Collection Contents
Series 1.
Serrano Irrigation District records
1871-1973, bulk 1928-1973
Physical Description:
2.7 linear feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains administrative, research, and subject files from the Serrano Irrigation District. The files were maintained
by F. H. Collins, who served the district from 1928 to 1973 as secretary, treasurer, assessor, and collector.
Arrangement
Alphabetical.
Processing note
For the most part, the original file names and arrangement have been maintained.
Box : Folder 1 : 1
Annual reports
1942,
1957,
1962,
1963
Box : Folder 1 : 2
Assessor and collector: correspondence
1939
Box : Folder 1 : 3-6
Audit reports
1932,
1933,
1942,
1971
Box : Folder 1 : 7
Bank statements
1931,
undated
Box : Folder 1 : 8, XOS 1
Calderwood, Pague and Bodner pipeline extension
1961
Scope and Content Note
Contains unsigned agreements and one oversized map showing ten-foot easement for pipeline purposes.
Box : Folder 1 : 9
California Bond Certification Commission: correspondence, reports, and agreements
1931,
1936
Box : Folder 1 : 10
California Department of Public Works request for statistical data from the Serrano Irrigation District
1930
Box : Folder 1 : 11
California State Board of Equalization: correspondence, tax return, and regulations
1935
Cerro Villa Mutual Water Company
Box : Folder 1 : 15
Stock certificates
1921-1928
Box : Folder 1 : 16
Miscellaneous notes
1926-1973
Scope and Content Note
Contains notes on a wide variety of water district matters, including summaries of district history and a draft of Collin's
letter to the board of directors that outlines his service and notifies them of his retirement.
Orange Fruit and Packing Co.
Scope and Content Note
F. H. Collins managed citrus packing houses before taking over his father's water company responsibilities.
Box : Folder 1 : 18
Stationery and loose ledger pages
1886-1887,
undated
Box : Folder 1 : 19
Resignation acknowledgements: board resolution and photocopy of brass plaque
1973
Scope and Content Note
Contains board resolution accepting Collins' resignation and photocopy of brass plaque presented to Frank H. Collins "in appreciation
of service to the Serrano Irrigation District and its predecessors as secretary, assessor, treasurer, collector, April 1926
- April 1973."
Box : Folder 1 : 20-21
"Condition of Affairs" report by J. Roy Adams
1933,
1935
Box : Folder 1 : 28
County of Orange contracts
1932-1938
Box : Folder 1 : 29, FB-065 : 002
Deeds to water rights
1871-1898
Scope and Content Note
Contains early records of water rights held by members of some of the companies and associations that preceded the Serrano
Irrigation District.
Box : Folder 1 : 30
Deposit security bonds
1933-1937
Box : Folder 1 : 31
Appointments in Lieu of Elections: County Clerk resolution
1971
Bond proposition, June 1, 1929
Scope and Content Note
Contains materials concerning the vote on the proposition to issue of $200,000.00 bonds of Serrano Irrigation District.
Box : Folder XOS 1
Envelope for voted ballots and election results
1929
Box : Folder 1 : 33
Results
1929
Scope and Content Note
Includes voter signatures, ballot tally, ballot statement, and official results.
Box : Folder 1 : 34
Directors' executed oaths of office
1929-1941
Box : Folder 1 : 35-36
February 6 election returns of precincts 1 and 4
1929
Box : Folder 1 : 37
Nomination petitions
1929-1943
Box : Folder 1 : 38
Notices and calendars
1931,
1937
Box : Folder 1 : 39
Rubber stamp for marking ballots
1929
Box : Folder 1 : 40
Supplies: order forms, delivery notices, and other materials
1934-1936,
undated
Box : Folder 1 : 41
Uniform District Election Law memorandum
1966
Box : Folder 1 : 42
Equipment brochures for water pumps
1926,
undated
Box : Folder 1 : 43
Establishment and consolidations
1912-1944
Scope and Content Note
Contains information on the beginnings of the Serrano Irrigation District and selected documents on some of the entities that
were absorbed by the district. It includes records concerning the Serrano Water Association, the Gray Tract Well, and the
Lotspeich Well. It also includes a 1944 record of the final distribution of assets for the "Villa Park Well Co."
Box : Folder 1 : 44
Feather River Project Association newsletter
1962
Box : Folder 1 : 45
Filtration plant research notes
1960-1968,
undated
Box : Folder 1 : 46-52,2 : 1-5
Financial reports
1931-1936
Box : Folder 2 : 6
Fisher, Harold, easement deed and subordination agreement
1962
Insurance policies and statements
Box : Folder 2 : 7
Casualty and public liability
1930-1940
Box : Folder 2 : 10
State compensation and workmen's compensation
1931-1959
Box : Folder 2 : 11
Invoices and receipts
1927-1930
Box : Folder 2 : 12
Lake Mathews: statistics and agreement
1962
Scope and Content Note
Contains statistics on the monthly evaporation of Lake Mathews and a draft of an agreement between the Serrano Irrigation
District, the Carpenter Irrigation District and the Irvine Company.
Box : Folder 2 : 15
Copy complaint and summons
undated
Box : Folder 2 : 16
Jones, M. E.: thirty days notice and correspondence
1937
Box : Folder 2 : 17
Rutan and Mize, attorneys: correspondence
1929-1942
Box : Folder 2 : 18, XOS 1
Voorheis, Trindle, Nelson, Inc. report and oversized map
1962
Box : Folder 2 : 19
VTN Orange County [Voorheis, Trindle, Nelson] report
1969
Box : Folder 2 : 20-21, XOS 1
Metropolitan Water District Delta Tour: itinerary, brochures, and map
1967
Scope and Content Note
This material documents F. H. Collins' participation in the Anaheim Union Water Company's inspection trip of the California
Aqueduct System and the Oroville Dam. It also includes material on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's
expansion program with an emphasis on the water districts in the Southern San Joaquin Valley.
Box : Folder 2 : 22-24
Orange County flood control, Villa Park Dam
1929,
1959-1966
Scope and Content Note
Includes notes, reports, agreements, clippings, and an event program from the dedication of the dam.
Orange County Water District
Box : Folder FB-065 : 2
Map of facilities for ground water replenishment and for distributing Colorado River water
1963
Box : Folder 2 : 25-26
Engineer's reports on ground water conditions
1959,
1961
Box : Folder 2 : 27
Water supply conditions report
1964
Scope and Content Note
Includes statistics on water purchased, natural inflow, wellwater levels and rainfall indexes for 1940 to 1963.
Box : Folder 2 : 28
Permits for water storage
1924,
1937-1938
Box : Folder 2 : 29
Pipeline agreement (not in effect)
1960
Box : Folder 2 : 30
Rainfall and water-level reports by C. B. Redmon, caretaker at Santiago Dam
1933-1939
Box : Folder 2 : 31
Retirement plan proposal
1971
Box : Folder 2 : 32
Rules and regulations
1970
Box : Folder 2 : 33
Santiago Creek diversion: clipping and photographs
1969
Scope and Content Note
Contains
Santa Ana Register article by Charles D. Swanner concerning the 1903 discovery of a buried treasure of gold coins at the site of the Santiago
Creek diversion. The gold was discovered by George Washington Smith as he was digging an irrigation ditch for the John T.
Carpenter Water Company. Also includes five color photographs of Frank H. Collins and Archie Perkins at the site taken by
Swanner for the article. The reverse side of each photograph contains a description.
Box : Folder 2 : 34
Santiago Creek flow: statistics
1937
Santiago Dam
Scope and Content Note
Documentation often refers to the project as the Santiago Creek Dam or Santiago Dam and Reservoir. The dam was designed by
A. Kempkey. The resident engineer was D. W. Albert. The dam was constructed by R. G. Le Tourneau. The dam was completed
in 1931.
Box : Folder 2 : 38-41,3 : 1
Proposals Specifications Contract Bond and Plans covering the Santiago Creek Dam and Appurtenances by A. Kempkey
1930
Box : Folder 3 : 3
Construction photographs and photo index
1931
Scope and Content Note
Contains 25 black-and-white photographs. Most photographs are unnumbered and those that are numbered are not listed in the
photo index.
Box : Folder 3 : 4
Invoices and correspondence
1931-1938
Box : Folder 3 : 5, FB-065 : 2
Proposals and agreements
1969-1972
Scope and Content Note
Contains outline of 1928 agreement and subsequent agreements concerning the Santiago Reservoir, Collins' notes, the Irvine
Company's proposal for ownership, a performance test report, and a photograph. Also included is an issue of the
Rancho San Joaquin Gazette (Vol. III, No. 1), which contains a map of the northern half of the Irvine Ranch showing the Irvine Lake, Santiago Creek,
and the site where buried treasure was found.
Box : Folder 3 : 6
Kempkey, consulting engineer: correspondence, reports, and other materials
1930-1938,
1963-1964
Box : Folder 3 : 7
Le Tourneau, Robert Gilmour, contractor: invoices, correspondence, and other materials
1931-1933,
1969
Box : Folder XOS 1
Santiago Creek Improvement, Santiago Dam, Plan of Foundation Exploration blueprint, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
1937
Box : Folder 3 : 8, FB-065 : 2
Safety questions and flood control: correspondence, diagrams, and other material
1964-1969,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Contains defense of the soundness of the Santiago Dam and Reservoir. Materials include statistics, diagrams, maps, Collins'
notes, correspondence, clippings, and reports concerning flood control and safety questions.
Box : Folder 3 : 9
Subdivisions, agreements to supply water to
1962
Box : Folder 3 : 10
Union Oil Company agreements
1940-1941
Villa Park Mutual Water Company
Box : Folder 3 : 11
Agreements and correspondence
1929-1963
Box : Folder 3 : 12
Annual reports
1951,
1957
Box : Folder 3 : 14
Delivery of water to: rules and reports
1932-1939
Box : Folder 3 : 15
Vista Irrigation District annual report and notes
1961
Box : Folder 3 : 16
Voorheis, Trindle and Nelson, Inc. general conditions of agreement
undated
Box : Folder 3 : 17
Water meters: R.W. Sparling correspondence and brochures
1931-1935
Series 2.
Serrano Water Association records
1890-1946, bulk 1890-1931
Physical Description:
1 linear foot
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains administrative records from the Serrano Water Company and the Serrano Water Association, which were one
and the same; documentation reveals the organization's final decision in 1910 to function as an association rather than a
corporation. Records in the collection document operation as early as 1890, but no minutes or founding documents are found
until 1910. Handwritten notes by F. H. Collins, who served as secretary from 1926 until its official dissolution in 1928,
indicate that the Serrano Water Association existed from 1873-1929 and included landowners from both Gray Tract and Lotspeich
Tract.
As stated in Section 3 of the "Articles of Association" (March 19, 1910), the purposes of the association were "primarily
and principally, the storage, diversion, and distribution of waters in and from the said Santiago Creek appurtmant [appurtenance]
to certain lands located on the North side thereof owned by parties who thereby only are entitled to membership in the Association
which shall not act in an agency capacity?" Signatures on articles of association include F. D. Collins, who served as secretary
until his death in 1926.
At some point the Serrano Water Association established a partnership with the John T. Carpenter Water Company; they held
a joint bank account with the First National Bank of Orange, which is documented herein.
Arrangement
Alphabetical
Box : Folder 4 : 1
Agreements: purchases, easements, and leases
1923,
1927,
undated
Box : Folder 4 : 2
Annual reports
1927-1928
Scope and Content Note
Includes reports for joint account of John T. Carpenter Water Company and Serrano Water Association.
Box : Folder 4 : 3-5
Bank statements and cancelled checks
Joint account of John T. Carpenter Water Company and Serrano Water Association
1926-1927
Serrano Water Association
1918,
1926-1930
Box : Folder 4 : 6-7
By-laws and articles of association
1910,
undated
Box : Folder 4 : 8
Check register from First National Bank of Orange
1930-1946
Box : Folder 4 : 9
Fire insurance policy
1929
Box : Folder 4 : 10-11
Invoices and receipts
1925-1932,
1946
Box : Folder 4 : 12,5 : 1-3,6 : 1-6
Ledgers
1890-1931
Scope and Content Note
Ledgers contain entries concerning cash accounts, shareholder accounts, and expenses. Ledgers include statistics for both
Gray Tract and Lotspeich Tract.
Box : Folder 6 : 7
Petition to remain an association and not convert to a corporation, signed
1914
Box : Folder 6 : 8
Reports on rainfall and water levels
1921-1930
Box : Folder 6 : 9
Roll call
1931
Scope and Content Note
Includes list of association members and number of votes to which they were entitled.
Box : Folder 6 : 10
State Compensation Insurance Fund receipts and correspondence
1927-1930
Box : Folder 6 : 11
Tax assessments and receipts
1925-1929
Box : Folder 6 : 12
Villa Park Hall repairs and transfer: receipts and correspondence
1928-1931
Series 3.
Gray Tract Water Company records
1907-1923
Physical Description:
0.4 linear feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains administrative records from the Gray Tract Water Company, which was established to protect the water
rights of the members of the Serrano Water Association shareholders who owned land in the Gray Tract area. The purposes of
the organization as stated in the "Articles of Association" (1907) include: "1. The building and maintaining of conduits
for the safe carrying and distribution of the water belonging to the members of the association from the point or points to
which it may be brought by the L. Serrano Water Association and to the lands where it may rightfully used; 2. The protection
of the rights of the members of this association in and to the property controlled by the L. Serrano Water Association?"
F. D. Collins was elected secretary in 1911.
Arrangement
Alphabetical
Processing note
Loose items found within ledgers were removed for preservation purposes, housed in separate folders and named "supplemental
materials."
Box : Folder 7 : 1
Bank deposit book
1910-1922
Box : Folder 7 : 2-14
Ledgers and supplemental materials
1907-1923
Scope and Content Note
Ledgers contain information about assessments, water usage, disbursements, expenses, and shareholders' accounts. Supplemental
materials include invoices, bank statements, cancelled checks, contracts, and correspondence.
Box : Folder 8 : 1
Minutes
1907-1923
Scope and Content Note
Includes minutes from the first meeting, articles of association, bylaws and list of stockholders.
Series 4.
Gray Tract Well Company records
1912-1931
Physical Description:
1.5 linear feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains administrative records created by the Gray Tract Well Company, which was incorporated August 8, 1912.
F. D. Collins was a founding member. The Gray Tract Well Company was absorbed by the Villa Park Mutual Water Company in 1928.
Arrangement
Alphabetical.
Processing note
Loose items found within ledgers were removed for preservation purposes, housed in separate folders, and named "supplemental
materials."
Box : Folder 8 : 2
Affidavits of publication
1927-1928
Box : Folder 8 : 4-10
Bank transactions
1922-1928
Scope and Content Note
Includes check registers, monthly statements, cancelled checks, and receipts made for mortgage and loan payments. Accounts
were held with First National Bank in Santa Ana, California.
Box : Folder 8 : 11-15
Bills payable
1926-1928
Scope and Content Note
Includes monthly statements summarizing bills payable and receipts for bills paid. Includes some receipts for mortgage and
loan payments.
Box : Folder 9 : 1
Correspondence and invoices concerning the purchase of deep well turbine pumps
1926
Box : Folder 9 : 2
Dissolution of corporation: cancelled stock certificates, receipts, and final distribution of assets
1927-1929
Box : Folder 9 : 3
Fire insurance policies
1928,
1931
Box : Folder 9 : 4-8, 10: 1-5, FB-065 : 1
Ledgers and supplemental materials
1912-1926
Scope and Content Note
Ledgers contain entries concerning cash accounts, running expenses, well expenses, water sales, assessments, and accounts
for individual and corporate water users.
Box : Folder 11 : 1-3
Minutes
1912-1927
Scope and Content Note
Includes minutes, recommendations, and resolutions, including minutes from first meeting, bylaws, and list of original stockholders.
Box : Folder 11 : 4
Notices to stockholders
1925,
1927
Scope and Content Note
Includes handwritten copy of State of California "Report of Gray Tract Well Company for Year 1927."
Box : Folder 11 : 5-6
Stock certificates
1912-1927
Box : Folder 11 : 7
Tax assessments and receipts
1918,
1926-1928
Series 5.
Lotspeich Water Association records
1915-1929
Physical Description:
0.6 linear feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains administrative records created by the Lotspeich Water Association, which was founded in March of 1915
to protect the water rights of the members of the Serrano Water Association shareholders who owned land in the Lotspeich Tract.
The overarching purpose of the association as stated in the "Articles of Association" (1915) was "to receive from the Serrano
Water Association such waters from the Santiago Creek as shall be delivered to it by the said Serrano Water Association."
F. D. Collins was the founding secretary.
Arrangement
Alphabetical
Processing note
Loose items found within ledgers were removed for preservation purposes, housed in separate folders and named "supplemental
materials."
Box : Folder 12 : 1
Annual statement
1926-1927
Box : Folder 12 : 2
Articles of association (signed)
1928
Box : Folder 12 : 3
Articles of association and bylaws (handwritten original)
1915
Box : Folder 12 : 4
Bank statements
1917-1928
Box : Folder 12 : 6
Invoices and receipts
1926-1927
Box : Folder 12 : 7-11, 13 : 1-3
Ledgers and supplemental materials
1915-1926
Scope and Content Note
Ledgers contain entries concerning cash accounts, expenses, water sales, assessments. Supplemental materials include invoices,
receipts, correspondence,
Box : Folder 13 : 4-5
Minutes and supplemental materials
1915-1929
Scope and Content Note
Supplemental materials include correspondence, notices to shareholders, shareholders' account information,
Box : Folder 13 : 6
Workmen's compensation policy
1927
Series 6.
Santiago Well Company records
1918-1929,
1937,
bulk 1918-1929
Physical Description:
0.8 linear feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains administrative records created by the Santiago Well Company, a "mutual irrigation business," which was
established in 1918. F.D. Collins was a founding member. In 1928 the Santiago Well Company was dissolved when it was absorbed
by the Villa Park Mutual Water Company.
Arrangement
Alphabetical
Box : Folder 13 : 7
Affidavits of publication
1927-1928
Box : Folder 13 : 8
Annual statement
1926-1927
Box : Folder 13 : 9
Bank statements
1926-1927
Box : Folder 13 : 10-11
Check registers
1921-1929,
1937
Box : Folder 13 : 12
Dissolution records
1928-1929
Box : Folder 13 : 13-14
Invoices, receipts, and contracts
1925-1928
Box : Folder 14 : 1-7, 15 : 1-2
Ledgers and supplemental materials
1919-1926
Scope and Content Note
Ledgers contain entries concerning cash accounts, expenses, water sales, shares, and assessments. Supplemental materials
include invoices, receipts, roll call, lists of shareholders, and correspondence.
Box : Folder 15 : 6-8
Stock certificates
1918-1929
Box : Folder 15 : 9
Tax assessments and receipts
1925-1929
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