Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Biography
Scope and Content
Descriptive Summary
Title: California Weather Bureau Journals,
Date (inclusive): 1893-1927
Collection number: Mss234
Creator:
C. Robert Elford
Extent: 2 linear ft.
Repository:
University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of
Special Collections
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], California Weather Bureau Journals, Mss234,
Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific
Library
Biography
C. Robert Elford was the State Climatologist of California, serving in
the San Francisco Office between 1958 and 1972. The San Francisco Office was at
one time the principal west coast office and made forecasts for the wesern
United States. Later, forecasting was moved to South San Francisco and the
former San Francisco Office became a Climatological Center. In 1973 field
offices were closed and staff was directed to dispose of records. At that time
Elford salvaged these early diaries.
In the early days each Weather Bureau Office kept a diary of daily
activities in handwritten form. Many of the entries found in these journals are
very routine, but some contain interesting accounts. The Weather Bureau
maintained its own communication lines to its remote locations, such as the
Farallon Islands, Mt. Tamalpais and Point Reyes. Maintenance was often
difficult and required frequent innovation.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of thirteen ledgers of weather observations from
various California weather stations, including: Independence (1894-1925); Mt.
Tamalpais (1898-1921); the Farallon Islands (1906-1913); San Francisco
(1906-1917); and, Point Reyes (1893-1927).