Series I: Scrapbooks, Photographs, and Clippings
circa 1900s-1970s
Scope and Contents
This series contains scrapbooks, photographs and clippings regarding the City of Gardena. A majority of the photographs are
from city council meetings and includes images of former mayors Donald Dear and Terrence Terauchi, events such as 5k race,
fishing, heritage festivals, Ichikawa and Huatabampo sister city visits, award ceremonies, and employee recognition events.
Also included are photographs (photocopies and reproductions only) and negatives of Gardena from the early 1900s-1940s and
feature images of strawberry festivals, farming, city streets, and more. Also included in this series is a recreation park
women's club scrapbook, City of Gardena 50th anniversary scrapbook, Sumitomo Bank Album, and
Gardena Valley News clippings. For more material related to the sister city program see "Sister City and Exchange Programs" series.
box 2, folder 2-3
Reference material- photocopies and reproductions of photographs
circa 1900s-1970s
Scope and Contents
Includes photocopies of images used in Sumitomo Bank Album; as well as images of Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute
(1920s); strawberry festivals (1910s); Spanish American Institute (1970); Geological Map 1894 of South Bay; Gray Family (circa
1904); Japanese Farmers (1920s); Moneta Strawberry Truck Farm; images from a booklet about Gardena (1920s); McKay's Gardena
Residence (1920s); Grammar School Class (1920s); W.M. Gray Real Estate Office (1920s); Safeway Market (1940s); Rose Tournament
Float (1951); Southeast corner of Rosecrans and Vermont (1950s); Bow Herbert, Louis Armstrong, and bakers at the Shrine Auditorium
(1961); and others. Although a majority of the photographs are photocopies, or images printed on photograph paper, there are
a few original images as well.
Images not used in Sumitomo Bank Album are courtesy of Sugino family, Mrs. Louise Bodger Whitman, Castro Photo Service, George
Castro, Verner Leroy and Malvena (Bobbe) Gray, Bob Ogawa, Millie Ibarra, Fred and Rachel Adams, Gene McKay, Helyn Rush, Phillip
Pomio, and Ken Huthmaker.
box 2, folder 8
clippings, historical sketch
1948, 1960-1961, 1974
Scope and Contents
Includes clippings regarding Progressive Club, and historical churches and schools. A majority of the clippings are from the
column "Gardena Yesterdays". This folder also includes a historical sketch of the city of Gardena. This file was presumably
donated to the City of Gardena from Bruce Kaji, who received it from Gene McKay.
box 9
oversized photographs
1949, circa 1950s-1980s
Scope and Contents
Includes images of: group photograph of Edmond J. Russ, Paul Bannai, Mas Fukai, William Cox, Don Hata, and Charles [Tader];
council chamber; fire office as used by municipal bus line; El Dorado Club; parking lot filled with firetrucks and police
cars.
box 2, folder 9
Gardena Valley News clippings
October-December 1950
box 2, folder 10
photographs and clippings donated by Joan Cherry
1952, circa 1960s-1970s
Scope and Contents
Includes photographs presumably taken at a groundbreaking event, or construction site; and images of city hall. Clippings
include: "Skywatch Manpower Doubles Since Start"; "New Ordinance Governing Clubs"; and "Fires Fought, Grove Blaze Lasts for
More than Hour"
box 7
Recreation Park Women's Club Scrapbook
1954-1961
Scope and Contents
Includes group and event photographs; event flyers; clippings; halloween program itinerary; memorandums; membership lists;
reports; event programs.
box 8
Sumitomo Bank Album
circa 1966
Custodial History
This album is presented to the City of Gardena by the Sumitomo Bank of California. The photographs were orginally exhibited
under sponsorship of Gardena Heritage Foundation, "By-Gone Days of Gardena Valley", at Gardena Branch of Sumitomo Bank of
California on the bank's third anniversary.
Scope and Contents
Contains black-and-white images of Sumitomo Bank Gardena office, Osaka main office, Toyko office; Gardena Strawberry Day float
(1913); Strawberry Festival (1920); images of people working in fields (circa 1910s-1920s); field with a house in the background,
Gardena (1900); Gardena Blvd.; Amestoy School (1920); Gardena High School (1909); Moneta Japanese Language School (1912, 1940);
Japanese Community Center ground breaking ceremony; Sun Nursery; Compton Earthquake damage (1936); Redondo Beach (1900s);
Long Beach (1910); Los Angeles Court House and Hall of Records (1912); Los Angeles and Redondo Beach street scenes.
General
Some photographs are labeled as "out" and were missing upon receipt to the CSUDH archives.
box 19
Gardena Valley News clippings and articles (scrapbook)
October 1967-March 1972
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook contains articles and clippings from
Gardena Valley News. Articles include topics such as: sporting events and teams; awards banquets; daily news; events; announcements; advertisements;
and police blotters.
box 6
City of Gardena 50th Anniversary Scrapbook- event programs, letters of congratulations, clippings, memorandums
1980
box 18
"Gardena All-American City" scrapbook
April-October 1980
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook contains clippings; certificates; memorandums; letters of congratulations; resolution; proclamation; award
program; event flyers; news releases; photographs; a list of suggested recognition activities; "Presentation to Jury Panel
All-American Cities Award Program"; event flyers; and material regarding presentation of "All American City" flag. The All-American
Award recognizes cities that have achieved significant community progress through citizen action.
Also included in this scrapbook: Golden Anniversary certificate; 19th Annual City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show program;
50th anniversary ball program; letters regarding publicizing the All-American city using the Goodyear blimp; material related
to Gardena Night at Dodgers Stadium (clippings, ticket stub, event flyers, memorandums, copy of "Dodgers Line Drives" July
1980); Women's Achievement Awards flyer; and clippings regarding Ken Nakaoka Memorial Center.
box 7
ceramic tile with image of Gardena city street. Donated (to City of Gardena) by Bruce T. Kaji
undated
box 12
Photograph Box 1
1989-2002; circa 1990s; undated
Scope and Contents
Images of City Council meetings 1989-1998 and includes images of Mayor Donald Dear, Councilman Tsukahara, Councilwoman Duffy;
Final Board Meeting Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, meeting and reception (December 1992); Mayor's office photos from Terrence Terauchi-
presumably city council meetings (circa 2002); offices: community development, city clerk, human services, city manager's
office, public works, city attorney, transportation, and finance; special olympics kick off dinner (negatives only).
box 13
Photograph Box 2
1995-1999; circa 1990s; undated
Scope and Contents
Images of public safety fair 1995; employee recognition event; miss cinco de mayo 1999 (negatives only); christmas decor 1999;
volunteer awards; senior housing night dedication; Trini's Birthday and retirement; HUD reception; recognition banquet 1995;
Taste of Yamagata 1997; library events; Dominguez Brand Awards 1997, 1999; ABC Task Force; community center; gateway plaza
ribbon cutting; Rowley Park; Wall of Fame 1996, 1999, 1998; Medal of Valor Statue Memorial 1998, 1996; Medal of Valor fundraiser;
city manager Kenneth Landau.
box 14
Photograph Box 3
1994-2001; circa 1990s; undated
Scope and Contents
Images of recreation department activities 1995; car show; parades; heritage fest (1998); fire deptartment; 5k; fishing event
(2001); retirement parties; golf tournament (2001); South Gardena Park Grand Opening; heritage festival (2000); multicultural
festival (1994); green line opening YMCA; YMCA landscaping; Ichikawa sister city visit 1995-1999 including images of visiting
city hall, council chamber visit, farewell dinner, fire department visit, and presentation of doll (July 1995); Huatabampo
Sister City visit 1998.
box 15
Photograph Box 4
1947, circa 1970s, 1979-1982, 2014; undated
Scope and Contents
Images of various events; groundbreaking; city hall; "welcome to Gardena" signs; city employees banquet 1982; city dinner
1980; awards dinner 1979; street scenes; employee dinner 1981 and April-May 1982; police department (Feb 1947); city parades;
race; human services department open house (1981); portraits of Donald Dear, Terrance Terauchi, James Cragin, Steven Bradford,
and Paul Tanaka; mural creation near 168 St. and Normandie Ave. (circa 1970s?)'; Negro Leagues Baseball Museum traveling exhibit
opening event (Feb. 2014).
box 16
Photograph Box 5 (negatives only)
1900-1938; undated
Scope and Contents
All negatives were sleeved prior to donation to the CSUDH and some are labeled as following: Mr. Kishima's; Mrs. Yamauchi's;
Gardena Grammar School (1907); Mr. Kobata's; Mr. Koyama (Dec. 1937); Amestoy School Mrs. Koga's (1920); Mr. Jinnosuke Kobata
and Family; Strawberry Day Float (1913); G.S. Wood Home between Normandie and Vermont; strawberry festival floats; Yo Kobata's
Wedding (1938); Gardena Bank and Trust Company; N.E. Cowles Chicken Ranch; street scene; Gardena Baptist Church; Mr. Koyama
Gardena (1937?); H. Jeffers Store; Gardena Blvd. Spring 1905; berry picking (1900); Belvedere station; Moneta school house;
Interior of wood and graham store (1906); Gardena High School 1909; A.A. Cary's berry ranch; and Moneta Cannery.
Images of groups of people in front of homes, in fields, horses working in fields, berry picking, street scenes, and storefronts.
Some images were used in Sumitomo Bank album, and are also in the Reference Material file (box 2). Some of the negatives featured
are images that were copied from books.
Series II: Sister City and Exchange Programs
1963-1982, 2007, 2011; undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains dinner programs, invitations, photographs, booklets, postcards, clippings, certificates, and a scrapbook
related to the Ichikawa City/Gardena sister city program. A majority of the photographs were taken in Ichikawa and include
delegate visits, temples, schools, Edo River, the library, city hall, and other landmarks. This series also contains photographs,
plaques, memorandums, articles, and other material relating to the Huatabampo Mexico sister city program; as well as letters
of appreciation for the Yonsei Basketball Exchange Program, and Sanda young Men's Judo Team visit.
box 1, folder 2
Ichikawa City- guidebooks; museum program and exhibit catalogs; "Shell Mounds in Ichikawa City" [article]
1950, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1979; undated
Language of Material: English, Japanese.
Scope and Contents
Also includes Tokyo subway map; Osaka Exposition Program.
box 1, folder 7
Ichikawa City- sister city program clippings
1963
box 5
"Gardena, California Ichikawa, Japan Sister City Projects 1964-65" scrapbook
Scope and Contents
Contains progress report; clippings, memorandums; brochures; flyers; application forms; fundraising; information about the
delegates; material related to anniversary dinner; sister city newsletters.
box 5
Ichikawa City certificates
1964-1965, 1967, 1980, 2011, undated
Scope and Contents
Japanese America Society of Southern California certificates of merit; Reader's Digest Foundation town affiliation citation;
certificate of appreciation following Great East Japan Earthquake; Resolution commending Gardena-Ichikawa Sister Cities.
box 1, folder 1
Ichikawa- dinner programs; invitations; itinerary; clippings; notes; photographs
1965-1997
Language of Material: English, Japanese.
box 1, folder 3
Ichikawa City- elementary school letter/picture exchange program
1967
Language of Material: English, Japanese.
box 1, folder 4
Ichikawa City photographs
1966
Language of Material: English, Japanese.
Scope and Contents
Includes images of high school students taking an exam; city view; Yawata station; baseball field; Tokuganji Temple Deva gate;
public hall; pier; Shimohusa Kokubunji Temple; Satomi Park; room for teaching tea ceremonies; chief of board of education
Hideo Tomita; Nakayama-Hokekyoji Temple; Dai-Go Municipal Nursey School; festival; Ichikawa Municipal Cemetary; mayor Susumu
Tomikawa; library; Chiba College of Commerce; Wayo-Gakuen school for girls; Edo river; Ichikawa Bridge; assembly hall; and
other locations in Ichikawa.
box 5
15th anniversary recognition plaque to City of Gardena from City of Ichikawa Japan
May 31, 1977
box 5
Ichikawa City photographs [oversized]
1977; circa 1970s; November 1982
Scope and Contents
Includes images of prefectural senior high school; private senior high school; city hall; mayor's office; view from roof of
city hall; assembly hall; pear farm; pears in factory; Miss Ichikawa contest; parade; official delegation event (November
1982); fishing on Edo River; shorinji self defense; Ichikawa Festival; Motoyawata Station; municipal swimming pool; hokkekyo-ji
temple; cultural festival; art exhibition; Ichikawa Symphony.
box 1, folder 6
Ichikawa City- overview [booklet]; postcards; map
1980; undated
Language of Material: English, Japanese.
box 1, folder 5
Ichikawa City- sister city program photographs
1982; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes images taken in Ichikawa of baseball team and field; fishing on the Edo River; Gardena delegates participating in
Matsuri festival; reception in Mayor Takahashi office; city hall; and others.
box 9
Sister Cities 25th Anniversary Scrapbook
1962, 1986-1987
Language of Material: English, Japanese.
Scope and Contents
Includes photographs and clippings of Huatabampo delegates; Huatabampo fire truck sendoff; Ichikawa City membership list,
memorandums, photographs, anniversary dinner program, letters of congratulations, plaque presentation, installation program
and photographs; material related to youth exchange program; and photographs for cultural shows.
box 9
Huatabampo Sister City program- notes and memorandums; articles; 20th anniversary program; letterhead; photographs; 25th anniversary
certificate; crest; and fact sheet
1975, 1993, 1998, undated
box 9, box 18
Huatabampo Sister City program- plaques
May 26, 1975; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes Presidentes de Mexico Sonorenses plaque.
box 1, folder 9
Sanda Young Men's Judo Team- letter of greetings for visiting Gardena, from Mayor of Sanda to Mayor of Gardena
July 1977
box 1, folder 8
Yonsei Basketball Exchange Program- Letter of appreciation Mayor of Tamana to Mayor of Gardena
August 2007
box 2, folder 1
Emblems of Municipal Fire Brigade [possibly from Ichikawa]
undated
Series III: Gardena Fire Department
1935, 1957, 1962, 1970-2000; undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains a scrapbook; photographs; awards and certificates; California Fire Training Program manuals; rules and
regulations; and a fireman's protective uniform and hat.
box 10, box 11
Gardena Fire Department scrapbook
1970-2000
Scope and Contents
Includes clippings; articles; award presented to Chief James Gould from the Gardena Chamber of Commerce; photographs including
images taken of fires and accidents, Sellery Elementary School event, station tour, Huatabampo fire truck, community events,
and others; Articles cover fires, accidents, training exercises, events, stories about the firemen, fire prevention education,
advertisements, fundraisers, memorial to late fire chief Tom Baldrick; and other related topics.
box 11
Gardena Fire Department- Outstanding Service Award
1970
box 11
City of Gardena Fire Chiefs- James Gould; Andy Bero; Craig Pedego [picture frame]
circa 1990s
box 11, box 4, folder 1-6
Gardena Fire Department awards and certificates
1976-1999
Scope and Contents
Includes: outstanding service awards; certificates and placards of appreciation; service to the community; placard in memory
of Steve Bero; medal of valor awards committee placard; emergency paramdeic plaque.
box 4, folder 3
photographs presumably of Gardena firefighters
undated
box 11
Group photograph, Gardena Fire Department
1997
box 4, folder 7
California Fire Training Program Block III "Use of Fire Apparatus and Equipment" Book 1 and 2
1957
box 4, folder 7
City of Gardena Rules and Regulations Governing The Fire Department
July 1962
box 17
Fireman protective uniform and hats; London England Fire Brigade
circa 1935
Series IV: Plaques, Awards, and Certificates
1957, 1974-2013
Scope and Contents
This series contains awards, plaques, certificates, placards, proclamations, and resolutions regarding various entities within
the City of Gardena. A majority of the awards and certificates are of recognition and appreciation. For awards and certificates
regarding the Gardena Fire Department see "Gardena Fire Department" series; and for plaques and certificates regarding the
sister city program see "Sister City and Exchange Programs".
box 6
Nisei Businessmens' Association from Governor Seiichiro Yasui, Governor of Tokyo Metropolis to City of Gardena for assimilation
of Japanese Americans politically, socially, and economically in City of Gardena [plaque]
October 1957
box 11
Boy Scouts of America- certificate of appreciation with patches
1995
box 11
certificates- general file
1980-2013
Scope and Contents
Includes: California Legislature Assembly certificates of recognition; Gardena Cable Usage Corporation certificates of appreciation;
United Way Harbor/Southeast Region UGA Project recognition; City of Lawndale to City of Gardena for 50th anniversary; Gardena
City Council for contributions to Gardena High School; WeTIP honor roll; Gardena Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention to City
Council of Gardena; Gardena Council for service to Blackwell International Academy of Performing Arts; Southern California
Edison Company centennial anniversary.
box 11
proclamations and resolutions- general file
1974, 1979, 1980, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1995, 2001
Scope and Contents
Includes: Black History Month (proclamation); Southern California Gas Company to City of Gardena, 60 Year Anniversary (proclamation);
California Legislature Assembly Resolution regarding Lorenzo Ybarra; Annual Gardena Loyalty Day Parade resolution; 50th anniversary
of the incorporation of the City of Gardena (resolution); resolution commending Donald L. Dear; Cinco de Mayo (resolution);
Friends of Rosarito Beach (resolution); Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (resolution).
Series V: General File
1930-1995; undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains articles, programs, reports, booklets, fact sheets, hats, flags, and other material related to the Gardena
High School art collection and "Painted Light" exhibit; Gardena history; Normandie Club; Gardena Adult Buddhist Association;
Mitch Lansdell; Gardena Valley JACL; Lions Clubs; various events including employee recognition banquets; Beautification Committee;
and others. This series is arranged chronologically.
box 2, folder 4
demands approved
October-November 1930
Scope and Contents
demands to the city council of Gardena for services rendered.
box 2, folder 5
"A Short History of Gardena Valley" by Olive Hensel Leonard
June 1934
box 2, folder 6
Gardena High School art collection
1937, 1968
Scope and Contents
includes advertisement for "Art Treasures" reception; program; inventories of paintings; "Gardena High School Art Collection"
[catalogue]
box 2, folder 7
American Art Review Vol. XI, No. 1
February 1999
Scope and Contents
Includes article "Painted Light: California Impressionists"
box 6
Gardena Valley News Golden Anniversary Edition
1954
box 3, folder 1
Employee Recognition Banquet- programs, memorandums, employee lists
1955-1994
box 3, folder 2
City of Gardena Annual Report
1959-1960
box 3, folder 3
"Fun for Everyone in Gardena" Normandie Club pamphlet
1960
box 6
Gardena Valley News featuring headline "Triumphant Kennedy Struck Down"
June 6, 1968
box 3, folder 4
"Shining Wheel" Gardena Adult Buddhist Association, 20th Anniversary. Gardena Adult Buddhist Association
1973
box 3, folder 5
Gardena Valley JACL
1976, 1980, 1992
Scope and Contents
Includes programs for coronation ball and dinner; bicentennial event; joint installation program
box 3, folder 6
Gardena Buddhist Church 50th Anniversary booklet
1976
box 3, folder 7
Event programs- general file
1977, 1984, 1990
Scope and Contents
City of Gardena salutes 1984 Japanese Olympians; "After School with Warren"; Masao W. Satow Library dedication ceremony
box 3, folder 8, box 6
Beautification Committee clippings; memorandums; and brochures
1979, 1981, 1989, 1990
box 3, folder 9
Lions Club event programs- Gardena Valley, El Camino, and North Torrance
1980, 1983, 2001
box 3, folder 10
20th Annual City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show [program]
1981
box 3, folder 11
Mitch Lansdell- memorandums; photographs; resume; employee recognition; certificates; biographical information
1985-1986; circa 1990s; 2002-2012
box 3, folder 12
material related to Normandie Club proposed sign plan
1991
box 3, folder 13
"Guide to the All-American City, Gardena California"
March 1992
box 3, folder 14
fact sheets; photo tile unveiling ceremony program; photocopies of photographs. Donated by Bruce Kaji
1994
box 3, folder 15
Pacific Islander Festival "Voyaging the Pacific" [program]
1995
box 6
art show strawberry paintings
undated
box 9
Unknown Japanese flag
undated
box 11
City of Gardena Hats
undated
