Guide to the George Simmons Collection
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: George Simmons Collection
Creator:
Simmons, George Sr.
Identifier/Call Number: OCH.GSC
Extent:
3.29 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1906-1927
Abstract: George Simmons, Sr. was a British
citizen who moved to China in the 1890s and helped to build the Peking-Mukden Railroad (PMR)
in Northern China. He left China briefly during the Boxer Rebellion at the turn of the
century, but returned to help complete the railroad. After the railway was completed, he
stayed on and trained and supervised the locomotive engineers and railway staff. The
collection contains three sterling silver pieces given to Simmons in appreciation for his
work on the PMR.
Language of Material: English,
Chinese
Biographical Information:
George Simmons, Sr. was a British citizen who moved to China in the 1890s and helped to
build the Peking-Mukden Railroad (PMR) in Northern China, which was one of the first
railroads in the country. He left China briefly during the Boxer Rebellion at the turn of
the century, but returned to help complete the railroad. After the railway was completed, he
stayed on and trained and supervised the locomotive engineers and railway staff. He retired
in 1927, and settled in Tientsin, where his family lived for two more generations before
emigrating to the United States.
Scope and Contents
The
George Simmons Collection contains three sterling silver
pieces given to Simmons in appreciation for his work on the Peking-Mukden Railroad in
Northen China. This includes a cup and salver from the Viceroy of Chihli and future emperor,
Yuan Shih-kai, and a silver and ebony plaque from the locomotive staff of the railroad given
to Simmons upon his retirement in 1927.
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Pamela Masters, 10/08/2004
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual,
or see the
Citing Archival Materials
guide.
Processing Information:
Jessica Geiser, 2013
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ephemera
Box 1, Item 1
Sterling Silver Bowl with Inscription: "Presented to G. Simmons from His
Excellency Yuan Sie Kai Tientsin 1906,"
1906
Box 1, Item 2
Sterling Silver Engraved Salver from Yuan Shih-Kai,
1906
Box 2, Item 1
Silver and Ebony Plaque with Inscription "To Mr. Geo. Simmons From Loco Staff
Tientsin P.M.R. 1927,"
1927
