This is a research collection relating to the late nineteenth century coastal geomorphology, fluvial geomorphology, climate, and soils of Southern California. Coast [and Geodetic] survey maps, letters from Assistants found in the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley, descriptions of surveying stations from the National Archives in Suitland, MD, and annual summaries of the Coast Survey are in collection.

Corps of Engineers reports on harbors and a volume containing testimony and maps relating to the selection of San Pedro as the primary harbor for southern California are included. Portions of the Reagan Report on flooding containing eye-witness accounts and other early engineering documents relating to the San Gabriel River on file in the Los Angeles County Public Works Department in Alhambra are present.

Letters and other material from the Huntington Library in San Marino are to be found in this collection. Tree-ring studies, portions of Master's theses, Soild Surveys, articles from newspapers [Los Angeles Star, Anaheim Gazette], materials relating to Anaheim Landing, journal articles and sections in historical works on environmental topics, consultant's reports on coastal sites, and W.P.A. works on early Orange County are in the collection. Journal articles on these topics, including those by the donor, are also available for review.