Pocket diary of a young woman traveling from New York to California, 1886

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Summary

Abstract:

Written by an unidentified young woman from Elbridge, New York, the pocket diary describes her journey by train with her mother from New York to Los Angeles, California between January 1 and April 27, 1886. While in Los Angeles for almost three months, the diarist described the sights, scenery, foods, and flora in the area. Of particular interest, she recorded her impressions of Los Angeles's Chinatown, describing the inhabitants and their culture as well as instances of white opposition to the Chinese.

Extent:

0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

Pocket Diary of a Young woman Traveling from New York to California. MS-S026. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

Written by an unidentified young woman from Elbridge, New York, the pocket diary describes her journey by train with her mother from New York to Los Angeles, California between January 1 and April 27, 1886. Before reaching Los Angeles on January 27, the diarist described her visit to a Native American camp in Needles, California. Once in Los Angeles, she described the sights and her experiences. The scenery, foods, and flora particularly captivated her. She also recorded her impressions of Los Angeles's Chinatown, describing the inhabitants and their culture as well as instances of white opposition to them. They left Los Angeles on April 7 and traveled north to San Francisco, where they visited the U.S. Mint, Chinatown, and a Chinese mission home for girls. They began their journey home on April 19.

The pocket diary measures 8.5 cm. by 14 cm. and was commercially produced. The diarist wrote on the first 25 leaves, but left the last 31 leaves blank.

Acquisition information:

Acquired, 2005.

Processing information:

Processed by Michelle Light, 2007.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Railroad travel -- United States -- History -- Sources
Women authors, American -- 19th century -- Diaries.
Overland journals -- California -- 19th century -- Women authors.
Diaries -- California -- 19th century -- Women authors.
Places:: San Francisco (Calif.) -- Description and travel -- 19th century
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Description and travel -- 19th century
Chinatown (Los Angeles, Calif.) -- Description and travel -- 19th century

Access and use

Restrictions:: The collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: Property rights reside with the University of California, but the item is in the public domain. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.