Louis Family Papers

The Louis Family Papers contains nineteenth- and early twentieth-century business records and personal papers of the Louis family, a prominent and pioneering mercantile family in San Luis Obispo, California. Born in China, Wong On (Ah Louis) migrated to the United States in 1861 and opened a Chinese mercantile store in San Luis Obispo in 1874. Included are the records of Louis' children, of which Howard Louis' records comprise the bulk. The collection is comprised of approximately 20 linear feet of family correspondence, financial and legal records, and business correspondence and financial records. More information available at https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8348mwz/

Collection

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City license to Ah Louis, April 1925
Local Identifier
167-7-b-28-03-05
Date Created
1925-04-01
Description

A license for Ah Louis' store to operate for three months. The text of the license reads: 'Ah Louis, having paid into the City Treasury two & 50/100 dollars, License is hereby granted to transact business of Mdse - General at No. 800 Palm street, in the City of San Luis Obispo, Cal., for the period of THREE MONTHS, ending June 30, 1925, in conformity with the provisions of the Ordinances of said City.' Signed by the City Clerk, and dated April 1, 1925.

Box-rent receipt, 1888
Local Identifier
167-7-b-28-05-01
Date Created
1888-04-14
Description

The box-rent receipt for Ah Louis in 1888. The rental lasted for a quarter of a year and ended June 30, 1888. The price was 75 cents. The back of the receipt lists the regulations of the rental. Handwritten Chinese script is written across the regulations.

2 items in Collection
Box-rent receipt, July 1888
Local Identifier
167-7-b-28-05-02
Date Created
1888-07-14
Description

A box-rent receipt for Ah Louis (spelled 'Luis' in the document). This rental lasted for a quarter of 1888, from July 14 to September 30. The price was 75 cents. On the back of the receipt are regulations for the rental. Chinese script is written over the regulations.

2 items in Collection
San Luis Water Co. receipt, April 1, 1888
Local Identifier
167-7-b-28-07-01
Date Created
1888-04-01
Description

Receipt for payment by Ah Louis (spelled Luis in the document) to the San Luis Water Co., for March 1 to April 1, 1888. Details of the payment and water services are listed on the receipt, as well as the bill price of fourteen dollars and fifty cents. On the back of the receipt is a line of Chinese script.

2 items in Collection
Ah Louis Store
Local Identifier
167-6-e-19-03-14
Date Created
1933 to 1934
Description

Photograph of Chinatown on Palm Street.

[Unidentified woman and man]
Local Identifier
167-6-e-19-03-23
Date Created
1933 to 1934
Description

Possibly Elsie Louis with an unidentified man. The couple poses in front of an 1930s-era Chevrolet.

[Fred Louis in Chinatown]
Local Identifier
167-6-e-19-03-60
Date Created
1933 to 1934
Description

Fred stands on the south side of Palm Street, across from the Ah Louis Store.

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