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Trailfinders collection
MS 353
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Title: Trailfinders collection
Date (inclusive): circa 1918-2013
Collection Number: MS 353
Extent:
51 linear feet
Repository:
Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.
Riverside, CA 92517-5900
Abstract: This collection contains organizational records, correspondence, notebooks, scrapbooks, photographs, video cassettes, and
other material regarding the Trailfinders, a private school for boys and wilderness organization, established by Harry C.
James in Hollywood, California during the spring of 1915. Material documenting the teachings and outdoor excursions of the
Trailfinders is included as well as the reunions held by alumnus of the organization and school throughout the years following
James' retirement.
Languages: The collection is in English.
This collection is open for research.
Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction,
and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and
publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by
copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions
apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for
obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
[identification of item], [date if possible]. Trailfinders collection (MS 353). Special Collections & University Archives,
University of California, Riverside.
Harry James was worked at the Western Rangers organization in the 1920s. He left and founded the Lolomi Lodge, The Harry C.
James School for Boys, LTD." in 1926. He also founded the Trailfinders in 1927. In December of 1931, the Lolomi Lodge organization
was voluntarily dissolved and the assets and liabilities were taken over and assumed by the Trailfinders. The cabin built
in the San Jacinto mountain range was also called the Lolomi Lodge, but distinct from the original school in Pasadena.
This collection is comprised of records and materials documenting the history and operations of the Trailfinders organization,
a group founded by Harry C. James after World War I. Materials include correspondence, camping trip records, documents pertaining
to the James Reserve and Lolomi Lodge, and school and council records. The Trailfinders were also involved in some charity
programs including efforts to send clothes to young boys in Austria in the wake of World War Two and they established a small
fund and network to help some boys immigrate to the United States. The group was active in its twilight years holding reunions
for members in the later decades of the 20th century. There are also significant contributions of materials from individual
members. The materials in the collection include documents, books, maps, photographs, physical objects, and more.
See also the Harry C. James papers (collection number MS 111)
Materials in this collection are arranged by subject and format. The series are as follows:
- Series 1. Organizational records
- Series 2. Council records
- Series 3. Correspondence
- Series 4. Publications
- Series 5. Harry and Grace James personal materials
- Series 6. Bound volumes
- Series 7. Photographs and art
- Series 8. Audio/Visual materials
- Series 9. Printed materials
- Series 10. Oversized materials
- Series 11. Realia
- Series 12. Tralfinders member donations
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
James, Harry C. (Harry Clebourne), 1896-1978
James, Grace
Sharsmith, Carl, 1903-1994
Dawson, Glen, 1912-2016
Perceval, Don Louis, 1908-1979
Halley, Wilbur "Bud"
Outdoor education
Private schools
San Gorgonio Wilderness (Calif.)
San Jacinto Mountains (Calif.)
Yosemite National Park (Calif.)
Tuolumne Meadows (Calif.)
Cahuilla Indians
Hopi Indians
Coconino National Forest (Ariz.)
Notebooks
Photographs
Scrapbooks