A forgotten builder of the American West
Dan Murphy helped found Needles, made California citrus shipment possible, struck oil at Brea, backed Edward Doheny and supplied cement for a growing Los Angeles. He preferred privacy. History obliged him a little too well.
“A major contribution in filling a gap in our knowledge of the history of Southern California.”
Nicholas A. Curry and Stuart F. Robinson, The Catholic Historical Review
1858–1939
He worked close to the center of California’s growth while remaining almost absent from its public mythology.
Railroads · 1878–1883
Murphy arrived in Los Angeles at twenty and joined the Southern Pacific. Mentored by Charles Crocker, he and Frank Monaghan helped establish Needles as a railroad division point on the Colorado River.
Ice · 1885 onward
His ice and power interests supported desert communities and rail traffic. Icing stations helped California growers send citrus safely across the continent.
Oil · 1899 onward
Brea Cañon Oil transformed Murphy’s fortune. He later became the largest shareholder of Standard Oil of California and supplied capital when Edward Doheny needed it.
Cement & philanthropy
California Portland Cement supplied Los Angeles and Boulder Dam. Murphy and his family directed much of their wealth toward education, health care, the arts and the Catholic Church.
The biography
The Life and Legacy of Dan Murphy, California’s Unlikely Titan
Joseph Francis Ryan spent more than a decade tracing records scattered across the country. The result restores Dan Murphy to the history of the West and follows the industries, people and places that shaped his unusual career.
Critical response
The review credits the book with restoring Dan Murphy to the histories of Southern California and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
“A significant contribution to California history.”
“Deeply researched, well documented.”
“A new name must now be added to the Olympian roster of Southern California heroes.”
For readers and researchers
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Available in hardcover, paperback and ebook editions. Signed copies may be requested directly from the author.