Marston (George White) Civic Collection, 1768, 1886-1975

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Summary

Title:
George White Marston Civic Collection
Dates:
1768, 1886-1975
Creators:
Marston, George White, 1850-1946
Abstract:
The collection contains materials documenting the civic activities of George White Marston.
Extent:
2.5 Linear feet (5 boxes)
Language:
and Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
Preferred citation:

George White Marston Civic Collection, MS 35, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains correspondence, administrative papers, essays, maps, plans, and articles related to the civic activities of George Marston. These activities include Marston’s work with John Nolen, the development of Balboa Park and its use during both the 1915 and 1935 Expositions; the creation of Presidio Park, Torrey Pines State Park, and Anza-Borrego State Park; and Marston’s participation in both the State-County Parks and Beaches Association and the San Diego County State Parks Commission.

The correspondence regarding Marston’s collaboration with John Nolen focuses on the development of the San Diego Civic Center and the San Diego waterfront, both of which were encompassed in Nolen’s larger plan for the City of San Diego. Other correspondence with various city planners is present.

A large portion of the collection centers on the development and upkeep of San Diego County’s parks, including Balboa Park, Presidio Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Torrey Pines State Park parks. This includes correspondence, land deeds, and financial materials. The documents related to Balboa Park cover a lengthy period from before the 1915 Exposition through the 1935 Exposition, including the interim period. Correspondence related to Torrey Pines State Park focuses on discussion and opposition to the construction of Torrey Pines Road. Between 1928 and 1930, the League To Save Torrey Pines, including Marston, fought and won against a proposed cliff road above the beach. Of particular interest is a letter written to Marston by H.J. Hill of the Cuyamaca Club, berating Marston for his opposition to the Torrey Pines Road.

Materials related to Marston’s mayoral campaigns and his involvement with the San Diego Historical Society, the Mission San Diego Alcala restoration, and the YMCA are also present.

Biographical / historical:

George White Marston (1850-1946) arrived in San Diego in 1870. After working as a hotel clerk at the Horton House, Marston joined the mercantile firm at A. Pauly and Sons in 1871. Then in 1872, he took a job clerking for storekeeper John Nash. Five years later, Marston partnered with Charles Hamilton and bought the business from Nash. The association with Hamilton lasted until 1878, when Marston opened a clothing store at 5th and D streets. The store continued to grow, and in 1912 was incorporated as the Marston Company, which served as San Diego’s premier department store.

Marston was very active in numerous civic activities throughout San Diego. For over thirty years, Marston spearheaded the development of the San Diego waterfront and Civic Center with the cooperation of landscape architect John Nolen. Marston also acted as chairman of the Parks and Beaches Association, where he raised funds and donated his own money to create two state parks in Anza-Borrego and Torrey Pines. In 1873, he was secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, where he would later serve as president. In 1882, he joined the first board of trustees of the public library. That same year he founded the local YMCA, and served on the board for 62 years, 22 of which he acted as president.

Marston ran for mayor twice, once in 1913 and again in 1917, and though he was popular, he was defeated in both elections. During the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, Marston was chairman of the Building & Grounds Committee, and acted as one of the commissioners of the California Building after the Exposition ended in 1916. He created Presidio Park in 1925, which he then donated to the City of San Diego along with the Serra Museum in 1937. In 1928, he founded the San Diego Historical Society and assisted in the restoration efforts of the Mission San Diego de Alcala. After a long, prolific life of civic service, Marston died in 1946 at age 96.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Lauren Rasmussen on October 3, 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:

Collection is arranged into nine series:

Series I: John Nolen and the 'Nolen Plan'

Series II: San Diego Civic Center and Other City Projects

Series III: San Diego City Park (Balboa Park Pre-1915)

Series IV: Balboa Park and the Expositions 1910-1936

Series V: Presidio Park

Series VI: Torrey Pines State Park

Series VII: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Series VIII: San Diego County State Parks Commission and State-County Parks and Beaches Association

Series IX: Other Civic Activities

Items within each series are arranged by subject.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Lauren Rasmussen
Sponsor:
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.
Date Prepared:
October 3, 2012
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-01-08T12:33-0800

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:

George White Marston Civic Collection, MS 35, 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