Louis Family Papers

Photo of men and horses working in a brickyard. Caption reads: 'Ah Louis bricks were originally made by crude methods with clay-dirt from the hillside of the San Luis Mountain. But the product proved to be strong and durable for numerous structures built about the turn of the century in the City of San Luis Obispo, have withstood severe storms, and the ravages of the elements and earthquakes. They were eventually deliberately torn down due to building restrictions. Some of these were the old Andrews Hotel, the original county courthouse, the Southern Pacific Railroad Roundhouse, the east wing of the Old Mission Church, and the El Monterey- Obispo Theatre building. Still standing and still being used is the original Sperry Flour Company building (now the Furniture Warehouse and Sport Shop), nearly all of the Andrews Bank block, Sinsheimer Bros. Store and the Ah Louis Store.'

Letter reads: 'Sept. 18; Ah Louis, San Luis Obispo: Dear [?] [You?] will please sack for us 60 sacks of the potatoes that have been dug 2 weeks or so to weigh about 105 to the sack and let us know what day the first of the week we can send a [?] for them. Yours and etc., Herron and Baker Co.'

Letter from Fon Sir San, Wong Long Shing, and Wong Loey Goey in San Simeon to Gon Ying Louis, congratulating her on the birth of her daughter Lena.

Inquiry about willow cordwood order.

Letters recommending Ah Louis' reentrance into the country after his visit to China.

Letter written on Oceano letterhead from R. W. Nuttall to Ah Louis.

Letter typed on Chino Ranch Company letterhead from William Sandercock to Ah Louis.

Letter stating that a Chinese cook was no longer required because the first one had not come.

Letter written on E. W. Steele letterhead to Ah Louis regarding a payment and vegetable fields.

Interior of store with Taoist Temple shrine

A letter reading: "San Luis Obispo, July 6, 1895. Received of Ah Luis two hundred and thirty seven 50/ dollars; being in full of all claims against him up to date; and in consideration of the above payment I agree to release him from all obligations to make any further clearance on the land belonging to me and of which he was lessee , and of all claims of any kind against him. George Batts Witness John Edgar"

Letter written on McClure Seed Co. letterhead.

This may be a portrait of three Louis siblings, however there is no information provided on the image itself to identify the children. The pansy frame was created by Elinor Hegone, who seems to have been active around 1912-1915, which may help date the photo.

Howard (Toby) Louis sitting in front of what is most likely 863 Chorro St., which in 1930 was listed as the residence for Mae (Louis) Watson and her family (Mae was Howard's sister).

Ah Louis, seated, reading Chinese-language newspaper. Most likely photographed in the interior of the Ah Louis Store, sometime between 1933 and 1936, after he returned from his last trip to China.

Ah Louis with beard and Howard Louis with two unidentified people, standing in front of the Ah Louis Store in Chinatown, Palm Street.

Ah Louis (On Wong) standing with cane on Chorro Street, near intersection of Palm Street, in front of the side of the Ah Louis Store (brick structure with metal shutters). This is dated after 1933 because in 1933 on a trip to China he grew out his goatee, prior to 1933 records suggest he was clean shaven. In the background the building is tentatively identified as the Sauer Adobe.

Ah Louis (center), standing with son Howard Louis (left) and two unidentified people. They are standing in front of the Ah Louis Store, with the opposite side of Palm Street visible.

Ah Luis Esq. San Luis Obispo Dear Sir! Your [] of Sep 30 came [] to hand, the [] has arrived only today. The most of them are worm eaten and we should prefer, not to receive any in future, unless they are sound, as it takes considerable work to fix them. [...] Respectfully yours, Braunschweiger

Arroyo Grande, California Ah Louis I am sending back one of the boys you sent me, he is too lazy and won't do as I want him to. I have also caught him taking food out of the house which I won't have. I don't want another in case he is worse than this one. I owe the boys about $100 which they told me to send you. R. W. Sandford

The letter reads: 'Ah Louis, I am waiting for that boy as dishwasher that I asked for. The cook says to be sure to send him at once as he can't get along with the man he has got. The cook goes on [?] so far. Yours, M. A. Benrimo.'

Ah Louis: I am waiting for that Boy as dishwasher that I sent for. The cook says to be sure to send him at once. He can't get along with the man he has got. The cook goes on first rate so far. Yours, M. A. Benrimo.