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Guide to the Stott Family Collection
MS 39
MS 39
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Table of contents
Title: Stott Family Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 39
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1915-1958
Abstract: This collection contains some personal papers of the Stott family in the early to mid-1900s, with an emphasis on Dorothy Stott’s
musical career in San Diego and Kenhelm Stott Sr.’s military career.
creator:
Stott, Dorothy Cranston
creator:
Stott, Kenhelm W., Sr.
Biographical / Historical Notes
Dorothy Cranston Hess Stott (1899-1962) was born in Michigan. Before moving to San Diego at age 20, Dorothy attended Long
Beach Polytechnic High School. As a violin student she studied under several teachers such as Harold A. Cole, K.E. Horst,
Helen T. Fiske, Lois K. Sickels, and M. Dickinson Ross. She performed extensively with the Bach Society of San Diego County,
the Morning Choral Club of San Diego, La Jolla Woman’s Club, the Bishop School, the Amphion Club, La Quartette de Sainte Cecelia,
the Chamber Music Club, the Music Makers and St. Joseph’s Choir etc. She also assisted or participated in recitals of individual
musicians and religious services. She was active serving the American Red Cross during the Second World War. She was a life
member of the San Diego Zoological Society and donated an African elephant to the San Diego Zoo. A permanent scholarship was
established in her name in the English department at San Diego State University.
Kenhelm W. Stott was born in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. He moved to the United States in 1912 and was naturalized in 1916.
He co-owned a car dealership from 1924 to early 1940. Kenhelm served in both World Wars in the Army. He was a machine gun
officer in World War I and was made executive officer for military security for Southern California during World War II. By
the time he retired in 1946, he held the post of executive officer, Southern District, Ninth Service Command, in Los Angeles.
After retirement he attended San Diego State University, majoring in history. In 1950, he graduated with honors. He belonged
to San Diego Masonic Lodge 35, F&AM, American Legion Post 433, Military Order of the World Wars in La Jolla, the local chapter
of the Reserve Officers Association, of which he was president from 1937-38, the Fine Arts Society, the Zoological Society,
the Natural History of Man Society and the Westerners of San Diego.
Kenhelm W. Stott, Jr. one of the four children of Dorothy and Kenhelm, Sr. His love for animals led him to study Zoology at
the Pomona College in Claremont in the 1930s. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1942 and was assigned to the infectious disease
team on Guam, Saipan, and the Philippines. He headed the San Diego Zoo in 1948. An extensive explorer, Kenhelm, Jr. went on
four trips around the world, 19 trips to Africa, three to India and a dozen to Central and South America. Tirelessly promoting
the Zoo, he started Zoonooz and was influential in getting the then radio show “Animal Kingdom” on the air. Kenhelm Jr. was
also a Smithsonian research collaborator, a life fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of the Explorers Club
and the Zoological Society of London.
This collection contains some personal papers of the Stott family in the early to mid-1900s, with an emphasis on Dorothy Stott’s
musical career in San Diego and Kenhelm Stott Sr.’s military career. Dorothy’s materials include programs, newspaper articles,
certificates, letters of recommendations and her high school diploma, as well as her high school scrapbook. Kenhelm Sr.’s
paers include photographs and correspondence from his time in the military as well as newspaper articles the commencement
program when he graduated from San Diego State University. The only material related to Kenhelm Jr. is a letter pertaining
to the purchase of “Peaches” the Elephant from the Boswell Brothers’ Circus of Johannesburg.
This collection is arranged by family member and material type.
Stott Family Collection, MS 39, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
This collection is open for research.
Researchers should not expect to find much on Kenhelm Jr. as a zoologist or anything relating to the San Diego Zoo. A 1938
Pt. Loma High school yearbook was separated on 10-19-1984 to the standard metal shelving and stored with other yearbooks.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession #791006.
Collection processed by Annette Lo in January 2003 and Samantha Mills in February 2017.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bach Society of San Diego County.
Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
Reserve Officers Association.
Stott, Kenhelm W., Jr.
The Music Makers.
United States. Army.
Women musicians
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945