Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Lake Collection
- Dates:
- 1908-1977
- Creators:
- Abstract:
- Carolyn Lake and her father, Stuart Lake, are prominent figures in San Diego’s literary scene. Carolyn is particularly recognized for her role in editing the 1999 memoir Under Cover for Wells Fargo: The Unvarnished Recollections of Fred Dodge. Stuart Lake had a diverse career as a novelist, screenwriter, biographer, photographer, wrestling promoter and press aide. Most of his creative work focused on the American Old West. His most acclaimed work, the 1931 bestselling fictional biography Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal, inspired two films—Frontier Marshal and My Darling Clementine—as well as the ABC television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O’Brian. Additionally, the films, The Westerner, Powder River, and Winchester ’73 were based on stories written by Lake.
- Extent:
- 17 boxes, 19.9 cu. ft.
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Lake Collection. San Diego Public Library
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This collection is organized into two main sections: boxes 1-7 contain personal and professional records of Carolyn Lake, while boxes 8-17 focus on her father, Stuart Lake. The collection features a wide variety of personal items, including photographs, correspondence, organizational keepsakes, show and event programs, travel brochures, newspaper clippings, books, magazines, and various publications. The professional records in this collection range from historical documents for research, photographs, novel drafts, and screenplays. A significant portion of Stuart Lake's professional records centers around his 1931 biography Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal and related materials from the movies and TV show inspired by the book.
- Acquisition information:
- Carolyn Lake (c/o Julie Warren) and Diane P. Strong, Trustee – Carolyn Lake Trust, September 20, 2022
- Processing information:
-
September 2024, Kayla Beard
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 1908-1977
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
San Diego Public Library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claims of the copyright holder. Permission to copy or publish any portion of San Diego Public Library's collection must be given by the San Diego Public Library.
- Preferred citation:
-
Lake Collection. San Diego Public Library
- Location of this collection:
-
330 Park Blvd.San Diego, CA 92101, US
- Contact:
- (619) 238-6668