Reseda Chamber of Commerce Papers, 1935-1989

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Reseda Chamber of Commerce (Reseda, Los Angeles, Calif.)
Abstract:
The Reseda Chamber of Commerce was formed by area merchants in 1935 to promote the welfare of the community, and to cultivate the business and social interests of its members. The records of the Reseda Chamber of Commerce document the functions of the organization through meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, newsletters, business directories, event records, newspaper clippings and photographs. The collection dates from 1935 to 1989 and illustrates various chamber activities such as community outreach, municipal development, street improvements, merchant promotions, clean-up campaigns, beauty pageants, and civic awards.
Extent:
5.10 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Background

Scope and content:

The Reseda Chamber of Commerce Papers document the functions of the organization through meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, newsletters, business directories, event records, newspaper clippings and photographs. The collection dates from 1935 to 1989 and illustrates various chamber activities such as community outreach, municipal development, street improvements, merchant promotions, clean-up campaigns, beauty pageants and civic awards. The collection includes information from other local and state chambers of commerce and the Reseda Merchants Association, including numerous newspaper clippings from 1955-1957 about Reseda chamber activities. Of interest are correspondence and reports on San Fernando Valley freeway and surface street development. The collection is divided into four series: Administrative Records (1935-1989), Chamber Activities and Subject Files (1946-1986), Historical Scrapbook (1955-1957; 1981-1982), and Non-Manusccript Material (1956-1983).

Series I, Administrative Records, includes Articles of incorporation, board of directors meeting minutes, business directories, by-laws, correspondence, financial records and officers' reports. The series also includes records of the Reseda Retail Merchants Association and the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley. The files are arranged in alphabetical order.

Series II, Chamber Activities and Subject Files, contain correspondence, newspaper clippings, beauty pageant and civic award nominations, newsletters, statistics, reports, and related items that document the various activities of the Reseda Chamber such as the Fernando Award, the Miss Reseda Beauty Pageant, the Fun Fair and the annual Golf Tournament. Also included are documents recounting municipal issues such as the widening of the Reseda Boulevard-Sherman Way intersection, freeway development in the San Fernando Valley, population figures and zoning issues. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series III, Historical Scrapbook, contains newspaper clippings copied onto acid-free paper from two RCC scrapbooks. The newspaper clippings date primarily from 1955 to 1957 and detail Reseda Chamber activities and sales promotions. The series also contains miscellaneous newspaper clippings from 1981-82. Files are arranged in chronological order.

Series IV, Non-Manuscript Material, consists of oversized maps and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

The Reseda Chamber of Commerce was formed by area merchants in 1935 to promote the welfare of the community and to cultivate the business and social interests of its members. In the 1920s and 1930s, Reseda was a small agricultural community in the San Fernando Valley, and was known for its sugar beets, lima beans, and lettuce crops.

Billed as "the ideal home community" in 1943, the area began to attract a larger residential population. In response to that growth, the chamber involved itself in such municipal concerns as parking, flood control, street development, and zoning issues. The organization also promoted local business by providing information about the community to attract potential commercial and residential growth.

Acquisition information:
Reseda Chamber of Commerce, 04/28/1987
Processing information:

Robert G. Marshall and Cathy Sluter, 1987

Arrangement:

Series I: Administrative Records, 1935-1989

Series II: Chamber Activities and Subject Files, 1946-1986

Series III: Historical Scrapbook, 1955-1957, 1981-1982

Series IV: Non-Manuscript Material, 1956-1983

Accruals:

2003

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Documents
Photographs
Scrapbooks

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
Website