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Ingram (Selena Gray Galt) Papers
mssHM 31060
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Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Selena Gray Galt Ingram papers
Creator:
Ingram, Selena Gray Galt, 1859-1942
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 31060
Physical Description:
6.34 Linear Feet
(8 boxes)
Date (inclusive): approximately 1862-1938
Abstract: A collection of diaries and photograph albums related to Selena Gray Galt Ingram (1859-1942), chiefly documenting early-20th
century Los Angeles and ranch living in Imperial Valley, California.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Selena Gray Galt Ingram papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Selena Pope Ingram McKinley, June 1968 and December 1977.
Selena Gray Galt Ingram (1859-1942) was born in Louisville, Kentucky. She married Robert Hord Ingram (1860-1934), also from
Louisville, who began working for the Pullman Car Company at 17, and eventually became an executive with Southern Pacific
Railroad Co. in Los Angeles, California from 1901-1908, and then in Mexico, 1908-1911. The Ingrams moved from Vermont to California
in 1901. They first went to the Bay Area, then Los Angeles, where Mrs. Ingram was active in society and formed close friendships
with the Bannings and Pattons, and enjoyed outings to Santa Catalina Island and Lake Vineyard ranch. In 1908, Mr. Ingram accepted
a position for Southern Pacific in Western Mexico under the supervision of Epes Randolph. They lived at Emplame, near Guaymas,
where Ingram dealt with railroad strikes and labor problems. He resigned in 1911 and they returned to Los Angeles. He continued
his interest in the Imperial Valley, where in 1905, he had purchased property near Holtville to develop a ranch. In 1916,
Ingram became general manager of the Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railroad Company, and the family moved to the Bay Area.
They continued there until 1925 when they returned to Los Angeles and retirement.
The collection consists of a series of diaries (37 volumes, 1900-1938) and 8 photograph albums (approximately 1862-1919) related
to Selena Gray Galt Ingram. (There are no diaries for 1934 or 1937.) The diaries reflect the social life and customs of the
Los Angeles area, 1902-1938, including descriptions of the Banning family, the Patton family, Santa Catalina Island, and ranch
life in Imperial Valley. There are also passing references to the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and the Mount Tamalpais
and Muir Woods Railroad Company. Some diaries also document the few years Ingram spent in St. Albans, Vermont; Empalme, Mexico;
and Berkeley, Mill Valley, San Francisco, and San Rafael, California. The photograph albums depict many of the same people
and places listed above, as well as some photographs of Yosemite, 1903. An album dating from 1908-1914 contains many images
of Imperial Valley and the Ingram ranch near Holtville, California. Some of the diaries also contain photographs, including
George S. Patton Sr., George S. Patton Jr., the Patton home, and other family (1911 diary), and a photograph of Captain William
Banning (1913 diary).
Processed by Huntington Library staff, circa late-20th century. In 2020, Suzanne Oatey created a finding aid derived from
a legacy summary report.
Organized in three series:
- Diaries, 1900-1938
- Memoirs and family correspondence, 1884-1935
- Photograph albums, approximately 1862-1919
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Empalme (Mexico)
Imperial Valley (Calif. and Mexico) -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century
Mill Valley (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Saint Albans (Vt.) -- Description and travel
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Description and travel
San Rafael (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Yosemite National Park (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Diaries -- California -- 20th century
Diaries -- Mexico -- 20th century
Letters (correspondence) -- California
Photograph albums
Photographs
Women -- California -- Diaries
Ingram, Robert Hord, 1860-1934
Banning family
Patton family
Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railroad Co
Southern Pacific Railroad Company