Abstract

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is an international altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization. This collection contains records from the Beaumont Lodge of the Odd Fellows, and its auxiliary chapters for women and adolescents.

Abstract Iva Tevis, born in Southeast Texas in 1873, was the great-grandson of Nancy Tevis, a member of one of Beaumont's first families. In the early 1900s, he played professional baseball with the Texas League and the American Association, and soon after returned to Beaumont to work for the city. In 1933, he became Constable of Precinct 1, a position he held for the rest of his life. The Iva Tevis Collection features portraits of Iva, photographs from his professional, sporting, and church...

Abstract J. Glenn Cummings is a resident of Beaumont, Texas who has researched, written, and published historical works on the subjects of scouting and World War II. His book on World War II naval aviator Harry Brinkley Bass, "Trailing a Texas Eagle," was extensively researched and published in 2010. Cummings also served as scoutmaster of Beaumont Troop 65 Boy Scouts of America for nearly thirty years. The collection consists of research notebooks, interviews, presentations, military records,...

Abstract

The Jackson Broocks Osborne Papers are a series of papers primarily related to Osborne's grandfather, John H. Broocks, and step-father, William Seale. The Broocks' papers include correspondence regarding his business ventures, papers from his legal practice, and his own personal writings. While the Seale's papers consist of correspondence and deeds, and financial ledgers from his sister's pharmacy, R. Seale & Co. Drugs.

Abstract

The Jacqueline Barnes Papers is a small artificial collection consisting of historical Barnes family deeds and oil leases in the Houston and Refugio county region, vital records of Laura Lee Conrad Barnes, pet medical records, Brittany dog breeding records, and photographs of dog shows. These materials were found among a donation of geneaology and history books from Jacqueline Barnes in 2020.

Abstract Janice Zahn was born in 1936 to Henry and Myrtle Zahn, who were the owners of the South Park Jewlery Store. She was a student at South Park High School and graduated in 1954. Afterwards, she went on to attend Lamar Tech and graduated in 1958. While in school, she was a junior member of the American Red Cross. She also attended Washington Boulevard Christian Church. Her interests included geneology, which is reflected in this collection. There are also included: programs, invitations,...

Abstract Judge J.D. Campbell was born in Chappell Hill, Texas, during the Civil War. During his time in Beaumont he worked as an appointed corporation court judge, with a private firm, as the elected city attorney, and as the justice of the 60th District Court. This collection is comprised largely of Judge J. D. Campbell’s business and personal papers and other items related to the activities of him and his family. These take the form of artifacts, correspondence, manuscripts, newspapers and...

Abstract Jeanette Mulder Greer was a native of Beaumont, who attended local schools and then graduated in 1941 from Beaumont High School. She began her professional career in 1945 with KFDM Radio and was soon thereafter employed with KFDM Television. Her career at KFDM spanned 43 years with her final retirement being in 1989. During her tenure with the local telecommunication media company, she served as both business manager and then vice president and assistant secretary to the general manager....

Abstract

This collection of materials belonged to Jeannette Doiron, Club Historian for the Woman's Club of Beaumont. Materials include club yearbooks from 1959 to 2015, budgets, newsletters, periodicals, brochures, events, programs, newspaper clippings, awards, meetings, and other administrative materials.

Abstract The Jefferson Amusement Company was founded in 1917 by Sol Gordon and Joe Clemmons. The Company's headquarters was located in Beaumont where some of the most elegant movie theaters were located including the famous Jefferson Theater which opened in 1927. This collection focuses on the maintenance of the Beaumont theaters, especially the Liberty and Jefferson theaters, film release schedules, contracts and financial correspondence, income ledgers, booking schedules, construction blue prints...

Abstract The Jefferson Theatre was designed by architect Emile Weil in 1927, orignially for the Jefferson Amusement Company. The theatre closed in 1972, but reopened after an extensive restoration in 2003. This collection consists of materials originally collected by the Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society. The majority of the collection is comprised of deeds, oil leases, financial records, and correspondence related to the estates of Lena Mayer and Sol E. Gordon and their relatives. The...

Abstract Joan and Norman Lowrey were both Southeast Texas natives. Joan was a descendant of the French family, one of the earliest families to settle in Beaumont, and her husband Norman served in the National Guard and the Army in World War II and the Korean War, respectively. After graduating from Beaumont High School in 1944, he attended Lamar University and afterwards worked there as Coordinator of Adult Education until his retirement. Their collection features mixed material related to Beaumont...

Abstract

John C. Hooper, Jr., was a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He lived in Beaumont for 73 years and was the owner of Hooper Graphic Arts and also was employed as a freelance photographer for the Beaumont Enterprise newspaper. This collection includes photographs of landmark structures around the City of Beaumont, landscapes, industrial, and portrait photographs that date back to the early 1900’s.

Abstract

The John Dollinger, Jr., Company moved in 1907 to Beaumont, Texas, from Plaquemine, Louisiana, where it quickly became a local leader in the steel fabrication industry until its closure in 1995.

Abstract This collection consists of photographs obtained from John E. Glasgow of Pacific Palisades, California, which were taken by his grandfather, Clinton B. Glasgow, of Beaumont, Texas. The photographs depict the travels of Clinton Glasgow as a private chauffeur and salesman in the geographic locale of Texas and Mexico (with primary emphasis being that of the region of southeast Texas), and his further travels to Kentucky, Maine and New York. The images also reflect Clinton Glasgow’s particular...

Abstract

John H. Walker (1909-2001) was born in Beaumont, Texas, and held a deep interest in Beaumont history. This interest culminated in the publication of his book, Beaumont: A Pictorial History.

Abstract Joseph Bryan Morris (1892-1982) was born in Hamilton, Texas and moved to Beaumont in 1917 after graduating from the University of Texas. He worked as a lawyer in Beaumont, most notably as an attorney for the Beaumont and South Park School Districts, as well as the Port of Beaumont and South Park Junior College (precursor to Lamar College of Technology, and later, Lamar University). The Joseph Bryan Morris Papers consist primarily of legal documentation, litigation, oil and gas leases,...

Abstract Juanita Hughes Phelps (1918-2005) became an active resident of Beaumont for forty-seven years. She served as head of the Artist Series, president of the Magnolia District and State Federation of Woman's Clubs, and was involved with the Beaumont Opera and Beaumont Woman's Club. The collection largely consists of materials related to the organizations Juanita H. Phelps was involved with. Programs, reports, clippings, correspondence, events, rosters, scrapbooks, and other administrative records...

Abstract

This collection contains photographs, professional documents, plaques and memorabilia pertaining to the life and career of Judge Al Gerson, who presided over the Jefferson County Court of Law Number One for twenty-seven years, from 1984 until his retirement in 2011.

Abstract

The Junior League of Beaumont, a civic organization of women devoted to volunteerism, was first organized in 1937 with thirty-eight members. In 1945 the League joined the Association of Junior Leagues of America. This collection consists of Junior League of Beaumont publications including issues of the “Spinnings from Spindeltop” newsletter and annual reports. Annual reports include information on by-laws and membership lists.

Abstract Betty Lamont Maloney Leaf was born in 1922 in St. Augustine, Florida. She came to serve both as president of the Magnolia Garden Club of Beaumont and then as director of the Garden Club of America. She also received the Medal of Merit from the Garden Club of America. This collection consists primarily of publications, certificates, and awards from the Garden Club of America and the many other Beaumont community organizations Betty Leaf was involved with. It also features photographs and...

Abstract John Henry Phelan made his fortune with the Spindletop oil discovery before setting about to build the most spectacular house in Beaumont. The house was designed by Atlanta architect, Owen James Trainor Southwell, a childhood friend of Phelan. The $500,000 mansion designed was a nine-bay, two story house of limestone brick with a gabled, tile roof and sat on 28 acres of property. The estate was given to the Sisters of Charity in January of 1957 and served as a convent house. Today the city...

Abstract

KFDM is the first and oldest television station in the Beaumont area, serving Port Arthur, Orange, and Lake Charles, as well. It first went on air April 24, 1955. This collection consists of KFDM's PM Magazine Tapes and the News Library Tapes. There is also an index section, which contains Log Books to news clippings, chronological list of PM Magazine episodes, and listings of newsclips by date.

Abstract

Lena Triplett Milam (1884-1984) had a profound impact on the development of the musical arts in Beaumont. This collection spans Lena Milam's professional life and the period of her retirement. Newspaper clippings highlight important periods in her life, such as the formation of the Music Study Club and the start of Music Week. Correspondence mainly includes letters of appreciation from admirers. Program guides offer a concise look at music events in Beaumont.

Abstract

Wilber C. Looney was a prominent businessman in Beaumont, Texas. When he retired he was a manager in southeast Texas for Westinghouse Electric Corp. He and his wife, Thyrza, a well-known local interior designer, resided at a now-historic home on North Eleventh and Toccoa Streets. Known then as the Vaughn House, the couple restored this Victorian cottage into a plantation-style mansion in 1948.

Abstract

Lynn H. and Frances Katherine Shaw Gilbert were long-time residents of Beaumont, Texas. Prior to their marriage in 1966, they had both been previously married. This collection consists of family photo albums, loose photographs, and a patent certificate with accompanying correspondence for an extended family member. Also included in the photographs are items related to friends, vacations, and events that occurred in the course of their lives.

Abstract

Collection containing administrative and financial documents, scrapbooks, newsletters, and awards belonging to the Magnolia Garden Club and reflecting decades of activity in and around Beaumont.

Abstract

This collection contains the personal and legal papers, and artifacts of Margaret A. Chamberlain during her life in Beaumont, Texas.

Abstract This collection contains South Park High School football programs, as well as several issues of the Greenie Gusher newsletter from the late 1940s. The newsletter printed issues from the early 1930s until, at least, the late 1970s. South Park High School was founded in the late 1890s and expanded with the 1901 oil boom. The school mascot was the "Greenies" and the school color was green. The high school was eventually merged into West Brook High School as a desegregation measure. This...

Abstract Members of Mary Ogden Hayden’s family were longtime residents of Southeast Texas. Her uncle, Louis Ogden, owned a hardware store and Chevrolet dealership in Anahuac. The family was also involved in rice farming in Winnie. The collection includes photographs of students in South Park High School when Mrs. Hayden was attending, photographs of the Melody Maids while Mrs. Hayden was a member of the group, and photographs of local disasters and events which were taken by Mrs. Hayden’s brother....