Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Stanton, Philip Ackley, 1868-1945
- Abstract:
- The collection consists of papers related to the political, business and personal life of Southern California real estate developer and politician Philip A. Stanton (1868-1945). The majority of the collection concerns Philip Stanton’s political relationships, ambitions, and positions.
- Extent:
- 336 items in 1 box
- Language:
- The records are in English .
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection consists of papers related to the political, business and personal life of Philip A. Stanton. The papers span the years from 1909 to 1929. The majority of the collection concerns Philip Stanton’s political relationships, ambitions, and positions. Notable items include letters from William H. Taft, Samuel M. Shortridge, fellow legislators, and exchanges with Charles C. Chapman and Henry M. Wisler about citrus growers’ aid to the suffering civilian populations of Western Europe during World War I.
One folder contains correspondence related to Stanton’s business interests, almost exclusively in real estate and land development in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. It is organized chronologically. Notable items include a letter from Henry E. Huntington, several from his son Howard Huntington, and fifteen letters from Isaias W. Hellman, the prominent German-Jewish L.A. based businessman.
The one folder of newspaper clippings concerns Stanton’s political career, specifically the 1910 Republican gubernatorial primary and 1916 Republican senatorial primary. An ornate leather-bound scrapbook, decorated with metal plates, contains eleven telegrams and letters from such notables as David Starr Jordan, Harrison Gray Otis, and Hiram Johnson, congratulating Stanton on his role as California Assembly Speaker in defeating anti-Japanese legislation in 1909.
Overall, the papers illuminate the tight social networks that linked leading businessmen, land development, and the powerful conservative wing of the California Republican Party. Major subjects include land development in Orange and L.A. Counties and state and national politics in Southern California, including the California Assembly, Republican National Committee, the 1920 Presidential election, the status of Japanese in California, and relief of European civilians affected by World War I. Major participants include Charles C. Chapman, Isaias W. Hellman, Henry E. Huntington, Howard Huntington, Senator Samuel M. Shortridge, President William Taft and Henry M. Wisler.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Philip Ackley Stanton (1868-1929) came to California in 1887, became president of several real estate companies, and was responsible for building the towns of Huntington Beach (originally Pacific City, 1901) and Seal Beach (originally Bay City, 1915). The town of Stanton is named after him and he assisted in its 1911 incorporation. He served in the California assembly (1903-10), including a term as speaker from 1909 to 1910, served as a member of the Republican National Committee for California 1912 to 1916. In 1910, Stanton lost the Republican gubernatorial primary to the progressive Hiram Johnson.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchased from G. F. Hollingsworth on February 14, 1956, and May 30, 1958.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is grouped into folders by document type, the folders are in alphabetical order and files within every folder are arranged chronologically, except for political correspondence. Three folders contain political correspondence, arranged in alphabetical order of the author’s name.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2191