San Diego Chamber of Commerce Collection, 1887-2006

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Summary

Title:
San Diego Chamber of Commerce Collection
Dates:
1887-2006
Creators:
San Diego Chamber of Commerce.
Abstract:
The collection contains administrative materials and reference resources related to the interests of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce.
Extent:
7.25 Linear feet (15 boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

San Diego Chamber of Commerce Collection, MS 300, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of materials pertaining to the administration and interests of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce between 1887 and 2006. The bulk of the collection materials are dated between 1950 and 2006. Materials include administrative documents, such as by-laws and meeting minutes, as well as reports, research, and reference materials related to a variety of topics that concern the Chamber of Commerce. These subjects include city demographics, the environment, economics, crime, industry and employment, the military, city planning, politics, and tourism. Reference items include the original San Diego City Plan developed by John Nolen in 1926, as well as a copy of Douglas Gunn’s Picturesque San Diego. Additionally, the collection contains the Chamber of Commerce membership records for the Spreckels Company, owned by John D. Spreckels.

Biographical / historical:

The San Diego Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization founded in 1870 by Alonzo Horton, a prominent local businessman who served as the Chamber’s first treasurer. Their mission is to advocate for and support the interests of local business and their employees within the City of San Diego.

The initial endeavors of the Chamber of Commerce included developing railroad lines in San Diego, supporting harbor commerce, procuring fresh drinking water for the city, and encouraging both settlement and tourism in San Diego. In the early 20th century, the Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in the establishment of military installations throughout region, which in turn bolstered San Diego’s economy. It was also a driving force behind the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, which put San Diego on the map and started the process of Balboa Park becoming the cultural center it is today. The Chamber of Commerce is currently active in the San Diego community with over 3,000 members.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Lauren Rasmussen on August 26, 2013.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in thirteen series:

I. Administrative Materials;

II. Agriculture and Environment;

III. Crime;

IV. Demographics;

V. Economics;

VI. Economic Research Bulletins;

VII. Industry and Employment;

VIII. Military;

IX. Planning;

X. Politics;

XI. Tourism;

XII. Spreckels Company;

XIII. Miscellanea. Items within each series are arranged by subject.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
Date Prepared:
November 17, 2015
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2015-11-23T12:39-0800

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

San Diego Chamber of Commerce Collection, MS 300, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website