Description
The Kimball brothers – Frank, Warren, and Levi – were early visionary leaders of National City, the second oldest city in
San Diego County which was incorporated on September 17, 1887. Originally part of the 26,000-acre El Rancho de la Nacion,
the land was purchased in 1868 by the Kimball brothers who cleared lands, built roads, constructed the City's first wharf
and brought the railroad to the City. Evidence of this rich past can be found in the historic buildings, including the “Brick
Row” homes, and landscape throughout the City. The home (a 15-room ranch house) of Frank Kimball changed hands many times
after his death and was ultimately purchased by the City. After a two-year restoration it was eventually relocated in 1975
to the Heritage Square historical district and converted into a historic museum that is operated by the National City Historical
Society. The home, which was gutted on the inside by the City for the restoration project, contained many historic artifacts
and ephemera. The ephemera collection in this box contains legal documents, genealogy material, photographs and slides, newspaper
clippings, historic details about the house and the Kimball family, and other miscellaneous items. Provenance not indicated;
however, it most likely came from the collection of Pat Schaelchlin who was on the Board of Directors with the Save Our Heritage
Organisation (SOHO).