Finding Aid for the Ivan J. Houston Papers LSC.1866
Finding aid prepared by Kelly Besser, 2011; machine-readable finding aid created by
Caroline Cubé.
The processing of this collection was generously supported by
Arcadia
funds.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Online finding aid last updated on 2020 October 30.
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Ivan J. Houston papers
Creator:
Houston, Ivan J.
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.1866
Physical Description:
12.25 Linear Feet
(27 boxes, 4 oversized boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1880-2009
Abstract: Ivan J. Houston was born in Los
Angeles, California in 1925. He worked at Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company for
forty years, including at the executive level when he became the company's President and CEO
in 1970 and Chairman in 1980, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. In 1943 he
enlisted in the Army and in 1944 he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry
Regiment Combat Team, 92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Fifth Army, also known as the
Buffalo Soldiers. Houston's battalion journal became the basis for the memoir he published
in 2009,
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II. The collection
consists of documentation of Houston's World War II service; records of his tenure with
Golden State Mutual Life Insurance; materials related to the creation of
Black
Warriors
; various periodicals, programs and annual reports which feature Houston
as well as Houston's personal papers, photos and slides including materials related to his
father, Norman O. Houston and his mother, Doris Talbot Young.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access
special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on
this page.
Language of Material:
English .
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in
advance using the request button located on this page.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: This collection contains both processed and unprocessed
audiovisual materials. Audiovisual materials are not currently available for access, unless
otherwise noted in a Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note at the series
and file levels. All requests to access processed materials must be made in advance using
the request button located on this page.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All
other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not
hold the copyright.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Ivan J. Houston papers (Collection 1866). UCLA Library Special
Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Ivan J. Houston, 2010.
Processing Information
Collections are processed to a variety of levels depending
on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user interest and research value,
availability of staff and resources, and competing priorities. Library Special Collections
provides a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and
resources permit, conducts more intensive processing. These materials have been arranged and
described according to national and local standards and best practices.
Processed by Kelly
Besser in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Megan
Hahn Fraser, 2011.
The processing of this collection was generously supported by
Arcadia
funds.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Biography
Ivan J. Houston was born in Los Angeles, California in 1925. That same year, Houston's
father, businessman Norman O. Houston helped organize Golden State Mutual Life Insurance,
one of the largest historically black-owned companies in the country - a company Houston
would head over four decades later.
After graduating from L.A.'s Polytechnic High School in 1942, Houston entered the
University of California at Berkeley - also his father's alma mater. A track star in high
school, Houston lettered in track as a freshman, and also boxed. However, at this time the
country was also engaged in World War II, so in 1943 he left Berkeley and enlisted in the
Army.
Though the U.S. Armed Forces were still segregated, Houston was sent to the Army
Specialized Training Program (ASTP) that was actually integrated and only included those who
were college students or graduates. In March of 1944, the Army announced the shutdown of the
ASTP and Houston was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment Combat Team,
92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Fifth Army also known as the Buffalo Soldiers. The 3rd
Battalion became the first African American infantry unit to engage in combat against
Hitler's Nazi Germany in World War II. Houston was discharged in December 1945 as Battalion
Sergeant Major.
After the war, Houston married Philippa E. Jones, and he returned to UC Berkeley in the
spring of 1946. Houston graduated in February 1948, with a B.S. from the School of Business
Administration (now the Walter A. Haas School of Business). Houston then attended the
University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, to study actuarial science.
In 1948, Houston became an accountant at Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company (GSM).
After working in several other capacities, including at the executive level, Houston became
the company's President and CEO in 1970. In 1980, Houston was also elected as Chairman, a
position he held until his retirement in 1990. Under his leadership, Golden State became the
third largest black-owned financial services enterprise in the United States.
Also, throughout his tenure at GSM, Houston had the opportunity to meet many historic
figures including: Mayor Tom Bradley, President Jimmy Carter, and Dr. Martin Luther King.
Houston met King in 1965 during the effort to resolve the Watts Riots aftermath, when
Houston allowed him and other civic and elected leaders to conduct meetings at the Golden
State Mutual Life Insurance Building.
Acclaimed for his business acumen, Houston served as a director for other companies ranging
from Fortune 500 corporations to regional and state businesses. The companies included:
Daniel Freeman Hospitals; First Interstate Bank (now Wells Fargo); Kaiser Aluminum and
Chemical Corporation; Metromedia; North America Produce, Inc.; Pacific Indemnity Company;
and Pacific Telesis Group/Pacific Bell (now AT&T ).
Houston was named one of Harvard Business School's American Business Leaders of the 20th
Century, and was inducted into UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business Hall of Fame as an
alumnus. He was also featured in the Los Angeles Times, and listed on
Ebony
Magazine's
"100 Most Influential Black Americans" for fourteen consecutive years,
from 1976 to 1990. Houston, along with his wife, was featured in
Time
Magazine's
June 17, 1974 cover story, "Middle-Class Blacks: Making it in America."
In 1993, Pope John Paul II honored Houston as a Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the
Great for his meritorious service to the Church.
Houston was a member and leader in numerous professional organizations, including: the
American Academy of Actuaries, American Council of Life Insurance (board member)
International Association of Black Actuaries, and the National Insurance Association (board
member). He also sat on the Boards for the California Chamber of Commerce and the Los
Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
Houston provided leadership in civic affairs at the local, state and national level. He was
president of the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission and chaired the boards of the
Los Angeles Urban League and the United Way of Los Angeles Central Region. h headed the Los
Angeles chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity also known as "The Boule."
Houston is the author of
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War
II
, an account of his service in the Army.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of documentation of Houston's World War II service including copies
of battalion journals, correspondence, photos, awards and memorabilia; records of his tenure
with the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance company including correspondence, publications,
photos, slides, and speeches; materials related to the creation of Black Warriors including
interviews, research, notebooks, correspondence, drafts, photos, maps, speeches, and World
War II Veterans Buffalo Association newsletters. The collection also contains various
periodicals, programs and annual reports that feature Houston, as well as his personal
papers, photos and slides including materials related to his father, Norman O. Houston and
his mother, Doris Talbot Young. Files have been divided into series according to Houston's
original order of the materials and into subseries according to primary genres as
interpreted by the collection processor. Folder titles have been maintained from Houston's
original titles and noted as such in the corresponding descriptions.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
- World War II
- Battalion journals
- Correspondence
- Photos
- Awards and memorabilia
- Golden State Mutual
- Correspondence
- Photos and slides
- Publicity and publications
- National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC)
-
Black Warriors
- Correspondence
- Drafts
- Research and notebooks
- Photos and maps
- Buffalo soldier speeches
- The Buffalo 92nd Infantry World War II Association
- Personal papers, photos and slides
- Ivan J. Houston
- Norman O. Houston
- Talbot family
- Publications
Related Material
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African American authors -- California -- Los Angeles --
Archives.
African American executives -- California -- Los Angeles --
Archives.
Houston, Ivan J.--Archives.
1. World War II
1943 - 1945
Scope and Contents note
Series comprises copies of the battalion journal Houston kept for the 3rd Battalion,
370th Regiment Combat Team, correspondence from Houston to his mother and to his future
wife, Philippa E. Jones, draft letters from the War Department to Houston, copies of
letters of commendation from the Commander of the Buffalo Division, a bulk of photos of
Houston in uniform both in Los Angeles and abroad, documents about Houston's Purple
Heart award, honorable discharge certificate, army and war publications, his personal
war journal, and a leaf of remembrance from the U.S. Military Cemetery in Florence,
Italy.
1.1 Battalion Journals
1944 August 25 -1945 June 18
Scope and Contents note
Copies of the operations journal for the 3rd Battalion, 370th Regiment Combat Team,
92nd Infantry "Buffalo" Division of the U.S. Fifth Army. The 3rd Battalion began its
combat activities in Italy on August 23, 1944. As Battalion Clerk, Houston recorded
its hourly and daily activities and produced typed copies of the journal which were
sent to regimental headquarters. Houston's folder titles were retained for this
subseries.
box 1, folder 1
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1944 August 25 - 1944 September 5
Scope and Contents note
Two sets of photocopies, pages 1-23.
box 1, folder 2
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1944 October 16 - 1944 November 27
Scope and Contents note
Photocopies, pages 65-168.
box 1, folder 3
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1944 October 16 - 1945 February 21
Scope and Contents note
Photocopies, pages 65-259.
box 1, folder 4
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1944 November 26 - 1945 February 23
Scope and Contents note
Two sets of photocopies, pages 163-204 and 169-261. Missing pages 176-178.
box 1, folder 5
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1945 February 21 - 1945 June 18
Scope and Contents note
Two sets of photocopies, pages 260-365.
box 1, folder 6
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry Journal
1945 February 7 - 1945 August 2
Scope and Contents note
Two photocopies of Special Secret Journal. One photocopy of Events at Forward C.P.
Three photocopies of Battalion Journal Narrative 21-28 April 1945. One photocopy of
an undated handwritten two page journal entry.
box 1, folder 7
The History of the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment
Undated
Scope and Contents note
Three photocopies of "A Dedication" by Chaplain Hubert C. Jones.
1.2 Correspondence
1943 July 6 - 1947 January 10
Scope and Contents note
Contains War Department draft letters to Houston, letters to Houston's grandmother,
Laura E. Young, from Houston and his brother Norman, a letter of commendation and
dissolution of Combat Team 370 from Colonel R.G. Sherman, and a copy of a note from
Lieutenant Horner to Lieutenant Colonel Daguette.
box 2, folder 1
War Department draft letters to Ivan J. Houston
1943 July 6 - 1943 July 27
Scope and Contents note
Three letters of order to active duty within six months following Houston's
eighteenth birthday.
box 2, folder 2
Letters to Laura E. Young from Norman B. Houston
1944 May 7 - 1944 June 14
Scope and Contents note
Two letters from Norman B. Houston, Ivan J. Houston's brother. Laura E. Young was
their grandmother, referred to as "Amoo."
box 2, folder 3
Letters to Laura E. Young from Ivan J. Houston
1944 June 25 - 1945 October 24
Scope and Contents note
Fourteen letters in which Houston details his daily activities while stationed in
Arizona, New York, Italy and France. On July 3, 1945 he describes his pride in
becoming a sergeant.
box 2, folder 4
Dissolution of 92nd Infantry Division Combat Team 370
1944 November 5
Scope and Contents note
Five photocopies of a letter of commendation from Colonel R.G. Sherman, commander
of 92nd Infantry Division Combat Team 370.
box 2, folder 5
Lieutenant Horner's message to Lieutenant Colonel Daguette
1944
Scope and Contents note
Includes a note regarding wounded soldiers, prisoners and lack of ammunition with
Ivan J. Houston's annotations regarding memories of the war.
box 2, folder 6
Letters to Philippa E. Jones from Ivan J. Houston
1945 January 2 - 1946 January 10
Scope and Contents note
Fifteen letters of courtship. On October 24, 1946 Houston begins to address
Philippa E. Jones as Mrs. Ivan J. Houston.
box 2, folder 7
Postcard and Mother's Day V-Mail to Doris T. Houston from Ivan J.
Houston
1945 August 15
Scope and Contents note
Includes Houston's Monaco-Monte Carlo postcard book and his mother's War Ration
Book.
box 2, folder 8
3rd Battalion 370th Infantry
1945
Scope and Contents note
The majority are of Ivan J. Houston.
box 2, folder 9
Framed photos for Philippa E. Houston
1945
Scope and Contents note
Photos include dedications to Philippa from Ivan J. Houston.
1.4 Awards and Memorabilia
1943-1945
box 2, folder 10
Purple Heart documents and Honorable Discharge Certificate
1945 May 25 - 1945 December 8
Scope and Contents note
Houston received the Award of Purple Heart for wounds received in Italy on April 9,
1945. Includes November 17, 1944 Los Angeles Sentinel article on Houston's "Combat
Infantry Badge" award.
box 2, folder 11
Army and War Publications
1945
Scope and Contents note
Includes Going back to Civilian Life, Finito!: The Po Valley Campaign, Puptent
Poets of the Stars and Stripes Mediterranean and This Damn Tree Leaks: A Collection
of War Cartoons.
box 2, folder 12
"My Part In the 2nd World War" diary
1944
Scope and Contents note
Houston's military service recorded in this spiral bound, U.S. Government issued
book created specifically for "evidence of war service." Only partially
completed.
box 2, folder 13
Leaf from U.S. Military Cemetery Florence, Italy
undated
box 2, folder 14
Maps, currency and brochures
1943 - 1945
box 31, folder 1
Photo-tapestry and soldier frame
ca. 1943 - 1945
Scope and Contents note
"Let Freedom Ring" photo-tapestry showing Houston in uniform which belonged to his
mother, and black and white photo of Houston in uniform.
2. Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company
1944 - 2008
Scope and Contents note
Series consists primarily of documents from Houston's tenure (1970-90) as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company. Materials
include photographs and slides that capture office culture, events, conferences and
prominent political leaders, correspondence, programs, newspaper clippings, company
calendars, newsletters, conference materials, copies of Houston's speeches and lectures,
issues of the company publication, catalogs of the company's historical murals, a Who's
Who in Insurance book, a poster and documentation from Houston's trip to South Africa to
speak at the National African Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) conference.
2.1 Correspondence
1988
Scope and Contents note
Commendations for Houston's 40 years of service to Golden State Mutual from
California leaders such as Gray Davis and Curtis R. Tucker.
box 3, folder 1
Letters of commendation to Chairman Ivan J. Houston
1988
Scope and Contents note
Includes eight congratulatory letters.
2.2 Photographs and slides
1925 - 2001
Scope and Contents note
Includes photos of Kenneth Hahn, Willie Davis, Father Fisher Robinson, Richard
Riordan, Mike D. Antonovitch, Norman O. Houston, Tom Bradley and Esther Rolle.
box 3, folder 2
Photographs
1925 - 1960
Scope and Contents note
Office culture and events.
box 3, folder 3
Slides
1958
Scope and Contents note
Exterior of building.
box 3, folder 4
Slides
1959
Scope and Contents note
Company picnic.
box 3, folder 5
Photographs
1960-2001
Scope and Contents note
Includes photos of Kenneth Hahn, Willie Davis and Father Fisher Robinson.
box 3, folder 6
Slides
1963
Scope and Contents note
Norman O. Houston and Ivan J. Houston.
box 3, folder 7
Slides
1965
Scope and Contents note
Company picnic.
box 3, folder 8
Slides
1965
Scope and Contents note
40th anniversary party.
box 3, folder 9
Slides
1972
Scope and Contents note
Home office.
box 3, folder 10
Photographs
1975
Scope and Contents note
Queen Mary celebration photos with Tom Bradley and Esther Rolle.
box 3, folder 11
Slides
1979
Scope and Contents note
Houston from the office to the home.
box 3, folder 12
Photographs
1979-2002
Scope and Contents note
Includes photos of Houston with Richard Riordan and Mike D. Antonovitch.
box 3, folder 13
Photographs
1980s
Scope and Contents note
Color photo album of Houston at his desk.
box 3, folder 14
Slides
1985
Scope and Contents note
Conference in Jamaica.
General note
Arranged in order of carousel.
box 3, folder 15
Slides
1970s
Scope and Contents note
Conference and family vacation.
box 31, folder 2
Photographs
1950s - 1980s
Scope and Contents note
Photos of Houston at Golden State Mutual
2.3 Publicity and publications
1944 - 2008
Scope and Contents note
Contains the first issue of the Golden State Messenger, a Golden State Mutual
applications for life insurance poster, historical murals catalogs, newspaper
clippings, speeches, programs, annual reports, tributes and calendars.
box 4, folder 1
Golden State Messenger
1944-1959
Scope and Contents note
Contains the first issue of the "Family News Letter" to be published monthly and
distributed to company personnel at home and abroad and GSM founder and first
President William "Pops" Nickerson, Jr.'s copy of the 20th anniversary edition. Also
included, "A Pictorial Review" special edition and two copies of "The GSM
Story."
box 4, folder 2
Application for life insurance poster
1953
Scope and Contents note
Poster 1 of 225 created by artist Sid Campbell. Poster replicates a GSM life
insurance application with Norman O. Houston a.k.a. "The Big Boss" listed as
beneficiary.
box 4, folder 3
Art collection and historical murals catalogs
1952-1990
Scope and Contents note
Catalogs describe two 1949 murals on "The Negro in California History" hung in the
GSM home office lobby.
box 4, folder 4
Who's Who In Insurance
1955
Scope and Contents note
This book is a section of the Insurance Almanac and contains a biographical sketch
of Norman O. Houston.
box 4, folder 5
Newspaper clippings
1960-1985
Scope and Contents note
The majority of the clippings are from the Los Angeles Times, including a laminated
photo of Ivan J. Houston's presentation of a contribution from his company to the
NAACP Freedom Seals campaign.
General note
These clippings were kept together to reflect the creator's original order.
box 4, folder 6
Newspaper clippings
1961-1980
Scope and Contents note
The majority of the clippings are from the Los Angeles Sentinel or the Southwest
Wave.
General note
The creator's plastic sleeves were kept as protective enclosures for these
materials.
box 4, folder 7
Newspaper clippings
1962-1988
Scope and Contents note
These clippings are from a file entitled, "IJH Business."
General note
The creator's plastic sleeves were kept as protective enclosures for these
materials.
box 4, folder 8
Souvenir journals
1966-973
Scope and Contents note
Includes materials from the NAACP Convention 57th Annual Meeting and Los Angeles
Links cotillions.
box 4, folder 9
Magazines
1966-1991
Scope and Contents note
Includes Jet, UCB Banker, Sepia, Time and an Ebony with the Ivan J. Houston United
Airlines advertisement.
box 5, folder 1
Newspaper clippings
1972-1979
Scope and Contents note
The majority of the clippings are from the Los Angeles Sentinel or the Southwest
Wave.
General note
The creator's plastic sleeves were kept as protective enclosures for these
materials.
box 5, folder 2
Golden State Minority Foundation (GSMF)
1972-1991
Scope and Contents note
Contains GSMF press clips, publications and annual reports.
box 5, folder 3
Annual reports and tributes
1973-1981
Scope and Contents note
Includes materials from GSM, the Los Angeles chapter of the American Red Cross, the
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way.
box 5, folder 4
The Golden Pen
1973-1991
Scope and Contents note
Contains issues of the company's publication, including 8 copies of the Fall/Winter
1981 issue which includes Norman O. Houston's obituary on the cover.
box 5, folder 5
Conferences
1976-1994
Scope and Contents note
Includes materials from the Los Angeles Urban League and the California Chamber of
Commerce among others.
box 5, folder 6
Speeches and Lectures
1977-2005
Scope and Contents note
Includes a program from Ivan J. Houston's lecture at the University of Dallas and
copies of his speeches for the company's 75th and 80th anniversaries.
box 5, folder 7
Calendars
1979-2000
Scope and Contents note
Includes company calendars from 1979, 1989 and 2000.
box 5, folder 8
Programs
1985-2008
Scope and Contents note
Includes materials from Community Involvement Teams in Every Sector, the Los
Angeles Urban League, and the International Association of Black Actuaries.
box 5, folder 9
Newspaper clippings
1986-1996
Scope and Contents note
Clippings are from the Los Angeles Sentinel and Holoman's Black Achievers. These
clippings were kept together to reflect the creator's original order.
2.4 National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC)
1981 July 6 - 15
Scope and Contents note
Contains Houston's materials from the conference including his binder, speech,
slides, photos, brochures, bulletins, magazines, receipts, menus, boarding passes,
newspapers, and press on Houston's trip.
box 6, folder 1
Ivan J. Houston's GSM binder
1981 July 6 - 11
Scope and Contents note
Binder with Ivan J. Houston's name plate on the cover contains the conference
program, his notes, his conference speech, a GSM brochure for policy owners, a copy
of the Golden Pen and a notepad.
General note
Everything in the binder maintains Houston's original order.
box 6, folder 2
Ivan J. Houston's conference speech
1981 July 7
Scope and Contents note
Contains Houston's speech entitled, "The Strategies for Accelerating the Growth of
Minority Business Enterprises in the United States during the 80s" and other related
materials.
General note
These materials maintain Houston's original order.
box 6, folder 3
South Africa slides
1981 July 6 -11
Scope and Contents note
Includes images from the conference in Port Elizabeth as well as Soweto and
Johannesburg.
General note
These slides were rehoused in original order from Houston's slide carousel.
box 6, folder 4
New Brighton and Port Elizabeth slides
1981 July 15
box 6, folder 5
University of Port Elizabeth slides
1981 July 11
box 6, folder 6
Soweto and Black Chain slides
1981 July 13
box 6, folder 7
Visit to Permanent Life, Johannesburg slides
1981 July 14
box 6, folder 8
Photo album
1981 July 6 - 11
Scope and Contents note
The majority of the photos are from a fishing expedition.
General note
These pages were removed from the album's cover and maintain Houston's original
order.
box 6, folder 9
Brochures and bulletins
1981
Scope and Contents note
Includes NAFCOC brochures and various African bulletins.
box 6, folder 10
Travel magazines
1981
Scope and Contents note
Includes airline publications, a Port Elizabeth promotional publication, and
various South African tourist publications.
box 6, folder 11
Travel receipts and memorabilia
1981
Scope and Contents note
Includes receipts, menus, boarding passes, postcards and a NAFCOC "Rise in Faith"
patch.
box 7, folder 1
Ivan J. Houston's NAFCOC conference binder
1981
Scope and Contents note
Contains copies of Houston's speech, speeches of other attendees, and various
conference related materials.
General note
These materials maintain Houston's original order.
box 7, folder 2
USSALEP correspondence and accompanying materials
1981
Scope and Contents note
USSALEP is a private, interracial organization dedicated since 1958 to open
communication between the South Africa and the United States.
General note
These materials were rehoused from Houston's folder with his original order.
box 7, folder 3
The Evening Post's feature on Ivan J. Houston
1981 July 8
Scope and Contents note
Twenty five copies of an article from a Port Elizabeth publication that features
Houston's speech. Includes a letter from Houston's daughter Pamela B. Houston who
assisted with this publicity.
box 7, folder 4
South African newspapers
1981 July 10 - 11
Scope and Contents note
Copies of the Evening Post, the Weekend Post and the Eastern Province Herald.
3. Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II
1942 - 2009
Scope and Contents note
Series contains the materials Houston used to create his memoir on his service with the
92nd Infantry, also known as the Buffalo Soldiers. This includes Houston's
correspondence with Buffalo Soldiers, news clippings related to Black military history,
summaries of his combat journal, drafts of Black Warriors, photos and maps used in this
book, copies of Houston's Buffalo soldier speeches and the Buffalo Association bulletins
and newsletters.
3.1 Correspondence
1980 - 2009
Scope and Contents note
Contains letters from Buffalo Soldiers, a letter Houston sent to General Colin L.
Powell and electronic correspondence with Black Warriors publisher, iUniverse.
box 7, folder 5
Letters to Ivan J. Houston from former Buffalo Soldiers
1980 December 23 - 2008 August 24
Scope and Contents note
Also contains a letter Houston sent to General Colin L. Powell to solicit feedback
on his memoir.
box 7, folder 6
iUniverse electronic mail
2008 - 2009
Scope and Contents note
Electronic correspondence between publishers at iUniverse and Ivan J. Houston.
3.2 Drafts
2007 November - 2009 April 9
Scope and Contents note
Drafts with Houston's annotations and Gordon Cohn's comments.
box 7, folder 7
An African American Soldier's Memoir: The Truth Behind the Lie about the
92nd Infantry in WWII & Other Casualties of a Segregated America
Undated
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston
General note
Creator's signed folder retained. Includes color copied attachments for images.
box 7, folder 8
An African American Soldier's Memoir: The Truth Behind the Lie about the
92nd Infantry in WWII & Other Casualties of a Segregated America
Undated
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston
General note
Includes color copied attachments for images.
box 8, folder 1
Black Warrior manuscript edits
2007 October - 2008 June
Scope and Contents note
Manuscript corrections mailed to Gordon Cohn.
box 8, folder 2
Black Warriors: Memories of the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment in
the Only Negro Infantry to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2007 November
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn
box 8, folder 3
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 January
Scope and Contents note
Draft sent to Lyle Marshall for review. Marshall returned the draft with a letter
and comments regarding editorial feedback.
box 8, folder 4
Black Warriors: Memories of the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment: The
Only Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World
War
2008 January
Scope and Contents note
Draft sent to Gordon Cohn and returned with a letter from Cohn and suggested
corrections.
box 8, folder 5
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 March
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn, annotated by Houston on flagged
pages.
box 8, folder 6
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 April
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn.
box 8, folder 7
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 April
Scope and Contents note
First bound draft labeled "1st Manuscript." Pagination annotations on post-its
attached to various pages.
box 9, folder 1
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 April 9
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes images of maps.
box 9, folder 2
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 April 15
Scope and Contents note
Second bound draft labeled "1st Manuscript."
box 9, folder 3
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 August 15
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes flagged map pages.
box 10, folder 1
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 August 15
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes Houston's biography and
images.
box 10, folder 2
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 August 15
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes Houston's biography and
images.
box 10, folder 3
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2008 August 15
Scope and Contents note
Draft by Ivan J. Houston with Gordon Cohn includes Houston's flagged photo
annotations.
box 10, folder 4
Black Warriors final draft
2008 August
Scope and Contents note
Electronic copies of the final draft, includes photos and maps.
box 10, folder 5
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2009 March 23
Scope and Contents note
First iUniverse bound draft.
box 10, folder 6
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2009 April 8
Scope and Contents note
iUniverse draft includes annotated pages flagged for edits.
box 11, folder 1
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2009 April 9
box 11, folder 2
Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II: Memories of the Only
Negro Infantry Division to Fight in Europe During the Second World War
2009 April 9
3.3 Research and notebooks
1984 - 2007
Scope and Contents note
Research, manuscripts and memoirs shared with Houston by former Buffalo Soldiers,
newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and Houston's hand written notebooks,
notecards, and combat journal summaries.
box 11, folder 3
Lieutenant Colonel Major Clark's research
1984-1985
Scope and Contents note
Contains copies of Clark's research for his book on the Buffalo Division in World
War II.
box 11, folder 4
The Buffalo Division in World War II
1985 March 28
Scope and Contents note
Two copies of manuscript by Communications Officer, 3rd Battalion, 365th Infantry
Regiment Jehu C. Hunter and Lieutenant Colonel Major Clark, 597th Field
Artillery.
box 11, folder 5
U.S. black military history newspaper clippings
1986-2009
Scope and Contents note
Newspaper clippings from the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Wilmington
Journal, USA Today, the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Washington
Times, the Arizona Daily Star and the Plain Dealer.
box 11, folder 6
Black soldiers of World War II magazine articles
1993-2007
Scope and Contents note
Includes a New Republic article by Jeffrey Goldberg, two copies of the U.S. News
& World Report cover story on Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker, and a
People magazine feature on Baker.
box 11, folder 7
African American service in World War II articles
2003
Scope and Contents note
Includes the World War II Chronicles with a note to Houston from Keith M. Morrill,
Dale E. Wilson's "Recipe for Failure…," and Spencer Moore's "92nd Infantry
Division."
box 12, folder 1
Research notebooks
2003
Scope and Contents note
Four bound notebooks in which Houston transcribed the details for Black
Warriors.
box 12, folder 2
World War II combat journal summaries
2007
Scope and Contents note
Various summaries of the combat journal Houston kept for the 3rd Battalion, 370th
Regiment Combat Team, 92nd Infantry Division.
box 12, folder 3
American Battle Monuments Commission Selected Burials
2007
Scope and Contents note
Lists of World War II soldiers from Combat Team 370 of the 92nd Division buried at
the Florence American Cemetery.
box 12, folder 4
Notecards and loose leaf notes
2007
Scope and Contents note
Houston's research for Black Warriors transcribed on notecards and loose leaf
notebook paper.
box 12, folder 5
J. Curtis Foster Jr.'s World War II memoir
undated
Scope and Contents note
Foster's writing details his military service with the 92nd Infantry Division.
box 12, folder 6
Autobiographical notes
undated
Scope and Contents note
Houston's life story notes, including childhood and service with the World War II
Buffalo Division.
3.4 Photos and maps
1942 - 2008
Scope and Contents note
Original photos of the 92nd Division's return of Christopher Columbus' ashes to Genoa
in 1945 and combat maps annotated by Houston.
box 13, folder 1
Photos and maps for publication of Houston's memoir
1942 - 2002
Scope and Contents note
Includes copies of photos and maps used in Black Warriors. Also included are
original photos of the 92nd Division's return of Christopher Columbus' ashes to
Genoa in 1945.
box 13, folder 2
Florence American Cemetery and Memorial photos
1993 - 2003
Scope and Contents note
Houston's photos of the cemetery and grave sites of his comrades from the 92nd
Division.
box 13, folder 3
Google Maps images and copies of photos
1999
Scope and Contents note
Includes copies of Google map images which locate the terrain covered by the 92nd
Division. Also included is a photo of Houston with the 370th Infantry's Vernon
Baker, Medal of Honor recipient.
box 13, folder 4
Annotated combat maps
2008
Scope and Contents note
Combat maps used in Black Warriors with annotations and notes by Houston, Paul
Choldenko and Gordon Cohn.
box 13, folder 5
Maps of Italy
undated
Scope and Contents note
Three maps that cover Italy & Balkan Peninsula, Firenze, and Viareggio.
3.5 Buffalo soldier speeches
1985 - 2003
Scope and Contents note
Copies of speeches Houston delivered to gatherings of The Buffalo 92nd Infantry World
War II Association.
box 13, folder 6
Ivan J. Houston's Buffalo Soldier speeches
1985 - 2003
Scope and Contents note
Includes copies of multiple versions of Houston's "The Buffalo Soldier in Italy"
and "World War II Buffalo Soldiers in Battle."
3.6 The Buffalo 92nd Infantry World War II Association
1946 - 2004
Scope and Contents note
The Buffalo Association is comprised of World War II veterans of the 92nd Infantry
Buffalo Division. The Association's bulletins or newsletters are published
quarterly.
box 13, folder 7
The Buffalo Association bulletins and newsletters
1985 - 2004
box 13, folder 8
The Buffalo Association 50th Anniversary button
1992
Scope and Contents note
Commemorative button in honor of the Buffalo Ninety-Second Infantry Division World
War II Association's 50th anniversary.
box 13, folder 9
World War II Veteran identification cards
1946
Scope and Contents note
Houston's United States Infantry Association identification card and War Manpower
Commission United States Employment Service identification card.
4. Personal papers, photos and slides
1880 - 2005
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: This collection contains both processed and unprocessed
audiovisual materials. Audiovisual materials are not currently available for access,
unless otherwise noted in a Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note at
the file level. All requests to access processed materials must be made in advance using
the request button located on this page.
Scope and Contents note
Series includes primarily Houston and Talbot family photos and slides. Also contains
personal papers, correspondence and newspaper clippings related to Houston's father
Norman, his mother Doris Talbot, and his grandmother, Laura Young.
4.1 Ivan J. Houston
1925 - 2005
Scope and Contents note
Bulk of material includes family photos and slides. Contains images of looted
storefronts from the 1965 Watts riots and images of Norman O. Houston and Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. at a community meeting held at the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance
building. Also contains trophies, plaques and certificates for civic leadership and
memorial cards for Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.
box 14, folder 1
Childhood and college photos
1925 - 1942
box 14, folder 2
Bakersfield, Kellogg House Ranch, Mt. Whitney and Mt. Palomar
slides
1952
box 14, folder 3
Vancouver, BC and Butchart Gardens slides
1953 July
box 14, folder 4
Mono Lake, Crater Lake and Owens River slides
1953 July
box 14, folder 5
Disneyland and Marineland slides
1956
box 14, folder 7
Above Santa Barbara slides
1957
box 14, folder 8
Poppies and wildflowers slides
1958 April
box 14, folder 9
Pinnacles, beach trip, and Christmas slides
1958
box 14, folder 10
Aunt Agnes and Uncle Rosie, Chinatown and Thanksgiving slides
1958
box 14, folder 11
Morgan Hill trip slides
1958
box 14, folder 13
San Francisco slides
1958
box 14, folder 15
Ocean and children slides
1958
box 14, folder 19
Knott's Berry Farm slides
1959
box 14, folder 20
Christmas play and ocean slides
1959
box 14, folder 22
Party slides
1959
Scope and Contents note
Includes Pam's, Ivan's, Boots and Maurice's, and the Williams' parties.
box 15, folder 1
Color family photos
1959-1995
box 15, folder 3
San Francisco and Sacramento slides
1962 July
box 15, folder 4
Family picnic slides
1962 March
box 15, folder 6
Roscoe's Boat, Chicago slides
1963 July
box 15, folder 7
Niagara Falls II slides
1963 July
box 15, folder 8
Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Utah
slides
1963 June - July
box 15, folder 9
Norwalk and Grand Canyon slides
1963 June - July
box 15, folder 10
New York World Fair and Montreal trip slides
1964 May
box 15, folder 11
[Watts Riots aftermath] slides
1965 August
Scope and Contents note
Includes images of looted storefronts and separate images of Norman O. Houston and
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a community meeting held at the Golden State Mutual
Life Insurance building.
box 16, folder 1
[New York] slides
1967 April
box 16, folder 2
Hawaii slides
1969 January
box 16, folder 3
[Hoover Dam and Las Vegas] slides
1970 December
box 16, folder 4
[Airplane interior] slides
1971 August
box 16, folder 5
Picnic, Jackson Ranch slides
1972 May - June
box 16, folder 6
New Orleans, Mexico City, Jackson Ranch, Houston, Texas slides
1972
box 16, folder 7
Acapulco/Mexico City slides
1972
box 16, folder 8
[Louisiana] slides
1972 June
box 16, folder 10
Angel City Links Art Fair slides
1976
box 16, folder 11
Alaska - Canadian Arctic tour photo album
1976
Scope and Contents note
Spiral bound album of color photos from the tour.
box 16, folder 13
European vacation photos and negatives
1978
box 16, folder 14
European vacation color negatives
1978
box 16, folder 15
European vacation photos and negatives of Philippa Houston
1978
box 16, folder 16
London and Paris slides
1978
box 16, folder 17
[England and Italy] photo album 1
1978 September - October
box 16, folder 18
[England and Italy] photo album 2
1978 September - October
box 16, folder 19
[England and Italy] photo album 3
1978 September - October
box 17, folder 1
Europe slides
1978
Scope and Contents note
Removed from carousel with original order maintained. All slides labeled by
Houston.
box 17, folder 2
Europe slides
1978
Scope and Contents note
Removed from carousel with original order maintained. All slides labeled by
Houston.
box 17, folder 3
Europe slides
1978
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS UNPROCESSED AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are not currently
available for access and will require further processing and assessment. If you have
questions about this material please email spec-coll@library.ucla.edu.
Scope and Contents note
Removed from carousel with original order maintained. All slides labeled by
Houston. Includes a sound cartridge labeled "demo-tape."
box 17, folder 4
Citta del Vaticano and Versailles slides
1978
Scope and Contents note
Standard pre-packaged color slides made in Italy.
box 17, folder 6
Philippa Houston photos and negatives
1983 October
Scope and Contents note
Photos and negatives from Napa, Rosarito, Koblintz, Pisa and Venice.
box 17, folder 7
Europe photos and negatives
1983 October
Scope and Contents note
1 - 8 of 16 sets.
box 17, folder 8
Europe photos and negatives
1983 October
Scope and Contents note
9 - 16 of 16 sets.
box 18, folder 1
Europe slide carousel
1983 September 20 - 1983 October 14
Scope and Contents note
Slides arranged in carousel's original order.
box 18, folder 2
European postcards and maps
1983
box 18, folder 4
Rio slide carousel
1985
Scope and Contents note
Slides arranged in carousel's original order. Last sheet includes slides from 1984
Olympics in Los Angeles.
box 18, folder 5
Thanksgiving photo album
1986
Scope and Contents note
Inside cover of album inscribed to Philippa and Ivan from Agnes, Thanksgiving
1986.
box 18, folder 6
World travels photos and negatives
1988 August
box 18, folder 7
Ivan J. Houston and Philippa E. Houston travel postcards and
photos
1988
box 18, folder 8
Family color photos and negatives
1993
Scope and Contents note
Includes two photos of Ivan J. Houston and Richard Riordan.
box 18, folder 9
Ivan J. Houston and Philippa E. Houston Cancun and St. Tropez
Vacation
1994 November
box 18, folder 10
Serra retreat slides
undated
box 18, folder 11
Atlantic City slides
undated
box 18, folder 12
Boy Scouts slides
undated
Scope and Contents note
Slides moved from 3 boxes to protective sleeves.
box 18, folder 13
Salton Sea and Catalina slides
undated
box 18, folder 14
Mount Wilson slides
undated
box 19, folder 1
Pamela Houston's First Communion slides
undated
box 19, folder 2
Los Angeles parade slides
undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes a slide of Ethel Maddison of Birmingham, Alabama - church bombing
survivor.
box 19, folder 3
Disneyland slides
undated
box 19, folder 4
Republic of Guinea slides
undated
box 19, folder 6
Family at home slides
undated
box 19, folder 7
Family photo album
undated
Scope and Contents note
Photos removed from album and numbered 1-32 to maintain original order.
box 19, folder 8
New York and Los Angeles family negatives
undated
Scope and Contents note
Negatives rehoused in envelopes to maintain original order.
box 19, folder 9
Undated slides
undated
Scope and Contents note
Slides organized by slide type.
box 19, folder 10
Photos and news items album
1974 - 1976
Scope and Contents note
Twenty items removed from album and numbered to retain original order.
General note
1 of 3
box 19, folder 11
Photos and news items album
1974 - 1976
Scope and Contents note
Newspaper clippings tucked in front of album, removed and rehoused in original
order.
General note
2 of 3
box 19, folder 12
Photos and news items album
1974 - 1976
Scope and Contents note
1976 Salute to Minority Education card and May 13, 1976 Underwriter's Report
magazine with Houston on the cover tucked in back of album. Items removed and
rehoused.
General note
3 of 3
box 19, folder 13
Philippa Houston photos and papers
1980s
Scope and Contents note
Photos of Philippa and Ivan, birthday and mother's day cards from Ivan and a signed
letter from Mayor Tom Bradley regarding her decision to no longer serve on the Greek
Theater Advisory Committee.
box 20, folder 1
Education documents
1940 - 1953
Scope and Contents note
John H. Francis Polytechnic High School report cards, Hi-Y student club
constitution and an authorization certificate for the California Veteran's
Educational Institute.
box 20, folder 2
Honors and certificates
1951 - 1996
Scope and Contents note
Certificate of completion from the Life Office Management Association Institute,
certificates of membership for the American Arbitration Association and honorary GSM
retirement luncheon materials.
box 20, folder 3
IJH monogrammed business card case
undated
Scope and Contents note
Twenty pages of business cards with Houston's annotations, including Chairman of
the Board, Franklin D. Murphy's Times Mirror card and Yvonne Brathwaite Burke's
signed 37th District Congressional card.
box 20, folder 4
The Wellness Engagement Calendar
1994
Scope and Contents note
Houston's annual calendar with notes for meetings, appointments and vacations.
box 20, folder 5
Catholic photos and papers
1953 - 1993
Scope and Contents note
Photos from Houston's annual Serra Retreat in Malibu and photos of Pope John Paul
II's arrival in Popemobile for Mass at the Memorial Coliseum.
box 20, folder 6
Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. memorial cards
1968
Scope and Contents note
Memorial cards for Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Junior.
box 20, folder 7
Childhood art work
undated
Scope and Contents note
"This Little Pig Had Beef Stake!" crayon drawing, signed Ivan James Houston and
laminated drawing of Ivan and his brother Norman with a black and white photo of the
brothers attached.
box 20, folder 8
Norman B. Houston funeral registry
2005
Scope and Contents note
Facsimile copy of friends and relatives who attended Norman B. Houston's
funeral.
box 20, folder 9
Newspaper clippings
1962 - 1991
Scope and Contents note
Clippings from the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Sentinel originally
labeled "IJH Social." Newspapers kept in Houston's original housing and order.
box 20, folder 10
National Geographic article and postcard
ca. 1982
Scope and Contents note
Contains National Geographic "Carrara Marble" article by Cathy Newman and post card
of African American sculptor Barthe's statue, "Come Unto Me."
box 20, folder 11
Golden State Minority Foundation/ CTV Scholarship Golf Tournament
Plaque
2005 September 23
Scope and Contents note
Presented to Ivan J. Houston for sponsorship of this 31st Anniversary tournament.
N
box 27, folder 2
Photos of Ivan Abbott Houston
ca. 1970s
Scope and Contents note
Includes photos of Houston's son and U.S. military tanks.
box 29, folder 1
Community service trophies and plaques
1984 - 1998
Scope and Contents note
Includes plaques from the Young Men's Christian Association and the Lynch Street
CME Church and trophies of recognition from Daniel Freeman Hospitals and the
Southeast Symphony Association.
box 31, folder 4
City of Los Angeles certificates of recognition
1987 - 1990
Scope and Contents note
Certificates of recognition for Houston's service to Golden State Mutual, the city
of Los Angeles and the nation.
4.2 Norman O. Houston
ca. 1900 - 1981
Scope and Contents note
Contains awards, clippings, certificates, and photos of Norman O. Houston from his
military service, Ralph Bunche, Joe Louis and Dynamite Jackson. Also included are
photos of Ivan and Philippa Houston with Jesse Jackson, a signed photo of Golden State
Mutual founder, William Nickerson Jr. and photos of Muhammad Ali with his autograph
enclosed. Also contains invitations and letters from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson,
President John F. Kennedy, President Richard Nixon and Martin Luther King, Jr.
box 21, folder 1
Clippings, awards and certificates
1931 - 1964
Scope and Contents note
Newspaper clippings, awards and certificates such as his certified Kappa Alpha Psi
fraternity membership.
General note
All contents of this folder were rehoused directly from Houston's original
folder.
box 21, folder 2
Event programs
1947 - 1955
Scope and Contents note
Programs for luncheons, dinners and ceremonies.
General note
All contents of this folder were rehoused directly from Houston's original
folder.
box 21, folder 3
Texas auto accident photos, clippings and insurance files
1954
Scope and Contents note
Documents relating to Houston's auto accident outside San Antonio, Texas where he
suffered injuries along with fellow passengers Mrs. Elois Davis and his wife Edith
Houston.
General note
All contents of this folder were rehoused directly from Houston's original
folder.
box 21, folder 4
Photos with African American leaders
1919 - 1960s
Scope and Contents note
Photos of Houston with Buffalo Soldiers, Ralph Bunche, Joe Louis and Dynamite
Jackson. Also included are photos of Ivan and Philippa Houston with Jesse Jackson
and photos of Muhammad Ali.
box 21, folder 5
Family and business photos
1928 - 1975
Scope and Contents note
Photos of Houston with his family, politicians and business associates. Group photo
of 28th Street Branch of the YMCA moved to Box 31, folder 5.
General note
This folder was originally labeled "Old Pictures."
box 21, folder 6
Framed and matted photos
ca. 1900 - 1930s
Scope and Contents note
Includes photos of Houston's grandmother, Donnie Jackson Crow, mother Lillian
Harris, and signed photo of GSM founder, William Nickerson Jr.
General note
This folder was originally labeled "NOH Photos."
box 21, folder 7
Photo with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger
ca. 1970s
box 22, folder 1
Talbot and Harris family photos
1915 - 1939
General note
This folder was originally labeled "NOH Photos."
box 22, folder 2
World trip photos and draft of general observations
1963
Scope and Contents note
Includes photos of Houston and his wife in Japan and Egypt as well as a draft of
Houston's observations during his travels to China, India, Israel, Switzerland,
Rome, and England.
box 22, folder 3
Invitations and correspondence from U.S. elected officials and political
leaders
1962 - 1977
Scope and Contents note
Includes invitations and letters from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, President
John F. Kennedy, President Richard Nixon and Martin Luther King, Jr.
box 22, folder 4
Interview and flexograph recording of Lillian L. Harris
1949 May 6
Scope and Contents note
Original interview transcription is a third person narration of the interview with
Houston's mother. Presumably, the flexograph recording holds the original
interview.
box 22, case 1
Interview and flexograph recording of Lillian L. Harris yrlsc_1866_022_004_001a
1949 May 6
Physical Description: 1 Sound
Recordings(1 flexidisc;
0:10:02)
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access.
All requests to access digital materials must be made in advance using the request
button located on this page.
Scope and Contents
Content Note: interview with mother of Norman O. Houston, president of Golden
State Mutual Life Insurance Company. Interview was conducted by Mamie Spencer,
company librarian.
box 22, folder 5
Magazine clippings and book excerpts on Black Americans
1902 - 1977
Scope and Contents note
Most coverage relates to the contributions of Black veterans.
box 22, folder 6
Personal file
1923 - 1954
Scope and Contents note
Includes certificate of service for World War I, copies of resume, a biography, and
a copy of his graduate certificate for completion of Pacific Mutual School for
Salesmen.
box 22, folder 7
Newspaper and magazines features
1929 - 1970
Scope and Contents note
All publications prominently feature Houston.
box 22, folder 8
Bethune - Cookman College
1931 - 1954
Scope and Contents note
Includes Houston's Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity membership card and college charters,
newspapers and convocation announcements.
box 22, folder 9
Wilberforce University
1951 - 1952
Scope and Contents note
Includes commencement brochure for Houston's Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws and
his suggested acceptance speech.
box 22, folder 10
Keepsakes
1906 - 1950
Scope and Contents note
Includes post cards, City of Hope pamphlet, Sportsmen's Club dinner program
box 22, folder 11
Obsequies of Norman O. Houston and Los Angeles City Council memorial
tribute
1981 October
Scope and Contents note
Contains funeral program for Norman O. Houston (1893 - 1981) and Los Angeles City
Council memorial tribute.
box 29, folder 1
Wilberforce University Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws
1951 June 14
box 29, folder 2
Bethune-Cookman College Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws
1951 March 21
box 31, folder 3
Photographs of Norman O. Houston at Golden State Mutual
undated
4.3 Talbot family
1880 - 2005
Scope and Contents note
Contains correspondence, Houston's mother's bridal book, genealogical records,
scrapbooks and photos including an 1880 tintype of Ivan J. Houston's great uncle,
Ben.
box 23, folder 1
Correspondence between Laura E. Young and Doris T. Houston
1908 - 1950
Scope and Contents note
Contains a 1933 letter from Ivan J. Houston and brother Norman B. Houston sent by
grandmother Laura E. Young to their mother, Doris T. Houston. Also included is a
1950 letter from Ivan and Norman to their grandmother, "Amoo."
box 23, folder 2
Doris T. Young's Los Angeles High Annual, diploma cover and autographed
figurine
1916
Scope and Contents note
Doris Young appears in the "Senior A Personals" section as "Darling Youngster."
box 23, folder 3
Doris Talbot Young's bridal book
1920
Scope and Contents note
Doris Talbot Young married Norman Oliver Masson Houston on December 29, 1920. This
book contains documentation of their marriage.
box 23, folder 4
Laura Talbot Young's Electa Chapter No. 3, Order of the Eastern Star
(O.E.S.) due book and Mrs. Doris T. Houston business cards
1917 - 1925
Scope and Contents note
Los Angeles members' due book is signed by Laura Talbot Young with her address as
1844 E. 54 street, Los Angeles, California. Book tracks monthly dues over for 8
years. Business cards list Houston as a "Fashionable Milliner" at the same Los
Angeles address as Laura Talbot Young.
box 23, folder 5
Talbot family genealogical search records
1803 - 2005
Scope and Contents note
Many of these records are the result of a 2005 genealogical search that traces the
Talbot family to Zebedie Talbot and wife, Sylvia Ann Talbot. These documents retain
original order and include a handwritten "Family of Doris T. Young" tree.
box 23, folder 6
Elizabeth Ann Talbot photograph
undated
Scope and Contents note
Ivan J. Houston's note attached to photo reads, "Great Grandmother, Elizabeth Ann
Talbot (Hines). Born London, England." Photo was removed from frame.
box 23, folder 7
Talbot photographs album
1921 - 1930
Scope and Contents note
Photographs captioned in black ink and some are dated.
General note
Photographs removed from album, sleeved in Mylar and album retained.
box 23, folder 8
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1920s
Scope and Contents note
Photos feature Norman O. Houston, Doris Talbot, Amoo, Aunt Bernice, Vivian Talbot,
and Ivan J. Houston's sister, Betty Jean.
box 23, folder 9
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1900s - 1950s
Scope and Contents note
Photographs, including one of Mrs. Mabel Bryant and Mrs. Laura Young as they
arrived for their vacation stay at the Colonial hotel that was published in the
Honolulu Star-Bulletin on May 1, 1950.
box 23, folder 10
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1920s - 1950s
Scope and Contents note
Small black and white family photographs feature Laura Young, Doris Talbot,
Betty-Jean, Ivan and Philippa Houston and their daughter "Pamby."
box 23, folder 11
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1930s - 1950s
Scope and Contents note
Majority letter sized photographs sleeved in Mylar and feature Ivan J. Houston,
Philippa Houston, Doris T. Morris, Laura Young and Betty-Jean.
box 23, folder 12
Talbot "Seattle, Washington" photographs album
ca. 1940s - 1950s
Scope and Contents note
Photos and newspaper clippings removed from album, rehoused and order retained.
Includes a 1951 clipping that mentions Laura E. Young as a Seattle house guest of
her daughter, Doris Morris, wife of contractor, Walter Morris.
box 23, folder 13
Talbot family photographs
1880 - 1950s
Scope and Contents note
Includes an 1880 tintype of Ivan J. Houston's great uncle, Ben.
box 24, folder 1
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1900 - 1940s
Scope and Contents note
Includes photos of Ivan J. Houston as a child, his sister Betty-Jean, his brother
Norman B., his mother Doris, his father Norman O., his grandmother Amoo, and his
father's mother Lillian Harris.
box 24, folder 2
Talbot family photographs
ca. 1900s
Scope and Contents note
Photos feature Ivan J. Houston's great grandmother, Elizabeth Anne Hines Talbot,
grandmother, Laura Elizabeth Talbot Young and mother, Doris Talbot Young
Houston.
box 24, folder 3
Mrs. Mary Anna Crowe funeral services program and newspaper
announcement
1924 June 3
Scope and Contents note
Mary Anna Crowe (1854 - 1924) was Norman O. Houston's grandmother.
box 24, folder 4
Doris Talbot Houston Morris memorial materials
1977
Scope and Contents note
Includes a negative of Ivan J. Houston's mother, funeral services program, and
letters of sympathy from Golden State Mutual, the First African Methodist Episcopal
Church and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.
box 28, folder 1
Laura Talbot Young greeting card album
ca. 1920s - 1930s
box 28, folder 2
Doris Morris scrapbook
1936 - 1966
Scope and Contents note
Contains photos, clippings certificates and awards about Ivan J. Houston.
5. Publications
1950 - 1994
Scope and Contents note
Series comprises primarily periodicals which feature Houston as well as programs and
annual reports from his service with civic organizations and corporate boards.
box 25, folder 1
American Processional: The Story of Our Country
1950
Scope and Contents note
Published by The National Capital Sesquicentennial Commission on the occasion of
American Processional, a special exhibition held at The Corcoran Gallery of Art from
July 8 through December 17, 1950, to commemorate the establishment of the permanent
seat of the federal government in Washington in the year 1800.
box 25, folder 2
The ABC Picture Book of Eminent Negroes Past & Present and John F.
Kennedy Memorial Album
1959 and 1964
Scope and Contents note
The cover of the ABC publication reads, "Property of Doris T. Morris" and features a
feature on Norman O. Houston, "Outstanding Insurance Executive And Civic Leader."
box 25, folder 3
Time magazines
1967 and 1974
Scope and Contents note
The May 26, 1967 issue features a cover story entitled "The Negro in Viet Nam." The
June 17, 1974 issue features a "Middle-Class Blacks: Making it in America" cover story
that prominently features Ivan J. Houston's family.
box 25, folder 4
Black Enterprise magazines
1975, 1977, 1978 and 1979
Scope and Contents note
All June issues feature "The Nation's Leading Black Businesses." Every issue features
Golden State Mutual as one of the top three insurance companies in the nation. The
June 1979 issues features Houston's successful leadership of the company.
box 25, folder 5
Black Enterprise magazines
1980, 1981 and 1983
Scope and Contents note
All June issues feature "The Top 100 Black Businesses." In 1980 Golden State Mutual
ranked second top insurance company in the nation and in 1981 and 1983, it placed
third. The 1983 issue includes a feature on Houston's innovations at Golden State
Mutual.
box 25, folder 6
History of Black Americans in the Santa Clara Valley
1978
Scope and Contents note
Contains a feature on Norman Oliver Houston.
box 25, folder 7
The Executive of Los Angeles magazine
1981 August
Scope and Contents note
Features a cover story on Golden State's Ivan J. Houston.
box 26, folder 1
Mainstream America magazine
1982 November
Scope and Contents note
Features a cover story on Ivan J. Houston, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer Golden
State Mutual Life Insurance Company.
box 26, folder 2
Various periodicals
1972 - 1988
Scope and Contents note
Includes copies of issues/ideas, Performing Arts, Dollars and Sense, New Horizons,
Stars in Motion, and Black Angelenos: The Afro-American in Los Angeles, 1850 -
1950.
box 26, folder 3
Annual reports and programs
1979 - 1991
Scope and Contents note
Includes Los Angeles Urban League 70th Anniversary program with a feature on the
foundation of Golden State Mutual. Houston served as the Los Angeles Urban League's
Board Chairman from 1976 - 1979.
box 26, folder 4
Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Roster of Archons and Boule Journals
1990 - 1991
Scope and Contents note
The Boule Journal is the publication of Ivan J. Houston's fraternity. The Winter 1990
issue previews the organization's 40th Grand Biennial Boule, held in Los Angeles. The
Fall 1990 issue features his letter of gratitude for the success of the organization's
40th Biennial Grand Boule. Houston served as Co-Chairman of this event which generated
unprecedented funds for Sigma Pi Phi's social action programs.
box 26, folder 5
Pacific Telesis Group annual reports
1990 - 1993
Scope and Contents note
Ivan J. Houston served on the Board of Directors for this telecommunications
corporation located in San Francisco.
box 26, folder 6
Pacific Telesis Group annual reports
1994
box 27, folder 1
Ebony magazines
1976, 1981 and 1988
Scope and Contents note
Each issue's "The 100 Most Influential Black Americans" features Ivan J. Houston.