The Elmer W. Holmes papers is a collection of documents about Elmer Wallace Holmes, a Civil War veteran and leading figure in the history of Riverside, California. The papers consists of correspondence between Holmes and his family (noteably his mother and his second wife), a scrapbook, and documents related to Riverside County history. All items contained in this collection are reproductions of originals.

This collection contains pamphlets, programs, newspapers, postcards, correspondence, decorative boxes, medals, and other material on the McDowell family and Southern California. Includes material pertaining to World War II.

Lillian Bonham ruminates on a wide range of topics in her diaries. The bulk of the content pertains to her day to day life, family, and, after their meeting in 1907, her relationship with Sadakichi Hartmann. Periodically there are reflections on books she has read, comments on national politics (e.g. 1900 presidential election) or global affairs (e.g. Spanish American War).