George W. Chambers (1901-1978) was an amateur historian and
business manager for various Tucson Newspapers. This collections contains newspaper
clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, books, court records, correspondence, and interviews
on audiotape. Many of the materials are related to Chambers' work at Tucson Newspapers,
Inc., Arizona Silhouettes, and El Archivo de Hidalgo del Parral.
Collection Number:
MS 723
Language:
Materials are in English.
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
E-Mail: LBRY-askspcoll@email.arizona.edu
Biographical Note
George W. Chambers (1901-1978) was born in Kansas and became a Tucson resident in 1910.
He attended the University of Arizona. In 1923 he joined the staff of the Tucson Daily
Citizen and in 1931 joined the Arizona Daily Star. In 1940 he played a principal role in
the Joint Operating Agreement between the Citizen and the Star to form Tucson Newspapers
Inc. He was business manager of Tucson Newspapers Inc., retiring in 1970. Chambers is
also known for Arizona Silhouettes, a publishing company he founded with his son, Dale,
in 1950. The family-run operation reprinted rare, old books telling stories and
historical accounts Arizona and Sonora. Another one of Chambers' pursuits involved the
microfilm preservation of El Archivo de Hidalgo del Parral. Consisting of more than
360,000 manuscript pages, these colonial-era records (1631-1821) document Nueva Vizcaya,
a province of New Spain that included Arizona and New Mexico. Chambers was also an
amateur historian and civic leader. He was a member of the Arizona Board of Regents
1961-69 and was president in 1967.
Scope and Content Note
The bulk of these papers document George Chambers' professional involvement in Tucson
Newspapers Inc., Arizona Silhouettes, and El Archivo de Hidalgo del Parral. Materials
also include research files Chambers collected as an amateur historian. A small
selection consists of personal correspondence and photographs. The collection features
correspondence, photographs and maps, illustrations, and very limited audio materials.
Organization
This collection is organized into 8 series and 12 subseries.
Series VIII: Audiovisual materials is restricted. Use of original audio visual materials
is restricted due to their fragile nature. No access copies are currently available.
Please contact Special Collections for more information. There are no restrictions on
the rest of the collection.
Copyright
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from theowner of
the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her
transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the University of Arizona, its officers,
employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he
or she is an owner of copyright.
This series includes personal materials belonging to or collected by George
Chambers throughout his life and career. Items have been arranged
alphabetically.
box
folder
1
1
Artwork and note from Sierra Vista Riding Ranch, 1937
This series includes miscellaneous correspondence collected by George Chambers
throughout his career. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by author and/or
subject. Additional correspondence relating to Tucson Newspapers, Inc. can be
found in Series III, additional correspondence relating to Arizona Silhouttes can
be found in Series IV, and correspondence relating to El Archivo de Hidalgo de
Parral can be found in Series V.
Series III incldues correspondence, administrative files, printed materials, and
newspaper clippings related to Tucson Newspapers, Inc. Formed in 1940, Tucson
Newspapers includes the Tucson Citizen and Arizona Daily Star. While
each newspaper maintains its own agency, the "production facilities and
advertising, marketing, circulation, finance, information technology and human
resources departments are shared". Subseries 1 includes correspondence, Subseries
2 includes administrative files, and Subseries 3 includes printed materials and
newspaper clippings.
This series includes information about the publishing company Arizona Silhouettes,
which George Chambers owned and ran. Subseries include correspondence,
administrative files, illustrations, manuscripts, and printed materials. Items are
arranged alphabetically unless otherwise noted.
This subseries includes correspondence relating to Arizona Silhouettes, a
publishing company run by George Chambers. Correspondence is arranged
alphabetically by author and/or subject.
This subseries includes administrative files pertaining to the daily operations
of Arizona Silhouettes. Items are arranged alphabetically unless otherwise
noted.
This subseries includes illustrations that were to be used in different Arizona
Silhouettes projects. Illustrations are organized following Chambers' original
layout in his files.
box
folder
3
15
Illustrations, undated
3
16
Illustrations from Bill, 1966
3
17
Illustrations -- How the Animals Made Rain , undated
This subseries includes manuscripts that were submitted to George Chambers
while he was running Arizona Silhouettes. Manuscripts are at various states of
completion. Items are arranged alphabetically unless otherwise noted.
box
folder
3
18
Ainsa, J. Y.. History of the Crabb Expedition in Sonora
, 1951
3
19-21
Booth, Minnie A.. They Lived off the Land , 1959-1966
3
22
Carr, Bill. The Desert Speaks , 1956
3
23
Cremony, John C.. Life Among the Apaches , 1951
3
24
Four Flags over Tucson , undated
3
25
Hughston, Caroline Mary. Old Fort Lowell , 1964
3
26
Pack, Arthur N.. The Ghost Ranch , 1960
3
27
Pack, Arthur N.. This too was Mine , undated
3
28
Shaw, James Byrnie. The Cochise Manuscript , undated
3
29
Vorl(ez?), C. T.. Dread Dwellers of the Desert ,
3
30
Wenck, H. E.. Phantoms of Old Tombstone , 1951
box
folder
4
1-2
Wood, Elizabeth Lambert. South of the Gila , undated
This series includes information relating to Index to El Archivo de Hidalgo del
Parral. The index includes information from the Municipal Archives of
Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico.
This subseries includes correspondence related to the Index to El Archivo de
Hidalgo del Parral. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by author
and/or subject.
box
folder
5
1
Di Peso, Rosaldo and Anderson arrangement, 1964-1966
This subseries includes administrative files, notably notes on the indexing
microfilm, related to Index to El Archivo de Hidalgo del Parral. Items
are alphabetized by subject.
This series includes printed materials, pamphlets, and journals that discuss
the Index to El Archivo de Hidalgo del Parral. Items are arranged
alphabetically by subject.
box
folder
5
14
El Archivo de Hidalgo del Parral microfilm pamphlets, undated
This series includes groupings of research files that George Chambers worked with
during his career. Some of the files relate to books Chambers' was working on
while others are of personal interest. Items have been arranged alphabetically by
subject and/or author.
box
folder
6
1-2
1600s documents, 1600s
6
3
1800s documents, 1800s
6
4
1800s documents -- Macimillan, 1800s
box
folder
7
1
Abraham, Franklin, undated
7
2
Adams, D. E., 1934
7
3
Anza Expedition, 1975
7
4
"Architecture of the Sonora Missions" by DeLong and Miller, 1937
7
5
Arizona Pioneer Historical Society annual meeting, 1931
7
6
Arizona population reports, 1930-1945
7
7
Arizona Statistical Review , 1950
7
8
Bill Turnbow's Political Almanac , 1951
7
9
Blythe, T. Roger. California Missions , 1949
7
10
Bogan, Mrs. Phebe, 1926
7
11
Brand books, 1904, 1945
7
12
Buffalo Evening News Almanac , 1954
7
13
Calabazas, undated
7
14
Census reports, 1940
7
15
Central Arizona Project Association, 1962-1966, undated
7
16
Central Arizona Project Association monthly reports, 1961-1964
7
17
Chinn, Reverend Celestine. Mission San Xavier del Bac
, undated
7
18
Cochise Stronghold, undated
7
19
Constitution, proofreading , undated
7
20
Dr. Forbes newspaper clippings, 1953, undated
7
21
Edith's transcription of Yuma Crossing, Yeager, undated
7
22-23
En Route for Arizona, pg 1-102, 1963-1966
7
24-25
En Route for Arizona, pg 102-303, 1863-1866
7
26-27
En Route for Arizona, pg 304-425, 1863-1866
7
28
En Route for Arizona, settler research, undated
7
29
Erik Nelson, 1970
7
30
Felix, W. E., 1926
7
31
Fergusson war research, undated
7
32
Filibusters Expedition research, 1857
7
33
Fillers, undated
7
34
Foreign editors visit, 1957
7
35
Fort Lowell map and letter, 1953
7
36
Goodwin, John N., undated
7
37
Grindell, Edward P. The Lost Explorers , 1953
7
38
GWC dontations, 1921, 1954, 1965, undated
7
39
Hall, Sharlot M.. A Pioneer of 1885 Goes West , 1936
7
40
Hilario Gabilondo diary, undated
box
folder
8
1
Historical Association Committee. Tucson Historical Sites
, 1969
8
2
Historical Account of Arizona -- Agriculture and livestock, 1950, undated
8
3
Historical Account of Arizona -- Climatic history, 1950, undated
8
4
Historical Account of Arizona -- Commerce, undated
8
5
Historical Account of Arizona -- Counties and cities, undated
8
6
Historical Account of Arizona -- Geologic history, undated
8
7
Historical Account of Arizona -- Indians, undated
8
8
Historical Account of Arizona -- Land area, undated
8
9
Historical Account of Arizona -- Mining, undated
8
10
Historical Account of Arizona -- Motor vehicles, undated
8
11
Historical Account of Arizona -- Mountains and peaks, undated
8
12
Historical Account of Arizona -- Outline, undated
8
13
Historical Account of Arizona -- Population, undated
8
14
Historical Account of Arizona -- Public health, undated
8
15
Historical Account of Arizona -- Soil and water, undated
8
16
Historical Account of Arizona -- State of Arizona, undated
8
17
Historical Account of Arizona -- Vegetation and forests, undated
8
18
History and folklore, undated
8
19
The Hunter Claim, undated
8
20
INAH. 4 Cronicas de la Conquista de Nueva... , 1960
8
21
Ives, Ronald L.. Mission San Marcello del Sonoydag , 1955
8
22
Kelly, Major George H., 1926
8
23
Kitt Peak, 1967
8
24
Lamb, Dan and Ginger, 1950-1955
8
25
Library Association, University of Arizona, 1954-1960
8
26
Maps to be reproduced, undated
8
27
Mathews. The Coming of Medical Education to Arizona
, circa 1973
8
28
McGrael, E. J.. Letters from John , undated
8
29
Military history, undated
8
30
Miller, F. Curt. "Journal" transcription, undated
8
31
Milne, Lorus and Margery. The World of Night ARC, 1956
8
32
Mining related notes, undated
8
33
Miscellaneous pamphlets, undated
8
34
Miscellaneous speeches and materials, circa 1930s-1950s
8
35
Mundi, Imago. A Review of Early Cartography , undated
8
36
Noriega, Raul. Desciframientos de Inscripciones... , 1958
8
37
Noriega, Raul. Registry of Eclipses of the Sun Found Two...
, 1956
8
38
OP -- Census of Tucson, 1820, undated
box
folder
9
1
OP -- Chambers' clippings, various
9
2-3
OP -- Court records, 1874-1877, undated
9
4
OP -- Deeds and miscellaneous subpoenas, undated
9
5
OP -- History of Tucson, 1870-1890, undated
9
6
OP -- Miscellaneous, circa 1870s-1880s, undated
9
7
OP -- Papago Indians, undated
9
8
OP -- Sisters of Saint Joseph, circa 1870s-1880s, undated
9
9
OP -- Special editions, 1930s
9
10
Pesqueira, Fernando. Sonora en la Historia , undated
9
11
Petitions to US Census Bureau for Metropolitan Count, 1950
9
12
Politics, 1857
9
13
Pradeau, Alberto Francisco. Nentuig's 'Description of Sonora'
, undated
9
14
President Roosevelt executive orders, messages, etc., 1934-1942
9
15
Ramos, Roberto. Descripcion Heche en el Ano de... , 1949
9
16
Raza Seri, undated
9
17
Reynolds, Albert S. and Mrs. Perkins, 1926
9
18
Rogers, J. A.. Proposed Amendments to UN Charter...
, 1955
9
19
Sacramento Daily Union notes, undated
9
20
Schwalen and Shaw. Water in the Santa Cruz Valley, Arizona
, 1961
9
21
Sykes, Glenton G.. A Sonoran Venture , 1964
9
22
Theobald, Lillian. The Reverend Hiram Walter Read , undated
9
23
A Tour through Arizona , 1864
9
24
Tucson Chamber of Commerce stocks, undated
9
25
Tucson Regional Plan, undated
9
26
UA. Suspended Sediment and Chemical Analyses... , 1961
This series includes photographs. Photographs are organized alphabetically by
subject. Chambers' original files had a large series of 'miscellaneous'
photographs that will remain categorized as such.
This series includes one 5" reel audiotapes, nineteen 7" reel audiotapes, and one
set of sound disks. Items have been arranged as they were ordered in original
files from George Chambers. Audio reels are currently restricted.
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original audio visual materials is restricted due to their fragile nature.
No access copies are currently available. Please contact Special Collections for
more information.
box
item
13
1
Luis Canaliso, Guaymas, Sonora. Miramar Beach, March 2, 1964
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD001
7" reel
13
2
Ernenwein at the Westerners, November 4, 1957
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD002
7" reel
13
3
Annual Letterman's breakfast, Santa Rita Hotel, Jake Meyer
(president), November 3, 1963
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD003
7" reel
Tucson History, GWC Rotary talk, circa 1952
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD005
7" reel
13
6
Discussion of Operation of Photon Composition with GWC, Bob Hunter,
Charles Harris, Tommy Claric, and Carl Lehman, undated
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD006
7" reel
13
7
GWC commencement speeches, 1967 (side 1); Neil Morgan, Tucson program
by Dean Moore of College of Education (side 2), 1967
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD007
7" reel
13
8
Radio interview with Bernice Cosulich on Old Tucson (badly garbled) and
Ben Slack's birthday, 1951 (side 1); Typical day at Silhouettes, Rudy Zepeda
genealogy, and Zepeda family dirty jokes in Spanish (side 2) , 1951
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD008
7" reel
13
9
Dale, Rotary Club on Hughes plant, undated
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD009
7" reel
13
10
Arthur (Sun) Beam, homecoming at Birdcage piano, undated
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD010
5" reel
13
11
Ethel Macia, Tombstone, October 6, 1958; Westerners, Student Union
building, introduced by Edith O'Keet, undated; Chief Cochise, November 3, 1958;
Gatewood letter, undated; E. G. Rawlins on Pancho Villa, September 13,
1971, 1958, 1971
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD011
7" reel
13
12
Mrs. Macia at Rose Tree Inn, July 9, 1959
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD012
7" reel
13
13
Harry Heffner's family, 1963-05-22
1 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD013
7" reel
13
14-16
Rodeo Committee meetings, February 16, 1945
3 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD014, Box 13,
MS723_Chambers_BD015, and Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD016
7" reels
13
17-19
Rodeo Committee meetings, February 16, 1945
3 1/4 inch audio tapes
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD017, Box 13,
MS723_Chambers_BD018, and Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD019
7" reels
13
20
Ed Echols speech, undated
6 Items
Box 13, MS723_Chambers_BD020
6 -- small sound discs, green, in an envelope