Guide to the William C. Crowell Collection, 1901-1981

Processed by The Pasadena Museum of History staff.
Pasadena Museum of History
Research Library and Archives
470 West Walnut Street
Pasadena, California 91103-3594
Phone: (626) 577-1660, Ext. 13
Fax: (626) 577-1662
Email: research@pasadenahistory.org
URL: http://www.pasadenahistory.org
© 2002
Pasadena Museum of History. All rights reserved.

Note

Arts and Humanities--Architecture Engineering and Technology--Building Construction Geographical (By Place)--California--Los Angeles Area

Guide to the William C. Crowell Collection, 1901-1981

Pasadena Museum of History



Research Library and Archives

Pasadena, California

Contact Information:

  • Pasadena Museum of History
  • Research Library and Archives
  • 470 West Walnut Street
  • Pasadena, California 91103-3594
  • Phone: (626) 577-1660, Ext. 13
  • Fax: (626) 577-1662
  • Email: research@pasadenahistory.org
  • URL: http://www.pasadenahistory.org
Processed by:
The Pasadena Museum of History staff
Date Completed:
January 2002
Encoded by:
UCSC OAC Unit
© 2002 Pasadena Museum of History. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: William C. Crowell Collection
Date (inclusive): 1901-1981
Collection number: Consult repository
Creator: Crowell, William C.
Extent: 2 boxes
Repository: Pasadena Museum of History
Pasadena, California 91103-3594
Abstract: The William C. Crowell Collection (1901-1981) includes a business ledger, plumbing catalogue, and three photograph albums of construction projects.
Physical location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library.
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open to the public for research. Use is restricted by rules intended to protect and preserve the materials in good condition for the future. For additional information please contact the Pasadena Museum of History.

Publication Rights

Use of the materials is governed by all applicable copyright law. The Pasadena Museum of History reserves the right to restrict any materials from reproduction at any time. Property rights reside with the Pasadena Museum of History. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. The Museum's physical ownership of the materials in its collection does not imply ownership of copyright. It is the user's responibility to reslove any copyright issues related to the use and distribution of reproduced materials. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Pasadena Museum of History.

Preferred Citation

Suggested citation of these records: [Identification of item], William C. Crowell Collection, Research Library and Archives, Pasadena Museum of History.

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Crowell Planning and Construction Corporation, 1981.

Biography

William C. Crowell was born on a farm near Argyle in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, in 1871. He studied architecture at Puget Sound Business College while apprenticed to his brother as a carpenter in Seattle, Washington. In 1894 he came to Pasadena, California as a carpenter. The following year he went to Guatemala, where he founded his own contracting business in 1897. Later that year, Crowell returned to Pasadena and ran the Wm. C. Crowell Company until 1939, when he turned the business over to his son, Robert A. Crowell, who operated it until 1971, when he was succeeded as company president by Ron T. Aday at the newly formed Crowell Planning and Construction Corporation. The construction firm built many well-known commercial, public, and school buildings in Pasadena and surrounding cities, many designed by notable architects such as Greene & Greene, Julia Morgan, Myron Hunt, and Gordon Kaufmann. Until 1938, the Crowell Company constructed all the buildings on the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) campus. The firm also built the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the Pasadena Public Library, the original Pasadena High School, the Henry E. Huntington Library, the Pasadena YMCA and YWCA, and several University of Redlands Buildings.
In 1899, William C. Crowell married Iva Grace Nickerson of Argyle, Nova Scotia. They had three daughters and five sons. Crowell ultimately settled in the city of San Marino, where he served in city government. He died in 1950.

Scope and Content

The William C. Crowell Collection (1901-1981) includes a business ledger, plumbing catalogue, and three photograph albums of construction projects.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Crowell, William C.
Crowell, Robert A.
Dwellings--California--Pasadena--Photographs
Pasadena (Calif.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Pictorial Works
Wm. C. Crowell Company
Crowell Planning and Construction Corporation


Box-folder 1:1

Two letters from Robert A. Crowell regarding donation of collection to Pasadena Historical Society (1981; biographical articles about William C. Crowell

Box-folder 1:2

Duplicate photographs and 35 mm. negatives

Box-folder 1:3

Wm. C. Crowell Ledger, 1901-1908

Box-folder 1:4

Mott's Plumbing Fixtures: Catalogue "A" (New York: J. L. Ironworks, 1908)

Box 2

Album 1: Work Performed by William C. Crowell, 1897-1938

 

1. "Typical Crowell projects since 1897 in Southern California" [list]

 

2. Crowell Company history

 

3. Security Bldg., NW corner of Colorado and Arroyo Parkway, 1907 (Crowell office prior to 1924)

 

4. Crowell Bldg., 495 So. Arroyo Parkway (office 1924-1942)

 

5. Caltech, aerial view

 

6. Caltech, Throop Hall, 1914

 

7. Caltech, Chemistry Bldg., 1922

 

8. Caltech, Auditorium Annex, 1920

 

9. Caltech, Physics Bldg.

 

10. Caltech, Edison High-Tension Bldg., 1924

 

11. Caltech, Physics Bldg

 

12. Caltech, Seismographic Lab, in San Rafael Hills, 1926

 

13. Caltech, Chemistry Library, 1926

 

14. Caltech, Yates Lab, 1926

 

15. Caltech, Portale Arcade, 1926

 

16. Caltech, Biology Bldg., 1929

 

17. University of Redlands, Fairmont Hall, 1927 (Redlands, CA)

 

18. University of Redlands, Hall of Science, 1927

 

19. University of Redlands, California Hall, 1928

 

20. University of Redlands, Arts Bldg., 1928

 

21. Pasadena High School, Horace Mann Bldg., 1911

 

22. Pasadena High School, Jane Addams Bldg., 1911

 

23. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 1932

 

24. Civic Auditorium Foyer, 1932

 

25. Civic Auditorium, Interior, 1932

 

26. Civic Auditorium, Interior, 1932

 

27. Civic Auditorium, Music Hall, 1932

 

28. Civic Auditorium, Exhibition Hall, 1932

 

29. Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, 1919

 

30. Huntington Library, 1919

 

31. Pasadena Public Library, 1925

 

32. Pasadena Public Library, Outdoor Patio, 1925

 

33. Pasadena First Baptist Church, 1908

 

34. (New) Pasadena First Baptist Church, 1926

 

35. First Baptist Church, Interior, 1926

 

36. First Baptist Church, Chapel and Sunday School Wing, 1930

 

37. Caltech, Athenaeum, c. 1930

 

38. Caltech, Athenaeum, c. 1930

 

39. Caltech, Athenaeum, Dining Room

 

40. Caltech, Athenaeum, Front Door

 

41. Rose Bowl, converted to concrete from wood, 1931

Box 2

Album 2: Work Performed by William C. Crowell, 1897-1938

 

1. Pasadena Hospital Annex, now Huntington Memorial Hospital, 1923

 

2. Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1923

 

3. Pasadena Y.M.C.A., 1923

 

4. Pasadena Y.M.C.A., 1926

 

5. Peters Office Bldg., 1928

 

6. Baker Shoe Store, 1923

 

7. Nash Dealership, W. Colorado, 1926

 

8. Studebaker Dealership, W. Colorado, 1929

 

9. Security Bank, Lake and Colorado, 1929

 

10. Security Trust and Savings Bank, S.W. corner Colorado and Arroyo Parkway, 1914

 

11. St. James Church addition, South Pasadena, c. 1936

 

12. Jensen's Theater, No. Raymond Ave., 1914

 

13. Maryland Apartments, N.E. corner Euclid and Union St., 1926

 

14. Auto Dealership, N.E. corner of Colorado and Catalina [i.e. Wilson] Ave., 1927

 

15. Metropolitan Water District, Intake and Gene Pumping Plants at the Colorado River, 1936-1938

 

16. Intake Pumping Plant, Metropolitan Water District, 1936-1938

 

17. Penstock Gene Pumping Plant, Metropolitan Water District, 1936-1938

 

18. Morris Dam for City of Pasadena, 1934

 

19. President Herbert Hoover at Morris Dam dedication

 

20. Morris Dam dedication

 

21. Morris Dam dedication plaque

 

22. William C. Crowell Residence, 769 No. Orange Grove Blvd., (residence from 1902-1905)

 

23. William C. Crowell Residence, 341 No. Marengo Ave., (residence from 1905-1926)

 

24. William C. Crowell Residence, 1769 Oak Grove Ave., San Marino (residence from 1926-1939)

 

25. Crowell Residence, 1769 Oak Grove Ave.

 

26. Ruth Myrick Residence, 1096 Armada Drive, 1924

 

27. Elsie Bennett Residence, 559 Eldora Road, 1925

 

28. Paul Crowell Residence, 531 S. Greenwood, 1926

 

29. Robert A. Crowell Residence, (residence from 1931-1938)

 

30. Taverner Residence, Altadena, 1928

 

31. Everett Residence, 1928

 

32. Everett Residence, 1928

 

33. Stevens Residence, 1927

Box 2

Album 3: Work Performed by Robert A. Crowell, 1939-1971, as Wm. C. Crowell Company and Wm. C. Crowell Company, Inc.

 

1. "Typical Crowell projects since 1897 in Southern California" [list]

 

2. Crowell Company advertisement

 

3. Assorted Crowell Company bldgs.

 

4. Biography of Robert A. Crowell

 

5. Marshall Canyon Golf Course and Clubhouse, San Dimas, 1966

 

6. Orange County Civic Center, Mall and Parking Structure, Santa Ana, 1970

 

7. Orange County Civic Center, Mall and Parking Structure, Santa Ana, 1970

 

8. Methodist Hospital, Intensive Care and Psychiatric Units, Arcadia, 1969

 

9. Triangle Publications, Printing Plant, Los Angeles, 1968

 

10. Dynametric Office and Plant, 1968

 

11. Magan Medical Clinic, Covina, 1967

 

12. Citrus College, Planetarium, Azusa, 1966

 

13. Citrus College, Physical Science Bldg., 1966

 

14. Citrus College, Physical Science Bldg., 1966

 

15. Citrus College, Library Bldg., 1965

 

16. Citrus College, Business Bldg.,

 

17. School of Theology at Claremont, 1964; Administration and Library Bldgs.,1968

 

18. School of Theology at Claremont, Administration Bldg., 1964

 

19. Human Resources Bldg., State of California, c. 1964

 

20. Torch Junior High School, La Puente, 1964

 

21. First Western Bank, remodeled 1963

 

22. Cerritos Junior College, Administration Bldg., Cerritos, 1962

 

23. Cerritos Junior College, Administration Bldg., Cerritos, 1962

 

24. Pitzer College, Sanborn Hall, Claremont, 1962

 

25. Alcazar Headquarters, Los Angeles County Flood Control District, 1952

 

26. First Federal Savings and Loan, South Pasadena, 1952

 

27. Federal Public Housing Authority, Ware Housing, 1943-1944

 

28. Public Works Office Bldg., Eleventh Naval District, San Diego, 1945

 

29. San Antonio Elementary School, Pomona, 1951

 

30. Von's Supermarket and J.J. Newberry Store, 10780 and 10790 W. Pico Blvd., 1950

 

31. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sub Station, San Dimas, 1950

 

32. First Western Bank, Garfield Branch, 1950

 

33. Sillers Paint Co., Office and Plant, 1950

 

34. Claremont Men's College, Pitzer Hall, Claremont, 1949

 

35. Claremont Men's College, Dormitory No. 3, 1949

 

36. Normont Terrace, Federal Public Housing Authority, Wilmington, 1943

 

37. R.A. Crowell Residence, 949 S. San Rafael Ave., Residence 1953-1960 (exterior)

 

38. R.A. Crowell Residence, (interior)

 

39. R.A. Crowell Residence, 180 S. San Rafael Ave., Residence 1960-1967 (exterior)

 

40. R.A. Crowell Residence, (interior)

 

41. R.A. Crowell Residence, 475 Palmetto Drive, Residence 1967-1981

 

42. R.A. Crowell Residence

 

43. 473 Palmetto Drive, remodeled 1967

 

44. 473 Palmetto Drive, 1967