The People of the State of California, plaintiff, vs Louis E. Gottlieb, defendant, 1967 June 19-1973 September 19
Scope and Contents
174 litigation documents and evidence packets. Typescript (original and mimeograph), notes, memos, transcripts, correspondence, photographs and map.
Dates
- Creation: 1967-1973
Creator
- Gottlieb, Louis Edward (Person)
- Sonoma County (Calif.) (Organization)
- California. Superior Court (Sonoma County) (Organization)
- United States. Court of Appeals (9th Circuit) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Materials stored offsite, but collection is open to research. In many cases, further details on individual items can be found by contacting staff at the Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library. To view these materials, please call staff at (707) 308-3212 to request they be brought to the Library for viewing.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection does not circulate and may be photocopied or photographed by arrangement only.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the County of Sonoma. By arrangement, the Sonoma County Library has made this collection available and believes that the collection is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Collection may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Preferred credit line is: Courtesy, the County of Sonoma and the Sonoma County Library. Please see additional reproduction and reuse information on our Copyright and Permissions page.
Biographical sketch
Dr. Louis (Lou) Gottlieb (October 10, 1923-July 11, 1996) was bassist and lofty comic spokesman for The Limeliters. He was considered one of the so-called "new comedy" performers such as Mort Sahl, Nichols and May, and Lenny Bruce. He bought the 30-acre Morning Star Ranch in western Sonoma County in 1966, which became one of the most famous "open-door" hippie commune of the era, along with the neighboring Wheeler Ranch. In 1967, Sonoma County authorities attempted to enforce building and health codes in order to close down the commune on behalf of neighbors. who complained of noise, nudity and health issues. Mr. Gottlieb was fined $500 for health code violations, and 15 of his guests were arrested and jailed. Three years later, Gottlieb attempted to resist continued efforts to shut down the ranch by deeding his ranch to God.
Extent
1.1 linear feet (1 record storage carton; 16.25" x 13" x 10.5")
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Collection contains transcripts and notes from Lou Gottlieb's trial for attempting to leave the land he owned to God. A series of court appeals culminated in the 9th District Court ruling that he could not. The ruling centered around the fact that if God was named owner on a quit claim deed, there would be no recourse for the collection of property taxes. The finding, therefore, was that God has no property rights in the state of California. Collection also contains documents for related lawsuits and other legal matters.
Arrangement
Items are arranged chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donation: source not identified; date of acquisition: before 2004.
Subject
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- The People of the State of California, plaintiff, vs Louis E. Gottlieb, defendant, 1967 June 19-1973 September 19
- Author
- Geoffrey Skinner
- Date
- 2024 July 8
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Sonoma County History & Genealogy Library Repository
725 Third Street
Santa Rosa CA 95404 United States
(707) 308-3212
history@sonomalibrary.org