the Matfield family. It includes original manuscripts and documents,
correspondence, a scrapbook containing photographs of and articles about the Los Angeles
City Gun Club (of which James Matfield was a member), and research material including notes
written by Dr. Stragnell, ephemera, photographs and negatives. Most of the material focuses
upon the history of Los Angeles and California; however, there are a few letters, postcards,
and photographs related to Papeete, Tahiti. The photographs are mostly portraits of Matfield
family members, while the negatives are family snapshots; both the photographs and negatives
are dated roughly between 1890 and 1920. The negatives are of photographs that are not
included in the collection.
Processing Information
Processed by Brooke M. Black, September 2002. In July 2024, Mari Khasmanyan rehoused a
loose envelope into box 4, updated the linear feet of the collection, and the collection
call number.
General
Individual call numbers included in the collection: mssHM 64508-64531
Arrangement
Arranged in the following order:
- Box 1: Manuscripts and documents – 24 items, arranged chronologically
- Box 2: Research material and ephemera – 50 items, arranged alphabetically by
type
- Box 3: Photographs and negatives – 130 items, arranged alphabetically by
subject
- Box 4: Oversize - 1 box
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Hotels -- California -- Los Angeles
Hunting and fishing clubs -- California
California -- History -- Sources
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Papeete (French Polynesia) -- Description and travel
Deeds -- California -- 19th century
Family papers -- California
Letters (correspondence) -- United States.
Legal documents -- California
Notes -- 20th century
Photographs
Scrapbooks.
Matfield family.
Bella Union Hotel (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Manuscripts and documents
Box 1
Abstract of Title of the Rancho Bella Union Property HM 64508
1849-1873
Box 1
Typescript of Abstract of Title of the Rancho Bella Union
Property
HM 64509
1849-1873
Box 1
Deed to Mining Claim in Los Angeles County HM 64510
1873, May 1
Box 1
Restraining Order against George Matfield HM 64511
1880, Jan. 27
Box 1
Satisfaction of Mortgage to E. B. Perrin HM 64512
1880, July 7
Box 1
Declaration of Homestead by Alice Matfield HM 64513
1880, Aug. 18
Box 1
Mortgage for tract of land in Los Angeles (Calif.) HM 64514
1885, Mar. 3
Box 1
Supplement Agreement to build a new wall between properties HM 64515.
1885, May 15
Box 1
Mortgage for tract of land in Los Angeles (Calif.) HM 64516
1887, Sep. 22.
Box 1
Summons, Matfield vs. Matfield HM 64517.
1888, Jan. 27
Box 1
Agreement on Guardianship of Mary E. Flashner HM 64518
1888, Nov. 13
Box 1
Indenture between A. Mcartney and Alice Matfield HM 64519
1889, Dec. 16
Box 1
Complaint and Summons, Benedict vs. Flashner HM 64520
1892, Sep. 6
Box 1
Land Deed for land in Los Angeles (Calif.) HM 64521
1894, Mar. 21
Box 1
Certified Copy of Decree of Discharge of Executrix for Alice
Matfield
HM 64523
1900, May 10
Box 1
"Lovina" letter to James Matfield HM 64524
1908, Feb. 18
Box 1
"Lovina" letter to James Matfield HM 64525
1908, Mar. 20
Box 1
Diary of Hansen Moore HM 64526
1913-1916
Box 1
Dora Chapman letter to James Matfield HM 64527
1918, July 12
Scope and Contents
Includes a letter by "Lovina" to James Matfield, 1918, July 12.
Box 1
Dora Chapman letter to James Matfield HM 64528
1919, Apr. 15
Box 1
Elisabeth Waldo Dentzel letter to Robert Stragnell HM 64529
1981, May 31
Box 1
Robert Stragnell letter to Elisabeth Waldo Dentzel HM 64530
1981, June 1
Box 1
Elisabeth Waldo Dentzel letter to Robert Stragnell HM 64531
1981, June 25
Research material and ephemera
Box 2
Article, "First Hotel of Old Los Angeles: The Romantic Bella
Union"
1951
Scope and Contents
1 item.
Box 2
Newspaper clippings
1900-1993
Scope and Contents
18 items.
Box 2
Research notes I, by Robert Stragnell
Box 2
Research notes II, by Robert Stragnell
Box 2
Typescripts of newspaper articles regarding Bella Union Hotel (Los Angeles,
Calif.)
1853-1872
Box 2
Envelopes and postcards
approximately 1908
Scope and Contents
8 items.
Box 2
Program, "Second Semi-Annual Tournament of the Los Angeles City Gun Club"
approximately 1900
Scope and Contents
1 item.
Box 2
Stock Certificate for "Evangelina Copper Mining Company"
1904, Jan. 26
Scope and Contents
1 item.
Box 2
Tax receipts
1898-1907
Scope and Contents
18 items.
Photographs and negatives
Box 3
Family members (Chapman, Dora-Matfield, Alice)
Scope and Contents
10 items.
Box 3
Family members (Chapman, Dora)
Scope and Contents
14 items.
Box 3
Family members (Matfield, George-Matfield, James, and
unidentified)
Scope and Contents
19 items.
Box 3
Gun clubs
Scope and Contents
3 items.
Box 3
Places
Scope and Contents
7 items.
Box 3
Negatives
Scope and Contents
77 items.
Box 4
Scrapbook of James Matfield HM 64522
1895-1900
