Collection Guide
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Guide to the San Diego Chamber of Commerce Collection
MS 300
MS 300
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Table of contents
Title: San Diego Chamber of Commerce Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 300
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
7.25 Linear feet
(15 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1887-2006
Abstract: The collection contains administrative materials and reference resources related to the interests of the San Diego Chamber
of Commerce.
creator:
San Diego Chamber of Commerce.
Biographical / Historical Notes
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.
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.
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.
San Diego Chamber of Commerce Collection, MS 300, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.
This collection is open for research.
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Collection processed by Lauren Rasmussen on August 26, 2013.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
J.D. and A.B. Spreckels Company.
Klauber, Abraham, 1831-1911
Nolen, John, 1869-1937
San Diego (Calif.). Planning Dept.
San Diego and Coronado Ferry Company.
San Diego Association of Governments.
San Diego Chamber of Commerce. Economic Research Bureau.
San Diego Convention and Tourist Bureau.
San Diego Electric Railway Company.
Spreckels, John Diedrich, b. 1853
Balboa Park (San Diego, Calif.)
Business
Demographics
Economic development
Military
San Diego (Calif.)
Tourism