Collection processed by Gail Erwin
2012
San Joaquin County Historical Society
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95241
Phone: (209) 331-2055
Fax: (209) 331-2057
URL: http://www.sanjoaquinhistory.org/
Hahn (Stanley C.) Collection, 1933-1979
Collection number: Ms73
San Joaquin County Historical Society
- Processed by:
- Gail Erwin
- Date Completed:
- 2012
- Encoded by:
- Leigh Johnsen
2012
San Joaquin County Historical Society. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Hahn (Stanley C.) Collection
Date (inclusive): 1933-1979
Date (bulk): bulk 1935-1937
Collection Number: Ms73
Location:
Erickson Vault
Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Contributing Institution:
San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95240
Language of Material: Records written in English
Abstract: The materials in the collection supply a picture of the growth of an internationally successful company through the period
of the Great Depression, as well as the development of the machines important to the farmers and developers in California
and across the world. The collection consists of draftsman’s drawings and blueprints as well as company publications and photographs
of equipment, the majority collected during the employment of Stanley Hahn with R. G. LeTourneau, Inc., an internationally
respected earthmoving company. The bulk of the collection dates between the years of 1935 and 1937, when Hahn was employed
by LeTourneau, and includes related items connected to that company and collected in subsequent years. The collection includes
additional items from Hahn’s employment between 1936 and 1943 with Capps Brothers, steel fabricators and machinery builders
in Stockton, California.
Access Information
Collection is open for research by appointment.
Conditions of Use
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Preferred citation: [Item name], Stanley C. Hahn Collection, Ms73, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum, Lodi,
California.
Related Material
Title: Agricultural Technology Manuals,
Date (inclusive): 1893-2000 (Ms81)
Title: Kerr (Andrew C.) Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1927-1939 (Ms80)
Biography
Stanley C. Hahn (1908-2008) graduated from Stockton High School in 1929 and took his first full-time job with R. G. LeTourneau,
Inc., as a draftsman. Known as the “Dean of Earthmoving,” Robert G. LeTourneau (1888-1969) established R. G. LeTourneau, Inc.,
in 1929, combining a contracting business with the manufacture of earthmoving equipment. By 1933, the company dropped out
of contracting altogether to concentrate on the manufacturing side of the business. Working with other draftsmen, Hahn created
blueprints for numerous machines designed for heavy earthmoving projects. When the company moved its main offices in 1935
to Peoria, Illinois, Hahn relocated briefly to Sunnyvale, California, where he worked for the Wooldridge Company. He returned
to Stockton the following year and was employed by Capps Brothers, steel fabricators and machinists. Capps Brothers had bought
the rights to the Laurence L. Miller Almond Huller, and Hahn created blueprints detailing the huller. He also worked on projects
constructing parts for the Holt Combine and for Stevens Boat Works, in Stockton, California.
In 1943, Stanley Hahn and his wife Lydia bought the H and M Tractor Company in Stockton, renaming it the Hahn Tractor Company.
The focus of the business at that time was manufacturing equipment. In 1945, Hahn partnered with Ashley Mehrten to devise
and fabricate the first rice combine in the San Joaquin Valley. Soon after, Hahn established the first Oliver tractor dealership
in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Though manufacturing remained its focus, the company added a tractor repair and parts
division and eventually a rental fleet to its ventures.
Scope and Content
The Stanley C. Hahn Collection consists of papers from the files of Stanley Hahn, a mechanical draftsman, who began his career
with R. G. LeTourneau, Inc. The bulk of the collection dates between the years of 1935 and 1937, when Hahn was employed by
LeTourneau. It also includes items from his employment in 1936-1943 with Capps Brothers, steel fabricators and machinery builders
in Stockton, California. The collection contains original draftsmen’s drawings and blueprints, administrative records and
sales information, newsletters and newspaper articles, price lists, parts catalogs, company informational binders, and photographs.
Of particular interest are the original draftsman’s materials showing the details of machinery development. Also of interest
are copies of salesgrams and two series of different LeTourneau newsletters illustrating the inner workings of the company.
Arrangement
The collection consists of four series: 1. Original Materials by Stanley C. Hahn, 2. Publications of R. G. LeTourneau, Inc.,
3. Photographs, and 4. Oversize.
Access Points
Personal Name
Hahn, Stanley C. (1908-2008)
Corporate Names
Caterpillar Tractor Company
R. G. LeTourneau, Inc.
Hahn Tractor Company
Subjects
Tractor Industry--United States
Caterpillar Tractor Company--History
LeTourneau, Robert G. (Robert Gilmore), 1888-1969
Series 1
Hahn Family Papers
1934-1941
Scope and Content Note
Includes Hahn family greeting cards, correspondence, and ephemera, as well as draftsman's drawings and blueprints by Stanley
Hahn in company with others employed by R. G. LeTourneau and work done by Hahn on Capps Brothers' Almond Huller.
Folder 1
Correspondence and Ephemera,
1935-1940
Folder 2
Power Control Units and LeTourneau Stockton Iron Works,
1934-1938
Folder 4
Almond Huller Drawings by S. Hahn (1 of 2),
1936
Folder 5
Almond Huller Drawings by S. Hahn (2 of 2),
1936
Series 2
Publications of R. G. LeTourneau, Inc.
1934-1979
Scope and Content Note
Includes administrative items and sales information, newsletters and newspaper articles, price lists, parts catalogs, and
items from company informational binders.
Folder 8
General Company Information,
1936-1938
Folder 9
Information for Salesmen: Promotional Material, Memos, and Salesgrams,
1934-1938
Folder 10
LeTourneau Indexes,
Undated
Folder 11
Promotional Pamphlets,
1935-1939
Folder 12
Believe-All, Stockton,
1936-1941
Folder 14
Power Control Units,
1936-1941
Folder 15
LeTourneau Scrapers, Peoria and Stockton,
1935-1938
Folder 16
Parts Price List and Part Number Cross Reference,
1937-1938
Folder 17
LeTourneau Price List Updates for Salesmen,
1935-1938
Folder 18
LeTourneau Equipment Parts Catalog,
1936
Folder 19
Parts Catalogs-Carry-all Scrapers,
Ca. 1936
Folder 20
Parts Catalogs-Power Control Units,
Ca. 1936
Folder 21
Parts Catalogs-Bulldozer,
Ca. 1936
Folder 22
Parts Catalogs-Angledozer,
Ca. 1936
Folder 23
Scrapers: Types U, Y, J, R5,
1935-1938
Folder 25
Angledozer, Power Control Unit, Logger,
1935-1938
Folder 26
Equipment Price Lists, Sheep's Foot Roller, Buggy, Rooter,
1935-1941
Folder 27
Crane, Trailer, Miscellaneous,
1935-1938
Folder 28
Promotional Pamphlets,
Now Newsletters,
1934-1942
Folder 29
Promotional Pamphlets,
Now Newsletters,
1935-1941
Folder 30
Promotional Pamphlets,
Now Newsletters,
1934-1937
Folder 31
Newsletters-
LeTourneau News,
1935-1936
Folder 32
Newspaper Articles,
1933-1937
Folder 33
Newsletters-LeTourneau College
Now,
1966-1979
Folder 34
Caterpillar Diesel-35 Tractor Pamphlet,
1948-1975
Series 3
Photographs
1934-1942
Scope and Content Note
Includes photographs and negatives of equipment and personnel.
Folder 35
Photographs and Negatives (1 of 3),
1934-1942
Folder 36
Photographs and Negatives (2 of 3),
1935-1941
Folder 37
Photographs and Negatives (3 of 3),
1934-1937
Series 4
Oversize
1934-1942
Scope and Content Note
Includes plans, pamphlets, and other publications separated from Series 1 and 2.
Folder 39
J12 Scraper (Universal Joint) and R5 Drag Scraper,
1934
Folder 40
U18 Scrapers, Stockton-made,
1936
Folder 41
Roe Welder made by R. G. LeTourneau,
1936
Folder 42
Power Control Units,
1936-1939
Folder 43
LeTourneau Stockton Iron Works,
1936
Folder 44
Bulldozers, A-Frames, R5 Drag Scrapers,
1936
Folder 46
Almond Huller Drawings by S. Hahn,
1936
Folder 48
Almond Huller,
1937-1941.
Folder 49
General Company Information,
1936-1938
Folder 50
Information for Salesmen: Promotional Information, Memos, and Salesgrams,
1934-1938
Folder 51
Promotional Pamphlets,
1935-1939
Folder 52
LeTourneau Price List Updates for Salesmen,
1935-1938
Folder 54
Angledozer, Power Control Unit, Logger,
1935-1938
Folder 55
Equipment Price Lists, Sheep’s Foot Roller, Buggy, Rooter,
1935-1941
Folder 56
Crane, Trailer, Miscellaneous,
1935-1938
Folder 57
Promotional Pamphlets,
Now Newsletters,
1934-1942
Folder 58
Newsletters-LeTourneau
News,
1935-1936
