Cyrus Kurtz Holliday papers mssHolliday

Brooke M. Black
The Huntington Library
March 2021
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org

Note

Last updated by Brooke M. Black in April 2024.


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: Cyrus Kurtz Holliday papers
Creator: Holliday, Cyrus Kurtz, 1826-1900
Identifier/Call Number: mssHolliday
Physical Description: 1.17 Linear Feet (1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1854-1949
Date (bulk): 1854-1883
Abstract: Papers belonging to 19th century Kansas railroad builder and politician Cyrus Kurtz Holliday.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Cyrus Kurtz Holliday papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Mrs. George W. Burpee, May 1960.

Biographical / Historical

Cyrus K. Holliday (1826-1900) was a promoter and railroad builder. He graduated from Allegheny College in 1852 and moved to Kansas, where he founded the city of Topeka and succeeded in having it declared the territorial capital. Holliday secured the charter for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, which was organized in 1860. He was elected its first president and was director until the time of his death. Holliday was a leader in Republican politics, served in the Kansas state legislature, and was active in many business enterprises.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of letters (52 original manuscript letters and 86 photocopies of typescripts), documents, 24 photographs, and a scrapbook related to the life and business activities of Cyrus K. Holliday. There are materials related to the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad Company and its business matters, the development of the city of Topeka, and politics in Kansas.

Processing Information

Processed by Huntington Library staff. In 2021, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

General

Former call number: mssHolliday papers.

Existence and Location of Originals

The photocopied typescripts of 86 letters in the collection are copies of original materials held in the Kansas State Historical Society.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Businessmen -- Kansas -- Archives
Legislators -- Kansas -- Archives
Railroad companies -- West (U.S.)
Railroads -- West (U.S.) -- History -- Sources
Kansas -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Kansas -- Politics and Government -- 19th century
Topeka (Kan.) -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Letters (correspondence) -- Kansas -- 19th century
Photographs -- Kansas -- 19th century
Scrapbooks -- Kansas -- 19th century
Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company -- History -- Sources

 

Cyrus Kurtz Holliday papers

Box 1, Folder 1

Atchison & Topeka Railroad Co. 1860 September 15 and 17

Scope and Contents

Copies of minutes of incorporators' meeting, first stockholders' meeting, and first directors' meeting.
Box 1, Folder 2

Cyrus Kurtz Holliday correspondence 1854-1875

Scope and Contents

Copies of typescripts of letters.

Existence and Location of Originals

Copies of originals in the Kansas State Historical Society.
Box 1, Folder 3

Cyrus Kurtz Holliday correspondence 1861-1875

Scope and Contents

Letters to Mary Dillon Holliday and children.
Box 1, Folder 4

Cyrus Kurtz Holliday's A sketch: Why the townsite of Topeka was selected, by whom it was selected..., etc. 1883 November 26

Scope and Contents

An article on the founding of Topeka; copy by made Holliday's son Charles King Holliday.
Box 1, Folder 5

Photographs 1854-1899

Scope and Contents

24 items.
Box 1, Folder 6

Printed material and Scrapbook 1927-1949

Scope and Contents

Includes booklet "Cyrus K. Holliday" and scrapbook kept by Lillie Holliday Kellam regarding Cyrus Kurtz Holliday and Topeka, Kansas.