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Guide to the Wayne R. Hultgren papers: additions, 1973-1996
MSS 2005/04
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Title: Wayne R. Hultgren papers: additions
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 2005/04
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
4.5 Linear feet
(9 manuscript boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1973-1996
Abstract: The Wayne Hultgren papers contain material pertaining to Hultgren's work with the Modern Transit Society (MTS) and his efforts
to bring light rail to Sacramento. In addition to the MTS, Hultgren was involved with the Light Rail Transit Advocates, North
East Transportation Taskforce (NETTF), American Lung Association and the Sacramento Regional Area Planning Commission.
creator:
Hultgren, Wayne R.
Processed by Devyn Henry, Debbie Bahn, Brent Rogers, Connor Welles, Jeremy Kelley, Erin Forsythe, Jamie Collins, and Marcia
O. Randall.
There is no current criteria for records retention.
The collection consists of Wayne Hultgren's own personal notes and extensive materials pertaining to light rail development.
The Papers include annual reports, minutes, and agendas of MTS, including Moving People newsletters. Further material includes
correspondence, news clippings, light rail maps, flyers, membership lists and slides pertaining to the planning and opening
of the light rail system. The collection also contains items from Measure A, Proposition 111, the I-80 Northeast Corridor,
and materials from Regional Transit and the Sacramento Development Agency. Earliest material date from 1975 and cover all
periods of development through 1996.
The collection is organized into 10 series:
Series 1: Modern Transit Society (MTS) Sacramento Chapter Background/History, 1975-1993.
Series 2: Historic Trolley and Multi-modal Transportation Hub, 1975-1993, bulk 1975-1983.
Series 3: Northeast Transportation Task Force and Related Papers, 1975-1982.
Series 4: Sacramento Transit Development Agency (STDA), 1983-1985.
Series 5: Organizations and Agencies, 1973-1993.
Series 6: Research Information, 1975-1982.
Series 7: Light Rail Transit Advocates, 1976-1996.
Series 8: Newspaper Clippings, 1974-1989.
Series 9: Miscellaneous, 1976-1987.
Series 10: Slides, 1975-1987.
The Modern Transit Society (MTS) and papers affiliated with this organization through Wayne Hultgren's involvement constitute
the majority of information for this collection. Fighting for clean, health conscious, reliable, safe and inexpensive transporation
alternatives, including improved bus service and multi-destination light rail system, represent the primary function of this
non-profit organization founded in 1971 in Santa Clara County, California. Their mission statement explains that the Modern
Transit Society exists to promote transporation solutions to traffic congestion that benefit all modes of transportation through
clean and safe public mobility. Additionally, MTS works to educate the public, infrastructure planners, and politicians in
transporation matters by advocating transit alternatives to the automobile. MTS recognized the importance of politics and
getting key organizational agencies such as the Sacramento City Council on their side in the fight for improved transportation
systems.
In 1975, Wayne Hultgren helped found the Sacramento chapter of MTS incorporating an independent volunteer group of environmentally
concerned citizens to implement modern mass transportation alternatives that use less energy and cause less pollution than
automobiles. The Sacramento chapter's first meeting was held in Orangevale in January of 1975 to discuss involvement in community
politics and social action regarding new freeways to by-pass Interstate 80 in the Sacramento metropolitan area. In 1975 and
1976, the County of Sacramento formed the Northeast Area Transportation Task Force to study alternative transportation uses
of the Interstate 80 freeway corridors. Appointed by the City Council to serve as a citizen member on the task force, Hultgren
educated other task force members and legislators on the capabilities and benefits of regional light rail. Around this same
time, MTS began publishing its newsletter Moving People to keep the public informed of its work and progress on transportation
issues.
The scope of work performed by MTS included urging government bodies and legislators to consider transit alternatives as opposed
to building and widening more highways. Furthermore, society members frequently involved themselves in educational and political
programs to promote transit alternatives. Often, the society achieved their ends by interacting with numerous businesses and
civic groups who aided in lobbying for the MTS cause. Some of the key organizations involved with MTS include the American
Lung Association, whose director in the late 1970s, Curtis Mekemson, was also an MTS member, Environmental Council of Sacramento,
and Northeast Transportation Task Force. These organizations in coalition with MTS led a grass-roots campaign to build a light
rail line helping to reduce traffic congestion in the Sacramento area in 1980. MTS organized a petition that collected over
5,000 signatures asking the City Council for a light rail system. In 1981, the Sacramento City Council approved a starter
light rail line of 18.6 miles to multiple destinations in the Folsom and Northeast corridors. By 1987, Sacramento Regional
Transit light rail trains began operation with a Northeast line and westbound line toward Folsom.
The Modern Transit Society proved the most essential organization in the arrival of widespread light rail transit development
in Sacramento during the 1970s and 1980s. As the program committee chair in 1975 and Sacramento chapter President from 1976
to 1980, Wayne Hultgren played a vital role in the Modern Transit Society. Because of his involvement and vision, Hultgren
is known as the "Father of light rail in Sacramento". Recently, an 8.3-mile long extension line to south city area was constructed
and fittingly named one of its stations after Wayne Hultgren (4th Ave/Wayne Hultgren) to pay tribute to the man who brought
the MTS organization and light rail advocacy to Sacramento.
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2005/04, Wayne R. Hultgren papers: additions, Department of Special
Collections and University Archives, The Library, California State University, Sacramento.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The additions to the Wayne R. Hultgren papers were a gift of Ruth Hultgren, November 2005.
No further additions are expected.
Wayne R. Hultgren assembled these papers over many years. The collection was later donated to CSU Special Collections and
University Archives.
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce
from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Library, California
State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the copyright
holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
Collection consists of clippings, reports, research files, and slides.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Hultgren, Ruth
Hultgren, Wayne R.
Public transportation
Sacramento, Calif.