MS 10 Walter Bellon Papers
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- San Diego History Center Document Collection
- Creator
- Bellon, Walter
- Title
- Walter Bellon Papers
- ID
- MS 10
- Date
- 1912-1974
- Extent
- 0.25 Linear feet (1 box)
- Language
- English
- Language of Materials
- Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
- Abstract
- This collection contains Walter Bellon’s personal memoirs, his observations on the San Diego Stingaree District (including Chinatown), and details of his travels in Baja California.
Preferred Citation
Walter Bellon Papers, MS 10, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Biographical / Historical Notes
Walter Bellon (1881-1972) was born in Trenton, New Jersey. Moving to San Diego in 1908, he went to work for the San Diego Health Department. In 1910, serving as Health and Sanitary Inspector, Bellon was tasked with the difficult and dangerous job of organizing the cleanup San Diego’s Stingaree District and Waterfront. Bellon resigned in 1922 and went into the plumbing business. He re-entered public life in 1936, being elected to the County Board of Supervisors where he was selected Chairman of the Board during the 1937, 1941 and 1942 terms. In addition to his political career Bellon was an avid marksman and recounts his interactions and hunting expeditions in Baja California in essays spanning 1911-1920.
Scope and Content
This collection contains Walter Bellon’s personal memoirs, his observations on the San Diego Stingaree District (including Chinatown), and details of his travels in Baja California. Included in this collection are Walter Bellon’s typed manuscript and memories and anecdotes from his time with the Health Department. Bellon’s sketched street and property maps of San Diego’s Stingaree District are included along with his certificate of appointment as a Special Police Officer. Also of note are travel documents from and accounts of Bellon’s time spent hunting in Baja California, including receipts, firearms license documents and personal essays.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by series:
Series I: Memoirs
Series II: Stingaree District
Series III: Baja California
Administrative Information
Publication Information
San Diego History Center Document Collection May 2013
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession number 760413 (drawing).
Processing Information
Collection processed by Jennifer Vanoni on March 6, 2013.
Controlled Access Headings
Geographic Name(s)
- Al Hotel Palacio
- Baja California (Mexico : Peninsula)
- Stingaree District (San Diego, Calif.)
Personal Name(s)
- Hellyer, David
- Martinez, Marcus
Subject(s)
- Canneries
- Hunting
- Local government
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Overall, this collection is in fair condition. Bellon’s essays and anecdotes are written primarily in pencil; take care to be mindful of fading and need to photocopy originals. (February 2013).
Collection Inventory
Series I Memoirs |
||||
| Box-folder | ||||
| “Walter Bellon Manuscript” | 1:1 | |||
| Handwritten Letter to Grace Hall re: manuscript | 1:2 | |||
| “This is My Life” – handwritten autobiographical outline | 1:2 | |||
| Military anecdotes – handwritten notes | 1:2 | |||
| “Stupid and ______ Events Often Occur in the Field of Sports (Hunting)” – handwritten essay 1928 | 1:2 | |||
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|
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Series II Stingaree District |
||||
| Box-folder | ||||
| Bellon’s map of Stingaree District Buildings (1 of 2) | 1:3 | |||
| Bellon’s map of Stingaree District Buildings (2 of 2) | 1:3 | |||
| Note from Elizabeth MacPhail re: errors on map 1974 | 1:3 | |||
| Certificate of Appointment/Oath of Office re: Special Police Officer 1913 | 1:3 | |||
| “Associated Charities of San Diego”- handwritten essay 1915 | 1:4 | |||
| “Hate”- handwritten essay | 1:4 | |||
| “Fish Cannery Odors”- handwritten essay | 1:4 | |||
| “This Oriental Coolie Grew Rich Where Others Failed”- handwritten essay 1949 | 1:4 | |||
| “This Building Was Once the Seat of City Government”- handwritten essay | 1:4 | |||
| Chinatown – handwritten notes | 1:5 | |||
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Series III Baja California |
||||
| Box-folder | ||||
| “A Man of 12 Wives – 2 Living Under the Same Roof”- handwritten essay 1911-1912 | 1:6 | |||
| Brief handwritten anecdote about young couple and flashlight | 1:6 | |||
| Handwritten Letter to David Hellyer, Inter-American Editor of San Diego Union re: trip to Sonora | 1:6 | |||
| “Tijuana Baja Calif”- handwritten essay | 1:6 | |||
| Ojos Negros Hunting Trip with Marcus Martinez – handwritten essay 1920 | 1:6 | |||
| “The Man I Once Knew – Don Ramon” – handwritten essay | 1:6 | |||
| “A Few Remarks About the Spoilers of Baja California”- brief handwritten anecdote | 1:6 | |||
| Travel Recommendation from the President of The Common Council of the City of San Diego 1913 | 1:7 | |||
| Introduction (of Bellon) Letter to Dr. Muinioza; Health Offices, Nogales, Sonora | 1:7 | |||
| Firearms License for Baja California 1912 | 1:7 | |||
| Firearms License – Receipt 1912 | 1:7 | |||
| Handwritten Receipt for J. Murray Loop 1912 | 1:7 | |||
| Handwritten Receipt for $6.50 1912 | 1:7 | |||
| Bank de Sonora – Deposit, Bellon 1912 | 1:7 | |||
| Al Hotel Palacio – Receipt, Bellon 1912 | 1:7 | |||
| Al Hotel Palacio – Receipt, $68.25 1912 | 1:7 | |||
| Al Hotel Palacio – Receipt, $41.50 | 1:7 | |||
| Certificate of Copyright Registration (in envelope) for Bellon’s map of Baja California. 1913 | 1:7 | |||
| Envelope containing “Calling Cards – Baja Residents” | 1:7 | |||
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