Historian to speak on Edward Doheny

DOWNEY – Historian and biographer Nicholas Curry will be guest speaker at the Downey Historical Society’s next meeting March 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Barbara Riley Center. His program is titled “Money, Mansions & Murder: the Saga of the Triumphs and Tragedies of Edward L. Doheny.”

Edward Doheny was the first to discover oil in Los Angeles in November 1892, and then went on to fabulous wealth and fame, only to end in tragedy.

Curry has lived in San Marino and South Pasadena all of his life with the exception of the last seven years, where he has made his home in Downey. He attended USC business administration from 1961-64, and graduated from Woodbury College in 1965.

He was in the U.S. Air Force national guard from 1965-72, and was a reader at the famous Huntington Library for 24 years.

He is currently chasing history and compiling biographical manuscripts on the following: the Doheny family; Harry Chandler (L.A. Times); Harrison Gray Otis (L.A. Times); Bixby family (Long Beach); William Andrews Clark family (Montana Copper); Spreckles family; William Randolph Hearst family; Henry E. Huntington family; J. Paul Getty family; E.J. Lucky Baldwin family; Gen. Moses H. Sherman and Arnold Haskell families; and several “first families” of Los Angeles predating 1880.

Curry’s presentation is free and open to the public. It will take place in the community center’s John Downey Room.

Meanwhile, the historical society has announced the date of its annual luncheon.

The event takes place June 27 at the Rio Hondo Event Center and this year will celebrate the historical society’s 50th anniversary. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling (562) 862-2777.

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Published: March 19, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 49