Collection documents an immigrant Irish family of the Central Coast and their subsequent family history in the Monterey area. It contains family photographs, albums, clippings, transcripts, and correspondence.

Philip Dougherty (1828-1903), born in Ireland, arrived in California in 1868 after crossing the Isthmus of Panama. He joined his brother, W. P. Dougherty, in the lumber mill business at Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz County. Several years later, he settled near San Juan Bautista, where he established a ranch, and he and his wife, Mary OʼConnor Dougherty, raised a family of seven children. In 1910, their son Philip John (1880-1948) moved to Monterey where he became a successful local businessman and civic activist. He served as a bank director, was mayor of Monterey (1919-1923) and postmaster (1933-1947), and established the Casa Munras Hotel in 1941. (The Casa Munras was an original adobe house purchased from Antonia Field.) P.J. Dougherty married Nora Agnes OʼDonnell in 1912. Their son, Francis John Jack, was employed by the Coast and Geodetic Survey in the 1930s and later managed the Casa Munras Hotel. Their daughter, Mary Agnes Dougherty, became a Sister in the Mary Knoll Order. Jack Dougherty and his wife Tillie had five children: Margaret Mary Peggy (a photographer and the donor of this collection), Philip John, Kathleen, Mary Patricia, and Thomas Michael of Monterey.

2 document cases, 4 flat boxes, 1 flip top carton: 4.1 ft.

Reproduction by Local History Librarian or other designated staff; may be restricted due to condition of the materials.

Access by appointment only; contact Local History Librarian or designated staff.