The Finding Aid of the John Merrick Collection 0188

Brendan Morris, Michaela Sinclair, Lucy Perrin

Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.

August 2021

24255 Pacific Coast Highway

Malibu 90263-4786

Business Number: (310) 506-4434

Fax Number: (310) 506-4117

kelsey.knox@pepperdine.edu

URL: https://library.pepperdine.edu/collections/boone-special-collections-university-archives.htm

Contributing Institution: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.

Title: John Merrick Collection

Identifier/Call Number: 0188

Physical Description: 18.5 Linear Feet 25 Hollinger Boxes, 3 Artifacts Boxes, and 5 Flat Boxes

Date (inclusive): 1948-2012

Abstract: John Merrick was elected Judge of the Malibu/Calabasas Judical District in 1964 and served on the bench until his retirement in 1986. Judge Merrick was also heavily involved in the community of Malibu from the time he moved there in the 1940s and started a number of important Malibu organizations. This collection contains a range of materials both in format and subject related to his professional life as Malibu's Judge and his work in the Malibu community.

Physical Location: Collection in located in Payson 260, row 3

Language of Material: English .

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated to Pepperdine Libraries June 3, 2021 by Brian Merrick.

Arrangement

The collection has been arranged into the following series: 1. Pre-Judgeship; 2. Election; 3. Judgeship; 4. Malibu; 5. Optimist Club; 6. Pepperdine University; 7. Interests; 8. Family; 9. Joe Schiro.

Biographical / Historical

John J. Merrick was born February 10, 1919 in New Haven, Connecticut the son of Irish immigrants. They soon moved to the Bronx in New York City where he grew up and eventually earned his degree in journalism and worked as a reported for the Associated Press. Merrick, like many men of his age at the time, felt the call to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army in Februray 1941. He found himself stationed in Southern California at a tank destroyer school. Merrick attained the rank of Lieutenant and became commanding officer of a tank destroyer company.

Following his service, Merrick decided to stay in Southern California and used his G.I. Bill loan to buy the last available beachfront lot at Latigo Bay in Malibu for $2,300 in 1946. Always interested in comedy, he spent some time writing jokes for Edgar Bergen, a ventriloquist, for $70 a week while also being employed as a trust officer at a bank in Beverly Hills. Merrick then decided to enroll in law school and graduated from the Southwestern School of Law and soon thereafter opended a law practice in Beverly Hills in 1958.

Merrick's degree afforded him the opportunity to run for an open Judicial seat in Malibu/Calabsas in 1964. His campaign was successful and he became the Judge of Malibu/Calabasas when it was only considered a part-time job. He would go on to serve as Judge for 26 years. Merrick presided over tens of thousands of cases and became known as "the law west of Topanga." One of the more notalbe cases he presided over was the Manson Murders. Judge Merrick signed the original search warrant to search Spahn Ranch, the home of the Manson Family. He then presided over the initial hearing of Manson Family member, Susan Atkins who was charged with the murder of musician Gary Hinmann. Judge Merrick's juducial crowning achievement came when he served a brief stint on the California Appellate Court in the 1980s where he wrote several publish legal opinions.

Amidst all of his judicial responsibilities, Merrick found the time to serve the community of Malibu in other ways. He founded a number of Malibu organizations including the Malibu Historical Society, Local Malibu Optimist Chapter, Malibu Art Association, Pepperdine Crest Associates, Heart Association, and the Malibu Township Council. One of his finest achievements was helping the Adamson House attain historic landmark status in order to save it from being turned into a parking lot. His love for his surroundings shone through in the books he wrote about Malibu, the classes on Malibu history he taught at Santa Monica College and Pepperdine University, and the time he spent hiking in the hills of Malibu taking in the scenery he knew all too well.

After retiring in 1986 he spent his remaining years as a "fill-in" judge in communities like Catalina and San Luis Obispo. He also spent his retirement researching and writing about the Chumash, the first residents of Malibu.

John J. Merrick passed away on July 31, 2012.

Preferred Citation

[Box/folder# or item name], John Merrick Collection, Collection no. 184, Malibu Historical Collection Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials from the life and work of John Merrick, former Judge of Malibu and a Malibu citizen heavily involved in the community. Materials related to Merrick's professional life as a Judge include publications, promotional materials, speeches, and correspondence related to Merrick's run for the open Malibu/Calabasas Judicial Seat in 1964 and publications, photographs, and correspondence realted to his career as Malibu's Judge. Of note is a folder with documents about a contentious 1970s nudism case which Judge Merrick presided over, a recording of a speech he gave at the opening of the Malibu Civic Center, and the certificate that confirmed his appointment as Judge in 1964 following his successful campaign.

Materials related more to Merrick's personal life include documents, photographs, and publications about the history of Malibu collected by Merrick over the years. This also includes materials related to his efforts to preserve Malibu like a number of documents about establishing the Adamson House as a historic landmark. There are also materials about various organizations Merrick was a part of or founded like the Malibu Historical Society, The Malibu chapter of the Optimist Club, Pepperdine University where he taught a class on Malibu history, and the Malibu Art Association. Additionally, he was interested in comedy so there are a few materials related to sketches and clippings of comedic saying that he collected.

Conditions Governing Use

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Malibu (Calif.) -- History

Malibu (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century

Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History

Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Politics and government -- 20th century

Adamson House (Malibu, Calif.)

Correspondence

Photographs

Ephemera

Color slides

Scrapbooks

Audiocassettes

Audiotapes

Series 1: Pre-Judgeship

Scope and Contents

This series contains materials related to Merrick's job as a bank trust officer, military service,

Firearm Closure Area 1958

Documents and Photographs 1958-1959

Military Materials 1945-1953

5" Reel: Judge White, Father Gallagher, Dr. McQuary Recording 1952 December 2

5" Reel: Lt. Gov. Knight. DA Roll, John Merrick, Judge Webster Recording 1952 December 2

Commemorative World War I Coin 1919

folder Oversize

Portrait Photograph of John Merrick 1950s

Series 2: Election 1964

Scope and Contents

This series contains papers, newspapers, correspondence, photographs, and promotional materials related to the 1964 Election for the open Malibu/Calabasas Judicial Seat which Merrick won.

Correspondence 1959, 1964

Declaration of Intention to run for Judgeship Documents 1964 February-June

Correspondence 1964 October-December

Documents, Correspondence, and Newspapers 1964

Finance Documents 1964

Employment Record-Richardson 1964

Father Stacy Controversy 1964

Correspondence and Clippings 1959-1977

Speech Data 1959, 1964

Newspapers and Clippings 1964

Documents and Correspondence 1964

Promotional Materials and Documents 1964

Promotional Materials 1964

Campaign Expenses and Contributions 1964

Lawyers Committee 1964

Deception-Devious 1964

Copy-Brochures 1964

Documents on Robert Richardson 1964

Documents 1964

folder Oversize

Promotional John Merrick for Judge Posters 1964

Series 3: Judgeship

Scope and Contents

This series contains papers, correspondence, photographs, and ephemera related to Merrick's Judeship. Of note is the certificate confirming his appointment as Judge of Malibu and Calabasas.

Last Will and Testaments 1961-1966

Congratulations Letters 1964 November

Materials on Malibu Civic Center and Bank of America Development 1968-1970

Letter from Jerry Sutherland 1970 May 2

Newspaper Clippings Honoring Judge Merrick 1971-2012

Exhibits for Nudism Talk 1979 October 11

Letters of Recommendation 1981-2002

District Court of Appeals Documents 1984 February-April

Los Angeles County Trespassing on Beach Ordinance Undated

Confirmation of Judgeship Certificate 1964 November 24

Newspapers and Clippings 1964-1970

Photographs 1964-1980s

Documents and Programs 1964-1980s

Photographic Slides-Operation Understanding 1965 November

Photographic Slides-Malibu 1965-1966

Photographic Slides-Malibu 1966-1970

Photograph Slides 1970-1971

Photographic Slides-Malibu 1971-1972

Photographic Slides-Malibu 1972-1973

Photographic Slides-Malibu Undated

Malibu Residents and Flooding Photographs 1969-1974

Malibu Tiles Photographs 1980s-1990s

Malibu Tiles Photographs 1985-1997

Malibu Tiles Photographs and Negatives 1986-1993

Documents and Correspondence 1963-1967

7" Reel: Harvey Anderson's Retirement Dinner Malibu Inn Late 1960s

Scope and Contents

Harvey Anderson was a former Assistant County Fire Cheif in Los Angeles County in the 1960s. He was nationally recognized as one of the most competent field generals against brush fires in the history of fire fighting.

5" Reel: Dedication of Malibu Administration Center 1970 May 14

Scope and Contents

Recording of Judge Merrick's speech at dedication of Malibu Administration Center.

Judge Merrick's Briefcase

Series 4: Malibu

Scope and Contents

This series contains papers, newspapers, publications, photographs, and mixed media relating to Merrick's work for the Malibu community. This series also contains materials about the history of Malibu collected by Merrick.

Historic Maps of Malibu (copies) 1792-1950

Materials on Malibu History 1892-1976

Scope and Contents

1892 document is a photocopy.

Point Dume Historical Landmark Debate 1903-1999

Malibu Railroad Dispute 1908-1990

Malibu Reminiscences from Alice Clevenger 1918-1969

Malibu Road Battle 1918-1982

Marblehead Land Company Map 1932

Malibu Land and Real Estate 1932-1980

Serra Retreat 1941-1994

"The Malibu Ranch," by Horace J. Smith 1946

Malibu Canyon Road Newspaper Clippings 1946, 1952

"The History of Rancho Malibu" 1947 June

Malibu Remuda Souvenir Program 1947 September 27

Newspapers and Clippings for Malibu Historical Society from Helen Rice 1947-1948

Newspaper Clippings from Oscar Carlson 1947-1975

Water Issue 1948-1967

Malibu Historical Society Documents 1948-1971

Templeman, Reeves 1948-1999

Churchs of Malibu 1949-1986

Founder's Day Documents, Newspaper Clippings, and Photographs 1950-1965

John and Nellie Webster 1952, 1982

Hospital Planning Newspaper Clippings Early 1960s

Newspapers and Clippings 1960-1988

Serra Retreat 1960-2000

"The California I Love," by Lee Carrillo (copy) 1961

Malibu Times and Evening Outlook Anniversary Editions 1962, 1967

Nuclear Plant Issue 1964 March-May

City of Hidden Hills Monthly Report 1964 September

Documents on Topanga History 1964-1988

Malibu Colony 1965-1982

Serra Retreat 1966-1993

Sewer Issue 1967-1971

Adamson House Issue 1967-1985

Churches of Malibu 1968-1987

Malibu Art Association Documents and Newspapers 1963-1997

Christmas Cards from Joe Rinaldi 1968-1973

Scope and Contents

Joe Rinaldi was an American screenwriter and storyboard artist, who worked at Disney within its story department.

Malibu Speech Documents 1969-1976

Malibu Civic Center Dedication 1970 May 14

Newspaper Clippings on Malibu Fire 1970, 1972

"The Malibu - A Local History" 1971-1974

Powell, Lawrence Clark 1972-1989

Requests for L.C. Powell's Book 1973

Sumu Huate, Chumash Native American 1974-1979

Letter from Malibu Evening Outlook 1975 March 19

Correspondence and Newspapers 1975-1976

Malibu Chamber of Commerce Notes and Speeches 1975-1978

The Adamson House Documents and Photographs 1976 January 28

Malibu Historical Society Documents and Photographs 1976

Correspondence and Promotional Materials 1976

Dr. Hudson Travis 1976-1993

Adamson House Issue 1978 April-August

Malibu Chamber of Commerce Notes and Speeches 1979-1985

Malibu Time Capsule 1980 January 12

Newspapers on 1980 Malibu Storm 1980

Correspondence and Clippings 1983, 1987

Newspaper on Sean Penn and Madonna's Wedding 1985 August 17

Carbillo's Log 1985-1986

Kiwanis Meeting 1988 July 7

450th Anniversary of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's Landing 1992 October 10

Malibu Restaurant Documents and Newspaper Clippings 1994, 1999

Serra Retreat 1996

An Oral History of the Malibu 1997

Malibu Times Feature on Judge Merrick 1999 August 26

"A Maritime History of Point Dume, Malibu" 1999-2000

Chumash Program Undated

Malibu History Posters Undated

Ranch House and Latigo House Photographs Undated

Malibu Photographs Undated

Documents on Malibu History 1923-1992

Malibu Publications 1947-1985

Chumash of Malibu 1956-1999

Malibu Topanga Water Research Inc, Certificates of Membership 1957

Malibu Enterprises Inc, Documents 1961-1962

Water Issue 1961-1962

Malibu Cityhood Incorporation Documents 1963

Malibu Art Association Materials 1963-1997

Sewer Issue 1962, 1964

Documents on Topanga History 1964-1988

Chumash of Malibu 1965-1980

Sewer Issue 1969

Malibu Publications 1970-1980

Newspapers on Malibu Cityhood 1976

Malibu Mural Dedication 1976

Malibu Chamber of Commerce Notes and Speeches 1979-1993

Malibu Historical Society Documents Undated

Malibu Drawing Undated

Malibu Tiles Photographs 1987-1991

Malibu Tiles Photographs 1997

Malibu Tiles Photographs 1998

Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum Docent Training Handbook 2003-2004

Malibu Negatives Undated

Malibu-Topanga Water Research, Inc Binder 1956-1957

Water Issue 1958-1959

Latigo Homeowners Association Documents 1958-1959

Los Angeles County Waterworks District Law 1959 September 18

California Infrastructure Publications 1959-1962

Feasibility Report for Topanga-Malibu Improvement 1961-1962

About a Proposed Atomic Power Plant for Los Angeles 1962

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Documents 1962 June

Boy Scouts of america Documents 1962-1963

Los Angeles County Flood Control Report Early 1960s

7" Reel: Recording of Malibu Historical Presentation at Our Lady of Malibu Undated

Scope and Contents

Speech given by John Merrick.

VHS Tape: Malibu Potteries Charlotte Laubach 1992 February 26

VHS tape: El Presidio of Santa Barbara Undated

Henry Guttman's Gavel

Malibu-Topanga Water Research Inc, Seal Maker

folder Oversize

Laminated Los Angeles Times Article Featuring John Merrick 1997 August 31

folder Oversize

Malibu Remuda Promotional Poster 1950s

Series 5: Optimist Club

Scope and Contents

This series contains papers, publications, meeting minutes, correspondence, and photographs related to the Malibu chapter of the Optimist Club which was founded by Merrick.

Documents and Publications 1960-1963

Photographs 1961-1964

Newspapers and Clippings 1961-1971

Club Publications 1959-1963

Club Correspondence 1961-1963

Letter to Guy Martin 1962 December 2

Leadership Training Manual 1962-1963

"The Octagon" Newsletter 1962-1963

Club Forms Undated

Series 6: Pepperdine University

Scope and Contents

This series contains notes, papers, correspondence, and photographs related to Merrick's association with Pepperdine University. An item of note are notes he prepared for his class on Malibu history that he taught at Pepperdine.

Correspondence, Newspaper Clippings, and Photographs 1965-1988

University Reports 1969-1975

Publications 1970-1979

"If I Ruled the Malibu," Pepperdine Student's Papers 1972

Pepperdine Course Materials and Photographs 1973

drive Digital Archive

Cassette Tape: Talk for John Merrick Class (24 minutes) Undated

Series 7: Interests

Scope and Contents

This series contains papers, correspondence, ephemera, and notes related to interests outside of Merrick's professional and community work. An item of note is a sketch he wrote and a number of notes related to comedy, which was one of his many interests.

Programs and Invitations 1961-1981

Los Angeles County Juveniles Pamphlet 1962

Inspirational Sayings Circa 1970s

Letter from UCLA Basketball Coach 1988 May 9

Correspondence with Bunny Hoest 1994 July-August

Negatives from Luther Day Mass Undated

Submission to "This Week" Magazine Undated

Fred Allen Script, Courtroom Skit Undated

Boy Scouts of America Promotional Material Undated

Quips and Sayings for Every Occasion Undated

Radio Show Gags 1946-1963

"The Story of Gone with the Wind" 1967

Judicial Humor and Quotations 1970-1980

Abraham Lincoln Print Undated

7" Reel: Fred Allen Recording Undated

Scope and Contents

A recording of Fred Allen, a comedian.

folder Oversize

Pope John Paul II Apostolic Blessing given to John Merrick

Series 8: Family

Scope and Contents

This series containts documents and photographs related to Merrick's family life.

Documents and Photographs 1946-2012

Series 9: Joe Schiro

Scope and Contents

This series contains papers, correspondence, and newspaper clippings about various Malibu issues. This series was given to Merrick by Joe Schiro who served as President of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce and was a prominent figure in the Malibu community.

Malibu Water Publicity 1950-1962

Guttman Project 1950-1964

Malibu Chamber of Commerce Publicity 1950-1963

Newspapers and Clippings on Malibu Fires 1950-1967

Church Contributions and Canvas 1951-1961

Church Documents and Publicity 1956-1961

Church Contributions and Canvas 1956-1966

Schiro Correspondence 1957

Malibu Lions 1957-1958

Malibu Lions Ladies 1957-1960

Coast Slide Publicity 1958-1966

Malibu Hospital Publicity 1959, 1961

Newspapers and Clippings about Proposed Freeway 1961-1964

Church Documents and Publicity 1961-1966

Malibu Cityhood Publicity 1962-1964

Nuclear Plant Publicity 1963-1964