Historical society's exhibit features rare documents, photos honoring former Congressmember

In commemoration of former Congressmember Craig Hosmer’s centennial, the Historical Society of Long Beach (HSLB) is now hosting the Craig Hosmer Collection.

Hosmer represented Long Beach and west Orange County from 1953 to 1974. He graduated from Wilson High School, UC Berkeley and the USC School of Law. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, Hosmer enlisted in the Navy and saw action in both theaters of the war, culminating in his being present in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender in 1945. He earned an officer’s commission and eventually reached the rank of Rear Admiral in the Naval Reserve.
Following the war, Hosmer served as counsel for the Atomic Energy Commission and later had a private law practice in Long Beach. After an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1950, he won a seat in the 1952 presidential election year. Beginning in 1958, Hosmer served on the Joint Committee for Atomic Energy and remained on the committee until his retirement from Congress in 1974. He died in 1982.
The collection consists of documents, photos and personal mementos that Hosmer sent to Wilson High School to be stored upon his retirement from Congress. They have remained there the last 40 years, virtually untouched and forgotten, according to HSLB. Due to the initiative of Wilson librarian Lia Ladas, HSLB has taken possession of these items to preserve them for future generations. The rare documents and photos are now available for perusal by HSLB members and researchers for a $25 fee.
Source: HSLB