The Grant D. Caywood papers document the architectural and military career of prominent Sacramento resident Grant D. Caywood. Material dates from 1940 to 1998 with the bulk from circa 1950-1980. In 1953, Caywood started Caywood & Associates, an architectural business that would grow to five partners. The majority of the collection contains architectural project photographs, negatives, concept art, slides, floor plans, and blueprints of buildings. A smaller amount of material documents Caywood's earlier life as a bomber pilot in World War II with reports detailing his orders and flights.

Grant Dodd Caywood was born April 3, 1918, in Des Moines, Iowa, to an engineer and homemaker. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, working in the construction industry with his father before receiving his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University in 1940. From 1941 to 1945, Caywood served in the United States Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, receiving accolades including three Flying Crosses. Caywood flew raids on combat missions and appeared in the novel Shadow: A Cottontail Bomber Crew in World War II by Neil Hunter Raiford. Discharged honorably in 1945, Caywood moved to Sacramento where he worked as an architect before being recalled to active duty in Germany in 1951 to serve as chief of design and planning, where he worked on buildings including Hahn Air Base. Once released from duty in 1953, Caywood returned to Sacramento and opened his own architectural practice, Caywood & Associates, which grew to five partners. Caywood, a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), was involved with many residential and public projects in the Sacramento area, including the Sacramento Municipal Airport. He retired from architectural work in 1986 and died on August 24, 2008.

3.42 linear feet (3 cartons, 1 manuscript box)

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Collection is open for research use.