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DOMINGUEZ WATER CORPORATION COLLECTION,
1910-1986
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Table of contents
Title: Dominguez Water Corporation Collection
Dates: 1910-1986
Collection Number: Consult repository.
Creator:
Dominguez Water Corporation
Extent:
8 boxes
(4.5 linear feet)
Repository: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives and Special Collections
Archives amp; Special Collection
University Library, Room G-145
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3013
URL: http://archives.csudh.edu/
Abstract: This collection includes legal documents, correspondence, monthly and yearly financial reports, receipts, photographs, and
an artifact. Subjects include payroll, budgets, construction, and residential and industrial water supply.
Language: Collection material is in English
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
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.
[Title of item], Dominguez Water Corporation Collection, Courtesy of the Department of Archives and Special Collections. University
Library. California State University, Dominguez Hills
The collection was received in the late 1980s with the help of Professor Judson Grenier. It was likely transferred from the
original pumphouse on Alameda Street in Compton. Additions to the collection have been made by archival staff members
This finding aid was created as part of the Early Los Angeles/Rancho San Pedro Manuscript Cataloging Project, a CSU Dominguez
Hills Library project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project started in 2005.
Project Director was Greg Williams. Project Archivists were Thomas Philo and Jennifer Allan Goldman.
The Dominguez Water Company was founded in 1911 in an effort to provide a reliable source of water to the Rancho San Pedro
lands. The first board included Henry O’Melveny, Kaspare Cohn, and representatives from the Watson, Carson, and Del Amo families.
Even with a growing consumer base, the cost of maintenance and operations kept the company from earning a profit. In 1914,
the winter flooding damaged pipes, wells, and equipment. The earthquake of 1933 also damaged the pumping plant and equipment.
By 1936, the company was heavily in debt to the Dominguez Estate Company and the County Superior Court ordered the Water Company
to sell its assets to the Estate Company. The following year, it was incorporated as the Dominguez Water Corporation, a subsidiary
of the Dominguez Estate Company.
In 1940, the Water Corporation was granted public utility status, which allowed it to expand its service area to locations
outside of Los Angeles, including the Antelope Valley and Kern County. In the 2000-2001 fiscal year, the Water Corporation
was purchased by the California Water Services Group and ceased operations as a stand-alone utility. Major figures in the
Corporation included Superintendent Egbert P. Tallon, his son Thomas Tallon, and Resident Engineer George Hand.
The collection was received in the late 1980s with the help of Professor Judson Grenier. It was likely transferred from the
original pumphouse on Alameda Street in Compton. Additions to the collection have been made by archival staff members.
This collection consists of documents from the business operations of the Water Company. The bulk of the documents are financial
in nature, including yearly and monthly reports, receipts, and other records. Major figures in this collection include Water
Company Superintendent Thomas V. Tallon and Resident Engineer George Hand. The collection has been organized into six series.
Arrangement
Arranged in seven series:
- Series I. Financial Documents (1921-1986)
- Series II. Legal Documents (1910-1961)
- Series III. Correspondence (1911-1975)
- Series IV. Reports (1950-1960)
- Series V. Pamphlets (circa 1986)
- Series VI. Photographs (1985)
- Series VII. Artifact (1972)
Public utilities—Earthquake effects—Los Angeles County
Public utilities—Public relations
Public utilities—Rates
Torrance (Calif.)—History
Water conservation—Los Angeles County
Water distribution—Pipes
Water engineering and management
Water resources
Water rights–California–Los Angeles—history
Water utilities–California—Los Angeles County
Water utilities—Employees
Hand, George H.
Kohn, Kaspare
O’Melveny, Henry
Tallon, Thomas V.
Dominguez Water Company
California Public Utilities Comission
Watson Land Company
Dominguez Estate Company
Rancho San Pedro Collection
Rancho San Pedro Reference Collection