Collection 1802-1993 (bulk 1880-1960). The
Ronstadt family collection contains family papers and material relating to the
F. Ronstadt Co. hardware store.
Collection Number:
MS 407
Language:
Materials in English and Spanish
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
Biographical Note
A prominent pioneer family of Tucson, AZ; the Ronstadts of Tucson
originated with Frederick J.M. Ronstadt's arrival in Tucson from Mexico in 1882
to work as an apprentice in the Dalton and Vasquez Wagon Shop. In 1888 he
opened his own shop, serving as a blacksmith and custom wagon maker. The
business grew to include leather goods, and eventually automobiles, farm
machinery, and hardware goods. The F. Ronstadt Co. remained in business as a
hardware store in Tucson until the 1980s, carried on by Ronstadt's sons Edward
and Gilbert Ronstadt.
Frederick J.M. Ronstadt was active in Tucson civic life, including the
Elks, Rotary, and Knights of Columbus. He was an early member of the Tucson
Pioneer Historical Society, now the Arizona Historical Society. The Ronstadts
are also known for their contribution to the cultural growth of Tucson.
Frederick Ronstadt founded the Club Filarmónico de Tucson in 1889, and that
musical tradition was carried on by his daughter Luisa Espinel and
granddaughter Linda Ronstadt.
Scope and Content Note
The Ronstadt Family Collection contains family papers and material
relating to the F. Ronstadt Co. hardware store. The Family Papers are organized
by individual/subject and include biographical information, correspondence,
diaries, personal notebooks, and publications. The Business Records consist of
primarily financial and administrative documents, including store credit
applications, merchandise inventories and ledgers, and organizational history
of the Tucson hardware store. Photographs contain family and business images.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into four series: Business Records, Family
Papers, Photographs, and Oversize. The Business Records are divided into three
subseries. The Family Papers are divided into fifteen subseries. The
Photographs are divided into three subseries. Oversize is divided into three
subseries. In many cases original folder titles were retained.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish
from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record,
the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The
user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the
University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all
claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of
copyright.
The published edition of Frederick JM Ronstadt's memoir is catalogued
separately. The Records of the Club Filarmónico Tucsonense, of which Frederick
J.M. Ronstadt was a founding member, are a related but separate collection.
Call # F819.T99 M56 1993
Borderman : Memoirs of Federico José María
Ronstadt, By Federico Jose Maria Ronstadt
MS 385:
Records of the Club Filarmónico Tucsonense.
ca. 1890-1899
Access Terms
Personal Name(s)
Ronstadt, Edward F., 1916-
Ronstadt, Federico José María
Family Name(s)
Rondstadt family -- Archives
Subject(s)
Mexican Americans -- Social life and customs -- Arizona --
Tucson
The Business Records series is divided into three subseries.
Finance (1935-1949) contains financial records from the F.
Ronstadt Co. It is comprised of mostly store credit applications.
Organizational History (1895-1940) is comprised of various
documents related to the incorporation and administration of the company, as
well as marketing and advertising material.
Inventories (1971-1977) are large bound volumes of store
merchandise inventories from the Ronstadt hardware store.
First husband of Alicia Ronstadt. They were married in Spain in
the 1920s, but later divorced. For a time, Dominguez was trapped in Cuba
attempting to return to the United States from Spain, as is reflected in his
correspondence.
Husband of Alicia Ronstadt, who fled to the United States as a
refugee from Eastern Europe in the 1950s. His papers include documents
legalizing his entry and stay in the US.
Daughter of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt. Primarily includes
correspondence, with material related to her careers as an art dealer and
Spanish teacher, and personal mementos.
Son of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt who succeeded his father in the
family business. Primarily includes his research on the subject of his family
and the Tucson area. Contains correspondence, speeches, and publications.
Father of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt. Born and raised in Germany,
he immigrated to Mexico where he married and raised a family. Contains
biographical information and correspondence.
Daughter of Frederick J.M. Ronstadt, also known as Luisa
Espinel. Includes material related to her profession, as well as diaries and
mementos from her school years.
box
folder
9
13
Biographical file.
, 1918-1935
9
14
Casa de Adobe.
, 1954-1956
9
15
Diary excerpts.
, 1912-1918
9
16
Diary- retreat notes.
9
17
Diary- school days.
, 1908-1911
9
18
Conversational Spanish class notes.
9
19
Correspondence- professional development.
, 1928-1961
9
20
Correspondence- scrapbook.
, 1927-1935
9
21
Cantos de Mi Padre note.
9
22
Lucy Cobb Institute programs.
, 1923-1925
9
23
Mementos.
, 1910-1912
9
24
Mount Carmel Academy reunion.
, 1961
9
25
Professional research materials.
, 1934-1957
9
26
The Promise, translation.
9
27
Publications and press releases.
, 1931-1945
9
28-30
Recital programs.
, 1916-1959
9
31
Recital programs- other artists.
, 1931-1954
9
32
Sheet Music- original compositions and arrangements.
, 1939-1961
The Photographs series is divided into three subseries:
Business (1887-1950) consists of photos of various store locations
and merchandise sold. Including store interiors and exteriors, catalog goods,
and employees.
Family (1870-1979) primarily consists of photos of family and
friends of the Ronstadt family including candid and professional images, in
group and individual settings. Contains original daguerreotype and tintype
images. Also includes, images of interests related to the Ronstadt family, such
as their real estate holdings, special events, and publications.
General (1894-1977) includes images of the American Southwest,
Northern Mexico and the Baja Peninsula, and of United States Troops stationed
on the US-Mexico border.
The Oversize series is divided into three subseries.
Business (1894-1958) contains mostly large ledger and minute books
from both the store and the administrative bodies of the company. Includes
financial and organizational records.
Family (1927-1932) is comprised of material relating to Edward
Ronstadt's research into former family property and connections in California,
and scrapbooks of newspaper clippings for performer Luisa (Espinel) Ronstadt.
Photographs (1904-1952) contains images of the store exterior in
the early twentieth century and catalog images of wagons for sale. Family
photos include large professional portraits of Frederick JM Ronstadt, and his
niece Marguerite, and an album compiled by family friend Colette.
