Luther A. Ingersoll was a journalist, editor, and historian active in Southern California in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for compiling and publishing Ingersoll’s Century Annals of San Bernardino County, 1769–1904, a substantial local history volume released in 1904. This book is a detailed chronicle of San Bernardino County, California, combining early exploration, settlement, economic development, and biographical sketches of prominent citizens.
Here are a few key points about Luther A. Ingersoll:
- Background: Not much is readily available about his early life, but he appears to have had a background in journalism and was active in publishing and historical writing.
- Editor and Publisher: He worked in various editorial capacities and likely contributed to or edited newspapers in California. His writing style shows familiarity with both narrative history and biographical journalism.
- Century Annals (1904): This was his best-known work and a common reference source for researchers studying early San Bernardino County. The book includes:
- Explorations and Spanish mission history.
- Rancho and pioneer development.
- Biographical sketches (often based on submitted family or self-authored accounts).
- Civic and institutional growth, including railroads, mining, and agriculture.
- Methodology: Ingersoll’s work reflected the historiographical style of his time—often celebratory, biographically focused, and boosterish. Still, it captured primary recollections and early records that might otherwise have been lost.
- Legacy: Despite some historical inaccuracies or omissions, Century Annals remains one of the foundational regional histories for San Bernardino County and is still cited in local historical studies.
