The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-01-30
.S.A R. LIBRARY
ISREMARKABLE
OF HISTORY AT RE-
PoSITORY OF THE SOUTHWEST
GREATEST WEST o FTHE MIS-
SISSIPPI.

east. mat DOCK was most UNUSUAL
She travelled 5000 miles to spend less
than four hours in studying it, and re-
turned home inside of twenty-four
hours. This is one of the various in
stances of this nature relating to the
collection of American reference books
owned by a well known organization.
The public generally knows little about
this remarkable Iibary, except that it is
located in Los Angeles.
The repository of the Southwest, the
historical, genealogical and biographi-
cal reference library of the society,
Sons of the American Revolution, in
Los Angeles. is nearly 80 years old.
From a small collection it has grown
and expanded until today it numbers
thousands of volumes devoted exclu-
sively to American history, beginning
with the founding of the first colonies
in America to the many publications
of who's Who,' in the various local.
ties of the United States today. All of
this is being collected. And the most
unusual fact about it is, that practical
~ every volume has been a gift.
No patriotic society of the U. S. to-
day so far as known, has a collection
that compares with that to be found in
the Repository of the Southwest, at
Los Angeles, the property of the so
ciety, Sons of the Revolution. Records
of the persons who fought in the early
wars of the colonies, the war of the
revolution the war of 1912, the Next
can war, the civil war, the Spanish
American war and recent worlds war,
erence purposes.
ne Of early histories of all towns, coun-
tries and states giving names of pion-
GERS, early settlers and biographical
and genealogical information. Every
part of the country has at some time
published these local histories. They
are of the greatest value in this Ii
brary. Not every town or country is
yet represented in this collection; how
ever this lack is being rapidly met by
gifts of such works from all sections
of the United States. Gifts of from a
single volume to many boxes of such
books are received from most unex-
pected locations. The fact is fast be-
coming known, that the cities, towns
and counties that are not represented
here with their local histories and
war records and family histories, are
not yet fully aware of the lasting inn
portance of having their localities am
ply represented in this library.
The great number of persons from
all parts of the country who have or
will come here, and their descendants
who seek just this information at this
library, is growing rapidly. The re-
markable growth of the Repository of
the Southwest is due to great extent,
to the urgent appeal of many of these
visitors, to friends and relatives back
home.
Hon. Chancellor L. jerks national
president of one of the largest patriotic
societies in the country, when he re-
Gently visited this library for the first
time said:
This is indeed remarkable. This
collection is invaluable. I am sure it
is the largest collection of American
history west of the Mississippi in any
library, whether public or private. 1t
is a monument of lasting value to the
American cause. People in all parts of
the country who are able, should pre-
sent to the Repository of the South
west those family histories, genealogies.
war records, local histories and BIZ
ographical publications they are no
longer using. Placing them here, en-
ables them to better serve their pur-
encourages the work of spreading a
better knowledge of America. its fam
lily life, institutions and history. All
persons should be informed of this Ii
brary so when moving or breaking I'D
their homes they could avail themselves
OF the opportunity to have such records
preserved as well as made useful, in
stead of destroying them. They will
help the work Of Americanization and
development of spirit of loyalty to
our country This indeed is. a wonder
full collection and should be known to
everyone in the United States"
One of the finest collections of early
Pennsylvania history outside of thar
state, is eventually to be placed in the
Repository Of the Southwest and re-
ceive liberal endowment to insure
special care for 1t. This collection is
Of inestimable value both as to items
and value. Only few localities in the
country today, have as yet not evinced
keen interest in the remarkable col
lection in the Repository of the South
west. But. it is gratifying to students
OF American history TO note, that even
such localities by degrees are having
their eyes opened, and are sending
many local records. to insure them
selves of having representation here
with other progressive sections of the
United States. A number of rare
works, in some instances the only
known copy of priceless value, or again
one of two of a few known copies are
carefully preserved in this fire proof
library. 1t is the fastest growing Ii
brary of its kind in the country TODAY.
1t is the finest example Of historical
reference library, built up by gifts
alone. II is a strictly Gift Library
with all sections of the country and
Europe as its sponsors. 1t is national
and international in scope and work