Clifton's Cafeteria collection of circulars, 1931-1995
Finding aid prepared by Alisa Monheim and Amanda Hale, 2008; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1575
(310) 825-4988
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
Online finding aid last updated 23 February 2018.
Title: Clifton's Cafeteria collection of circulars
Collection number: 1827
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.5 linear feet
(7 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1931-1995
Abstract: Clifton's Cafeteria was opened in downtown Los Angeles in 1931 by Clifford E. Clinton, who also opened several other branches
of his restaurant in later years. Clinton was also active in local politics and an advocate for civil reform. His restaurant
published circulars, beginning in 1931, containing inspirational thoughts, poetry, short prose pieces and a calendar of upcoming
events for customers, first weekly and then monthly. It ceased publication in 1995.
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance through our electronic
paging system using the request button located on this page.
Creator:
Clifton's Cafeteria.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in
advance through our electronic paging system using the request button located on this page.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Copyright to portions of this collection has been assigned to the UCLA Library Special Collections. The library can grant
permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish must be submitted
in writing to Library Special Collections. Credit shall be given as follows: The Regents of the University of California on
behalf of the UCLA Library Special Collections.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Donald and Robert Clinton, 2008.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Clifton's Cafeteria Collection of Circulars (Collection 1827). UCLA Library Special Collections,
Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
History
Clifton's Cafeteria was opened at its first location in Los Angeles in 1931 by Clifford E. Clinton (b. Aug. 1900; d. Nov.
1969), a member of the Clinton family of restauranteurs (now spanning many generations). Clinton moved the cafeteria to Broadway
in 1935 and, though a few more satellite cafeterias were opened in later years, the Broadway location has remained in business
ever since that time. Nearly from the outset, Clinton began distributing these sheets of inspirational thoughts, poetry, short
prose pieces and a calendar of upcoming Los Angeles events for his customers. After a slightly irregular start, the circulars
began to be issued weekly in 1932; that frequency was retained for nearly 40 years, changing to monthly only in May of 1971,
just a few years after Clinton's death. The final issue came out in October, 1995, with a note from its editor, Esther York
Burkholder: "Over the years it has been a privilege and a pleasure to share with you bits of wisdom and beauty and humor from
the pens of many writers. ... Until, and if, we eventually resume publication, dear readers, you have our best wishes always".
Throughout the run, the circulars were printed on just one sheet, usually folded in half (lengthwise) to make 4 pages. Up
until 1967, the cafeteria's motto ("A tra-ful for a tri-ful") always appeared somewhere near the title; from 1967-1995 the
motto changed ("Food for the soul is important too"), and began appearing regularly below the title.
Scope and Content
The circulars contain quotes, facts about Los Angeles, announcements for events, meetings and recitals, useful telephone numbers,
and observations and sayings for the benefit of Clifton's Cafeteria customers. It began in 1931 and ceased publication in
1995.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by year:
- Box 1: 1931 (The Bulletin board; Clifton's Bulletin board; Restaurant Alliance Bulletin board)
- 1932-33 (The Clifton tray)
- 1934 (The Clifton tray; The Clifton tray-- Food 4 thot; The Clifton tray of-- Food 4 thot)
- 1935-39 (The Clifton tray of-- Food 4 thot)
- 1940 (The Clifton tray of-- Food 4 thot; Food 4 thot)
- 1941 (Food 4 thot; Clifton's Food for thot) -- Boxes 2-7: 1942-1995 (Clifton's Food for thot).
Related Material
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Clinton, Clifford E., 1900-1969
Clifton tray of-- Food 4 thot.
Clifton tray.
Clifton's Bulletin board.
Clifton's Food for thot.
Food 4 thot.
Restaurants--California--Los Angeles--Archives.
Soup kitchens--California--Los Angeles--Archives.
Box 1, Folder 1
Bulletin Board (The). Issue no. 16
1931.
Box 1, Folder 1
Restaurant Alliance Bulletin Board.
1931.
Physical Description: 1 item (2 copies)
Box 1, Folder 1
Clifton's Bulletin Board. Issue nos. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
1931.
Box 1, Folder 1
Bulletin Board (The). Issue nos. [1], 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9
1931.
Box 1, Folder 2
Take This Along if You Wish.
1932.
Physical Description: 29 items
Box 1, Folder 2
Clifton Tray (The).
1932.
Physical Description: 9 items
Box 1, Folder 3
The Clifton Tray:66.
1933.
Physical Description: 5o items
Box 1, Folder 4
Clifton Tray (The). Issue nos. 94-118, 119, 119, 129, 122-125, 128-137, 139-144
1934.
Box 1, Folder 4
Clifton Tray -or- Food for Thot (The). Issue nos. 145, 146
1934.
Box 1, Folder 5
Program for the Song Festival.
1935.
Physical Description: 1 item
Box 1, Folder 5
Programme Sarred Concert.
1935.
Physical Description: 1 item
Box 1, Folder 5
Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 147-152, 154-167, 169, 170-171, 173-198
1935.
Box 1, Folder 6
Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 212, 214, 217, 219, 220-227, 229-248, 250, 251, 251
1936.
Box 1, Folder 7
Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 252-276, 278, 278-299, 263, 301-303
1937.
Box 1, Folder 8
Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 304-332, 334-338, 340-353, 355
1938.
Box 1, Folder 9
Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 135-406
1939.
Box 1, Folder 10
Clifton Tray of Food 4 Thot (The). Issue nos. 410-465, 457-459
1940.
Box 1, Folder 11
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 488-511, 514
1941.
Box 1, Folder 11
Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 461-485, 385, 487
1941.
Box 1, Folder 11
Citizen's Service Digest. Issue no. 1
1941.
Box 2, Folder 1
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 512-515, 517-519, 521-563
1942.
Box 2, Folder 2
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 565-569, 573-603, 605-613, 615
1943.
Box 2, Folder 3
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 617-624, 626-653, 655-662, 664-668
1944.
Box 2, Folder 4
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 669-677, 679-703, 705-712, 714-720
1945.
Box 2, Folder 5
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 724, 745, 747, 750, 753-755, 761-767, 769, 772-773
1946.
Box 2, Folder 6
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 774-798, 800-804, 806-808, 810-826
1947.
Box 2, Folder 7
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 827-878
1948.
Box 3, Folder 1
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 880-931
1949.
Box 3, Folder 2
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 932-945, 947-983
1950.
Box 3, Folder 3
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 984-995 (2 copies), 977, 1199-1006, 1008-1013, 1066, 1014-1015, 1017-1025, 1027-1029, 1031-1035
1951.
Box 3, Folder 4
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1036-1039, 1041-1070, 1073-1080, 1082-1087
1952.
Box 3, Folder 5
Samaria-Sebastia Project (The). Issue nos. 1110-1140
1953.
Box 3, Folder 5
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1088-1109
1953.
Box 3, Folder 6
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1141-1192
1954.
Box 3, Folder 7
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 1193-1226 (2 copies), 1227-1244
1955.
Box 4, Folder 1
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1245-1296
1956.
Box 4, Folder 2
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1297-1340, 1345-1348
1957.
Box 4, Folder 3
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1349-1367, 1372-1373, 1375, 1377-1400
1958.
Box 4, Folder 4
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1402-1437,1439-1453
1959.
Box 4, Folder 5
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1454-1462, 1464-1468, 1470-1482, 1484-1490, 1492-1495, 1497-1505
1960.
Box 4, Folder 6
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1506-1557
1961.
Box 5, Folder 1
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1610, 1559-1576 (2 copies)-1584, 1587, 1591-1592 (2 copies), 1595-1596
1962.
Box 5, Folder 1
Literature Handout. Issue nos. 1598-1609
1962.
Box 5, Folder 2
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1611-1624, 1626-1661
1963.
Box 5, Folder 3
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1662-1668, 1670-1675, 1677-1683, 1688-1691, 1693-1699, 1701-1712
1964.
Box 5, Folder 4
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1715-1731, 1733, 1736-1763, 1765-1766
1965.
Box 5, Folder 5
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1767-1791, 1794-1808, 1810-1818
1966.
Box 5, Folder 6
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1819-1870
1967.
Box 6, Folder 1
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1871-1879, 1884-1922
1968.
Box 6, Folder 2
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1923-1926, 1928-1937, 1939-1940, 1942-1956, 1958-1974
1969.
Box 6, Folder 3
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 1975-1986, 1988-1990, 1992-2027
1970.
Box 6, Folder 4
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2028-2052
1971.
Box 6, Folder 5
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2053-2064
1972.
Box 6, Folder 6
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2065-2076
1973.
Box 6, Folder 7
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2077-2088
1974.
Box 6, Folder 8
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2089-2100
1975.
Box 6, Folder 9
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2101-2112
1976.
Box 6, Folder 10
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2133-2124
1977.
Box 6, Folder 11
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2125-2136
1978.
Box 6, Folder 12
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2137-2148
1979.
Box 6, Folder 13
Clifton's Food 4 Thot. Issue nos. 2149-2160
1980.
Box 6, Folder 14
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2161-2172
1981.
Box 6, Folder 15
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2173-2184
1982.
Box 6, Folder 16
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2185-2196
1983.
Box 7, Folder 1
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2197-2208
1984.
Box 7, Folder 2
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2209-2220
1985.
Box 7, Folder 3
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2221-2228(2 copies)-2232
1986.
Box 7, Folder 4
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2233-2244
1987.
Box 7, Folder 5
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2245-2256
1988.
Box 7, Folder 6
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2257-2268
1989.
Box 7, Folder 7
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2269-2280
1990.
Box 7, Folder 8
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2282-2292
1991.
Box 7, Folder 9
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2293-2304
1992.
Box 7, Folder 10
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2305-2316
1993.
Box 7, Folder 11
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2317-2328
1994.
Box 7, Folder 12
Clifton's Food for Thot. Issue nos. 2329-2338
1995.