Louis Family Papers

Note reads: 'Arroyo Grande June 29th, [1889?]: Ah Louis, I paid you the 25th of this month for 186 3/4 cords of wood. There was [?] 176 3/4. I discovered the [?] total when I found myself short in my [?]. Please [?] this order for $12 and let the rest stand until next time. Yours Res, J. S. Lewis.' On the verso: 'Ah Louis, San Luis Obispo'

A bill from the Pacific Coast Railway Company to Ah Louis. The charges pertain to the transportation of various goods. The bill amounted to $10.63.

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

A freight bill from the Pacific Coast Railway Company to Ah Louis. The bill was for the transportation of various goods. It amounted to $19.00.

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.

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.

Check of two hundred fifty dollars paid to Davy Lucy and Company.

Check of five hundred dollars paid to Davy Lucy and Co.

Small booklet, appears to be an accounting book for brick made by the "Chinese Company" in 1884, possible at the Schow Brickyard in San Luis Obispo. Names include Ah Tun, J. P. Schow (brick maker from San Luis Obispo). Includes Chinese characters on two pages. There were several blank pages in the back of the booklet that were not scanned.

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.

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.

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.

Check of ten dollars paid to the order of F. Fernandez for work. Chinese writing on the back side.

A check of forty-two dollars paid to the order of R. Righetti (misspelled as Rightti on the check), for hay. Back of check has Chinese characters and the name 'Robertino (?) Righetti.'

Note reads: 'SLO; August 29-39; Ah Lui, Please give my wife $300 dolars [dollars] and oblige, G Schow'

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).

Unidentified woman stands in front of a shop named "Chop Suey." The building pictured sits at 798 Palm St in downtown San Luis Obispo.

Photograph of Chinatown on Palm Street.

Photograph of Fred Louis sitting near the Mission San Luis Obispo.

The intersection of Chorro and Monterey is partially visible in the bottom right of the image.

Unidentified woman standing at corner of Monterey and Chorro near Mission San Luis Obispo.

Fred Louis standing on sidewalk at Chinatown on Palm Street.

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

Unidentified women standing on sidewalk.

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