Morehead family papers
MSS.111
Finding aid prepared by Dillon Wackerman and Pamela Nett Kruger
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
400 West First Street
Chico, CA, 95929-0295
(530) 898-6342
SpecialCollections@csuchico.edu
July 17, 2012
Title: Morehead family papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.111
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.75 Linear feet
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1859-1940
Date (inclusive): 1859-1971
Language of Materials note: English
creator:
Morehead family
Biographical/Historical note
James Joseph Morehead, born in West Virginia (1828), came to Butte County (California) in 1852. After working as a superintendent
of the Parrott Ranch, he bought land within the original Farwell Grant in 1870, and he also owned land in Tehama County and
Colusa County. Ardenia A. Morehead (née Boydstun), the wife of James, was born in Little Rock (Arkansas) and came to California
in the 1850’s. Their son, James Franklin Morehead, was born on the Parrott Grant February 13, 1870. He attended the Hopkin’s
Academy in Oakland, graduating in 1889. He then attended Heald’s Business College in San Francisco, graduating in 1891. In
1914, James Franklin helped organized and was the first president of the People’s Savings and Commercial Bank. He also built
the Broadway Theater and Park Garage in Chico.
Scope and Contents note
The collection contains deeds, legal materials, bills, receipts and account books pertaining to and created by the Morehead
Ranch, company and family while in operation and residing within Butte County and Chico. Other materials include notebooks,
diaries and biographical information related to the family. The material dates inclusively from 1859 to 1971, with the bulk
of the material coming between 1859 and 1940.
Arrangement 1. Land Deeds and Grants Box: 1
2. Bills and Receipts Box: 2 Folder: 4-7, 9-14 Box: 4 Folder: 1-9 Box: 7 Folder: 3
3. Correspondence Box: 2 Folder: 1, 8 Box: 5 Folder: 4 Box: 7 Folder: 8
4. Business Papers Box: 2 Folder: 2, 3 Box: 3 Folder: 6 Box: 5 Folder: 6, 7 Box: 8 Folder: 2, 6
5. Account and Record Books Box: 3 Folder: 1-4 Box: 4 Folder: 10, 12 Box: 6 Folder: 1, 2
6. Memos, Notebooks and Letterbooks Box: 5 Folder: 8, 9 Box: 6 Folder: 3, 4 Box: 7 Folder: 5, 7 Box: 8 Folder: 1, 3-5, 7-10
Box: 9
7. Family Material Box: 3 Folder: 5, 7 Box: 5 Folder: 1-3, 5 Box: 7 Folder: 1, 2
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research without restriction.
Usage Restrictions
No restrictions.
Preferred Citation note
Morehead family papers, MSS 111, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico
Publication Rights
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Arrangement note
Series
Custodial History note
Gift.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Banking--California--Butte County--History
Butte County (Calif.) -- History.
Chico (Calif.)
Land tenure -- California -- Butte County -- History
Box 1
Deeds and legal papers
1859-1885
Box 2
Bills, business papers, correspondence and other material
1863-1885
Box 3
Account books and other material
1868-1887
Box 4
Bills, receipts and other material
1885-1919
Box 5
Account books, diaries and other material
1880-1922
Box 6
Account books, notebooks and other material
1904-1936
Box 7
Correspondence, notebooks and other material
1878-1940
Box 8
Memos and records
1900-1935
Box 9
Notebooks and record books
1937-1942
