National City Kimball House Ephemera
Finding aid created by San Diego Public Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Diego Public Library
2021
330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 238-6668
speccoll@sandiego.gov
https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/
Title: National City Kimball House Ephemera
Dates: 1893; 1903; 1960s-1980s
Collection Number: MS.019
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 1 box, .5 li. ft.
Repository:
San Diego Public Library
San Diego, California 92101
Abstract: The Kimball brothers – Frank, Warren, and Levi – were early visionary leaders of National City, the second oldest city in
San Diego County which was incorporated on September 17, 1887. Originally part of the 26,000-acre El Rancho de la Nacion,
the land was purchased in 1868 by the Kimball brothers who cleared lands, built roads, constructed the City's first wharf
and brought the railroad to the City. Evidence of this rich past can be found in the historic buildings, including the “Brick
Row” homes, and landscape throughout the City. The home (a 15-room ranch house) of Frank Kimball changed hands many times
after his death and was ultimately purchased by the City. After a two-year restoration it was eventually relocated in 1975
to the Heritage Square historical district and converted into a historic museum that is operated by the National City Historical
Society. The home, which was gutted on the inside by the City for the restoration project, contained many historic artifacts
and ephemera. The ephemera collection in this box contains legal documents, genealogy material, photographs and slides, newspaper
clippings, historic details about the house and the Kimball family, and other miscellaneous items. Provenance not indicated;
however, it most likely came from the collection of Pat Schaelchlin who was on the Board of Directors with the Save Our Heritage
Organisation (SOHO).
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
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.
National City Kimball House Ephemera. San Diego Public Library
Scope and Content of Collection
The Kimball brothers – Frank, Warren, and Levi – were early visionary leaders of National City, the second oldest city in
San Diego County which was incorporated on September 17, 1887. Originally part of the 26,000-acre El Rancho de la Nacion,
the land was purchased in 1868 by the Kimball brothers who cleared lands, built roads, constructed the City's first wharf
and brought the railroad to the City. Evidence of this rich past can be found in the historic buildings, including the “Brick
Row” homes, and landscape throughout the City. The home (a 15-room ranch house) of Frank Kimball changed hands many times
after his death and was ultimately purchased by the City. After a two-year restoration it was eventually relocated in 1975
to the Heritage Square historical district and converted into a historic museum that is operated by the National City Historical
Society. The home, which was gutted on the inside by the City for the restoration project, contained many historic artifacts
and ephemera. The ephemera collection in this box contains legal documents, genealogy material, photographs and slides, newspaper
clippings, historic details about the house and the Kimball family, and other miscellaneous items. Provenance not indicated;
however, it most likely came from the collection of Pat Schaelchlin who was on the Board of Directors with the Save Our Heritage
Organisation (SOHO).