Heckman - Lordsburg and La Verne: in Southern California

VIEW OF LORDSBURG COLLEGE BUILDING FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER. This hotel/college building was built in 188788 by land speculators who lost out due to the collapse of the land boom. (P/P: Frasher Photo; courtesy University of La Verne, Wilson Library Archives.)

LORDSBURG COLLEGE, SOUTH VIEW. The Lordsburg Hotel opened in 1888 but never had a paying guest, so in 1889 a bid to purchase the building for the purpose of opening a school was accepted. Lordsburg College opened it doors in October 1891. (P/P: Frasher Photo, No. 818; courtesy University of La Verne, Wilson Library Archives.)

LORDSBURG COLLEGE STUDENTS AND FACULTY, 190910. The school began with 65 students in 189192. It was closed for one year from 1901 to 1902, but by the 190910 school year, the student body had grown in numbers. (P/P: unknown; courtesy University of La Verne, Wilson Library Archives.)

LORDSBURG COLLEGE, NEAR POMONA, CALIFORNIA. The college building was surrounded by manicured gardens. This card identifies its location as near Pomona, although after 108 years, the University of La Verne, successor to Lordsburg College, still faces the question: where in the world is La Verne? (P/P: M. Rieder, Los Angeles, No. 4250; made in Germany; postmark: February 1908.)

COLLEGE, LORDSBURG. This building provided offices, classrooms, library, chapel, dining hall, and dormitory rooms for students and some faculty. (P/P: unknown; postmark: October 1913; courtesy Jack McCaskill.)

THE JOLLY EIGHT OF 08. Lordsburg College students in 1908, these women went to Long Beach and lined up for a beach photographer. Note the backdrop of clouds and waves that touches the sand just behind their feet. From left to right are Bertha ?, Edna Neher, Lizzie Neher, unknown, Mary Lichtenwalter, Clara Mabel Brennamen, Susie Neher, and Lottie Neher. (P/P: unknown; courtesy Ernestine Hoff Emerick.)

MARY LICHTENWALTER AND LOTTIE NEHER ON THE CAMPUS OF LORDSBURG COLLEGE. This picture postcard was intended for Lotties friend Ernest G. Hoff, whom she later married. (P/P: unknown; courtesy Ernestine Hoff Emerick.)

UNUSUAL ADDRESS ON THE CARD ABOVE. Even without a zip code, this card was received, as addressed and mailed in Lordsburg, California, on March 11, 1909. (Courtesy Ernestine Hoff Emerick.)

LORDSBURG COLLEGE (ACADEMIC, COMMERCIAL, MUSICAL, AND ART), LORDSBURG. Cecile Whisler wrote, We had commencement last night and I was one of the graduates. The college catalog shows that Cecile Whisler of Lordsburg graduated in 1910 as a student in Bible and Piano. (P/P: M. Rieder, Los Angeles, No. 3484; made in Germany; postmark: May 1910.)

SHADY WALK BY COLLEGE GROUNDS, D STREET, LORDSBURG. This is the east end of the block in which the Lordsburg College building was situated. The building at the end of the walk is the Pomona State Bank, at the corner of Second and D Streets (see p. 35). (P/P: Frasher Photo, Burton Frasher, Wapato, Washington, No. 821.)

LORDSBURG COLLEGE WOMENS BASKETBALL TEAM, 191213. No identification of team members was possible, but their coach was Ruth Blickenstaff. In November 1912, they were successful in beating the Bonita team 26 to 9. (P/P: unknown; courtesy University of La Verne, Wilson Library Archives.)

LORDSBURG COLLEGE, MENS BASKETBALL TEAM, 191213. From left to right are Luke Minnich, John Overholtzer, Raymond Evans, Paul Dresher, and Jesse Brandt. (P/P: unknown; courtesy University of La Verne, Wilson Library Archives.)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL COURT, ACROSS SECOND STREET FROM COLLEGE BUILDING. Physical fitness and sports played an important part in college life. On October 12, 1912, the LordsburgLa VerNe Leader reported, The girls who are athletically inclined have decided that the boys are selfish with the basketball court. As a result of this a great army was seen to enter the athletic grounds armed with pickax, shovel, rake and hoe. A wilderness of weeds is being transformed into a new court. (P/P: unknown; courtesy University of La Verne, Wilson Library Archives.)