Finding aid to the George W. Barnes Papers LA.2009.0928

Finding aid prepared by M. Myers
San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library
2018-05-30
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
library@sdnhm.org


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library
Title: George W. Barnes Papers
Creator: Barnes, George W. (George William), 1825-1890
Identifier/Call Number: LA.2009.0928
Physical Description: .25 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1877-1879
Abstract: The George W. Barnes Papers, 1877-1879 consists of Weather Bureau reports, weather observations, and Office of the Chief Signal Officer acknowledgements regarding meterological data submitted by the San Diego Society of Natural History.
Container: Box 315

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to researchers by appointment. Contact the Research Library Director, San Diego Natural History Museum.

Biographical / Historical

George William Barnes was president of the San Diego Society of Natural History from 1874 to 1888. Born in Frederick County, Virginia on 9 December 1825, he graduated from Cleveland Homeopathic College in 1851 and practiced medicine in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. In 1865, he became a professor at the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College but ill-health compelled him to resign in 1869; he traveled to California in 1870 and relocated his practice in San Diego. He published both medical and scientific papers and served as corresponding member to the St. Louis Academy of Science. With Daniel Cleveland and others, Barnes co-founded the San Diego Society of Natural History in 1874; he was elected President of the Society in November 1874 and served in that role until 1888. He died on 13 February 1890 in San Diego.
In 1875, Barnes arranged with the Signal Service of the War Department for San Diego Society of Natural History volunteers to provide weather observations. Eight stations were established throughout San Diego County. By the end of 1878, the volunteer observers were given permanent appointment as a Meteorological Committee of the Signal Service.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], George W. Barnes Papers, 1877-1879. Research Library, San Diego Natural History Museum.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains notes and reports from the late 1870s regarding the Permanent Meteorological Committee of the San Diego Society of Natural History, with most material addressed to George W. Barnes. Includes notes about fog, rainfall, temperatures, heavy seas, and earthquakes.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright may be reserved. Consult the San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library Director for more information.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Meteorology -- California -- San Diego

Box 315, Folder 1

Weather Bureau Reports 1877-1879

Scope and Contents

Notes and reports of meterological conditions and acknowledgements of reports received from the San Diego station by the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, War Department. Includes ozone and rainfall reports of the Denver, Colorado station (1879). Also includes a report of maximum and minimum daily temperatures from 1876 to 1880.