Charles D. (Charles Debrille) Poston Manuscript Collection, 1865-1977, bulk 1865-1925

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Summary

Creators:
Poston, Charles D. (Charles Debrille)
Abstract:
This collection includes manuscripts for a speech, a magazine article, and two monographs by Charles Debrill Poston, as well as memorial newspaper clippings and a program for an honorary statue of Poston. Materials range from 1865-1977.
Extent:
0.1 Linear Feet (4 folders)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Charles D. (Charles Debrille) Poston Manuscript Collection, 1865-1977, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.592; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes manuscripts for a speech, a magazine article, and two monographs by Charles Debrill Poston, as well as memorial newspaper clippings and a program for an honorary statue of Poston. Materials range from 1865-1977.

1) Speech by Poston on Indian Affairs in the House of Representatives; March 2, 1865 (2 c., 1 is Photostat)

2) "Irrigation" by Poston, 1887

3)"Arizona" by Poston, undated

4) "Building a State in Apache Land IV: Arizona a Territory at Last" by Poston in Overland Monthly, October 1894; Program of Services in Connection with Dedication of a Monument to the memory of Hon. Charles Debrill Poston, Florence, Arizona, Sunday April 26, 1925, 1:00 p.m.; article with mention of Poston in Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov 1977.

Biographical / historical:

Charles Debrille Poston (1825 April 20 - 1902 June 24) was an American explorer, prospector, author, politician, and civil servant. He is referred to as the "Father of Arizona" due to his efforts lobbying for creation of the territory. Poston was also Arizona Territory's first Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1851, Poston traveled to California as part of the Gold Rush and took a clerk position at the San Francisco Customs House. While at this job, he became involved with a group of French bankers interested in the lands of the recently negotiated Gadsden Purchase. In late 1853, with the bankers' backing, Poston joined with mining engineer Herman Ehrenberg to organize an expedition into the territory Mexico was expected to sell to the United States.

After returning to San Francisco, Poston left for the East Coast in search of capital to fund a mining operation in the newly acquired territory. In 1856, he secured $2 million to found the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company with Samuel P. Heintzelman as company president and Poston as managing supervisor. The company set up headquarters in Tubac, Arizona and began mining operations in the nearby Santa Rita Mountains and elsewhere. Poston served as alcalde of the settlement and became known as "Colonel" Poston in the town of roughly 800 people. Mining operations produced $3,000 per day in silver until 1861. With the withdrawal of Union troops due to the American Civil War, Tubac saw an increase in hostilities from local Apaches and the settlement had to be abandoned.

After being forced to leave Tubac due to the Apache siege, Poston went to Washington D.C. Poston used this time to lobby both President Lincoln and Congress for creation of an Arizona Territory, advertising the benefits of the area's mineral wealth to the Union cause. On 1863 March 12, Poston was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs. This appointment was followed by his election as Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives on 1864 July 18, where he served for 2 years.

After leaving Congress, Poston traveled in Europe and India, converted to Zoroastrianism, and upon returning to Arizona, built a Sun Temple in Florence. When he passed away in 1902, this temple became the site of his burial, renamed Poston Butte.

Acquisition information:
Purchase from Joseph Amasa Munk as part of the Munk Library of Arizoniana, 1910 May 10.
Processing information:

Processed by Glenna Schroeder, circa 1977-1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 October 9, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

Charles D. (Charles Debrille) Poston Manuscript Collection, 1865-1977, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.592; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Location of this collection:
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027, US
Contact:
(747) 201-8448
rroom@theautry.org
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