Guide to the San Diego Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company Records
MS 115
Finding aid prepared by Amanda Hughes
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
March 19, 2013
Title: San Diego Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company Records
Identifier/Call Number: MS 115
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.0 Linear feet
(3 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1854-1879
Abstract: This collection consists of business records of the San Diego Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company from 1854
to 1879.
creator:
San Diego Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Amanda Hughes on March 19, 2013.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Preferred Citation
San Diego Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company, MS 115, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego,
CA.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of nine bound books of records for the San Diego Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company.
The records include stockholders and Board of Director’s meetings, and stock and treasury records, along with the original
articles of incorporation.
Biographical / Historical Notes
The San Diego Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company (SDGSPA) was founded in 1853 with the purpose of constructing
and operating a railroad from San Diego to the Atlantic Coast. The original plans call for the line to run through Mission
Gorge, Santee and Lakeside to Eagle Peak and then on through the Santa Ysabel Valley and Warner’s Ranch before joining another
line at Yuma, Arizona. Charles H. Poole surveyed the area for 200 miles of track, but miscalculated the grade which was eventually
found to be too steep to support a rail line. In 1869, SDGSPA agreed to merge with El Paso and Pacific Rail line if they would
assist in building the track in exchange for through privileges. In 1879, the Texas and Pacific Railroad acquired both companies
and all of the land before any track was laid.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Memphis, El Paso, and Pacific Railroad Company.
San Diego Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad.
Texas & Pacific Railway.
Lakeside (Calif.)
Mission Gorge (San Diego, Calif.)
San Diego (Calif.)
Santa Ysabel (Calif.)
Santee (Calif.)
Stock certificates
Warner's Ranch (Calif.)
Yuma (Ariz.)
Box-folder 1:1
“Subscription Book and Stock Journal of the San Diego and Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company,”
1854 December 26-1873 May 26
Scope and Content
Bound book containing the Articles of Incorporation of the San Diego Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad and the initial
stock buy in. Also documents the election of the Board of Directors.
Box-folder 2:1
"San Diego and Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Co; Records 1854-1878" (Board of Directors),
1854-1878
Scope and Content
Bound book containing business records of the Board of Directors including meeting minutes and stock sales.
Entries of interest:
Agreement to merge with Memphis El Paso and Pacific Railroad to construct track in exchange for through privileges, September
23, 1869 (Page 80)
Board of Directors vote to protest bill before City Council that would establish a wharf in front of two parcels of land belonging
to SDGSPA, February 3, 1870 (Page 131)
Box-folder 2:2
"San Diego and Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Co; Records 1854-1878" (Stockholders Committee),
1854-1878
Scope and Content
Bound book containing business records relating to the Stockholders Committee including meeting minutes and records of stocks
purchased and sold.
Entries of interest:
Stockholders vote to dissolve company and sell to the Texas and Pacific Railroad Company, November 20, 1872 (Pages 63-64)
Last order for money from the sale of the company to be distributed to stockholders, February 18, 1878 (Page 78)
Box-folder 1:2
"San Diego and Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Co; Records 1854-1878" (Stockholders Committee), loose material,
undated
Includes:
"San Diego & Gila S. P. & A. R. R. stock from whom derived" (found between pages 59 and 60)
Box-folder 3:1
"Stock Ledger San Diego and Gila RR, 1860's-70's,"
1854-1871
Scope and Content
Ledger is arranged by stockholder and records, date, number of shares purchased and money paid. Ledger is only filled in to
page 47.
Box-folder 3:2
"Stock Certificates S.D. & Gila RR,"
1869 April 19-1873 May 26
Scope and Content
Bound book containing stock certificates with receipt stubs. Some stocks are intact, other have been removed. Several notarized
pages relating to sale and disposition of stocks have been pasted into the book.
Box-folder 3:3
"Stock Certificates S.D. Gila RR 1869,"
1869 July 8-1874 July 30
Scope and Content
Bound book containing stock transfer certificates with receipt stubs. Several notarized documents pertaining to stock sales
are pasted into the margins of the book. The book is only filled out to page 47.
Box-folder 1:3
"The Treasurer in a/c With the San Diego & Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company,"
1854 November 1-1856 December 15
Scope and Content
Bound book containing the records of Louis Rose, Treasurer of the Company. Includes records of money received, petty cash,
money refunded and expenses.
Box-folder 1:4
"Orders SD&GSP&ARRCO,"
1869 December 23-1879 March 13
Scope and Content
Bound check ledger containing checks and receipt stubs from the San Diego & Gila Southern Pacific and Atlantic Railroad Company.
Some checks are intact, others have been removed.
Box-folder 1:5
"Receipts SD&GSP&ARRCO,"
1874 May 15-1879 March 13
Scope and Content
Bound receipt book. Some receipts have been removed leaving behind a record stub and others have been completely removed.
