Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company Records, 1883-1933, bulk 1883-1908

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Summary

Abstract:
This collection consists of correspondence, business records, and maps of the Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company of Los Angeles, California, with the bulk dating from 1883-1908. The majority deals with the purchase of Boschke's Island in the Port of Los Angeles harbor.
Extent:
2.42 Linear Feet (2 boxes, 1 volume)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company Records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of correspondence, business records, and maps; the majority of which deal with the purchase of Boschke's Island (or Smith's Island) by the Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company from Albert and Martha Ellen Boschke. There were subsequent legal complications regarding this purchase with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and the Banning Company, primarily Joseph Brent Banning and William Banning (1858-1946). The dispute between the various parties dealt with the purchase of the island and of how much of it belonged to the respective parties. A small part of the collection deals with a bridge the Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company wanted to build from Boschke's Island (or Smith's Island) across the Wilmington slough or inner bay of San Pedro to the mainland.

Biographical / historical:

The Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company was originally the Los Angeles, California, branch of the J. G. Jackson Lumber Company. James Cuzner was managing it when in 1879 William George Kerckhoff (1856-1929) approached him about purchasing a partner stake in the company. Cuzner and Kerckhoff each purchased a quarter stake in the company and it then became the Jackson, Kerckhoff & Cuzner Lumber Company. In 1883 the company incorporated, and Kerckhoff became president and Cuzner became vice-president of the renamed Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company.

As business grew they acquired branch yards in Pasadena, Pomona, Lamanda Park, San Fernando, Hollywood, Brawley, Calexico, Imperial, and also purchased Boschke's Island (or Smith's Island, as it was also known) in San Pedro and established a wholesale mill and lumber yard there.

Acquisition information:
Gifts of William G. Cuzner, August 7, 1958 and August 27, 1973.
Arrangement:

The collection is organized in the following manner:

  1. 1. Correspondence and business records – Arranged chronologically – Box 1
  2. 2. Oversize folders – 15 folders
  3. 3. Ledger (account book) – 1 volume
Physical / technical requirements:

The ledger's binding is partially detached and fragile.

Physical facet:
113 pieces
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Company Records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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