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:
  1. Box 1: Manuscripts and documents – 24 items, arranged chronologically
  2. Box 2: Research material and ephemera – 50 items, arranged alphabetically by type
  3. Box 3: Photographs and negatives – 130 items, arranged alphabetically by subject
  4. 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