Inventory of the Dept. of Public Works. Division of Highways. District I Records
Processed by The California State Archives staff; supplementary encoding and revision supplied by Xiuzhi Zhou.
California State Archives
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Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
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Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2000
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Inventory of the Dept. of Public Works. Division of Highways. District I Records
Inventory: F3766
California State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
Contact Information:
- California State Archives
- 1020 "O" Street
- Sacramento, California 95814
- Phone: (916) 653-2246
- Fax: (916) 653-7363
- Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
- URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
- Processed by:
- The California State Archives staff
© 2000 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Dept. of Public Works. Division of Highways. District I Records
Inventory: F3766
Creator:
California. Division of Highways
Repository:
California State Archives
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Publication Rights
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Dept. of Public Works. Division of Highways. District I Records, F3766, California State Archives.
Agency History
District I, encompassing Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties and parts of Lake, Trinity and Siskiyou counties, was
created by the California Highway Commission in 1911 (see Minutes of the C.H.C., volume 1, p. 24).
The District Headquarters, located in Willits, Mendocino County, is headed by the district engineer. Under the general direction
of the State Highway Engineer, the District Engineer is responsible for administering all State Highway activities within
his district.
For details of district organization and description of positions and duties see Dept. of Public Works, Management Survey
of Responsibilities and Authorities. Headquarters Files, Series # (F3778:292-293).
Organization
The arrangement of District I's records is hierarchical. The first section, Headquarters Files, is an administrative file
defined and managed by the Department of Public Works, Sacramento. Each highway district maintains a copy of this file.
The second section, District I Engineer's Records, has five series: General Correspondence, including a subject file and a
chronological file; Reports; Shop I; Miscellaneous; and Photographs.
The third section, Construction Engineer's Records, is solely concerned with the construction engineer's records concerning
prison labor projects, specifically camp #36, Burnt Ranch. The two series are: General Correspondence; and Monthly Reports
of Day Labor.
District I, Headquarter Files, 1936-52.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged by headquarter's numerical filing system and chronologically thereunder unless otherwise noted. Contains correspondence,
memoranda, reports, forms, news releases, also, some photographs, blueprints and newspaper clippings.
Broken series - only certain subjects exist.
Folder F3766:165-236
101.572
Accounting, Federal Aid Secondary. 1944-52.
Physical Description: 72ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically and by County, Route and Section thereunder. Consisting of corr., memoranda and reports re. contracts,
materials and construction of Federal Aid Secondary Projects.
Folder F3766:237-242
201.02
District Engineer, Monthly Reports. 1948-52.
Physical Description: 6ff.
Scope and Content Note
Copies of reports providing statistical data on quantity and costs of work orders, emergency engineering and surveys on specific
sections of roadway.
Folder F3766:243-246
201.46
Misc. Types of Construction. 1948-52.
Physical Description: 4ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., memos, circulars, blueprints, charts and photographs re. designs for road connections, proposed pavement thickness,
roadbed erosion, and bank protection methods.
Folder F3766:247-251
201.47
Culverts. 1948-52.
Physical Description: 5ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., memos, inspection reports, photographs and drawings involving failed culverts caused by washouts and settlements.
Folder F3766:252-256
Bridges. 1948-52.
Physical Description: 5ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., memos, inspection and completion reports, photographs and drawings dealing with damages to bridges.
Folder F3766:257
401.201
Outdoor Advertising Signs. 1948-52.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., memos, applications for erecting signs, violation citations and authorizations for removals.
Folder F3766:258
401.19
Weed Eradication. 1948-52.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., and memos re. methods of weed eradication along roadways, including burning, mowing and spraying with sodium chlorate.
Folder F3766:259-262
401.22
Traffic Signs. 1948-52.
Physical Description: 4ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., memos and sketches concerning a variety of traffic signs, locations of signs and requests from private citizens for
signs to be erected.
Folder F3766:263)
401.241
Monthly Traffic Obstruction Reports. 1941.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Reports giving map index no., road, specific location, nature of hinderance, and remarks concerning traffic control at point
of obstruction.
Folder F3766:264
Road Condition Information. 1941, 1948-50.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., reports and memos on road conditions: snow, ice, flooding and effects of heavy equipment on roadways.
Folder F3766:266)
Road Closings. 1948-50, 1952.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., and memos concerning the closing of sections of highway for weather conditions, construction and maintenance.
Folder F3766:265
401.74
Speed Checks - Traffic Hazards. 1948-49, 1951.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., and memos regarding speed zone surveys.
Folder F3766:267
501.02
Test Reports. 1941.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., and reports from materials and research department on surfacing materials, road oil medium curing products, soils,
power boring and foundation conditions.
Folder F3766:268-270
701.00
Legal and Rights of Way. 1945, 1948-52.
Physical Description: 3ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., general instructions from headquarters, and reports dealing with appraisals, acquisitions, evictions, relocation of
utilities and condemnations.
Folder F3766:271-273
Redwood Empire Association. 1942-43, 45, 48-50, 52.
Physical Description: 3ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., memos, newspaper clippings, and some publications regarding R.E.A.'s interest in U.S. Route 101. Also includes R.E.A.
News Bureau Releases and Master Schedule of Recommendations.
Folder F3766:274-275
Newspaper Clippings. 1950-52.
Physical Description: 2 Vols.
Scope and Content Note
Mainly concerning highway accidents in District I, some bid awards and editorials.
The Humboldt Times and
The Humboldt Standard, indexed.
Folder F3766:276-278
901.81
Parks. 1936-47.
Physical Description: 3ff.
Scope and Content Note
Corr., reports, memoranda, blueprints and maps dealing with state parks in District I. Covers such subjects as landscaping,
and the Redwood Highway.
Includes: Excerpts from memorandum by Frederick Law Olmsted on the problem of highway improvement in Humboldt State Redwood
Park, California, 1936.
District I Engineer's Records
Additional Note
General Correspondence:
Subject Files, F.G. Somner, 1912-25. 109ff. (F3766:1-108a).
Folder F3766:1-21)
1. RIGHTS OF WAY. 1912-24.
Physical Description: 21ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged by county, route, section and chronologically thereunder.
Includes incoming correspondence from Highway Engineer, residents of District I, county boards of supervisors, various concerned
civic organizations, Mendocino County Abstract Bureau; copies of outgoing correspondence from District Engineer to all the
above, but primarily to the State Highway Engineer; copies of deeds, property abstracts, maps, resolutions of county boards
of supervisors and viewer's statements. Covering such subjects as abstracts of land, titles of ownership, encumbrances on
lands, taxes on property, removing and relocating fences, cleaning along the right of way, processing claims against the California
Highway Commission for stumpage by property owners, and numerous routine matters of rights of way.
Folder F3766:22-72
2. CONTRACTS. 1912-24.
Physical Description: 51ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged by county, route, section, contract number and chronologically thereunder.
Includes incoming correspondence and copies of outgoing correspondence between the District Engineer and the Highway Engineer,
contractors, subcontractors, and residents and various interest groups within District I; copies of agreements, inspection
reports and monthly reports of progress. All concerning supplies (i.e. hardware and machinery), labor, payment of claims and
complaints from both residents and contractors. See also Headquarter's files, Contracts, Series # 22, (F3778:489-1098).
Folder F3766:73-81
3. REPORTS AND ESTIMATES. 1913-24.
Physical Description: 9ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged by county, route, section and chronologically thereunder.
Includes typescript reports to Highway Engineer, preliminary and final of work proposed to be done on a section of roadway.
Provides information concerning location of existing section of road, proposed new route, reasons for choice, details regarding
change of base line, grade, roadbed, road metal and binder, width and crown of roadway, side ditches, materials, culverts,
streams encountered, bridges and existence of trees. Also includes District Engineer's estimate of cost and inspection report.
Folder F3766:82-85
4. RESIDENT ENGINEER. 1913-24.
Physical Description: 4ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged by county, route, section and chronologically thereunder.
Includes incoming correspondence and copies of outgoing correspondence between the District Engineer and his resident engineers,
mostly concerned with giving detailed instruction to the resident engineer concerning all aspects of construction and maintenance,
the
efficient use of labor, surveying methods, and accounting matters.
Folder F3766:86-94
5. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS. 1913-24.
Physical Description: 9ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged by county, route, section and chronologically thereunder.
Includes incoming correspondence and copies of outgoing correspondence between the District Engineer and the Highway Engineer,
resident engineers and local residents; and copies of final reports to headquarters. All dealing with road conditions on the
various sections of the roadway. Specifically: surfacing, types of materials used, widening shoulders, leveling and ditching,
slides and channel changes, changing pipe culverts, repairing embankments and triming trees.
Folder F3766:95-101
6. BRIDGES AND CONCRETE STRUCTURES. 1913-24.
Physical Description: 7ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged by county, route, section and chronologically thereunder.
Includes incoming correspondence and copies of outgoing correspondence, the District Engineer to the Highway Engineer concerning
requests for authorization to proceed with construction, estimates of cost, recommendations for revisions, discussions of
the various types of materials (i.e. redwood, steel and concrete) lengthy and detailed expositions of engineering problems
and solutions (i.e. types of trusses, stresses on chord and web members, wind stress and load bearing problems).
Folder F3766:102-108a
7. BRIDGES AND CONCRETE STRUCTURES, NOTES AND DRAWINGS. 1913-17.
Physical Description: 8 Vols.
Volume Volume 1
Timber Structures, 1913.
Scope and Content Note
Pencil drawings, calculations, sketches, blueprints and descriptions of wood bridges in District I, including bills of materials,
and charts of load bearings, sheering stresses, and bending stresses.
Volume Volume 2
Miscellaneous, 1917.
Scope and Content Note
Consists of sketches of concrete bridges, pipe culvert dimensions and quantities, wingwall specifications, calculations for
constructing culverts, blueprints showing plan of frame for culverts, sketch of pier forms for South Fork Bridge No. 1 (Men-1-K),
and tentative sketch of concrete bridges over Bear Creek (Hum-1-B).
Volume Volumes 3-5
Notes on the Design of..., 1916-17.
Scope and Content Note
Vol. 3, East Branch, Culvert Chart, Arch Culvert; Vol. 4, South Fork #2, South Fork #1, Rattlesnake #2, Elk Creek; Vol. 5,
Big-Dan Creek, Red Mountain Creek, McCoy Creek.
Includes costs of various sections, preliminary cost estimates, dimensions and loading, descriptions and calculations of load
and wind stresses, notes on detailing quantities in abutments and piers, bills of timber, hardware, steel, castings, and final
estimates of cost.
Volume Volume 6
Concrete Bridges, 1916.
Scope and Content Note
Pencil drawings, calculations for cantilever beams, resisting moments, approximation for wings, outside garder and wings,
maximum moment of abutment and foundation abutment.
Volume Volume 7
1916.
Scope and Content Note
Detailed pencil drawings of various types of joints and supports such as diagonal castings for timber trusses, steel castings
for diagonal blocks, channel beaming of wood truss joints, sphere plat with keyes, and reinforced concrete joint for wood
truss.
Volume Volume 8
Preliminary Report(s) for Sidehill Viaducts and Cribs between Wilson Creek and Last Chance Ditch in Del Norte County, I-DN-I-B.
Scope and Content Note
Consisting of seven preliminary reports, including copies of correspondence, blueprints, maps and photographs covering construction
of viaducts and cribs in District I-DN-I-B.
Folder F3766:132-164
8. CHRONOLOGICAL FILES. 1925-48.
Physical Description: 33ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically.
Letters received and copies of letters sent with such related documents as circular letters, memoranda, reports and maps covering
all activities and functions of District I. These comprise advance planning, design, construction, right of way, maintenance,
preparation of personnel and operating expense budget, and subvention programs for city streets and county roads.
Folder F3766:110-118
9. DISTRICT ENGINEER'S MONTHLY REPORTS. 1915-16, 1918-26.
Physical Description: 9ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically.
Copies of monthly reports to Highway Engineer covering rights of way, surveys, construction and maintenance activities under
sections of District I roadway. These provide description and data regarding labor force (i.e. men, animals and motor vehicles),
size of respective sections, topography, rights of way problems (i.e. local politics), conditions of road, convict camp conditions
and projected progress of construction.
Folder F3766:119-128
10. DISTRICT ENGINEER'S WEEKLY REPORTS. 1917-26.
Physical Description: 10ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically.
Copies of weekly reports to Highway Engineer, including the weekly reports of the chiefs of party. Consists of daily account
of division engineer's time (i.e. in office, examining surveys, on contract D-56 etc.). Reports of chiefs of party consists
of location of party and breakdown of man hours and miles completed on various tasks such as base line, levels, and cross
section. Also a short statement on weather conditions.
Folder F3766:129
11. GEOLOGISTS'S WEEKLY REPORT. Mar. 24 - June 6, 1912.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically.
Handwritten weekly reports to Highway Engineer providing a short descriptive summary of weeks activities (i.e. examined formations,
located gravel beds), followed by a more detailed summary of road materials found, such as gravel beds, chert, schists, shales
and sandstones.
Folder F3766.130
12. WEEKLY ROAD CONDITION REPORTS. 1920-21.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically, sampled 1 per month.
Copies of reports sent to Highway Engineer stating the condition of roads, where extraordinary repairs are under way, where
detours are necessary for any other abnormal conditions exist, and anticipated conditions for the ensuing week. This data
was used by headquarters for release to the press.
Folder F3766:279
13. SHOP I, SUPT'D OF EQUIPMENT. 1925-31.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically, sampled.
District Engineer's copies of incoming correspondence of Headquarters Equipment Engineer to District I Superintendent of Equipment.
Deals with such routine matters as the requisition, rental, replacement, repair and maintenance of equipment. In addition
to road building machinery, this also includes motor vehicles and safety equipment.
Folder F3766:131
14. EMPLOYEES, LIST OF. 1912-14.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically and alphabetically thereunder.
Typescript list of District I employees giving name, temporary address, home address, grade, salary, (date) service began,
(date) service ceased.
Folder F3766:109
15. OILING PROGRAM. 1926-27.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged in chronological order.
Consists of incoming, copies of outgoing correspondence between the District Engineer and Headquarters, county officials,
the Federal Government and the public; reports; and press releases. Relating to methods of applying oil to road surfaces for
minimizing dust, the advantages of different types of oils, results of laboratory tests on the subject, and explanations to
motorists of the benefits to be derived.
Folder F3766:310
16. DAILY EXTRA WORK REPORTS. 1942.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged by district, county, route, section and chronologically thereunder.
Consisting of forms with handwritten entries. Includes description of work performed i.e. erecting and dismantling signs,
traffic control, removing debris etc.; job breakdown by headings: labor, equipment and material. Also, includes Daily Memo
forms giving weather conditions and remarks by Resident Engineer.
Folder F3766:280
17. POST WAR PROJECTS. 1943-45.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, memoranda, reports, charts, blueprints, drawings and maps dealing with post World War II highway construction,
resurfacing,
bridges and maintenance stations.
Folder F3766:281
18. CRITICAL SECTIONS. 1944.
Physical Description: 1ff.
Scope and Content Note
Two charts entitled: Basis for selection of projects in critical list....1944 and Critical Bridges. Providing road section
number, traffic statistics, remarks on congestion, lack of lane widths, and relative critical rank in district.
Folder F3766:311a-c, 312
19. PHOTOGRAPHS. 1937.
Physical Description: 3 Vols., and 105 loose.
Scope and Content Note
Three volumes, (110 photographs) entitled, Views of State Highway, U.S. 101, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California Illustrating
Problems in Highway Widening and Realignment, includes maps of locations and accompanying narrative.
Loose photographs, 6" × 3 1/2", covering District 1 - Mendocinol-A to Humboldt-l-G (Ferndale). Highway coast views include
Cottoneva Valley, Bear Harbor, Cape Mendocino, Point Gorda and Ferndale.
District Construction Engineer's Records. Prison Labor Projects. Camp #36, Burnt Ranch
Folder F3766:282-295
20. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE, C.P. SWEET. 1945-50.
Physical Description: 14ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically.
Copies of outgoing correspondence, memoranda and telegrams relating to the routine affairs of managing a highway prison labor
camp. Subjects include personnel management, both prisoners and free persons; training; discipline; materials and supplies;
and accounting matters. File is indexed.
Folder F3766:296-309
21. MONTHLY REPORTS OF DAY LABOR WORK. 1942-55.
Physical Description: 14ff.
Scope and Content Note
Arranged chronologically.
Consists of project descriptions with statistical data on equipment, supplies and preliminary and actual costs; a detailed
analysis of expenditures; and a narrative report covering population size of camp, job assignments of prison laborers, changes
in personnel and a description of weather.
