Ronstadt family collection
San Ignacio de Caborica Mission, 1894.
Collection area: Arizona and Southwest
Collection dates: 1802-1993 bulk (bulk 1880-1960)
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.
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.
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