 In 1886, he helped establish the "Southern California Practitioner", the society's monthly journal, and served as an editor for the first few years.In 1872, he helped found the Los Angeles Library Association, and served on its board of governors for the next six years.With Jonathan T. Warner and Judge Benjamin Hayes, Widney wrote and edited the first history of Los Angeles County, the "Centennial History of Los Angeles", published in 1876.