Guide to the Carl Reupsch Collection
MS 187
Finding aid prepared by Sandra Kirkwood and Stephanie Mirkin
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
September 20, 2012
Title: Carl Reupsch Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 187
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1948-1971
Abstract: This collection contains personal and business papers of Carl Reupsch, including his involvement in the San Diego Harbor Department,
Mission Bay Park, and San Diego Port Unified District
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English and French.
creator:
Reupsch, Carl F.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Sandra Kirkwood and Stephanie Mirkin on September 20, 2012.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Preferred Citation
Carl Reupsch Collection, MS 187, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession number 830706A.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into 4 series:
Series I: Personal Papers
Series II: San Diego Harbor Department
Series III: Mission Bay Park
Series IV: San Diego Unified Port District
Items within each series are arranged by subject.
Biographical / Historical Notes
Carl Frederick Reupsch was born April 3, 1909 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He moved to San Diego in 1942 to work for Consolidated
Aircraft (later Convair Division of General Dynamics). Carl Reupsch was a prominent figure in the development of the harbor
and the waterfront in San Diego, working at the San Diego Harbor Department, Mission Bay Park, and the San Diego Unified Port
District. Additionally, he traveled around the country, including Sacramento, Washington, D.C., and Texas, providing other
ports and professional organizations with expert advice in development and operations. Moreover, he was involved in numerous
organizations serving in many leadership positions such as the President of the California Navigation Conference and Director
of the Cabrillo Historical Association, among others. Carl Reupsch published several books and articles and impressively produced
three sound color motion pictures. He and his wife, Marion, enjoyed traveling and completed several around-the-world trips.
During his time at the San Diego Harbor Department, he was involved in the promotion of the harbor and also tackled real estate
issues. In 1956, he was requested to be the Director of Mission Bay Park, and graciously served in the position for one year
before returning to the Harbor Department. In 1962, after a legislative push, the San Diego Unified Port District was established,
bringing together ports in San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and Coronado. Carl Reupsch was involved
in the development of Harbor Island, Shelter Island, the Embarcadero, and the upgrades to Lindbergh Field.
Carl F. Reupsch passed away on May 30, 1983 at the age of 74.
Comments
Material added to collection from Document Files Collection, Carl F. Reupsch file.
Scope and Content
This colleciton contains papers of Carl Reupsch encompassing his career in the San Diego Harbor Department, Mission Bay Park,
and San Diego Unified Port District. There are correspondence and reports on property management of San Diego harbor and tidelands
as well as scripts for promotional films from the San Diego Harbor Department. Internal memoranda and reports document development
of Mission Bay Park under Carl Reupsch as Director. San Diego Unified Port District papers include documents on tidelands
management, Harbor Island, Shelter Island, and Embarcadero development, Linderberg Field and hotel growth. The collection
also includes personal papers of Carl Reupsch such as biographies and personal travel itineraries.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Airport Operators Council.
Bates, John
Reupsch, Carl F.
San Diego (Calif.). Harbor Dept.
San Diego (Calif.). Planning Dept.
San Diego Unified Port District.
Star of India (Ship).
Boats and boating
Embarcadero (San Diego, Calif.)
Eureka (Calif.)
Harbor Island (San Diego, Calif.)
Lindbergh Field (San Diego, Calif.)
Mission Bay Park (San Diego, Calif.)
San Diego (Calif.)
Shelter Island (San Diego, Calif.)
Shipping
Ventura (Calif.)
Series I:
Personal Papers
Box-folder 1:1
Personal papers,
1957-1971 and undated
Includes:
Biographical information
Correspondence
Invitations
Certificates
Travel itineraries
Series II:
San Diego Harbor Department
Box-folder 1:2
Correspondence,
1957 March 15-1962 April 10
Includes:
Reupsch's appointment
Attendance and presentations by Reupsch at conferences and meetings
Assistance in examination for Harbor Property Managers
Rental policy research for tidelands
Box-folder 1:3
Property management,
1948-1962 and undated
Includes:
General value apprasial, possessory taxes, and rentals
Box-folder 1:4
Property management,
1956-1961
Box-folder 1:5
Property management,
1958-1960
Includes:
Collected data reports on berth rentals, yacht basin value appraisal, and possessory taxation
Box-folder 1:6
Parking area development,
1957-1959 and undated
Box-folder 1:7
Ventura Port District development,
1957 April 16-June 5
Box-folder 1:8
Articles and miscellaneous reports by Reupsch,
1957-1962 and undated
Includes:
"A Report on Your Port," published article in Rental Owners News, November 1957
"Point Loma Little League," February 3, 1959
"History and Development of the Port of San Diego," November 1960
Drafts and correspondence for article titled "Airport Accounting," 1961-1962 and undated
Box-folder 1:9
Promotional films,
1955-1959
Includes:
Drafts of scripts and screenplays for promotional films, "Harbor of the Sun" and "Tradelanes to the Harbor of the Sun"
Box-folder 1:10
Miscellanea,
undated
Includes:
Advertisement for Port of New Orleans, undated
Copy of two pages from unknown book, lists "The Harbor Commission of San Diego" for "fiscal year ending July 1, 1929."
Series III:
Mission Bay Park
Box-folder 1:11
Correspondence,
1956 October 9-1957 October 16
Includes:
Reupsch's appointment
Congratulatory letters to Reupsch on receiving position as Director
Honorary memberships and complimentary tickets to Reupsch
Box-folder 1:12
Internal memoranda and reports,
1957 January-October
Includes:
"Mission Bay Park: A Summary of its History, Planning, Development and Management" by Carl F. Reupsch, Director (report),
October 1, 1957
Box-folder 1:13
"Mission Bay Development: An Evaluation of Pertinent Oceanographic Factors" (report and excerpts),
1957 July 25
Series IV:
San Diego Unified Port District
Box-folder 1:15
Correspondence,
1963 February 25-1971 January 14
Includes:
Port business affairs
Internal memoranda
Event and conference participation by Reupsch
Box-folder 2:1
Annual Reports,
1964-1970
Includes:
1965 Improvements Bonds, Official Statement (booklet), September 20, 1965
Box-folder 2:2
Port of San Diego history and development,
1967-1969
Box-folder 2:3
Tidelands management,
1963-1971
Includes:
Reports
Correspondence
Box-folder 2:4
Small craft harbor development,
1966-1968
Box-folder 2:5
Harbor Island and Shelter Island history and development,
1961-1969 and undated
Box-folder 2:6
Embarcadero development,
1968-1971
Box-folder 2:7
Lindberg Field and Airport Operators Council,
1964-1967 and undated
Includes:
Lindberg Field (airport) development
Airport Operators Council uniform financial reporting
Box-folder 2:8
Hotel developments,
1960-1965
Box-folder 2:9
Water pollution reports (copies),
1969
Box-folder 2:10
News releases,
1966 July 25-1968 November 1
Box-folder 2:12
"Port Dictionary of Technical Terms" (book),
Box-folder 2:13
Miscellanea,
1957-1970 and undated
Includes:
Reupsch's handwritten notes on business activities and listings of meetings
Board of Port Commissioners organization chart and status report (copies)
"Typical Calendar of Corps of Engineers Budgetary Process" (copy)
