Gordon R. Sinclair papers, 1957-1979

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Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence, publications, news clippings and photographs documenting the City of Santa Cruz's bid for the new U.C. campus led by Santa Cruz Sentinel's Managing Editor, Gordon R. Sinclair.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet 4 boxes, 1 oversize folder
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Gordon R. Sinclair papers. MS 90. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence, publications, news clippings and photographs documenting the City of Santa Cruz's bid for the new U.C. campus led by Santa Cruz Sentinel's Managing Editor, Gordon Sinclair.

Biographical / historical:

Gordon "Scotchy" Sinclair was born in San Francisco on Feb. 25, 1922. He grew up in Paradise Park with his parents, Rutherford and Estelle Jewett Sinclair. His father died in 1937 when Gordon was 15.

After graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1939, Gordon went directly to work for the Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper. One of his duties at the Sentinel was to call the County Hospital for the vital statistics information every week. Florence Marshall worked at County Hospital and answered his calls week after week and eventually these conversations blossomed into a romance. They married and had three children, Scott, Laurie, and Cassie.

He wrote sports and general news stories for the Sentinel until 1941 when he became sports editor. Between 1943 and 1970 he progressed from news editor to Sentinel editor, and became editor-emeritus in 1982. He worked tirelessly at the newspaper until 2 days before his death on July 20, 1983.

Gordon was a highly respected individual in Santa Cruz County in journalism, business, and educational circles. Having a voracious appetite for reading coupled with a prodigious memory, he was a wealth of information regarding local history, facts, and figures. He dedicated his life to community causes, and worked tirelessly for groups such as the Kiwanas, Elks, and Boys' Clubs, Santa Cruz Beach Plunge Water Carnivals, and many other activities. He chaired committees from the Air Pollution Control Advisory Board to the Northern California Associated Press News Executive Council.

In 1957 Gordon Sinclair became chairman of a Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce committee which persuaded the Regents of the University of California to build a new campus on the Cowell Ranch property. Santa Cruz won the bid over 80 prospective sites, including San Jose. In 1968 Chancellor Dean McHenry honored Sinclair for "Distinguished achievements and notable service to the University" and "Magnificence in the role of chairman of the Site Committee."

Over his 61 years Scotchy dedicated his time and knowledge to the people of Santa Cruz; reminding them of their past, supporting the present, and creating visions of prosperity for their future.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Gordon R. Sinclair, April 22, 1982
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

Property rights for this collection reside with the University of California. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. The publication or use of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use for research or educational purposes requires written permission from the copyright owner. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

Gordon R. Sinclair papers. MS 90. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Location of this collection:
Special Collections and Archives, University Library
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064, US
Contact:
(831) 459-2547
speccoll@library.ucsc.edu
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