Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Steele, Catherine B. (Catherine Baumgarten), 1898-1989
- Abstract:
- The Catherine Steele papers contain material related to the history of the Steele family, including the Steele Brothers Dairy and Green Oaks Ranch, as well as the Año Nuevo State Reserve. Catherine Baumgarten Steele was the wife of William Steele, one of the developers of Steele Brothers Dairy.
- Extent:
- 27.5 Linear Feet 18 half cartons; 6 document boxes; 4 cartons; 5 flat boxes; 4 framed items
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
Catherine Steele papers. MS 30. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Catherine Steele papers contains material related to the history of the Steele family, the Steele Brothers Dairy Farm, Green Oaks Ranch, and Año Nuevo State Reserve. Catherine's research notes and writings about the history of the Steele family and Año Nuevo are included in this collection. The collection also contains personal correspondence, photographs, slides, audio cassettes, and films documenting life at Green Oaks Ranch.
This collection also includes writings, research, and correspondence from Burney J. Le Boeuf, an emeritus professor of biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz who worked with Catherine to research and write about the Año Nuevo State Reserve.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Catherine Baumgarten Steele (1898-1989) was a family history researcher and the wife of William Steele, one of the developers of Steele Brothers Dairy.
The Steele family purchased land in San Mateo County at Point Año Nuevo in 1855 where they developed the Steele Brothers Dairy Ranches, which consisted of five ranches. Steele Brothers Dairy was one of the first large-scale commercial cheese and dairy businesses in California. Isaac Steele, William's grandfather, maintained the dairy ranch at Año Nuevo, Green Oaks Ranch, until his death in 1903 and William continued operations until he passed away in 1956.
After William's death, Catherine continued to live at Greeen Oaks Ranch and worked with William's cousin, Wilfred H. Steele, to conduct extensive research on the history of the Steele family. Catherine also researched and wrote about Point Año Nuevo. She also carried out William's dying wish to have the ranch preserved as a historical site. Catherine gift-deeded the land of Green Oaks Ranch to San Mateo County in 1967.
- Acquisition information:
- Material donated by Catherine Steele in 1978.
- Processing information:
-
This collection was processed by Zoe MacLeod in 2024. The Año Nuevo State Reserve collection (formerly MS127) was integrated into the Catherine Steele papers.
- Arrangement:
-
The Catherine Steele papers are arranged into two series:
- Series 1. Steele Family
- Subseries 1.1. Family History
- Subseries 1.2. Steele Brothers Dairy
- Subseries 1.3. Green Oaks Ranch
- Series 2. Año Nuevo State Reserve
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection open for research. Audiovisual media is unavailable until reformatted. Contact Special Collections and Archives in advance to request access to audiovisual media.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright for the items in this collection is owned by the creators and their heirs. Reproduction or distribution of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the user to determine whether a use is fair use, and to obtain any necessary permissions. For more information see UCSC Special Collections and Archives policy on Reproduction and Use.
- Preferred citation:
-
Catherine Steele papers. MS 30. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.
- Location of this collection:
-
Special Collections and Archives, University Library1156 High StreetSanta Cruz, CA 95064, US
- Contact:
- (831) 459-2547