George W. Chambers, 1909-1978, Papers 1820-1971 (bulk 1880-1945)
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George W. Chambers, 1909-1978, Papers 1820-1971 (bulk 1880-1945)
MS 1079
Creator:
Chambers, George W, 1901-1978
Title:
George W. Chambers Papers,
Inclusive Dates:
1820-1971 (bulk 1880-1945)
Quantity:
22 boxes, 10.25 Linear Feet
Abstract:
Correspondence, notes, historical documents and photographs relating to George W. Chambers’ historical interests as well as his business and civic involvement.
Identification:
MS 1079
Language:
English
Repository:
Arizona Historical Society / Tucson Archives
949 East Second Street
Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: 520-617-1157
Fax: 520-629-8699
E-Mail: AHSref@azhs.gov
Biographical Note
George W. Chambers was a Tucson businessman, civic leader and amateur historian. Born in Onaga, Kansas on June 20, 1901, his family moved to Arizona in 1914. He graduated from Bisbee High School and attended Tempe Normal School of Arizona (now Arizona State University) for one year. After serving in the Navy during World War I, he attended the University of Arizona from 1919-1922. He began a long career in the newspaper business by joining the Tucson Daily Citizen in 1919. Chambers was involved in a number of Tucson organizations, including the Tucson Sunshine Climate Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the War Production Board, the Tucson Street Naming Committee and the Arizona Pioneer Historical Society. Chambers died January 16, 1978 in San Diego, California.
Scope and Content
The papers of George W. Chambers cover both his historical interests and his business and civic involvement. His historical interests were wide-ranging, but focused on Southern Arizona. He collected original documents relating to Cochise County court cases (1880-1907), Old Dominion Mine (1880-1886) and the San Agustin (Tucson, Arizona) census of 1820. Chambers also collected typescripts and manuscripts of John A. Rockfellow, an Arizona pioneer and author.
Chambers' civic involvement is represented in the collection. Records and correspondence relating to the Tucson Sunshine Climate Club, the Chamber of Commerce, Scrap Metal Campaign, War Production Board, Postwar Plan and the Tucson Street Naming Committee are included. Smaller portions of the collection relate to a variety of his projects including the restoration of the columns at Mission San Xavier del Bac, obtaining an honorary degree for Father Bonaventure Oblasser, the building of a road on Mount Lemmon and the designation of the Saguaro National Monument.
Chambers' personal papers are limited to four folders and consist of some personal correspondence, drafts of speeches and notes on various projects.
A major part of the collection consists of over 300 photographs. Approximately one-third of these photos are devoted to various projects: San Xavier del Bac restoration, Arizona Pioneer Historical Society and restored missions in the southwest. There are also 47 photographs of the filming of “Gay Desperado” in 1936, which appears to have been filmed at San Xavier. The remainder of the photographs are aerial views of Tucson, presumably from Chambers’ days on the Tucson Street Naming Committee (1948-1952). These include aerial views of Tucson and the surrounding area as well as unidentified individual homes, ranches and businesses. Approximately half of these aerial views are 8x10 photographs, half 11x14 and a few 16x20 prints.
Oversize documents include an election tally sheet from Tombstone in 1886, hotel register pages from Wilcox House in 1894, a Huachuca Water Company bond with coupons and several large maps. There is an bound, oversize scrapbook containing correspondence, book covers and more relating to the Arizona Silhouettes, a publishing company owned by Chambers.
Series List
The collection consists of 20 boxes ( 10.0 linear feet) of manuscript materials and photographs arranged in five series:
There are no restrictions on access to this collection. Some materials are filed in Rare; photocopies are available for patron use.
Copyright
Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be addressed
to the Arizona Historical Society, Southern Division, Library and Archives-Tucson.
Access Terms
Personal Name(s)
Arriquibar, Pedro de.
Brocius, William.
Chambers, George W., 1901-1978 -- Archives.
Leslie, Frank.
Oblasser, Bonaventure, 1885-1967.
Rockfellow, John A. (John Alexander), 1858-1947.
Stilwell, Frank, 1855-1882.
Corporate Name(s)
Chamber of Commerce (Tucson, Ariz.) -- Records and correspondence.
Cochise County (Ariz.) -- Records and correspondence.
Mission San Xavier del Bac (Tucson, Ariz.)
San Agustín Mission (Tucson, Ariz.)
Sunshine Climate Club (Tucson, Ariz.) -- Records and correspondence.
Tucson Street Naming Committee (Ariz.) -- Records and correspondence.
Geographic Name(s)
Cochise County (Ariz.) -- History.
Old Dominion Mine (Ariz.) -- Records and correspondence.
