The San Diego Corral of the Westerners Records document the publishing history and administrative organization of this non-profit entity dedicated to preserving the history of the American West. These records include correspondence, meeting notices and minutes, event information, membership rosters, financial statements, and documentation of the Corral’s creative output such as newsletters, book production materials, and sample book artwork. Although the collection dates from 1921-2013, the bulk of the materials primarily date from 1967-2012. The San Diego Corral of the Westerners Records is divided into six series: Administrative, Brand Book Production, The Wrangler Newsletter, Events, Lauren Post Files, and Associated Corrals.

The Administrative (1967-2013) series documents the operation of the Corral. The series is further divided into five sub-series: Official Documents, Correspondence, Meeting Notices and Minutes, Memberships, and Financial.  Official Documents (1967-2009), arranged chronologically, includes bylaws and amendments, articles of incorporation, and tax documents. Correspondence (1967-2012), arranged chronologically, includes membership, Brand Book and newsletter correspondence, as well as the correspondence between key figures in the Corral, such as John Mason Jeffrey, the first Sheriff; Dr. Ray Brandes, the first Brand Book editor; Robert Long, and Horace Dodd. A highlight of this sub-series is extensive correspondence relating to the founding of the Corral and the vision for the group.  Meeting Notices and Minutes (1968-2010), arranged chronologically, include meeting minutes of the Trail Bosses (Board of Directors), Publication Committee, and Active Members.  Memberships (1967-2012), arranged alphabetically by subject, includes membership applications, registers, rosters, and member biographies. Of note are the early membership applications, which include descriptions of members’ areas of interest in Western lore and any publications they have written. Financial (1968-2013), arranged chronologically, includes budget and income reports, financial statements, and tax documents.

The Brand Book Production (1921-2007) is the largest series of the collection, comprising records of the nine Brand Books that the Corral produced during its forty-five year history. This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.  Providing insight into the creation of the Brand Books, this series includes extensive editor’s notes, correspondence, budgets, manuscripts, and artist information and samples. Of particular note is the step-by-step documentation for the material production of the books, including examples of binding in different stages of production and draft copies. The records for Brand Books 7 and 9 are the most comprehensive. The series also includes an unpublished manuscript by Joe Flynn, a journalist who later became a State Representative in Iowa.  The manuscript spans forty-one years, from 1921-1962, and includes his commentaries on political events, personal anecdotes, and travelogues.

The Wrangler Newsletter (1968-2007) series includes the entire thirty-nine year run of the newsletter, arranged chronologically by issue date. The newsletters featured articles on various aspects of the West, a Sheriff’s message, a recap of past group events, letters to the editor, book reviews, photographs, and artwork. The series also includes subject files, such as correspondence, design specifications, and meeting notes.  Some of the issues also include draft copies, as noted on the folder list.

The Events (1970-2012) series is arranged chronologically. Of particular interest is documentation of the Corral’s monthly roundup meetings. The meetings featured a guest speaker, a dinner, and an accompanying exhibit. The Corral also held annual Ladies Night celebrations, which invited the wives of the primarily male members to participate in art shows and listen to guest speakers. Additionally, the series documents the annual auctions that helped raise money for their publications. The series includes notices, invitations, auction catalogs, and keepsake artwork from the auctions. A highlight of the series is a 1998 proclamation from Mayor Susan Golding, honoring the Corral’s significant contribution in preserving the heritage of the American West. In the same year, the Corral received a Congress of History award for outstanding work in the “The Frontier of American Culture” exhibit.

The Lauren Post Files (1933-1976) document research and various writings of Lauren Post. Lauren Post was involved in the Corral in many capacities, including Sheriff. Post was professor of geography at San Diego State from 1937-1969. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject. This series features Post’s unpublished and published writing on various subjects of the West, including agriculture, California, cattle, and horses. The series includes articles, an acceptance speech, and book reviews.

The Associated Corrals (1962-2013) series documents the activities and administration of other Corrals, both national and international, and is arranged alphabetically by the name of the Corral.  Most of the records for the various Corrals are sparse and include items such as newsletters, events, photographs, and rosters. More extensive documentation exists for the Ranchos Del Norte Corral. Many members of the San Diego Corral were also members of Ranchos Del Norte. This file contains Range Rules, bylaws, correspondence, and monthly meeting invitations.