Guide to the E Clampus Vitus Historic Sites Collection
MS 49
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
February 15, 2017
Title: E Clampus Vitus Historic Sites Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 49
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1530-2000
Abstract: This collection contains historic site reports compiled by the San Diego-based Squibob Chapter of the E Clampus Vitus fraternal
organization, either to apply for historic designation or in preparation of dedication ceremonies and the installation of
commemorative plaques.
creator:
Squibob Chapter #1853.
Biographical / Historical Notes
The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus (ECV) is a fraternal organization dedicated to the study and preservation
of Western Heritage, in particular the history of the Mother Lode and gold mining regions of the area. There are chapters
in California, Nevada and other Western states. Members call themselves "Clampers." The organization's name is in Dog Latin,
and has no known meaning. The motto of the Order, “Credo Quia Absurdum,” is generally understood as meaning "I believe it
because it is absurd." They are perhaps best known for their role in the 1936 “Drake’s Plate of Brass” hoax.
The organization has raised legitimate historical plaques in many places throughout the West (often those sites such as bordellos
and saloons overlooked by more traditional historical societies), with a traditional "doin's," or party, after each plaque
dedication. These are now common in historical areas around California and the West. When in the Gold Country, a Clamper-placed
plaque is never far away. The fraternity jokes that it is not sure if it is a "historical drinking society" or a "drinking
historical society."
San Diego and Imperial Counties are home to the “Squibob” Chapter, which has devoted considerable effort to the placement
of historical plaques in the region. The collection of Squibob publications held by the San Diego Historical Society details
the history of those efforts and that of the sites they represent.
Scope and Content
This collection contains historic site reports compiled by the San Diego-based Squibob Chapter of the E Clampus Vitus fraternal
organization, either to apply for historic designation or in preparation of dedication ceremonies and the installation of
commemorative plaques. The reports primarily consist of detailed histories of these sites, with footnotes or bibliographies
of conducted research. Also included is a file of ephemera from the organization, with programs, invitations to events, and
other mailers.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by publication title, with the exception of the final folder, which contains miscellaneous
documents not related to the other publications. The date ranges refer to the period of history being summarized.
Preferred Citation
E Clampus Vitus Collection, MS 49, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Daniel Eakin in September 2007.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Chamberlin, Eugene K., PhD.
E Clampus Vitus (Fraternal order).
California Registered Historic Landmarks
Historic landmarks
Historic sites
Box-folder 1:1
Adobe Chapel of the Immaculate Conception,
1850-1988
Box-folder 1:1
Ballast Point Whaling Station,
1857-1873
Box-folder 1:1
Borrego Springs and Santa Catarina,
1769-1988
Box-folder 1:1
Cabrillo Landing,
1542-1543
Box-folder 1:1
Camp Pilot Knob,
1942-1944
Box-folder 1:2
Camp Salvation: “First Citizens of Calexico,”
1842-1965
Box-folder 1:2
Campo Stone Store,
1885-1986
Box-folder 1:3
Casa De Carrillo, Old Town, San Diego,
1821-1994
Box-folder 1:3
Charles Mallory Hatfield: “The Rainmaker,”
1875-1958
Box-folder 1:3
The Church of the Brethren and Imperial Valley,
1858-1985
Box-folder 1:3
Cortes Started It,
1527-1851
Box-folder 1:3
Derby Dike and Its Successors,
1853-1953
Box-folder 1:4
El Campo Santo, Old Town, San Diego,
1849-1995
Box-folder 1:5
El Desembarcadero,
1769-1996
Box-folder 1:5
Ferryboat “Berkeley,”
1898-2000
Box-folder 1:5
Fort Guijarros (2 copies),
1795-1881
Box-folder 1:5
Fort Romualdo Pacheco,
1825-1826
Box-folder 1:6
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery,
1846-1990
Box-folder 1:6
Fort Rosecrans,
1542-1993
Box-folder 1:7
Hernando de Alarcon’s Discovery of Alta California,
1540
Box-folder 1:7
Las Flores (San Pedro) Asistencia,
1823-1983
Box-folder 1:7
Los Peñasquitos Rancho and the Johnson-Taylor Adobe,
1862-1984
Box-folder 1:7
Mesa Grande: Second Report,
1895-1983
Box-folder 1:7
Mesquite Mine and Its Neighbors,
1530-1993
Box-folder 2:1
Mission Dam and Flume,
1774-1992
Box-folder 2:1
Mission San Diego de Alcala,
1769-1989
Box-folder 2:2
Mountain Springs Oasis,
1590-1972
Box-folder 2:2
Mountain Station Springs,
1862-1991
Box-folder 2:2
Old La Playa and La Playa Trail,
1770-1870
Box-folder 2:3
Old Point Loma Lighthouse/Cabrillo National Monument,
1850-1988
Box-folder 2:3
On the Old Julian Road by San Vicente from Barona,
1875-1974
Box-folder 2:3
Philip David Swing, “The Water Man,”
1884-1963
Box-folder 2:4
Rancho Guajome,
1823-1981
Box-folder 2:4
San Diego & Arizona Railway and Campo Station,
1916-1991
Box-folder 2:4
San Diego Presidio Site,
1774-1837
Box-folder 2:4
San Felipe Stage Station,
1846-1964
Box-folder 2:4
San Felipe and Stage Trail Ranch Revisited,
1774-1979
Box-folder 2:5
San Pedro Y San Pablo de Bicuñer,
1781
Box-folder 2:5
Santa Catarina,
1775-1776
Box-folder 2:5
Santa Ysabel Asistencia,
1818-1987
Box-folder 2:5
Serra Palm Plaque Rededication,
1769-1980
Box-folder 2:5
Site of Mission La Purisima Concepcion,
1780-1781
Box-folder 2:5
Spanish Landing Commemoration,
1769-1976
Box-folder 2:5
Stagecoach Park: The Andres Ybarra Ranch House,
1769-1978
Box-folder 2:5
“Star of India” / “Euterpe,”
1863-1999
Box-folder 2:5
The Stone Store,
1868-1986
Box-folder 2:6
Tecate, California or “Tecatito,”
1769-1982
Box-folder 2:6
Tumco (Hedges) Gold Rock,
1884-1977
Box-folder 2:6
Warner’s Butterfield Stage Station,
1858-1861
Box-folder 2:6
The Wheelbarrow Odometer Survey of 1894,
1894
Box-folder 2:6
Yuha Well (Santa Rosa de Las Lajas),
1773-1776
Box-folder 2:6
The Yuha Well in Anza’a California Expeditions,
1768-1776
Box-folder 2:7
Squibob Chapter Ephemera,
1969-1988
Includes:
Programs, invitations to events, and other mailers.
