Inventory of the Judson Grenier Research Collection SPC.1900.011

Deena Marie Santos
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2024
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu


Contributing Institution: California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Judson Grenier Research Collection
Creator: Grenier, Judson
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.1900.011
Physical Description: 1.25 Linear Feet
Physical Description: 3 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1812-2014; undated
Abstract: The Judson Grenier Collection (1812 – 2014, undated) documents Dr. Judson Grenier's research into families connected to the Rancho San Pedro. Located in the South Bay of Los Angeles County, the Rancho San Pedro is one of the first great land grants, held by Juan Jose Dominguez and his heirs from 1874 into the 21st century. The materials in this collection focus largely on the Watson family and the Carson family, who are among the later heirs to the Rancho San Pedro lands. This collection gathers Grenier's research for two books, >California Legacy: the Watson Family and George Carson: Los Angeles Pioneer. It also includes materials about Robert Gillingham, the main historian of the Rancho San Pedro, the Banning Family, and California State University, Dominguez Hills, where Grenier served as founding professor of the History Department. The collection includes personal notes, letters within and between families, financial materials, photographs, maps, publications, and more.
Language of Material: English .

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material  guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Judson Grenier.

Scope and Contents

The Grenier Research Collections contains the research material used by Dr. Judson Grenier for his many books including: California Legacy: The Watson Family and George Carson: Los Angeles Pioneer. It also includes research material for Reminiscences of the Dominguez Ranch and the Carson Family: An Oral History by John Victor Carson and interviewed by Judson Grenier. Materials include biogaphical information, estate maps, invitations, letters, maps, notes, photographs, publications, sketches, and more.

Arrangement

Contains 7 Series:
  1. Series I: Banning Family Research
  2. SSeries II: California State University, Dominguez Hills Research
  3. Series III: Carson Family Research
  4. Series IV: Dominguez Family Research
  5. Series V: Personal Materials
  6. Series VI: Publications
  7. Series VII: Other Reference Material

Content Alert

The materials in this collection help create a valuable historical record, but they often reflect the times in which they were created, and they may use disturbing racial language and exhibit racist attitudes, including: Documents and photographs in the collection that note a site on Rancho San Pedro lands with an offensive, racist term is its name. Though the site no longer exists, the name appears throughout the collection.

Separated Materials

Contains materials that have been catalogued separately that relate to the materials within this collection such as California Legacy: The Watson Family and George Carson: Los Angeles Pioneer.

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Judson Grenier was born in Indiana in 1930. His education includes a Bachelor's Degree at the University of Minnesota (1951), a Master's Degree at the University of Southern California (1952), and Doctorate in History at University of California, Los Angles (circa 1956). During his academic training he interviewed author Upton Sinclair. After a few years as a journalist for the Los Angeles Mirror-News, he began his teacher career at El Camino College in Torrance, CA in 1956. In 1966 he began working at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) as the first chairman of the History Department. He taught at CSUDH for 27 years where he co-directed the California State University Oral History Project. At CSUDH he conducted research on several topics including the Dominguez Family lands on the Rancho San Pedro, the 1910 International Aviation Meet at Dominguez Field, the California State University and several other topics. He published the first history of CSUDH entitled "The Rainbow Years (1960-1985). With Donald R. Gerth, he published A History of the California State University and Colleges (ca. 1982). Additionally, he published works included the following: California Legacy: The Watson Family and George Carson: Los Angeles Pioneer (2014). Dr. Grenier was also edited the second edition of Robert Gillingham's 1961 book, The Rancho San Pedro in 1983. In 1981 he published the pamphlet, Reminiscences of the Dominguez Ranch and the Carson family : an oral history.
A longtime Manhattan Beach resident, Dr. Grenier also wrote or edited several pamphlets relating to Manhattan Beach including A Capsule History of Manhattan Beach, 1912-1976, The Streets of Manhattan Transportation at the Beach and Manhattan Beach Yesterdays . In 2005 he was honored for his research with a Fellows Award by the Historical Society of Southern California. Dr. Grenier was instrumental in promoting and advancing the Gerth Archives and Special Collections in the University Library at CSUDH. This work included locating and preserving many Dominguez Family Collections that remain in the Archives.

Related Materials

For related material please consult the Judson Grenier Photograph Collection, Rancho San Pedro Collection, Rancho San Pedro Reference Collection, and Robert Gillingham Papers.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Watson family
Dominguez family
Los Angeles (Calif.)

 

Series I: Banning Family Research undated

Language of Material: Latin.

Scope and Contents

Series I: Banning Family Research contains matieral curated by Dr. Judson Grenier used to research the Banning Family such as articles, letters, and photographs.
box 1, folder 1

Materials Regarding Phineas Banning undated

Language of Material: Latin.

Scope and Contents

Contains research material such as portraits, short biographical articles regarding Phineas Banning, two maps of Phineas Banning's Reserve, and one letter regarding the Banning house.
 

Series II: California State University, Dominguez Hills Research 1983 - 2007

Scope and Contents

Series II: California State University, Dominguez Hills Research contains material used by Dr. Judson Grenier to research California State University, Dominguez Hills such as Commencement Papers, 1 letter, and an obituary about and for Louis H. Heilbron.
box 2, folder 1

"Cal-State University, Dominguez Hills Oral History Project - President Leo F. Cain Interview" December 5, 1996

box 2, folder 2

Louis H. Heilbron - "Commencement Addresses and Selected Papers" 1983

box 2, folder 2

Louis H. Heilbron - Letter to President Lyons January 5, 2007

box 2, folder 2

Louis H. Heilbron - Obituary January 1, 2007

 

Series III: Carson Family Research 1837 - 2014, Undated

Language of Material: English, Latin, Spanish; Castilian.

Scope and Contents

Series III: Carson Family Research contains material used by Dr. Judson Grenier for the exclusive purpose of researching the Carson Family, such as an accounting ledger, biographical information, census reports, discharge papers, estate maps, finances, hand written notes by Dr. Judson Grenier, invitations, letters, photographs, and more.
box 1, folder 2

Accounting Ledger Belonging to George Carson 1881-1901

box 1, folder 3

Biographical Information - Carson Family undated

box 1, folder 4

Carson Family Estate Map February 6, 1978

box 1, folder 5

"Carson Films" CD undated

box 1, folder 6

"The Carson Time Capsule" by Virginia Maier June 13, 1974

box 1, folder 7

Census Reports Regarding the Carson Family July 8, 1870 - April 13, 1930

box 1, folder 8

Certification Letter Between George Carson and Guadalupe Dominguez April 13, 1892

box 1, folder 9

"Crump, Spencer, Henry Huntington and the P.E" undated

box 1, folder 10

"Descendants of George Cady Carson" undated

box 1, folder 11

Discharge Papers for George Carson October 18, 1848

box 1, folder 12

George Carson's Finances October 23, 1854 - December 8, 1918

box 1, folder 13

"George Carson: Los Angeles Pioneer" by Judson A. Grenier (typescript) 2014

box 1, folder 14

Handwritten Notes - George Carson undated

box 1, folder 15

Invitations July 2, 1852 - May 30, 1866

Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian.
box 1, folder 16

John Carson Letter to Parents Regarding Small Talk September 14, 1881

box 1, folder 17

Joseph Carson Boat Registration Card June 24, 1875

box 1, folder 18

Judson Grenier's E-mail Regarding Carson Estate Research March 3, 2005

box 1, folder 19

Letter to George Carson May 14, 1860

Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian.
box 1, folder 20

Materials Regarding the Barrows Family October 13, 1857 - March 5, 1984

Scope and Contents

Contains two letters, handwritten notes, and one portrait of Henry Barrows.
box 1, folder 21

"Mr. Geo. Carson and Wife - Los Angeles Terminal Railway" Identification Cards 1899, 1900

box 1, folder 22

Photographs of the Carson Family circa 1880 - 1897

box 1, folder 23

Photographs of the Carson Family Property (Houses and Farmland) 1857 - 1902, undated

box 1, folder 24

Photographs and Sketches of the Carson House circa 1864

box 1, folder 25

Public Notices February 6, 1837 - March 27, 1858

Scope and Contents

Contains three notices regarding the "Removal of Hale and Carson", the co-partnerships of George Carson with Peter Dean and George Carson with W.T.B Sanford, and creditor notices.
box 1, folder 26

"Stockholders of Carson Estate Company" undated

 

Series IV: Dominguez Family Research 1812 - 1994, Undated

Language of Material: English, Spanish; Castilian, Latin.

Scope and Contents

Series IV: Dominguez Family Research contains matierals used by Dr. Judson Grenier exclusively for research regarding the Dominguez Family such as biographical material, census reports, death notices, estate maps, finances, invitations, journal entry, letters, maps, news articles, notes, and more.
box 2, folder 3

Annotated Photographs of Dr. Gregorio Del Amo February 26, 2005, undated

box 2, folder 4

"A Short History of Gardena Valley" pg 7 and 8 June 1934

box 2, folder 5

Biographical Information - C.E. Thom undated

box 2, folder 6

Biographical Information - Juan Jose Dominguez undated

Language of Material: Latin.
box 2, folder 7

Census Reports - Dominguez Family 1850 - April 26, 1910

box 2, folder 8

"The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul - Centenary", Program Booklet 1865 - 1965

box 2, folder 9

"Copia de la Fiiacion" undated

Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian.
box 2, folder 10

Death Record of Juan Jose Dominguez January 25, 1809

box 2, folder 11

Debt Contract Between Henry Maucook, Cameron, Thom, and William McKee and the United States October 14, 1858

box 2, folder 12

Dominguez-Carson Rotary Club Meeting October 18, 1956

box 2, folder 13

"Dominguez Estate Votes to Liquidate , Offers to Sell Proper for $58.5 Million" April 7, 1967

box 2, folder 14

Estate Map undated

box 2, folder 15

Finances July 3, 1812 - January 8, 1913, undated

box 2, folder 16

Gladys Carson Burns, "The Dominguez Family of Rancho San Pedro" undated

box 2, folder 17

Handwritten Notes Regarding the Dominguez Family undated

box 2, folder 18

Invitations and Notices March 1835 - May 29, 1890, undated

Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian.
box 2, folder 19

Journal Entries January 18, 1917 - February 4, 1917

box 2, folder 20

Judson Grenier's Letters Regarding Dominguez Family Research February 9. 1958 - December 10, 1994

box 2, folder 21

Letters of Administration Regarding Maria Engracia Cota de Dominguez's Estate April 14, 1883

box 2, folder 22

Letters from Dolores Watson Regarding Their Current Events circa July 24, 1890

box 2, folder 23

Letters of Inspection May 30, 1881, undated

box 2, folder 24

Letter from Guadalupe Dominguez Regarding Receiving Payment from Pedro Larronde December 1, 1886

box 2, folder 25

Sr. Dn. Gregorio of Ajuria Death Notice March 1864

box 2, folder 26

Labelled Photo of Dominguez Family circa 1897

box 2, folder 27

Letters from Manuel Dominguez February 25, 1854 - June 21, 1863, undated

Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian.
box 2, folder 28

Letter from Manuel Dominguez Regarding Railroad Contractors [November] 14, 1868

box 2, folder 29

Letters to Maria Dominguez October 22, 1891, May 1892

box 2, folder 30

Letter Regarding Land Title Conflicts April 2, 1864

box 2, folder 31

Letter Regarding Pueblo San Francisco May 17, 1863

Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian.
box 2, folder 32

"Manuel Dominguez's Will", Los Angeles County Archives Case undated

Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian.
box 2, folder 33

Maps of Dominguez Oil Field undated

box 2, folder 34

Maps of Rancho San Pedro December 1857 - 1893, undated

box 2, folder 35

Materials Regarding Wilmington 1870, undated

Scope and Contents

Contains handwritten notes produced by Judson Grenier and photographs.
box 2, folder 36

News Articles Regarding the Dominguez Family April 7, 1967 - April 13, 1967

box 2, folder 37

Notes Regarding Compton December 18, 1917, undated

Scope and Contents

Contains handwritten notes produced by Judson Grenier and one loan receipt
box 2, folder 38

"Notes on the Dominguez Homesite" January 22, 1922 - 1972

box 2, folder 39

Office of the Board of Commissioners, George Fisher to Manuel Dominguez Regarding Private Land Claims Settlement 1855

box 2, folder 40

One Family Group Records on Dominguez Family Members undated

box 2, folder 41

Payment Letter from Manuel Dominguez March 1877

Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian.
box 2, folder 42

Photographs of Dominguez Family undated

box 2, folder 43

Photographs of Dominguez Ranch 1809 - 1987, undated

box 2, folder 44

Photographs of Dominguez Station undated

box 2, folder 45

Photographs of Dominguez Water Company March 1, 1985, undated

box 2, folder 46

Photographs of Los Angeles Plaza 1865 - 1891, undated

box 2, folder 47

Photographs of the Ruins of Don Manuel Dominguez undated

box 2, folder 48

Photographs of San Pedro Harbor undated

box 2, folder 49

Photographs of Sugar Beet Farms, Compton 1910

box 2, folder 50

Photographs of the Watson Family 1913, undated

box 2, folder 51

"Rattle Snake Island" 1890

box 2, folder 52

Reyes Dominguez Communion Receipt circa March 1850s

box 2, folder 53

"Sale of Rattlesnake Island" 1887

box 2, folder 54

Supreme Court Agreement Regarding John Watson January 12, 1853

box 2, folder 55

Testimonies in Favor of Dominguez and Noriega's Behalf Regarding the Presidio de San Diego undated

Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian.
box 2, folder 56

"The Watson Land Company: A 75th Anniversary Salute" by Judson Grenier, Including Photos Summer 1987

box 2, folder 57

Watson Land Company - Barbeque Invitation July 27, 1913

box 2, folder 57

Watson Land Company - Letters From Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Regard Finances September 19, 1927 - September 23, 1927

 

Series V: Personal Materials 1967 - 2005

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Series V: Personal Materials contains Dr. Judson Grenier's personal property such as 1 death announcement, 1 affidavit of birth, e-mails, grants, and public administrator materials.
box 3, folder 1

Death Announcement for Sr. Don Cadeo Amat May 12, 1967

box 3, folder 2

John Edward Whitney Affidavit of Birth February 9, 1984

box 3, folder 3

Personal E-Mails December 21, 1994 - March 30, 2005

box 3, folder 4

Permission Grants December 11, 1990 - January 4, 1991

box 3, folder 5

Public Administrator Frequently Asked Questions November 12, 2005

 

Series VI: Publications 1855 - 2013, Undated

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Series VI: Publications contains journal articles, magazines, and newsletters from The Historical Society of Southern California, International News Source, Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, Los Angeles Times, and more.
box 3, folder 6

The Carson Companies, N/E/W/S May 2004 - Summer 2010

box 3, folder 7

The Compton Enterprise circa January 27, 1900

box 3, folder 8

The Compton Herald, Vol. 11, Photo Clipping Only October 9, 1946

box 3, folder 9

"Compton" Report and Photos undated

Content Alert

The materials in this collection help create a valuable historical record, but they often reflect the times in which they were created, and they may use disturbing racial language and exhibit racist attitudes, including : Documents and maps in the collection that note a site on Rancho San Pedro lands with an offensive, racist term is its name. Though the site no longer exists, the name appears throughout the collection.
box 3, folder 10

Daily Breeze August 14, 1987

box 3, folder 11

"Early Days in Los Angeles" January 3, 1892 - January 3, 1942

box 3, folder 12

"Flight of the Spanish Consult Express" November 3, 1894

box 3, folder 13

The Historical Society of Southern California, "An End and Beginning - The South Coast and Los Angeles, 1850-1887" 1992

box 3, folder 13

The Historical Society of Southern California, "Book Reviews", Vol. 70, Issue No. 3 Fall 1988

box 3, folder 13

The Historical Society of Southern California, "With Colonel Carleton and the California Column" by Leo P. Kibby undated

box 3, folder 13

The Historical Society of Southern California, "The Southern Californian", Vol. 2, Issue No. 1 Spring 1990

box 3, folder 14

"History of Long Beach and Vicinity" by Walter H. Chase, Vol. 1 September 11, 1958

box 3, folder 15

"History of Los Angeles County, California" 1880

box 3, folder 16

International News Source, "Press Reference Library" 1913

box 3, folder 17

Los Angeles Business Journal May 24, 1999

box 3, folder 18

Los Angeles Corral March 1955

box 3, folder 19

"LA County" undated

box 3, folder 20

Los Angeles Herald-Examiner November 1, 1892 - September 12, 1976

box 3, folder 21

Los Angeles Times, Articles August 7, 1887 - January 30, 2013, undated

box 3, folder 22

Los Angeles Star August 8, 1857

box 3, folder 23

"The Los Angeles Terminal Railroad" by Franklyn Hoyt September 1954

box 3, folder 24

News Articles Regarding Carson and Dominguez Families March 14, 1930, undated

box 3, folder 25

Untitled Articles Regarding Carson and Dominguez Families undated

box 3, folder 26

Notes from H.F. Rays circa. 1913

box 3, folder 27

Pacific Historical Review, Vol. 52, Issue No 4 November 1988

box 3, folder 28

Ramona Convent Alumnae Association, "Alumnae News", 6th Edition February 1952

box 3, folder 29

The Redondo Reflux March 16, 1911

box 3, folder 30

"Remi Nodeau, City Mother - Costa Mesa Trem-Anglo Books", 3rd Edition, pg 14-16 1965

box 3, folder 31

Rochwell Hunt, "California and Californians", pg 82-84; 110; 159; 160 1932

box 3, folder 32

S. J. Clanke, "California of the South", Vol 4 1933

box 3, folder 33

Santa Barbara Gazette, No. 9 (Incomplete) July 19, 1855

box 3, folder 34

Spalding, Wm. A, "History of Los Angeles City and Country", Vol. 3 1931

box 3, folder 35

Touring Topics April 1930

box 3, folder 36

Walter E. Holstein, "A History of Wilmington from the Spanish Period to 1931" undated

box 3, folder 37

"William Mulholland and the Rise of the Los Angeles" by Catherine Mulholland 2000

box 3, folder 38

"Wreath for Spain", Clipping and Pictures undated

 

Series VII: Other Reference Material 1852 - 1923, Undated

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Series VII: Other Reference Material contains other reference material used by Dr. Judson Grenier such as advertisements, maps, negatives, photographs, and sketches.
box 3, folder 39

Advertisements 1893, undated

box 3, folder 40

Hazard-Dyson Album - Photographs and Notes circa 1864 - July 1911

box 3, folder 41

List of Names undated

box 3, folder 42

Maps of Los Angeles 1854-1946, undated

box 3, folder 43

Materials Regarding the Drum Barracks May 17, 1865 - September 1992, undated

Scope and Contents

Contains "Drum Beats" Vol 4 Issue No. 1, biological information, photographs, and a letter.
box 3, folder 44

Negatives - Including Notes June 4, 1897 - 1906, undated

box 3, folder 45

Photographs of Buildings in Los Angeles 1886 - 1923, undated

box 3, folder 46

Photographs of Del Amo Home and Redondo Beach undated

box 3, folder 47

Photographs of Sante Fe, New Mexico 1859 - 1865

box 3, folder 48

Photographs of Los Angeles River Dredge 1913 - March 7, 1916, undated

box 3, folder 49

Photographs of Tom Gibbon and Company undated

box 3, folder 50

Photographs of the Willows undated

box 3, folder 51

Sketches of Interior of Church undated

box 3, folder 52

Sketches of Thoms Leahy's Home and Vineyard undated

box 3, folder 53

Topographical Map of Los Palos Verdes September 1896

box 3, folder 54

Town Maps 1877, undated

Scope and Contents

Contains maps of Compton, "To Flemyer's Halfway House", Henson and Soleno, and Temple and Gibson Tract.
box 3, folder 55

Warren and Co - Agricultural and Horticulture Fair Information Packet May 1852