Metropolitan Water District of Southern California materials (financial reports, board minutes, directors handbook, clippings, agendas, telephone directories) and water periodicals.

This collection contains the papers of Elden Smith, a prominent Los Angeles banker and community leader in the City of Riverside. Smith emphasized leadership, mentorship, and good citizenship, and gained great respect from his colleagues and community. Elden's wife Harriet donated his papers, which include his speeches, administrative papers, notes, and correspondence, to provide students of business and banking access to his business philosophy.

Metropolitan Water District reports, publications, correspondence, clippings, and meeting minutes. He was the Los Angeles Consulting Engineer. Reuel Olson mentioned him in his book the Colorado River Compact. In addition he was vice President of the Los Angeles Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (1930).