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W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Ranch Records
0019  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
The W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Ranch was established in 1925 in Pomona, California by cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg to fulfill his long-held dream of breeding Arabian horses. The ranch served as Kellogg's winter home until 1932, when he donated the horses and property to the University of California. The University operated the ranch as the W.K. Kellogg Institute of Animal Husbandry until 1943 when the ranch was transferred to the United States government for use by the United State Army Remount Service. The Army operated the ranch as the Pomona Quartermaster Depot (Remount) and bred horses for the cavalry. In 1949, the ranch was transferred a final time to the California state Department of Education and ultimately became the campus of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The university has continued the Arabian breeding program to the present day. The collection includes correspondence, financial records, guestbooks, scrapbooks, legal agreements, ephemera, and realia documenting the operation of the ranch as Kellogg's private home and its subsequent transfer to various institutions.
Background
W.K. (Will Keith) Kellogg was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1860. When he was twenty years old, he went to work for his brother Dr. John Harvey Kellogg at the Battle Creek Sanitarium where he would remain for the next 25 years. W.K. wore many hats while running the growing Sanitarium, including developing foods for the Sanitarium patients. One of the Kelloggs' inventions, flaked cereal, proved to be wildly popular and the Kellogg brothers began to sell it to customers outside the Sanitarium by mail order. W.K. wanted to capitalize on the product but his brother felt that becoming too involved in the business would harm his professional reputation. In 1905 W.K. bought out his brother's interest, left the Sanitarium, and launched what would become known as the Kellogg Company. Kellogg was 45 years old at this point and he threw himself into the business, advertising its products aggressively and pioneering marketing strategies like free samples. By the 1920s, Kellogg was a multi-millionaire.
Extent
84.53 Linear Feet (102 boxes and 6 drawings)
Restrictions
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Availability
Advance notice required for access.