The Special Collections holdings reflect the diverse communities of the Claremont Colleges and the local area and region. Among the collections especially pertinent to Los Angeles and Southern California are the following:

The Topanga Historical Society (THS) was organized in 1974 by a group of dedicated community leaders who recognized the urgent need to collect and preserve records of Topanga’s unique history and to make them available to future generations. The Society maintains an Archive Center and presents quarterly local history programs.

The Yosemite Archives contain historical records and manuscripts related to Yosemite's history, including the donated papers of ethnographers and scientists, resource management records, historic park administrative records, and slide, photo, and film collections.