Description
The collection contains the materials that James Keane used to write his biography of Fritz Burns: notes, the manuscript of
Keane's book, photocopies of primary source materials, business brochures, and copies of business and personal correspondence
of Fritz Burns. There are
Background
Fritz Bernard Burns (1899-1979), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was a powerful real estate developer in Southern California.
As vice-president of Dickenson & Gillepsie real estate firm in Los Angeles in the 1920s, he oversaw the development of Palisades
Del Rey (now Play Del Rey). With partner F. W. Marlow, he was involved in the development of Westchester, Windsor Hills,
Panorama City, parts of North Hollywood and other areas in Los Angeles. Such projects made him a prominent developer in Los
Angeles and a leader in the development of mass-produced housing, resulting in community development and the notion of middle
class ownership of homes as a way of life. He was, consequently, a leading civic figure in the city. Burns was also a major
philanthropic benefactor to Roman Catholic institutions, including Loyola Marymount University and Aquinas College. Burns
was President of the Home Builders Association of Los Angeles in 1942 and of the National Association of Home Builders in
1945.
Extent
4 archival document boxes, 2 flat files
Restrictions
Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise,
Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher
must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. Loyola Marymount University does not assume any responsibility
for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author or artists or his/her heirs, assigns, or
executors.
Availability
The Fritz Burns Papers are part of the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles Research Collection,
a program of the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University. The Department
of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount University, administers the Research Collection. Research use requires
both an advance notice of intent to use the collection and an appointment. Collection is open to research under the terms
of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount University.