1908 Handwritten Diary Playa del Rey Venice LA Pasadena California Manuscript
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1908 Handwritten Diary Playa del Rey Venice LA Pasadena California Manuscript:
$440.00
Three handwritten daily diariesbeginning in the year 1908, of an 1888 Yale Graduate who was an Investor,Orange Grower,and Church Organistin 1900’s Los Angeles County.He owned a beach home and lived in the in the fledgling 1900’s Playa del ReyBeachdevelopment located south ofVeniceBeach. He purchased properties along the coast andowned and operated an orange ranch and home inPasadena His daily diary entries typically detail inminutiae;the weather (rained a lot in LA back then), what he ate,where heshopped and what he purchased, whom he spoke with, business conducted, interactionswithhis wife and children, places visited,streetcar names and times of histravel routes, and events of the day.
The 1908 and 1912 diaries are an exceptionally rare primary sourceaccountof daily life in 1900’s Playa del Rey, with many details of neighboringOcean Park,Venice, and ofdaily life in Pasadenafor 1908, 1912, and 1926.
Owning anorange ranch in Pasadena (at Allen and SanPasqual streets) the diarist traveledback and forth several times a weekbetween Playa del Reyand Pasadenaon the electric streetcars. Alternatelybasing out of each location, and commuting
to the other to attend tomatters. His diaries record investments inproperty, inventions, oil, mines, etc , as well as the diarist milking his Cowin Playa del Rey,
and running his ‘engine’ and pump for irrigation at theorange ranch in Pasadena. The diariesalso contain details of his employed domestic help; cooks, nannies,
housecleaners, and ranch hands. He also studiedto become a Episcopalian minister and was a church organist.
This diary does not contain muchin the way of his personal thoughts, but it is an incredibly detailed record ofdaily life with so much specific information
that it is of particular interestfor the study and research of LosAngeles Countyduring these years. One can also see the changes that occur between
1908 and1926 with more extensive use of the automobile, and grown children, etc.
Excerpts from the diaries ofDuncan Salisbury Merwin below:
From the 1912 diary:
Tuesday, Sept 3rd, 1912: [Playa delRey & Pasadena]
“Foggy early, Cool Windlater. A.M. I went to OceanPark & left clotheson Hill St.for Ms. Hall to wash. I got meat at the PacificMarket & went the
Pacific Grocery on Pier Avenue. P.M. I went to LosAngeles via Venice at 12:45 & then to Pasadena. I went to the Bank & to Miller’s Electricstore
to make a payment of $100 on my electric motor. Then I went out to Allen Ave. & voted on the Republicanticket at the Primary Election. I found
Mrs. Slaughter canning fruit on the ranch.I took down Robert’s crib & tied it up. I also tied up the sewing machine. I telephoned for Morrison’s transfer
wagon totake them to the express office. I tookbasket of figs & peaches & prunes & tomatoes. I rode to Well’s Fargo express office in the transfer
wagon& had the crib & sewing machine sent to Del Rey. Then I went to Los Angeles.As it was late I had supper at the Hotel Rosslyn. News of a great fire
at Ocean Park,flames spreading fast because of high wind.I was home at 8 (1/2) o’clock, going direct to Del Rey. No gas on account of fire.
Fire decreasing now, as wind has changed& blows towards ocean.”
July 19, 1912 [PlayaDel Rey]
“Fine day A.M. I took Roberton the car to Veniceto get meat & groceries. A manworked all morning
Fixing a wind –break on thebeach in front where the children could play & making a board floor over apart of the shed. Children fix theirpipes & boxes
& toys on the beach and enjoy the “playhouse”. We are glad to have all the “litter” off thesidewalk now. Mr. Slater arrived at 1 o’clock while we were eatingdinner.
I gave the man $1.50-. he saidhis name was Desmond & he was an old Confederate soldier. P. M. we took the baby out on the beach andhad photographs of the whole family.
Mrs.Slater returned to Los Angeles at 6.15-thinksshe will stay till Monday so as to see about a lot at Venice she wishes to buy,”
Thurs. Oct. 31, 1912 [Playa del Rey]
“Cold early. Warm at noon. A.M. I went to Ocean Parkto get meat & order groceries & left films to be printed, I got Maud’sshoes that had been mended.
I stopped atVenice &got black & orange crepe paper for Halloween. P.M.Maud & the children & I went to Santa Monica.The baby carriage fell off as the car
turned into Third St., but it was not badly injuredso we put the baby into it again. Webought things for Halloween & went home.Maud & I fixed the things for the evening.
Grandmother here to supper. When the children came down to supper theysaw a witch in the backyard with a “jack o lantern” head & a cat’s head &jack-o-lantern on the line.
There wascorn cob & potato & pepper & cucumber figures looking in thewindows. The children had a good timeand we all walked over to the Auditorium &
brought the two Johnson girlsback to see the witches, I escorted Grandmother home, she & I left at 9.45,I walked to Venicefrom Tokio & was home at 11 o’clock.“
Fri. Nov. 15, 1912 [Playa del Rey]
“Cold early. Fine day.A.M. I went to Venice for meat & groceries & goteggs of Mr. Taylor. Later I took a walkwith the children up the hill.
On ourreturn we had ginger ale at the Auditorium & got some ice. P.M. Maud & I walked up the speed-way to Venice with the childrenwheeling the baby in its carriage.
Weall went in to see the “Daredevil rider” in his automobile in the “Race forLife”. He is lowered into a pit& rides up the perpendicular sides.
After refreshments at the People’s Drug Store we return to Del Rey onthe car.”
Sat. Jan. 20, 1912 [Pasadena]
“Baby weighs 7lbs. 7oz. Sun warm at noon. A.M. I took the children on the car to Chester Ave. to getmeat for dinner. Then I took Robert onmy bicycle to
Mr. McAdam’s on CaliforniaSt. to see about getting milk. I started the engine & did somesprinkling. Everything is getting verydry & we need rain.
P.M. I took thechildren over to the BuschGardens again. Arthur McAdam walked up Allen Ave. & went down town on thecar with us.
After our return walked toMr. Cassell’s for the milk & took children with me. Baby out on front porch up stairs in theclothes basket every afternoon.”
From the 1908 dairy:
Wed. Jan 1, 1908 [Playa delRey & Pasadena]
\"Partly cloudy. Fine day for Rose Tournament. A.M. Mr.Owen pays for his milk. Mrs. Slater,Miss Brown & I go to Los Angeleson 9.30 car.
Get Pasadena car on Sixth St.Many crowded trains of 3 cars each.Our guests get seats, but I stand.We are 1 1/4 hours going to Pasadena
-not enough power for all the cars. Wehave to walk from Lowe Opera House to ColoradoSt. & see flower parade near S.P. Depot.
See Penny family at photo studio. Dinner at Gorben\'s of turkey, etc. Get on car below Colorado St. & ride around loop onaccount of crowd.
Home via Ostrich Farm4.30 Del Rey car.\"
Thursday Jan, 2 , 1908 [Playa del Rey]
\"Partly cloudy. A.M.Take Ruh. to OceanPark to get meat &order groceries. See big fire on hill -school -house. P.M. Go to Venice with Mrs. Slater
& Miss Brown. Miss B & I gobathing in the Plunge. Then I go to Ocean Parkto see Miss Hollywood about a woman to wash baby clothes.
Car home.Others return later. Yesterdaywas Mrs. Carlson\'s last day. She haswashed baby clothes for us since last August.\"
Fri. Jan. 3, 1908 [Playa del Rey]
\"Partly cloudy. A.M.Bettie gets fish at OceanPark. Then I go to Los Angelesvia Venice, paymonthly installment on phonograph at Brown\'s.
Dinner at Bullock\'s. P.M. Get sweater for Ruh. at Boston Store.Car to Pasadena. Bank & mail Tournament papers & NewHaven R.R. warrants.
Mr. McLoughlintells of Chamber of Commerce assessment.Get clothes & fruit at ranch in suit case. 3.20 Sierra Madre car & 4 Del Reycar.
Give Ruh. clear milk in bottlewithout sugar or salt.\"
Saturday Jan 4, 1908 [Play del Rey]
\"Pleasant. A.M.Maud & her mother & Miss Brown leave at 11 o\'clock to visit Pasadena & the ranch. Rosina on beach with Ruh. & me.
Ruh. likes to jump off cleats on post insand. P.M. Feed Robert after Ruh. is in bed & puthim on porch, but take him in at 4 as wind is high.
People return at 5, just after I start tomilk. They went to ranch on Sierra Madreline & Luigi met them. They hadlunch on the porch & Luigi
drove them down town & on Orange Grove Ave. Bettie got meat this afternoon at Ocean Park.\"
Tues. May 12, 1908 [Pasadena]
\"Cloudy. A.M.Luigi takes Mrs. Slater & me to 8.25 Sierra Madre car for Los Angeles. Then we take9.15 car for San Pedro & go across to CatalinaIsland
on the steamer \"Cabrillo\". A very rough trip - many seasick. We arrive at Avalon about 12 1/2 o\'clock & get dinner at the Grand ViewHotel. P.M.
Get film for camera. Coach ride & incline railway. Visit aquarium. Trip in glass bottom boat. Leave at 3.45 on return trip to San Pedro -sea more quiet.
Leave Mrs. Slater athouse, 8th & Hope. Supper atGodfrey\'s. Home via Pasadena at 9 o\'clock.
Saturday July 4, 1908 [Pasadena]
\"Robert Walks aloneacross up stairs hall. Sun hot at noon. I lookedafter Ruh. & Robert as usual, but did not go down town. Eve.=Cooler.
Maud & I & thechildren watched the fireworks from the top of the haystack. Luigi & Elizabeth were with us also. Ramona went home this morning,
and Miss SusieLongfellow got dinner & supper for us.This afternoon I took pictures of the children & the puppies, &Ruh. in the swing.
The [workers] diggingpipe & gathering grapefruit.\"
Wednesday July 8, 1908 [Pasadena]
\"Hot day 100°. A.M.Take Ruh. down town on bicycle, stopping at East Pasadena Market &Dickinson\'s drug store to pay bills.
Goto Post Office & Bank & Penny\'s studio.Luigi started at 7 o\'clockwith Mr. Cole\'s wagon & my 2 horses for Los Angeles and returned soon after
5 o\'clock with 440 feet of 4 inchredwood pipe. The [worker] was diggingout the trench for the pipe.\"
Fri. Feb. 28, 1908 [Playa delrey]
Fine day. A.M.Take Ruh. to OceanPark to get meat & depositcheck for $228 sale of New Haven R.R. byKimberly Root & Day in Ocean Park Bank.
P.M. Car to Venice.Invite Mrs. Slater to dinner Sunday & invite her to hear PaderewskiTues. evening. Car to LosAngeles & get 2 tickets at Bartlett\'s
(3.00 each). Car direct to Del Rey.
Sun. March 1, 1908
Cold morning. Partly cloudy. A.M.Bettie gets fish at OceanPark. I take Ruh. out. Mrs. Slater not here to dinner. P.M.Maud & I walk out with Ruh.
Mr. & Mrs. Slaughter call & hear several pieces on the phonograph. They tell about the \"Telautoprint\"a new telegraph machine that prints letters which
they consider a fineinvestment at five dollars a share.Eve.= Car to Venice to see Mrs. Slater. she had a chillthis morning and so did not go to
church nor come to dinner.
From the 1926 diary: [Pasadena]
Fri. Jan. 1, 1926
\"Fine day. A few clouds.A.M. I had breakfast at Crown City. I walked up to Dr.Fenyes\' house & gavehim calendar for Mrs. Fenyes.
Later Idrove out East Orange Grove Ave.to Allen & down to the ranch. I tookAlice & Robert & their mother, also \"Sambo\" (the dog), &parked my auto
on So. HamiltonAve. We sawfloral parade from Mr. Gidding\'s yard on Colorado St. where we had goodseats. Great crowds. Beautiful floats & autos,
also manyhorses & horse - drawn vehicles.Parade delayed by the collapse of grandstands at s.e. corner of Madison& Colorado. Many injured & somekilled.
Later we drove to Y.W.C.A. via California St.& had dinner. Return to ranch. Later drove back to room. Eve- I called at 722 No. Michigan Ave & took
Jean Shipman& her cousin Hope Brown to see Jackie Coogan in \"Old Clothes\" atthe Strand Theatre.\"
Wed. Feb. 24, 1926
\"Fine day. Warm at noon. A.M.Early breakfast at CrownCity. Take children to school as usual. Then drove to Monrovia to get cousin Anabel Hunt.
We went to another house to get Mrs. Woodswho was visiting a friend. We drove via Azusa & Glendora to San Bernardino amd went tosee the Annual Orange Show.
It was afine exhibit of citrus fruits, also industrial exhibit of So. Calif. products. They have a fine large building instead of atent now. Dinner in cafeteria.
Auto parked inside grounds. P.M.Flat tire, change. Drive via Colton & outskirts of Riverside & Box SpringsGrande & Perris to LakeEllsinore arriving
about 3 o\'clock, nearly 85 miles inall. Practice on Methodist organ. Rest awhile at Parsonage. All have nice supper at church. Over 100 people.\"
Mon. Apr. 19, 1926
\"Fine day. Cold early.A.M. I took children to school asusual. Breakfast at Crown City. Call at 1243 No. Mentor Ave. for Miss Wheelock & magazines,
also getmagazines at a few other palces, & some of my own too. We went via Huntington Drive to L.A. & left some things at NeighborhoodSettlement,
9th & Wilson. Then viaSo. Main St.to San Pedro to leave most of the magazines at Seamen\'s Institute. I left Miss Wheelock at Wilmingtonto take car to Long Beach.
I drove out on Hawaiian pier to attendClevicus meeting & luncheon on board the \"City of Los Angeles\" 22,000 ton oceanliner. Delicious fried chicken etc.
provided by the ship company. Inspectvessel & Mr. Leebrick talks to clergy about Social Service & theLaShell Co\'s. profit sharing plan.
Leave about 4 for Long Beach to visit cousins, 1240 Dawson Ave.\"
Wed. Oct. 13, 1926
Warm at noon, but cooler & fog in evening. A.M.Do some sprinkling & trim orange tree near pool. Drive to cafe for dinner & get some thingsfor Miss Tilerton
at Model Grocery & take them to her. Practice on Lincoln Ave. organ & get groceries atNash\'s & drive to ranch. Writeletter to Ruhamah & send her her films
mail letter at Post Office & getRuth Liming at CentralBuilding. We drive to Brookside Park to play tennis,she beats me, 6-3. Take her home.
Have supper at Crown City. Eve.Call on Mrs. Curtis & Miss Morse.Take them to FirstCong. Church.Drive to Lincoln Ave. M.E. Church & play piano
for prayermeeting. Take Rev. Taylor & MissSarborn & other home.
Condition:
The diaries are all softcover leatherbound with gilt pageedgesand ‘Excelsior’ brand.The 1908 measures 5” tall x 3”wide and has a half page per day format,
the 1912 & 1926 diaries measure5.75” tall x 3.5” wide and have a full page per day format. All of the handwritten pages are in excellentclean condition, with no foxing,
and the page paper has not deteriorated, andhas not turned brittle. All of the pages are present. Almost every day has an entry with someoccasional exceptions.
The leathercovers all show wear as seen in the photos.
The bindings are all holding together in the 1908, and 1926 books. The 1912 text block has separated
between theprinted reference section in the front and before the Jan 1stentry-otherwise the 1912 book is in about the same condition as 1908 and 1926.
Detailed daily entry primarysource material from a prominent early Pasadenagrower and resident, is not very common, and I suspect very little, if anymaterial,
is available from the handful of early residents of the very obscurePlaya Del Rey.
So please consider buying theserare, highly detailed diaries before they are gone. I searched the last 12 months of andfound almost nothing
for ‘Californiahandwritten diary’ for the period of 1900’s to 1920.
I believe these highly detailed diaries, withdaily entries, would be a welcome addition to any Californiahistory library, particularily for LosAngeles county.
Thanks and have a great day.
Shipping:
The books will be wrapped cushioned and shipped in a box toprotect their condition while in transit.
Shipped Insured with tracking. If you check my response you will see that Itake extra care with packaging.
Returns:
I always accept returns within 14 days without any reasonrequired (Buyer pays return shipping). So,after receiving the item, you can return the item,
in its original condition,with a full refund issued (except for original shipping costs which are notrefundable) after I physically receive the returned item.
The item must be return shipped in protectivepackaging with insurance and tracking.No partial returns, or partial refunds.
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This item will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail (about 3 to 5 business days) with tracking, signature confirmation (so it is not left on yourdoorstep unsecured)
and insurance.
International Shipping:
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at theCustoms office.
Fixed Price:
This is a fixed price listing (not an sale). And the ‘buy-it-now’ price includes free U.S.shipping.
With buy-it-now, there is no waiting to offer, or beingout-offer at the last moment.
Whoever decides first wins!
Thank you for looking, and please consider buying theserare highly detailed 1908, 1912, and1926 Los Angelesdiaries before they are gone.
Thanks and have a wonderful day!
1908 Handwritten Diary Playa del Rey Venice LA Pasadena California Manuscript:
$440.00