Wendell P. Hammon (1854-1939) Prospecting Log Books MSS.305

Finding aid prepared by Pamela Nett Kruger, Leilani Silver
Processing of this collection was funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives program.
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
400 West First Street
Chico, CA, 95929-0295
(530) 898-6342
SpecialCollections@csuchico.edu
June 21, 2010


Title: Wendell P. Hammon (1854-1939) Prospecting Log Books
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.305
Contributing Institution: California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.11 Linear feet 3 folders
Date (inclusive): 1904-1905, 1908
Abstract: Wendell P. Hammon (1854-1939) Prospecting Log Books of Shasta and Trinity County.
Alternate Form of Material: No other forms of material.
Language of Materials note: English
creator: Hammon, Wendell P., 1854-1939

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research without restriction.

Usage Restrictions

No restrictions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Source unknown.

Preferred Citation note

Wendell P. Hammon (1854-1939) Prospecting Log Books, MSS 305, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.

Related Archival Materials note

A preliminary report on Scott Bar and Quartz Hill mining properties: Siskiyou County, California / For W. P. Hammon, San Francisco Gassaway, A. D. MSS 043, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Abstract of title to that certain real property, known as "Nickerson Orchard" Butte County Title Abstract Company 1914, MSS 063 Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Report on Bald Mountain Consolidated Gold Mining Company placer mines and Plumas Development Company placer mines. Gassaway, A. D. , MSS 089 Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Yuba Manufacturing Company Records 1898-1958, MSS 157, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Yuba River Diversion Project for Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields Report, MSS 197, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Wendell P. Hammon (1918-2006) Typescript: Gold Dredger as an Instrument of Conservation, 1955, MSS 306, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Yuba River Diversion Project for Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields Report, MSS 197, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields Records, MSS 315, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Yuba Consolidated Industries Records, MSS 322, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.

Biographical/Historical note

Wendell P. (Philucius) Hammon, 1854-1939, was the founder of Yuba Construction Company and Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields. He developed the first successful gold dredger in California in 1898, with his partner, Thomas Couch. Hammon came to be known as the “Dredger King”.

Scope and Contents note

The collection contains three prospecting log books pertaining to land in Shasta and Trinity counties. Shasta County tracts include the Elmore Tract, Lone Hill Tract, Elmore Tract 1-167, Lone Hill Tract 182, McCormick Saeltzer Tract. The Trinity County tracts include Webster Treat Tract, John Larsen Tract, Sypes Placer Mining Co. Tract, Wm. Vollmers Tract.
Descriptions and drawings of the land are at 5 five feet increments, with the size of shaft, weight of gold, value per cubic yard, and cubic feet in test. Notes in Books #3 and #12 indicate value of gold (1 grain) at 3.9 cents; grains in 1 milligram .01543, and value 1 milligram of gold .0060177 cents.

Arrangement note

In numeric order by log book.

Separated Materials note

No material cataloged separately.

Publication Rights

The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.

Processing Information note

Processing of the Wendell P. Hammon (1854-1939) Prospecting Log Books was generously funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). The [ABC repository] was awarded a Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives grant from 2010-2012, "Uncovering California's Environmental Collections," in collaboration with eight additional special collections and archival repositories throughout the state and the California Digital Library (CDL). Grant objectives included processing of over 33 hidden collections related to the state's environment and environmental history. The collections document an array of important sub-topics such as irrigation, mining, forestry, agriculture, industry, land use, activism, and research. Together they form a multifaceted picture of the natural world and the way it was probed, altered, exploited and protected in California over the twentieth century. Finding aids are made available through the Online Archive of California (OAC).

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Gold mines and mining -- California -- History.
Shasta County (Calif.) -- Gold discoveries.
Trinity County (Calif.) -- Gold discoveries.
Uncovering California's Environmental Collections Project
Box 1

Log Books

 

Folder 1: Prospecting Log Book No. 3, Shasta County – Elmore Tract; Lone Hill Tract; Elmore Tract, 1-67; Lone Hill Tract, 182 October 7, 1908 – December 16, 1908,

Physical Description:
 

Folder 2: Prospecting Log Book No. 4, Shasta County – McCormick Saeltzer Tract, Vol. 1, 1-98 July 28, 1908 – December 6, 1908,

 

Folder 3: Prospecting Log Book No. 12, Trinity County Prospecting, 1904-1-34, Webster Treat Tract, 1905-1-28, John Larsen Tract, Sypes Placer Mining Co. Tract, Wm. Vollmers Tract June 1, 1904 –August 18, 1905,