Reference Materials

Reference materials are various sources that provide background information or quick facts on a given topic. Explore this page to learn more about the Pioneer Room reference materials available to you. Materials can be accessed in-person during the Pioneer Room's open hours.

If you have any questions, please call us at 760-839-4315 or email us as pioneer.room@escondidolibrary.org.

You man also submit a research request or obituary request form here. 

 

Subject and Biographical Files

• Various articles clipped primarily from local newspapers and magazines, and organized alphabetically by subject.
• View the Clipping Files Guide.

 

Maps

• City of Escondido parcel maps
• Sanborn Fire Insurance 1892 to 1927 (microfilm)
• USGS Topographic Survey

 

Directories

• Business Directory photocopies from 1913-1938
• Escondido City and telephone directories 1886-present
• Woman's Club Escondido 1960-1996
• Visit the Pioneer Room on California Revealed to view digital City directories from the 1950s-1980s

 

Yearbooks

• Classical Academy (2000-2002; 2007; 2009-2014)
• Del Lago Academy (2013; 2015-2016)
• Escondido High School (1909-1994; 1996-2022)
• Escondido Charter High School (1996-2005; 2007-2008; 2010-2014; 2016)
• Hidden Valley Middle School (1975-1990; 1993-2004)
• Orange Glen High School (1964-1983; 1985-2021)
• San Pasqual Academy (1983; 2005-2014)
• San Pasqual High School (1974-1986; 1989-2003; 2007-2008; 2010-2011; 2013-2017; 2019-2022)
• Valley High School (1977-1978; 1980; 1982; 1984-1985; 2003-2008)
• Selections of yearbooks from:
  • Children's Montessori
  • Conway Elementary School
  • Del Dios Middle School (1974-1978; 1995-1996)
  • Grant Middle School
  • Light and Life Christian School
  • Rincon Middle School

 

Microfilm Collection

• African American Soldier Records 1639-1886
• Alien Arrivals - Douglas, AZ 1901-1952
• Citizen and Alien Arrivals by Aircraft at San Francisco 1936-1949
• California State Marriage (1960-1985) and Death Index (1905-1992)
• Escondido City Council Minutes 1888-1988
• Escondido Times Advocate (January 20, 1887 - December 2, 1995)
• North County Times (December 3, 1995 - March 2, 2013)
• U-T San Diego North County (March 3, 2013 - December 31, 2018)
• Federal Census 1850-1930 for California, Colorado, Arizona (1870-1920) and New Mexico (1850-1920)
• Mexican-American War Records
• Mexico Census 1790
• Native American Census for Southern California and Western Arizona 1885-1940
• San Diego County Naturalization Records 1853-1958
• San Diego County Probate Order and Decrees 1886-1920
• San Ysidro Border Crossing Records 1908-1952
• Sanbourn Fire Maps for downtown Escondido 1892-1927

 

Oral Histories

• Tapes from Frances B. Ryan
• Transcriptions from Escondido Historical Society and San Diego Historical Society

 

Historical Society and Historic Organizations Newsletters and Journals

• Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park "Poppy Paper"
• Congress of History of San Diego and Imperial Counties "Adelante"
• Historical Society of Southern California "Southern California Quarterly"
• Journal of California Historical Society "California History"
• Journal of San Diego History
• National Trust for Historic Preservation "Preservation"
• Old Escondido Historic District "Old Escondido Times"
• San Diego Archaeological Center
• San Diego Historical Society "The Times"
• San Dieguito Heritage Museum "Heritage Times"
• San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association "Battlelines"
• Vista Historical Society