Dougherty Family Collection, 1888-1991

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Summary

Title:
Dougherty Family Collection
Dates:
1888-1991
Creators:
Abstract:
Extent:
2 document cases, 4 flat boxes, 1 flip top carton: 4.1 ft.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Dougherty Family Collection. Monterey Public Library, California History Room Archives

Background

Scope and content:

Series I consists of notes, letters, transcripts of an oral history interview with Nora Dougherty, genealogical information, school materials, and memorabilia. Series II contains family photographs of three generations of the Dougherty family. Series III contains two photograph albums and two scrapbooks. The albums hold photographs of family and travel locations; the scrapbooks document Jack Doughertyʼs travel while working for the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and the careers of P.J. Dougherty and Jack Dougherty. Series IV consists of three small journals kept by Jack Dougherty while working for the Coast and Geodetic Survey (1935) and the Soil Conservation Service (1935-1937) in California and Arizona. Series V is a postal cachet album, 1933-1946, assembled by P.J. Dougherty during his tenure as Postmaster in Monterey, and includes the envelopes and franking for the U.S. Flag Centennial at Monterey in 1946, air mail service and various other commemorative events.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
Gift from Margaret Mary Dougherty.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Monterey Public Library, California History Room Archives staff.
Date Prepared:
1888-1991
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

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

Terms of access:

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

Preferred citation:

Dougherty Family Collection. Monterey Public Library, California History Room Archives

Location of this collection:
625 Pacific Street
Monterey, CA 93940, US
Contact:
(831) 646-2091
libchr@monterey.gov
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