Register of the Burns (Robert E.) California State Parks Commission Papers, 1951-1958

Processed by Don Walker; machine-readable finding aid created by Don Walker
Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University Library, University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2404
URL: http://www.pacific.edu/Library/Find/Holt-Atherton-Special-Collections.html
© 1998
University of the Pacific. All rights reserved.



Register of the Burns (Robert E.) California State Parks Commission Papers, 1951-1958

Collection number: Mss179

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University Library

University of the Pacific

Contact Information

  • Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
  • University Library, University of the Pacific
  • Stockton, CA 95211
  • Phone: (209) 946-2404
  • URL: http://www.pacific.edu/Library/Find/Holt-Atherton-Special-Collections.html
Processed by:
Don Walker
Date Completed:
1994
Encoded by:
Don Walker
© 1998 University of the Pacific. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Burns (Robert E.) California State Parks Commission Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1951-1958
Collection number: Mss179
Creator: Robert E. Burns
Extent: 2.5 linear ft.
Repository: University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
Stockton, CA 95211
Shelf location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Burns (Robert E.) California State Parks Commission Papers, Mss179, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

Biography

The California State Parks Commission was established in 1927. It was a body of five persons appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor. The Commissioners were laymen who were paid their expenses while on duty. They oversaw the Division of Beaches and Parks, appointed the Chief of the Division, approved budgets and policies, and reviewed land acquisitions and park improvements.
Early in its existence the Commission established a set of criteria for the creation of state parks which include the following principles: areas selected for parklands should be of statewide and not local significance; they should possess features of special significance that make their preservation and public recreational use a matter of statewide concern; they should be equitably distributed so as to assure proper balance in their use by all citizens of the state.
Gov. Earl Warren appointed Robert Burns, President of the College of the Pacific, to the California State Parks Commission in 1951. Burns served through 1958. He represented central California at a time crucial to the preservation of the southern grove of the Calaveras Big Trees. Other parks created during his tenure include the Hearst/San Simeon State Historical Monument and the Jack London Home State Historical Monument. In 1958 Burns participated in the Commission's major reorganization of the Division of Beaches and Parks.

Scope and Content

The Robert Burns State Parks Commission Papers consists of: correspondence and memos from the Director of the Division of Beaches & Parks, the public and various legislators; the agendas and minutes of Park Commission meetings (1953-1958); reports or proposals regarding various lands being considered for state park status or for expansion; summaries and texts of enabling legislation creating the diverse parks (1953-58); and a miscellany of related printed materials, maps, and photographs.

 

BOX ONE: ORGANIZATION & PROCEDURES; FINANCIAL RECORDS; MAPS, CLIPPINGS & MISCELLANY

 

1. 1---Organization & Procedures

 

-"Order adopting & repealing regulations of Div. Beaches & Parks," 1954

 

-Resolution pertaining to fee schedule, 1954

 

-Memo from Deputy Dir. to Dir. summarizing proposed changes in Public Resources Code, 8-56

 

-"Prospectus for achieving a California Plan...for the development...of land and water areas and facilities...for outdoor recreation...," 1956

 

-Senate Resolution no. 28, 4-57

 

-Memo from Assoc. Admin. Analyst et al. to Dep. Dir. on ramifications of Senate Resolution no. 28, 1957

 

-Study directed by Senate Resolution no. 28 to revise structure of Div. of Beaches & Parks, 1958

 

1. 2---Financial records

 

-"Summary of capital outlay for construction...," 1945-57

 

-"Program projections, estimated State Beach fund...,"1956-61

 

-Do., Amended version

 

-"Current concession agreement," 1957

 

-Do., 1958

 

-"Report on land acquisition appropriations," 9-30-57

 

-Do., 12-31-57

 

-"Project status report," 12-1-57

 

-"Traveling expenses," 1958

 

1. 3---Resolutions from misc. public bodies pertaining to:

 

-Anderson Reservoir, 1958

 

-Angel Island, 1953

 

-Cahuenga Battlefield, 1956

 

-Chiles Canyon, 1957

 

-Coloma, 1955

 

-Garin Ranch, 1957

 

-Hayward Area park, 1957

 

-Hearst Castle, 1953

 

-Lake Natoma, 1957 [2]

 

-Nimbus Reservoir, 1957

 

-Oxnard Beach harbor, 1953

 

-Redding river frontages, 1957

 

-Russian River, 1957

 

-San Clemente beach, n.d.

 

-San Mateo beach acquisition, 1953

 

-Santa Monica/Del Mar Club concession, 1957

 

-Ventura Co./Parcel 69, n.d.

 

1. 4---Agua Caliente Springs--application for right of way, 3-58

 

1. 5---Bancroft Ranch House, San Diego Co.--application for registration as point of interest, 1957

 

1. 6---Roadside Rests acquisition program, 1957

 

1. 7---Newton B. Drury, Dir. Div. Beaches & Parks. "Management of park forests," 1956

 

1. 8---Dewitt Nelson. Address to No. California County Supervisors Assn., 1955

 

1. 9---Transcript of "People v. Joseph R. Knowland," 1956 [re acquisition of Orange Co. land]

 

1. 10--El Pueblo de Los Angeles lease agmt. w/ Bank of America, 1958 [for bldgs. in historic area]

 

1. 11--St. Vincent's College (LA)--History, n.d.

 

1. 12--J. Delbert Sarber & Elmer C. Aldrich. "Financing the recreational use of impounded water," 1956

 

1. 13--State Water Rights Board Hearings on Sacto.MUD use of Coloma area, 1957

 

1. 14--Lowell Sumner. "Why hunting cannot be permitted in the National Park System," 1953

 

1. 15--Miscellaneous short papers

 

1. 16--Clippings pertaining to:

 

Byrnes Ferry covered bridge, 1957

 

Cahuenga Battlefield, 1956

 

Emerald Bay, 1957

 

Ferry Park, SF, 1957

 

Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, 1953

 

Folsom park, 1957

 

Hearst's Castle, 1953

 

Meadow Valley Project, 1957

 

Oceano beach, 1957

 

Park development program, 1955

 

"Project X," 1957

 

Roadside Rests, 1958

 

Squaw Valley Olympics preparations, 1957

 

1. 17--Maps

 

Anderson Reservoir recreation use, 1957

 

Angel Island, 1953

 

Anza Desert State Park, 1956

 

Aquatic Park, SF property ownership in vicinity, 1955

 

Asilomar Beach State Park, 1954

 

Asilomar Beach CAA Landing Facility, 1956

 

Bidwell Mansion State Hist. Mon. [proposed], 1954

 

Castle Crags State Park proposed expansion, 1954

 

Coe Memorial Park acquisition map, 1957

 

Donner Memorial State Park proposed expansion, 1957

 

Franks Tract State Park [proposed], 1955

 

Hueneme Beach proposed acquisition, 1956

 

Hueneme Beach Project proposed acquisition, 1957

 

Imperial Sand Hills project, 1958

 

Kern River State Park general development plan, 1957

 

Lake Elsinore project, 1957

 

Orange Co. master plan of arterial hwys., 1956

 

Playa del Rey dvpmt. area, 1953

 

Point Dume State Park [proposed], 1955

 

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park acquisition, 1955

 

Roadside Rests: proposed dvpmt. schedule, 1954

 

Roadside Rests: Mariposa Co., 1957

 

Samuel P. Taylor State Park proposed addtn., 1957

 

San Clemente Beach State Park, 1956

 

Squaw Valley Olympic Winter Games area, 1957

 

1. 18--Misc. photos

 

Murphy home, Sunnyvale [incl. history on reverse]

 

Playa del Rey dvpmt. [?]

 

BOX TWO: REPORTS & PROPOSALS

 

2. 1---"Resume of the status of the files of the land section," 1948-1953

 

2. 2---Site of City Gardens Nursery (Louis Pelletier), Sta. Clara Co., 1949

 

2. 3---Site of Stone & Kelsey home, Lake Co., 1949

 

2. 4---Columbia Historic State Park--Master Plan Report, 1950

 

2. 5---Franks Tract--Report of investigation, 1953

 

2. 6---Salton Sea State Park--Report of water line easement, 1953

 

2. 7---Riding & Hiking Trails Project--Status Report, 1955

 

2. 8---Leo Carrillo Beach Park--Proposed use as crippled children's camp, 1956

 

2. 9---Del Norte Co. Beach & Shoreline acquisition, 1956

 

2. 10--Pescadero Beach--Report on use & recommended acquisition, 1956

 

2. 11--Roadside Rest Program--Statewide dvpmt. schedule, 1956

 

2. 12--Silver Strand Beach State Park--Report plan on use & recommended acquisition, 1956

 

2. 13--Airpoint Reservoir, Sta. Clara Co.--Report on state park potentialities, 1957

 

2. 14--Coe Memorial Park & Anderson Reservoir--Report on state park potentialities, 1957

 

2. 15--Cuyamaca Rancho grazing concessions--Report, 1957

 

2. 16--Evergreen Resrvoir, Sta. Clara Co.--Report on state park potentialities, 1957

 

2. 17--Hearst/S. Simeon State Hist. Mon.--Proposed plan of operation, 1957

 

2. 18--Humboldt Redwoods State Park--Application no. 74 for right of way, 1957

 

2. 19--Lexington Reservoir, Sta. Clara Co.--Report on state park potentialities, 1957

 

2. 20--MacKerricher Beach State Park--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 21--McNear's Beach & Paradise Cove, Marin Co.--Report on state park potentialities, 1957

 

2. 22--Manhattan Beach State Park--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands,1957

 

2. 23--Montgomery Memorial State Park, S. Diego Co.--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 24--Monticello Reservoir & Cannon Ball Diversion Pool, Napa Co.--Restudy of state park potentialities, 1957

 

2. 25--Moonlight Beach State Park, S. Diego Co.--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 26--Mt. S. Jacinto State Park, Riverside Co.--Proposed additional riding & hiking trail, 1957

 

2. 27--New Brighton Beach State Park--Proposal for acqusition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 28--Oroville Reservoir--Report on state park potentialities, 1957

 

2. 29--Placerita Canyon State Park, LA Co.--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 30--Portola State Park, S. Mateo Co.--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 31--Richardson Grove State Park, Humboldt Co.--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 32--S. Simeon Beach State Park--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 33--Shasta State Historical Monument--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 34--Squaw Valley--Report on ... as permanent state park, 1957

 

2. 35--Samuel P. Taylor State Park--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 36--Tomales Bay State Park--Proposal for acquisition of additional lands, 1957

 

2. 37--Twenty Nine Palms, Riding & Hiking Trails--Project study, 1957

 

2. 38--Uncle Tom's Cabin to Big Bend, Placer & El Dorado Co.s, Riding & Hiking Trails--Project study, 1957

 

2. 39--Upper Feather Projects--Report on state park potentialities, 1957

 

2. 40--San Pablo Reservoir, Contra Costa Co.--Report on potentialities as state park, 1958

 

BOX THREE: MINUTES & AGENDAS, 1953-58

 

3. 1---10/23/1953

 

3. 2---11/19-20/1953

 

3. 3---Joint Meeting w/ St. Hwy. Comm., 11/19/1953

 

3. 4---1/22/1954

 

3. 5---1/25-26/1955

 

3. 6---2/18/1955 [agenda only]

 

3. 7---9/21/1956

 

3. 8---1/18/1957

 

3. 9---2/15/1957 [agenda only]

 

3. 10--6/21/1957

 

3. 11--7/26/1957 [agenda only]

 

3. 12--8/23/1957

 

3. 13--9/20/1957

 

3. 14--10/18/1957

 

3. 15--11/15/1957

 

3. 16--12/20/1957

 

3. 17--1/17/1958

 

3. 18--2/21/1958

 

3. 19--3/21/1958 [agenda only]

 

3.20--Calif. Riding & Hiking Trails Adv. Comm.---11/53, 12/57

 

3.21--Hist. Landmarks Adv. Comm.--12/53, 4/57

 

BOX FOUR: CORRESPONDENCE & MEMOS, 1953-1958

 

4. 1---Aug 1953

 

4. 2---Nov 1953

 

4. 3---Dec 1953

 

4. 4---Jan 1954

 

4. 5---Jan 1955

 

4. 6---Feb 1955

 

4. 7---Mar 1955

 

4. 8---Aug 1956

 

4. 9---Sep 1956

 

4. 10--Oct 1956

 

4. 11--Jan 1957

 

4. 12--Feb 1957

 

4. 13--May 1957

 

4. 14--Jun 1957

 

4. 15--Jul 1957

 

4. 16--Aug 1957

 

4. 17--Sep 1957

 

4. 18--Oct 1957

 

4. 19--Nov 1957

 

4. 20--Dec 1957

 

4. 21--Jan 1958

 

4. 22--Feb 1958

 

4. 23--Mar 1958

 

BOX FIVE: LEGISLATION; MISC. PRINTED MATTER

 

5. 1---Rosters of legisl. committees on Conservation, Natural Resources, etc.

 

5. 2---Parks legislation summary, 1955

 

5. 3---Bill texts, 1955

 

5. 4---Parks legislation summary, 1957

 

5. 5---Bill texts, 1957

 

5. 6---Bill texts, 1958

 

5. 7---Misc. Printed Matter

 

-Richard L. Cheney. "Mineral needs of the glass container industry in California," Mineral Information Service 2:9 (Sep 1949)

 

-Calif. Senate. "Recreational Agencies & Activities of Such Agencies," 1955

 

-"California's State Park System," Motorland (Nov/Dec1957)

 

-Calif. Senate. "Public Lands & Resource Development," 1957

 

-Leonard Fisher. "Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park," News & Views (Feb 1957)

 

-David Redding. "Weaverville Josshouse State Historic Monument," News & Views (Jul 1957)

 

-Earl D. Hanson. "New funds for expansion," News & Views (Oct 1957)

 

-Earl D. Hanson. "Birth of the Five Year Master Plan," News & Views (Nov 1957)

 

-Organization & Cost Control Div. "Management survey for the Dept. of Natural Resources, Div. of Beaches & Parks, Administrative Structure," 1957

 

-"Project X, The First Phase: Old SF evoked in a state historical monument," 1957

 

-"Clarification of relationships between the State Park Commission, The Dept. of Natural Resources & the Div. of Beaches & Parks: Reorganization of the Div. of Beaches and Parks," 1958

 

-Calif. Div. Beaches & Parks. "The Redwoods of California," 1960

 

-"Columbia State Park: A Progress Report," News & Views (Nov 1960)

 

-US Natl. Park Service. "Our Vanishing Shoreline," 1960

 

-"North Coast Redwood Master Plan," 1965