Claude B. Duval Papers

This collection covers 55 linear ft. and spans 1822-1989 with the bulk of material dating 1950-1979. It is divided into two main groups: Claude B. Duval and Easton Family Papers (Duval’s paternal relatives). The Claude B. Duval Group covers Duval’s political career with a few aspects of his law practice and personal life. His political career covers his campaigns which include correspondence, campaign speeches, radio shows, campaign advertisements and paraphernalia, ads of his opponents, and election results. Another component of Duval’s career in politics involves his work in the state legislature as well as on several legislative committees. This area includes Senate and House Bills, reports, resolutions, concurrent resolutions, legislative newspapers, Louisiana maps, and photographs. It includes the Louisiana Mafia investigation which contains newspaper clippings, magazine articles, resolutions, and committee reports to Gov. McKeithen. Duval’s political work also includes his management of the State Capitol renovation project which contains resolutions, memos, correspondence, and renovation blueprints. In addition, this group contains various local newspapers, magazine articles, and state publications on economic issues for Louisiana. Other political issues involve desegregation, coastal zone management, election ethics, highway construction, natural resources (oil and gas), reapportionment, schools, New Orleans Superdome, and development of downtown Houma. This group also contains various political honors and awards given to Duval during his tenure in office which include plaques, medals, and certificates. In addition to Duval’s political life, this group contains some material on his private work as an attorney in Houma. This includes transcripts of court cases, legal documents, office business, and various law books. Other materials on his personal life involve his activities with the American Legion and his membership on the Board of Directors of several banks in south Louisiana. This includes correspondence, brochures, memos, and notices to shareholders.
The second group in this collection includes materials from the Easton family who are linked to Duval through his paternal grandfather—Dr. Claiborne Alexander Duval, who married Julia A. Easton in 1860. The Easton Family Papers contains materials concerning activities of various members of the Easton family during the late 1800s to early 1900s. It includes correspondence, Civil War documents, stock certificates, accounting ledger sheets, autograph albums, campaign speeches, notarial records, essays on local history, and recipe books.