Guide to the Collection of Materials Related to the Proposed Southwest Site of the University of California Southern Branch 024
Monique Sugimoto
Palos Verdes Library District, Peninsula Center Library. Local History Center.
2017 Mar 30
701 Silver Spur Road
Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274
localhistory@pvld.org
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Palos Verdes Library District, Peninsula Center Library. Local History Center.
Title: Collection of Materials Related to the Proposed Southwest Site of the University of California Southern Branch
Identifier/Call Number: 024
Physical Description:
.25 Cubic Feet
2 oversize folders, 4 folders
Date: 1925
Abstract: Includes maps and correspondence related to the proposed site on the Palos Verdes Peninsula for the Southern Branch of the
University of California, now known as University of California, Los Angeles.
Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the Local History Center for access information.
The collection is open for research use.
[Name of item], Collection of Materials Related to the Proposed Southwest Site of the University of California Southern Branch
(Collection 24). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.
In 1924 the Regents of the University of California created a committee to help select a location for the University of California,
Southern Branch (now known as the University of California, Los Angeles). The Committee on Sites for the Southern Branch
of the University of California considered over a 100 locations in the Los Angeles area. The Palos Verdes Peninsula was among
one of the proposed sites. The 1000 acre site was located on the north western side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
As early as 1922, the Palos Verdes Project, then actively promoting sales of property in the new residential area that eventually
became the City of Palos Verdes Estates, promoted Palos Verdes as a site for the new campus. In an ad in the 1922 Southern
Campus yearbook, the Palos Verdes Project invited students and faculty to Palos Verdes to see the site and pledged "to tender
to the Board of Regents One Thousand Acres of Palos Verdes Estates and One Million Dollars in Cash for the development of
this site to meet the need and demand for additional University facilities and opportunities for the young men and women of
Southern California."
The location of the site in Palos Verdes had support from area businesses and chambers of commerce. In January and February
of 1925, they sent letters of support to the Committee encouraging it to select Palos Verdes.
In March of 1925, the Committee selected the current Westwood site for the campus.
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Includes one map with the proposed location of the Southern Branch campus and three smaller maps with specific locations for
the campus. Also includes letters and a report in support of the project and a publication outlining the Palos Verdes project.
Initial rehousing and stabilization of materials by Marjeanne Blinn. Final arrangement and description by Monique Sugimoto,
March 2017.
The Palos Verdes Bulletin issues for January, February and March-April 1925 include articles on the proposed campus.
The following collections held in the UCLA Library Special Collections provide more information on the campus selection:
University Archives Record Series 4, Regent's Committee on the Southern Branch of the University of California. Maps;
Regent's Committee on the Southern Branch of the University of California. Administrative files. 1922-1926;
University of California (System). Regent's Committee on the Southern Branch of the University of California. Photographic
material, 1924-1925.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Regent's Committee on the Southern Branch of the University of California
University of California (System)
Maps
Box SC 1
Correspondence 1925
Includes one letter dated January 25, 1925 addressed to the Committee on Sites for the University of California, Southern
Branch in support of the proposed Palos Verdes location. The letter is signed by A.E. Bradbury, Secretary of the Redondo
Beach Chamber of Commerce on behalf of 16 area chambers of commerce. A second letter, dated February 14, 1925 is addressed
to Robert Sproule, Comptroller of the University of California, and written by H.T. Cory, consulting civil engineer for the
Palos Verdes Project. The letter gives details on the water supply for the proposed Palos Verdes site.
Map-Case 1, drawer 8
Maps showing three locations within proposed campus site ca 1925
Includes three maps showing different locations for the campus within the proposed 1000 acre site. Locations drawn on map
dated August 11, 1922. Location 1 shown on map 37. Location 2 shown on map 42 and location 3 shown on map 40. All three maps
signed C.E. Howard in lower right hand corner.
Box SC 1
Box OV 1
"Palos Verdes Los Angeles" ca 1925
Publication written by E.G. Lewis describing the Palos Verdes Project with detail descriptions of purchasing plans, key staff,
climatic conditions, water supply and various other reports. Includes headshots of key staff. Publication designed, etched
and printed by the Atascadero Press, Atascadero California.
The back of the publication includes the following text: Proposition to University of California. As part of the general
improvement and construction plans, after closing of the underwriting of the Palos Verdes project, there will be tendered
to the regents of the University of California the sum of one million dollars and a deed to one thousand acres of the estate,
to be selected by the regents in conference with the planning board, for the location of the Southern Branch of the University
on the Palos Verdes estate, if the offer is accepted.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Material deteriorating and poor condition.
Box SC 1
Map-Case 1, drawer 8
Proposed Southwest Site (1000 Acres) for University of California Southern Branch map 5 Jan 1925
Box SC 1
"Report on Possibilities of Proposed Southwest Site on Palos Verdes Hills as a Location for the University of California Southern Branch" 3 Jan 1925
Report authored by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. (landscape architect), Myron Hunt (architect), H.T. Cory (consulting civil engineer)
and Charles H. Cheney (consultant in city planning) to the Committee on Southwest Site for the University of California Southern
Branch in support of Palos Verdes as the location for the new campus.