CORRESPONDENCE
Scope and Content of Series
Series 1) CORRESPONDENCE: The series begins with a chronological list of correspondents in the collection. The series contains
letters to and from Owen, as well as business letters between individuals who played prominent or peripheral roles in the
development of Topolobampo. Significant correspondents include John W. Lovell, C. B. Hoffman, J. H. Rice, and Arthur E. Stilwell.
Also included are five letters addressed to Mexican President Porfirio Diaz, and Diaz's response to the "intrigues" (legal
disputes over land ownership) taking place in the colony (March 3, 1894).
The contents of Owen's letters range from his personal reasons for creating the colony (January 22, 1890) to allusions to
the lawsuit and land disputes that took place in the 1890s. Early letters describe Topolobampo as a business and commercial
venture. Later, more voluminous correspondence is preoccupied with the future of the community and the mundane problems of
water, food supply and ownership disputes that ailed the community.
Box 1, Folder 1
Chronological list of correspondents
Chronological list of correspondents
Box 1, Folder 2
Correspondence
1881
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 3
Correspondence
1883
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 4
Correspondence
1884
Letter from A. K. Owen to William Windom
Box 1, Folder 5
Correspondence
1885
Handwritten letter from James Campbell to Walter C. Gilson, Esq.
Box 1, Folder 6
Correspondence
1888
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 7
Correspondence
1889
Correspondence
General note
Contains a document that raises questions and poses problems regarding the colonization concession.
Box 1, Folder 8
Correspondence
1890
Correspondence
General note
Contains a 24-page, handwritten letter dated January 24, 1890, in which Owen recounts aspirations and objectives regarding
the Topolobampo Colony, at this point known as Pacific City.
Box 1, Folder 9
Correspondence
1891
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 10
Correspondence
1892
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 11
Correspondence
1893
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 12
Correspondence
1894
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 13
Correspondence
1895
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 14
Correspondence
1896
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 15
Correspondence
1896
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 16
Correspondence
1897
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 17
Correspondence
1898
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 18
Correspondence
1899
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 19
Correspondence
1900
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 20
Correspondence
1901
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 21
Correspondence
1902
Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 22
Correspondence
1903
Correspondence
Box 2, Folder 1
Correspondence
1904
Correspondence
Box 2, Folder 2
Correspondence
1905
Correspondence
Box 2, Folder 3
Correspondence
1906
Letter from A. E. Stilwell to the Stockholders of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient R. R.
Box 2, Folder 4
Correspondence
1907
Letter from Jose Hampl to Mrs. A. K. Owen
Box 2, Folder 5
Correspondence
1910
Correspondence
Box 2, Folder 6
Correspondence
undated
Correspondence
WRITINGS BY OWEN
Scope and Content of Series
Series 2) WRITINGS BY OWEN: This series contains many of Owen's promotional, analytical and narrative writings. His thoughts
on utopian society are articulated in his essay "The Albert Owen Plan of Integral Cooperation." The essay "New Year's Card
for Friends: What I Believe and What I Am" provides an introspective glimpse of Owen's nature. Owen's first encounter with
the bay at Topolobampo is recorded in his "Topolobampo journal." The WRITINGS are arranged alphabetically.
Box 2, Folder 7
Address by Albert K. Owen to Cooperators at Woolrich, England
Address by Albert K. Owen to Cooperators at Woolrich, England - The Topolobampo Colony: The Ethical-Social Reformation of
Our Day
General note
Carbon copy, March 15, 1894.
Box 2, Folder 8
Albert Owen Plan of Integral Cooperation: The Problem Stated
The Albert Owen Plan of Integral Cooperation: The Problem Stated
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 2, Folder 9
Instructions to Colonists Who Go to Sinaloa During the Eight Months Beginning November, 1st 1887
Instructions to Colonists Who Go to Sinaloa During the Eight Months Beginning November 1st 1887, by Albert Owen, Chairman
of the Credit Foncier Company
General note
Printed pamphlet.
Box 2, Folder 10
Looking at What Can Be Done Now -- Not Backward, Not Forward
Looking at What Can Be Done Now -- Not Backward, Not Forward
General note
Printed pamphlet, December 1, 1910.
Box 2, Folder 11
Money of Account
Money of Account
Box 2, Folder 12
National and State Auto-Highways
National and State Auto-Highways
General note
Printed broadside.
Box 2, Folder 13
New Route to the Pacific
New Route to the Pacific: The Coming Commercial Metropolis of the Pacific
General note
Published letter, June 13, 1880.
Box 2, Folder 14
New Year's Card for Friends: What I Believe and What I Am
New Year's Card for Friends: What I Believe and What I Am
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 2, Folder 15
Newspaper articles by Owen
Newspaper articles by A. K. Owen
Box 2, Folder 16
Paris: A Glance at the City on the Seine by a Tourist
Paris: A Glance at the City on the Seine by a Tourist
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 2, Folder 17
Problems of the Hour: Seven Brief Studies
Problems of the Hour: Seven Brief Studies, by A. K. Owen. The Equities in Property. Study No. 1
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 2, Folder 18
Proposition from A. K. Owen to...
1888
Proposition from A. K. Owen
Box 2, Folder 19
Reflections
Reflections (On Capital Punishment, Payment for Work, and Thought)
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 2, Folder 20
Remarks
Remarks to Topolobampo Colonists
General note
Printed pamphlet, October 20, 1892.
Box 2, Folder 21
Remarks to the Subscribers of the Credit Foncier Company
Remarks to the Subscribers of the Credit Foncier Company
General note
Printed pamphlet, September 25, 1888.
Box 2, Folder 22
Study
A Study (of Money Received from Sales of Lot-Lease Rights)
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 2, Folder 23
There Is a Light in Asia
There Is a Light in Asia
General note
Carbon copy, December 25, 1891.
Box 2, Folder 24
Three-headed Hydra of Society: How to Exterminate the Monster
Three-headed Hydra of Society: How to Exterminate the Monster
General note
Printed broadside.
Box 2, Folder 25
To Convert Christians
To Convert Christians: A Society of India to Send Missionaries to this Country
General note
Carbon copy, December 8, 1892.
Oversize FB-126, Folder 4
Topolobampo journal
1872 September 9-October 26
Topolobampo journal
SUBJECT MATERIALS
Scope and Content of Series
Series 3) SUBJECT MATERIALS: This series documents the logistics of the Topolobampo enterprise and includes descriptions of
the numerous corporations involved in promoting and financing the project. Also included are detailed descriptions of the
rail line divisions, order forms for locomotives and other equipment, railroad brochures, pamphlets, general descriptions
of loans, minutes of stockholders' meetings, memoranda discussing the legal aspects of the colony, and a record of the sale
and transfer of ownership of "Los Tastes Ditch."
Important corporate entities include the Credit Foncier Company; the Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph
Company; the Home Investment Company; the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad; the Mexican Western Railroad; and numerous
"Pacific City" enterprises. Of particular interest is a paste-up promotional brochure for the Home Investment Company that
contains an essay on socialism and city block plans.
Legal documents tracing title to the Topolobampo lands are located in this series, as are newspaper articles about the colony.
The series also contains a photograph of A. K. Owen, an engraving of the colony site on the bay and a pamphlet by the Credit
Foncier Company called "The Topolobampo Colonists" that includes images of the colony.
Box 2, Folder 27
Alfaro Lawsuit
Alfaro Lawsuit
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 2, Folder 28
Credit Foncier Company - Integral Co-operation
Credit Foncier Company - Integral Co-operation
Box 2, Folder 29
Credit Foncier Company - A Lesson to Study
Credit Foncier Company - A Lesson to Study (an extract)
General note
Typescript, February 22, 1890.
Box 2, Folder 30
Credit Foncier Company - List of Births and Deaths in the Topolobampo Colony
1892 - 1893
Credit Foncier Company - List of Births and Deaths in the Topolobampo Colony
Box 2, Folder 31
Credit Foncier Company - List of Colonists, June 30, 1893
Credit Foncier Company - List of Colonists
Box 2, Folder 32
Credit Foncier Company - Official Report of Capt. R.R. Leary, US S.S. Iroquois to Secretary of the Navy, US
Credit Foncier Company - Official Report of Capt. R.P. Leary, U.S. S.S. Iroquois to Secretary of the Navy, U.S
General note
Printed broadside, December 13, 1887.
Oversize FB-126, Folder 5
Credit Foncier Company - The Purposes of the Topolobampo Colonists: Our Principles
Credit Foncier Company - The Purposes of the Topolobampo Colonists: Our Principles
Box 2, Folder 34
Credit Foncier Company - Statement of Account form
Credit Foncier Company - Statement of Account form
Box 2, Folder 35
Credit Foncier Company - The Situation, the Opportunity and the Duty
Credit Foncier Company - The Situation, the Opportunity and the Duty
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 2, Folder 36
Credit Foncier Company - To the Board of Directors of the Credit Foncier Company, Bay-side, Topolobampo
Credit Foncier Company - To the Board of Directors of the Credit Foncier Company, Bay-side, Topolobampo
General note
Carbon copy.
Oversize FB-126, Folder 6
Credit Foncier Company - To the Stockholders of the Credit Foncier Company
1887 March 16
Credit Foncier Company - To the Stockholders of the Credit Foncier Company
General note
Printed broadside.
Oversize FB-126, Folder 9
Credit Foncier Company - The Topolobampo Colonists
Credit Foncier Company - The Topolobampo Colonists. Testimonial
General note
Pamphlet with images of the colony.
Box 2, Folder 39
Credit Foncier Company - Vote of Confidence to A.K. Owen
Credit Foncier Company - Vote of Confidence to A.K. Owen
General note
Typescript, March 8, 1893.
Box 2, Folder 40
CREDIT FONCIER OF SINALOA - Extracts from the CREDIT FONCIER OF SINALOA published at Topolobampo...
Credit Foncier of Sinaloa - Extracts from the Credit Foncier of Sinaloa, published at Topolobampo
General note
Printed broadside, February 15, 1891.
Box 2, Folder 41
CREDIT FONCIER OF SINALOA - Memoranda of Agreement
1892
Credit Foncier of Sinaloa - Memoranda of Agreement
Box 2, Folder 42
CREDIT FONCIER OF SINALOA - The Topolobampo Colonists: What is Said of Them
Credit Foncier of Sinaloa - The Topolobampo Colonists: What is Said of Them
General note
Printed pamphlet, September 1, 1892.
Oversize FB-126, Folder 8
Topolobampo Bay print
1887
Topolobampo Bay print
General note
By Ella B. Stanley and published in HARPER'S WEEKLY.
Box 2, Folder 44
Financial Proposition: To Organize the Three Companies
Financial Proposition: To Organize the Three Companies
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 2, Folder 45
Foreign Corporations Doing Business in Mexico: Code of Commerce, Articles 265-267
Foreign Corporations Doing Business in Mexico: Code of Commerce, Articles 265-267
Oversize FB-126, Folder 7
Hampl, Jose - El Canal de Los Tastes
1902 February 2
Hampl, Jose - El Canal de Los Tastes
General note
Printed broadside
Oversize FB-126, Folder 7
Hampl, Jose - La Colonia de Topolobampo
Hampl, Jose - La Colonia de Topolobampo
General note
Printed broadside.
Box 2, Folder 48
Hampl, Jose - Interesante
Hampl, Jose - Interesante
General note
March 22, 1902.
Oversize FB-126, Folder 7
Hampl, Jose - Los Terrenos de Los Mochis
1902 March 15
Hampl, Jose - Los Terrenos de Los Mochis
General note
Printed broadside.
Box 2, Folder 50
Home Investment Company - Let Us Preach the Gospel of Higher Association
Home Investment Company - Let Us Preach the Gospel of Higher Association
General note
Paste-up promotional pamphlet for Home City, including Owen's notes and an essay on socialism.
Box 2, Folder 51
Home Investment Company - The Plan
Home Investment Company - The Plan
General note
Printed broadside with annotation.
Box 2, Folder 52
Home Investment Company - An Up-to-date Business Plan, For Business Men, to Unite Savings, Labor, Lands...
Home Investment Company - An Up-to-date Business Plan, For Business Men, to Unite Savings, Labor, Lands
General note
Printed broadside, ca. 1899.
Box 2, Folder 53
Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad - Memorandum of Contract (Between A.K. Owen and A.F. Stilwell)
Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad - Memorandum of Contract (between A.K. Owen and A.F. Stilwell)
General note
Manuscript drafts and typescript final version, April 1, 1900.
Box 2, Folder 54
Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway Company - Schedule
Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway Company - Schedule
General note
October 1909.
Box 2, Folder 55
Kansas-Sinaloa Investment Company - Memoranda
1891 - 1892
Kansas-Sinaloa Investment Company - Memoranda
Box 2, Folder 56
Legal documents related to Topolobampo land titles
1877 - 1897
Legal documents related to Topolobampo land titles
Box 2, Folder 57
Legal documents related to Topolobampo land titles
1900 - 1903
Legal documents related to Topolobampo land titles
Box 2, Folder 58
Loan agreement between A.K. Owen and Kinsley Dryden Doyle
Loan agreement between A.K. Owen and Kinsley Dryden Doyle
General note
December 17, 1896.
Box 3, Folder 1
Mexican Central Railroad
Map of the Mexican Central Railroad
Box 3, Folder 2
Mexican Northern Railroad - Memorandum
Mexican Northern Railroad - Memorandum
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 3, Folder 3
Mexican Western Railroad
"The Topolobampo Railway" - Mexican Western Railroad
General note
Collection of carbon copy documents related to the development, financing and procurement of materials for the first 32 miles
of track beginning at Topolobampo harbor.
Box 3, Folder 4
Mexican Western Railroad - Memorandum Made by S.C Jackson
Mexican Western Railroad - Memorandum by S.C Jackson
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 3, Folder 5
Mexican Western Railroad - Sample stock certificate
Mexican Western Railroad - Sample stock certificate
Box 3, Folder 6
Mines - Reports
Mining reports
General note
Collection of mining reports for resources in the Topolobampo area.
Box 3, Folder 7
Newspaper articles about Topolobampo
1881 - 1903
Newspaper articles about Topolobampo
Box 3, Folder 8
North Mexico Company - Articles of Incorporation
North Mexico Company - Articles of Incorporation
General note
Carbon copy draft, November 13, 1896.
Box 3, Folder 9
North Mexico Contraction and Purveying Company - Memorandum
North Mexico Contraction and Purveying Company - Memorandum
Box 3, Folder 10
North Mexico Contracting Company - Description of company
North Mexico Contracting Company - Description of company
Box 3, Folder 11
North Mexico Contracting Company - Subscription agreement
North Mexico Contracting Company - Subscription agreement
General note
Typescript copy, April 1902.
Box 3, Folder 12
Pacific-Kansas Investment Company - Subscriptions
Pacific-Kansas Investment Company - Subscriptions
Box 3, Folder 13
Pacific City - Descriptions of the site
Pacific City - Descriptions of the site
Box 3, Folder 14
Pacific City - A Home For Every Citizen
Pacific City - A Home For Every Citizen
Box 3, Folder 15
Pacific City - Land Resources Directly Contributing to Pacific City Site, Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico
Pacific City - Land Resources Directly Contributing to Pacific City Site, Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico
General note
August 1904.
Box 3, Folder 16
Pacific City - Memoranda
Pacific City - Memoranda
General note
Carbon copies.
Box 3, Folder 17
Pacific City - Moneys spent by and Through Albert K. Owen to acquire and develop Pacific City Site...
1873 - 1903
Pacific City - Moneys spent by and Through Albert K. Owen to acquire and develop Pacific City Site
Box 3, Folder 18
Pacific City Colonization Company - The Assets of the Pacific City Colonization Company
Pacific City Colonization Company - The Assets of the Pacific City Colonization Company
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 3, Folder 19
Pacific City Contracting and Purveying Company - A Business Proposition...
Pacific City Contracting and Purveying Company - A Business Proposition
Box 3, Folder 20
Pacific City Contracting Company - Possible Business
Pacific City Contracting Company - Possible Business
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 3, Folder 21
Pacific City Contracting Company - A Proposition How to Build a New City Quickly...
Pacific City Contracting Company - A Proposition How to Build a New City Quickly
General note
Also includes a description of the company.
Box 3, Folder 22
Pacific City Development Company - Memoranda No. 3 and No. 4
Pacific City Development Company - Memoranda No. 3 and No. 4
Box 3, Folder 23
Pacific City Development Company - Subscriptions
1903
Pacific City Development Company - Subscriptions
Box 3, Folder 24
Pacific City Terminal and Contracting Company - Description of the company, memoranda and subscriptions
Pacific City Terminal and Contracting Company - Description of the company, memoranda and subscriptions
General note
Typescripts.
Box 3, Folder 25
Photograph of A.K. Owen
1894
Portrait of A.K. Owen
General note
Photogravure image.
Box 3, Folder 26
Power of attorney - A.K. Owen
Power of attorney - A.K. Owen
Box 3, Folder 27
Promotional excerpts from newspaper articles
1891 - 1905
Promotional excerpts from newspaper articles
General note
Typescripts.
Box 3, Folder 28
Reports of experts on Topolobampo
Reports of experts on Topolobampo
General note
Typescripts.
Box 3, Folder 29
Sinaloa and Chicago Railroad - Promotional brochure
Sinaloa and Chicago Railroad - A Co-operative Railroad
Box 3, Folder 30
Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company - Agreement to form the company
Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company - Agreement to form the company
General note
Manuscript (in Spanish), May 26, 1886.
Box 3, Folder 31
Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company - Description of the corporation by Owen
The Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company - Description of the corporation by Owen
General note
Carbon copy.
Box 3, Folder 32
Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company
Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company - Indenture Agreement with the Mexican-American Construction
Company
General note
Indenture Agreement with the Mexican American Construction Company.
Box 3, Folder 33
Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company
1890
Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company - Memorandum of Agreement with John H. Rice and the Kansas-Sinaloa
Investment Company
General note
Memorandum of Agreement with John H. Rice and the Kansas-Sinaloa Investment Company. Carbon copy.
Box 3, Folder 34
Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company
1886
Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company - Stockholders' Meeting
General note
Stockholders' Meeting.
Box 3, Folder 35
Topolobampo Contracting Company - Memorandum
Topolobampo Contracting Company - Memorandum
Box 3, Folder 36
Topolobampo Terminal, Contracting and Purveying Company - A Statement
Topolobampo Terminal, Contracting and Purveying Company - A Statement
MAPS AND PLANS
Scope and Content of Series
Series 4) MAPS AND PLANS. Arranged in three subseries: A) Colony Maps, B) Pacific City Plans and C) Railroad Maps.
A) Colony Maps: Maps of the Topolobampo region, including the Fuerte Valley and the land distribution among the various owners.
Of particular interest is the "Plat of Engineer Farm," which includes a table with the names of farmers and acreage in production.
B) Pacific City Plans: Two plans for Pacific City, formerly Gonzales City, that show its layout relative to the harbor as
well as the names of streets and location of plazas. Also included are detailed model block plans designed by Owen, with elevations
rendered in Arab-styled architecture.
C) Railroad Maps: Finally, the Railroad Maps subseries includes two maps for the proposed Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad
and Telegraph Company, Owen's first railroad project. In addition, the subseries contains a map of the route for the proposed
Mexican Western Railway and two maps of the completed Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway.
Oversize MC-044, Folder 03
Lands of Louise B. Owen
Land of Louise B. Owen
Oversize MC-044, Folder 03
Plan of Topolobampo Harbor and Vicinity
1882
Colony Map - Plan of Topolobampo Harbor and Vicinity by A. K. Owen
General note
By A.K. Owens
Oversize MC-044, Folder 03
Plat of Engineer Farm, Mexico
Oversize MC-044, Folder 03
Topolobampo Harbor
1868 22 January
Topolobampo Harbor
General note
Department of the Navy, Oceanographic Office.
Oversize MC-044, Folder 04
Pacific City and related plans, grids and drawings
Plan - A Model Block, Pacific City. Associated Cottage Residences 1/2 Acre Lots, With Centralized Kitchens and Laundries
Plan - Block of Pacific Colony, showing detail of Residences, Centralized Kitchens, Laundries
Plan of Pacific City, Sinaloa - Mexico
Plan of Gonzalez City - With View of Entrance to Topolobampo Harbor
Drawing of West End facade - Kitchen, Laundry and Dining Room
Plan of Resident Hotel
Plan - A Model Block, Pacific Colony, Sinaloa, Mexico
Drawing - A Model Block, Pacific Colony, Sinaloa, Mexico. Includes Studies of Arabic Ornamentation for a Model Block, Pacific
Colony
Oversize MC-044, Folder 05
Map of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway
Map of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway
Oversize MC-044, Folder 05
Map of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway Showing Located and Preliminary Lines...
1904 October
Map of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway Showing Located and Preliminary Lines
Oversize MC-044, Folder 05
Map of the Mexican-Western Railway from Topolobampo via Bocoyna to Chihuahua Showing the Sierra...
Map of the Mexican-Western Railway from Topolobampo via Bocoyna to Chihuahua Showing the Sierra
General note
By Albert von Motz.
Oversize MC-044, Folder 05
Map of the Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Line, Mexico
Map of the Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Line, Mexico
General note
By Albert von Motz.
Oversize MC-044, Folder 05
Map of the Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific R.R. and Telegraph (Western Division) from Chihuahua and Parral...
1883
Map of the Texas, Topolobampo and Pacific R.R. and Telegraph (Western Division) from Chihuahua and Parral
General note
By Albert von Motz.