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LLANO DEL RIO COLONY PAPERS 1896-1967
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Title: Llano Del Rio Colony Papers
Date (inclusive): 1896-1967
Date (bulk): (Bulk: 1930s)
Creator:
Llano Del Rio Colony
Extent:
516 pieces
Repository: The Huntington Library
San Marino, California 91108
Language:
English.
Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information
please go to following
URL .
In order to quote from, publish, or reproduce any of the manuscripts or visual materials, researchers must obtain formal permission
from the office of the Library Director. In most instances, permission is given by the Huntington as owner of the physical
property rights only, and researchers must also obtain permission from the holder of the literary rights. In some instances,
the Huntington owns the literary rights, as well as the physical property rights. Researchers may contact the appropriate
curator for further information.
Llano Del Rio Colony Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
The collection was given to the Huntington by Mellie Calvert and Knox Mellon. Mellie Calvert donated her portion of the collection
between 1969 and 1972; Knox Mellon's gift was made in December of 1973.
Inclusive Dates: 1896 - 1967 (Bulk: 1930s)
The collection contains 516 pieces.
The Llano del Rio Co-operative Colony was incorporated in 1914 by Los Angeles attorney Job Harriman, the socialist nominee
for mayor of Los Angeles in 1911. The settlement was located in the Antelope Valley of California near Pearblossom, where
an agricultural community was developed. Because of problems with water rights, transportation for produce, and internal dissension,
the colony was discontinued in 1918. One group of the colonists went to Louisiana and reestablished a community under the
name Newllano.
The collection contains correspondence, documents, minutes, newspaper clippings, photographs, poetry, and printed materials
pertaining to the Llano del Rio Colony and its successor, Newllano.
Most of the items donated by Mellie Calvert (Box 1) pertain to the history of the Llano del Rio Colony and the experiences
of its colonists. Some of this material looks at the influence Job Harriman and the Young People's Socialist League of California
had upon the founding of Llano, while other items represent the lives and daily struggles of individual Llano members.
The vast majority of the Knox Mellon addenda items (Boxes 2-4, plus two oversized items) pertain to Newllano and its various
problems. Although the collection spans from 1896 to 1967, the greatest concentration of items were written in the 1930s,
a turbulent time in Newllano's development. During the mid-1930s a power struggle arose in Newllano between its elected Board
(headed by George T. Pickett, 1876-1959) and a band of individuals who attempted to revoke Pickett's leadership and declare
a new Board. Letters and documents reflecting each side of the divide exist within the collection, although more of the materials
reflect the pro-Pickett stance. Sidney Young authors many of Pickett's defenses and is a strong voice throughout the collection.
Other Knox Mellon items reflect the pre-history of Llano, including copies of late nineteenth century letters penned by Job
Harriman and Morris Hillquit (1869-1933).
Subjects represented throughout the collection as a whole include the Llano and Newllano colonies, socialism in the United
States, socialist societies, Job Harriman, Morris Hillquit (1869-1933), George T. Pickett (1876-1959) and Sidney Young.
The collection is arranged in the following series:
- Materials given to the Huntington by Mellie Calvert (Box 1)
- Materials given to the Huntington by Knox Mellon (Boxes 2-4, plus 2 oversized items)
Within each series the materials original order has been maintained wherever discernible. Items in each series have been arranged
in chronological order and grouped by format.
Cooperative societies - California.
Cooperative societies - Louisiana.
Harriman, Job.
Hillquit, Morris, 1869-1933.
Llano Colony (Secular community)
Newllano Colony (Secular community)
Pickett, George T., 1876-1959.
Socialism - United States.
Socialism - Societies.
Socialists - Correspondence.