Tag: lewis publishing company

History of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

(1922) edited by John Brown Jr. for San Bernardino County (and James Boyd for Riverside County), is a two-volume regional history published by the Lewis Publishing Company. This work provides detailed biographical sketches, historical overviews, and profiles of early settlers, professionals, politicians, and businesspeople from the Inland Empire region of Southern California.

Key Details:

  • Full Title: History of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties: With Selected Biography of Actors and Witnesses of the Period of Growth and Achievement
  • Publication Date: 1922
  • Publisher: Lewis Publishing Company
  • Editors:
    • John Brown, Jr. – responsible for San Bernardino County sections
    • James Boyd – responsible for Riverside County sections

Contents:

  • Volume I: Covers the general history of the two counties, including early exploration, mission influence, settlement, economic development (ranching, mining, agriculture), and infrastructure like railroads and irrigation.
  • Volume II: Devoted largely to biographical sketches of notable individuals—pioneers, community leaders, business owners, and public officials.

Notable Features:

  • It contains firsthand accounts and detailed family histories, many of which are not found elsewhere.
  • The editors relied on interviews and submissions from local families and civic leaders, making it a valuable source for genealogical and regional research.
  • The book reflects early 20th-century values and perspectives, often idealizing the pioneer spirit and the “civilizing” of the region.

An Illustrated History of Southern California

“An Illustrated History of Southern California” is a historical volume published in 1890 by The Lewis Publishing Company. It is part of a larger series of regional histories from that era, each covering a different part of the United States. These books were often subscription-based vanity publications, meaning they included detailed biographies and histories submitted (and sometimes paid for) by the individuals or families featured.

Here’s what you should know about this specific volume:

Full Title:
An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California
Published: 1890
Publisher: The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago

Contents Summary:

  1. Early Exploration and Settlement:
    • Spanish exploration (notably Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo and Gaspar de Portolá)
    • Mission system and colonization under Spanish and Mexican rule
  2. Mexican and Early American Period:
    • Mexican land grants and ranchos
    • The transition to American governance post-1848 (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo)
    • California statehood and its impact on the region
  3. Development of Counties and Towns:
    • Growth of cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Bernardino
    • Railroads, agriculture (especially citrus and vineyards), and real estate booms
  4. Biographical Sketches:
    • Hundreds of pages of biographies of prominent settlers, businessmen, ranchers, and civic leaders
    • Often includes portraits and details about personal achievements, land holdings, and social connections
  5. Illustrations:
    • Engravings and lithographs of important buildings, early maps, ranch homes, street scenes, and individuals

Use and Value Today:

  • It serves as a primary source for historians, genealogists, and researchers
  • The biographies provide insight into settler perspectives, economic development, and social hierarchies of the late 19th century
  • The illustrations and engravings are valuable for understanding the visual landscape of the era

Note of Caution:
While rich in historical detail, the book reflects the biases of its time—including Eurocentric views, boosterism, and often omitting or minimizing Native American perspectives.