Thomas F. Bomar Papers, 1930-1975

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Summary

Creators:
Bomar, Thomas F.
Abstract:
The collection contains the personal and business papers of Thomas F. Bomar, including his articles on the San Diego Chamber of Commerce's involvement in aviation.
Extent:
0.5 Linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Thomas F. Bomar Papers, MS 124, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection, dated between 1930 and 1975, primarily includes Thomas Bomar’s personal papers such as resumes and Naval documents; articles on aviation and industry; and his involvement in the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. Major topics covered in his articles include the establishment of a consistent air mail service, military aviation, and the endeavors of female pilots in San Diego, including Amelia Earhart’s visit. Handwritten notes outline a potential book and several of his articles. There are also correspondence and paystubs for articles he published in the San Diego Union.

Biographical / historical:

Thomas Bomar was born in Sherman, Texas in 1896. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT in 1918. After several years of working in the industrial engineering industry, Bomar moved to San Diego in 1928. That same year he became the manager of the Industrial and Aviation Department of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. He served as the San Diego Kiwanis Club president in 1938. In 1942, with the onset of World War II, Bomar left his position in the Chamber of Commerce to serve as an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He returned to San Diego in 1945 and again took up his position with the Chamber of Commerce. Beginning in 1947, he worked as the managing director of the San Diego – California Club, an organization that promoted San Diego tourism.

During his lifetime, Bomar wrote a number of anecdotal stories and articles recounting his experience working in the aviation industry, as well as milestone events in the history of San Diego aviation. Twenty-six of these stories were published in the San Diego Union newspaper between October 10, 1948 and September 25, 1949. He wished to publish the entire collection of his stories as a book, but was never able to find a publisher. Throughout his life, Bomar was a vocal advocate for the expansion of Lindbergh Field, San Diego’s main airport, and the establishment of air mail services to the city. He eventually went on to support the idea that the city consider taking over the military air field at Miramar Air Station to create a larger city airport. The articles he wrote for the San Diego Union demonstrate the breadth of his aviation activities, including his support of female aviators and his encounter with Amelia Earhart upon her visit to San Diego in 1932. Bomar died when he was 80 years old in 1976. He was the acting general manager of the Chamber of Commerce at the time of his death. He was married to Bonnie K. Bomar.

Acquisition information:
Accession number 2000.151.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Lauren Rasmussen on February 9, 2012.

Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Arrangement:

Items in collection are arranged by subject.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

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:

Thomas F. Bomar Papers, MS 124, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

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