Finding Aid to the Randall Henderson Papers, 1905-1981, bulk 1930-1970
Finding Aid written by Kim Winters, revised by D.C. Thompson (American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming); further revised
by Arcadia Falcone (Bancroft Library).
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2007
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid to the Randall Henderson Papers, 1905-1981, bulk 1930-1970
Collection Number: BANC MSS 2009/107
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
- Finding Aid Written By:
- Kim Winters, revised by D.C. Thompson (American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming); further revised by Arcadia Falcone
(Bancroft Library).
- Date Completed:
-
June 2009
© 2009 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: The Randall Henderson Papers
Date (inclusive): 1905-1981,
Date (bulk): bulk 1930-1970
Collection Number: BANC MSS 2009/107
Creators :
Henderson, Randall
Henderson, Cyria
Extent:
Number of containers: 16 boxes
Linear feet: 6.4
Repository: The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract:
The Randall Henderson Papers (1905-1981, bulk 1930-1970) comprise correspondence, manuscripts, and printed materials relating
to Henderson's professional and personal life. Of particular note are Henderson's activities as editor of
Desert Magazine and other publications, his work as a desert conservationist, and his contributions to the development of Palm Desert.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head
of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The
Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright
owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Randall Henderson Papers, BANC MSS 2009/107, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Henderson, Randall--Archives
Henderson, Cyria Allen
Henderson, Clifford
Desert Protective Council
Desert magazine (Palm Desert, Calif.)
Desert conservation--California
Palm Desert (Calif.)--History--20th century
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Randall Henderson Papers were donated to the American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, by Cyria Henderson and Evonne
Riddell in several accretions in 1975, 1977, 1979, and 1982. The collection was transferred to the Bancroft Library in 2009.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
System of Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level.
Processing Information
Processed by Arcadia Falcone in 2009.
Biographical Information
Randall Henderson was born on April 12, 1888, in Clarinda, Iowa, to Welson Rankin Henderson and Mary Catherine Thomas. He
attended grammar and high school in Shenandoah, Iowa, graduating from high school in 1905.
In September 1907, Henderson started his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
During his senior year, he worked as a sports reporter for the
Los Angeles Times. It was
Times columnist Harry Carr who suggested to Henderson that he become a country newspaper man.
Following his graduation from USC in 1911, Henderson went to Arizona and became a printer's apprentice at the
Post, a weekly newspaper in Parker, Arizona. A year later he went to Blythe, California, as the editor of the
Blythe Herald. In what was sometimes a one-man office, Henderson was responsible for doing linotype composition and presswork, writing
news, selling advertising, and doing commercial printing. Henderson went on to acquire a half interest in the
Blythe Herald.
On October 17, 1911, Henderson married Vera Louise Riopel in Santa Ana, California, with whom he had two children: Randall
Jr., who was killed on Saipan on July 7, 1944, and Evonne Riddell. The couple later divorced.
In 1918, Henderson applied for pilot training in the Army Air Force. Following ground school at Ohio State University in
Columbus, Ohio, and training at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, he achieved his pilot's rating just after the
Armistice was signed.
After the war, Henderson went back to Blythe and acquired an interest in an army training plane in which he spent his weekends
barnstorming the desert. At this time there were no landing fields, and Henderson landed the first plane in Las Vegas, Nevada
and Wickenburg, Arizona, as well as other desert towns.
In 1922, Henderson became a partner in the
Calexico Chronicle, the daily newspaper of Calexico, California. During his time at the
Chronicle, Henderson started a crusade that resulted in the dismissal of the police department and a complete change in city government.
In the early 1930s, the idea of
Desert Magazine was born. J. Wilson McKenney was employed at the
Calexico Chronicle as a front office apprentice. After McKenney's regular articles about trips into the desert became popular with the readership,
Henderson wanted to publish a magazine devoted entirely to the desert. This idea led Henderson to turn the management of
the
Chronicle over to his partner in 1936. He bought the Elite Printing Company, a commercial printing concern in El Centro, California,
in partnership with McKenney. The first issue of
Desert Magazine was printed in 1937 and went out to 600 subscribers.
Desert Magazine soon outgrew its building, and a new plant was built in El Centro, designed to resemble a Native American pueblo. The magazine
was incorporated under the name Desert Press, Inc.
During World War II, Henderson returned to active service in the Army Air Corps, and was assigned duty with the Air Transport
Command in Africa. During nineteen months of overseas duty, he served at Accra on the Gold Coast and at Algiers, and later
was in command of a small detachment stationed on the Sahara Desert at the Oasis of Atar in French Mauretania. Henderson
continued to write for
Desert Magazine while he was stationed in Africa.
By the end of the war,
Desert Magazine had outgrown its building again, and it moved to a cove in the Santa Rosa Mountains on the edge of the Coachella Valley,
at the site of the present town of Palm Desert. The new building was finished in 1948. Several hundred acres of land were
bought and later sold to Clifford Henderson, Randall Henderson's brother, who, along with partners, started the Palm Desert
Corporation to develop the town site. In the years that followed, conflicting versions of the town's history sparked a long-standing
disagreement between Randall and Clifford Henderson that was never resolved.
On March 18, 1949, Henderson married Cyria Allen Cathro in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 1954, Henderson became a founding member of the Desert Protective Council. Through his involvement with this and other
organizations, Henderson worked to preserve the desert environment from damage. His conservation activities contributed to
the formation of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the protection of the Joshua Tree National Monument.
In 1958, Randall Henderson ended his two-decade tenure as the president of
Desert Magazine, selling the magazine to Charles Shelton. Henderson continued writing, publishing two books:
On Desert Trails, Today and Yesterday (1961) and
Sun, Sand and Solitude: Vignettes from the Notebook of a Veteran Desert Reporter (1968). He was working on a history of the town of Palm Desert at the time of his death from a heart attack on July 4, 1970.
An additional work,
Palm Canyons of Baja California (1971), was published posthumously; a philosophical novel,
In the Sunlight of Tomorrow, remains unpublished.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Randall Henderson Papers (1905-1981, bulk 1930-1970) comprise correspondence, manuscripts, and printed materials relating
to Henderson's professional and personal life. Of particular note are Henderson's activities as editor of
Desert Magazine and other publications, his work as a desert conservationist, and his contributions to the development of Palm Desert.
The bulk of the collection relates to Henderson's desert-related activities. The collection contains manuscripts and printed
matter from Henderson's career as an editor and writer on desert topics, focusing on his work as founder and president of
Desert Magazine. Manuscripts of Henderson's writings in the collection include several articles and an unpublished novel,
In the Sunlight of Tomorrow. Substantive correspondence is present documenting the disagreement between Randall Henderson and his brother, Clifford,
over their relative roles in the founding and development of the city of Palm Desert. The collection also contains printed
matter, internal documents, and manuscripts from Henderson's involvement with desert conservation organizations, most notably
the Desert Protective Council, of which he was a founder. Personal documents include diaries and logs of desert expeditions,
as well as materials relating to the life and work of Henderson's second wife, Cyria Henderson. The collection includes a
wide range of photographs of the Hendersons at various stages in their lives.
Series 1
Correspondence
1911-1977,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 1-9
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence includes both incoming and outgoing letters, and contains professional and personal content.
Box 1, Folder 1
Christmas cards
1955-1977,
undated
Correspondence
1911-1975,
undated
Box 9, Folder 5
Department of the Interior
1947-1955
Series 2
Writing and Editing
1931-1978,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 9-10
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence, manuscripts, and printed materials from Henderson's career as an editor and writer.
Subseries 2.1
Periodicals
1931-1978,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 9-10
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains correspondence, manuscripts, and printed materials from Henderson's work as an editor at various periodicals,
including
Desert Magazine.
Box 9, Folder 8
Bomb Blast - Editorials:
Just Between You and Me
1942
Calexico Chronicle
1931,
undated
Box 9, Folder 9
Editorials:
Just Between You and Me
1931
Desert Magazine
1936-1978,
undated
Clippings
1937-1978,
undated
Correspondence
1936-1943,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Primarily from Henderson to magazine staff regarding business matters
Box 10, Folder 1
Editorials:
Sahara Diary
Undated
Box 10, Folder 2
General Statement of Plan
Undated
Box 10, Folder 4
Sale of Desert Press
1957-1962
Box 10, Folder 5
When and How Desert Magazine Came to Be by Randall Henderson
Undated
Box 10, Folder 6
General
1943-1959,
undated
El Paisano
1966-1970,
undated
Box 10, Folder 7
Editorials:
Just Between You and Me
1967-1970
Box 10, Folder 8
General
1966-1969,
undated
Box 10, Folder 9
General - Printed Matter
1952,
undated
Subseries 2.2
Books
1961-1973,
undated
Physical Description:
Box 10
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains manuscripts, printed material, and proofs from Henderson's book-length projects.
Box 10, Folder 10
Desert Editor
1971-1973,
undated
Box 10, Folder 11
The Desert Was Our Beat
1961,
undated
In the Sunlight of Tomorrow
Undated
Box 10, Folder 18
Biographical note
Undated
On Desert Trails
1961-1965,
undated
Box 10, Folder 19
Catalogues
1962-1965,
undated
Box 10, Folder 20
Clippings
1961-1962,
undated
Box 10, Folder 21
Manuscripts
1962,
undated
Box 10, Folder 22
Catalogues
1969-1970,
undated
Box 10, Folder 23
Clippings
1968-1969,
undated
Box 10, Folder 24
Manuscripts and proofs
1968,
undated
Subseries 2.3
Other
1934-1968,
undated
Physical Description:
Box 10
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains manuscripts, notes, and printed matter from Henderson's articles, speeches, and general writings.
Articles
1936-1968,
undated
Box 10, Folder 25
Manuscripts
1942-1962,
undated
Box 10, Folder 26
Printed matter
1936-1968,
undated
Box 10, Folder 27
Speeches - Notes
1934-1968
Box 10, Folder 28
General
1944-1968,
undated
Series 3
Palm Desert
1936-1979,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 11-12
Arrangement
Correspondence is arranged chronologically; other subseries arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence and records pertaining to the development of the city of Palm Desert.
Subseries 3.1
Correspondence
1936-1979,
undated
Physical Description:
Box 11
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains correspondence between Randall Henderson, Clifford Henderson, and others, concerning the development
of the city of Palm Desert.
Subseries 3.2
Records
1944-1976,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 11-12
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains records and other documents relating to the development of Palm Desert, including Henderson's notecards
documenting evidence supporting his side in his disagreement with his brother.
Box 11, Folder 14
Chronological Record of the Founding of Palm Desert Community
1963-1965
Box 11, Folder 15
Chronology notecards
Circa 1960-1969
Box 12, Folder 6
Library
1958-1972,
undated
Box 12, Folder 8
Memoranda
1945-1967,
undated
Box 12, Folder 10
Rotary Club brochure
1964-1966,
undated
Box 12, Folder 12
General
1945-1969,
undated
Series 4
Conservation Activities
1940-1977,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 12-13
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains minutes, proposals, printed matter, and other materials from desert conservation organizations in which
Henderson was involved, including the Desert Protective Council.
Subseries 4.1
Desert Protective Council
1954-1977,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 12-13
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains minutes, other internal documents, manuscripts, and printed matter from Henderson's involvement in
the Desert Protective Council, including some of Henderson's own writings on desert conservation for the Council.
Box 12, Folder 13
Clippings
1959-1971,
undated
Box 12, Folder 14
Declarations of policy
1960-1961,
undated
Minutes
1957-1970,
undated
Resolutions
1957-1969,
undated
Box 13, Folder 1
Writings by Randall Henderson
1961,
undated
Box 13, Folder 2
General
1957-1977,
undated
Subseries 4.2
Other organizations
1940-1970,
undated
Physical Description:
Box 13
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains materials from Henderson's desert conservation activities excluding those carried out under the auspices
of the Desert Protective Council.
Box 13, Folder 3
Committee for the Preservation of the Tule Elk
1965-1970
Box 13, Folder 4
Death Valley '49ers
1960-1967
Box 13, Folder 5
United States Government
1959-1970
Note
includes correspondence
General
1940-1970,
undated
Box 13, Folder 6
Clippings
1958-1965,
undated
Box 13, Folder 10
Notices
1961-1968,
undated
Box 13, Folder 11
Open letters
1960-1968,
undated
Box 13, Folder 12
Proposals
1960-1969,
undated
Box 13, Folder 13
Recommendations
1967,
undated
Box 13, Folder 15
Resolutions
1959-1966,
undated
Series 5
Biography
1905-1978,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 13-15
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains journals, notes, and other personal documents.
Subseries 5.1
Military Records
1907-1963
Physical Description:
Box 13
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains records of Henderson's service in the Army Air Force.
Subseries 5.2
Excursions
1934-1964,
undated
Physical Description:
Box 14
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries consists primarily of logs and notes from Henderson's desert and river expeditions.
Norman Nevills
1942-1949,
undated
Box 14, Folder 2
Colorado River Expedition
1947
Box 14, Folder 3
Desert Magazine Expedition
1945
Box 14, Folder 4-5
General
1942-1949,
undated
Subseries 5.3
Diaries
1927,
1943-1944
Physical Description:
Box 14
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains Henderson's diaries from his time in Europe.
Subseries 5.4
Other
1905-1978,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 14-15
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains other personal documents, including a short autobiography by Henderson, clippings, and notes on mixed
topics.
Box 14, Folder 19
Awards and graduation ceremonies
1905-1911,
1960-1975
Box 15, Folder 1
Autobiographical notes
1958,
undated
Box 15, Folder 3
Clippings
1911-1975,
undated
Box 15, Folder 5
Membership cards
1939-1971,
undated
Notebooks
1944-1978
Scope and Content Note
Contain notes on mixed topics
Series 6
Cyria Henderson
1922-1981,
undated
Physical Description:
Box 15
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence and personal documents concerning Cyria Henderson, a sculptor who married Randall Henderson
in 1949.
Box 15, Folder 13
Biographical material
1942-1973
Clippings
1935-1974,
undated
Correspondence
1935-1981,
undated
Box 15, Folder 21
General
1963-1975,
undated
Series 7
Photographs
1905-1976,
undated
Physical Description:
Boxes 15-16
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains photographs from the Hendersons' personal and professional lives, including snapshots from their desert
and river expeditions.
Box 15, Folder 22
Harry Aleson
1967,
undated
Cyria Henderson
1930-1976
Randall Henderson
1905-1960,
undated
Military
1926-1947,
undated
Box 15, Folder 31
Newspaper and magazine days
1912-1924,
undated
Box 16, Folder 3
Henderson home - Palm Desert
undated
Box 16, Folder 5-6
Pictures for publication
undated
Box 16, Folder 14
Desolation Canyon
Undated