Collection of C.F. Braun & Co. Photographs and Ephemera: Finding Aid
mssBraun
Finding aid prepared by Gina C Giang.
The Huntington Library
2018
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Note
Finding aid last updated on December 15, 2021, by Maggie Hughes.
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Collection of C.F. Braun & Co. photographs and ephemera
Creator:
C.F. Braun & Co.
Identifier/Call Number: mssBraun
Physical Description:
22.9 Linear Feet
(7 boxes, 1 folder, and 10 exhibition display boards)
Date (inclusive): 1923-2013
Abstract: The Collection of C.F. Braun & Co.
photographs and ephemera primarily consist of photographs related to the company.
Language of Material: The materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Collection of C.F. Braun & Co. photographs and ephemera, The
Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Robert Cowan, May 2014.
Biographical / Historical
C.F. Braun & Co. was started by engineer Carl F. Braun. The firm designed oil
refineries and petrochemical plants around the world. The headquarters of C.F. Braun &
Co. was located in Alhambra, California. C.F. Braun & Co. was sold to Santa Fe
International in 1980.
Carl Franklin Braun was an engineer, professor, and author. He was born in Oakland,
California in 1884. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University in
1907. In 1909, Braun started C.F. Braun & Co. with a few associates and $500 in
capital.
Braun was married to Winifred Hughes Gilbert. The couple had three sons. He passed away in
1954.
Scope and Contents
The Collection of C.F. Braun & Co. photographs and ephemera primarily consist of
photographs related to the company. Many of the photographs were used in printed
publications issued by the company. There are photographs of the interior and exterior of
the Braun facilities, personnel, models, and equipment. The collections also includes hardbound
publications; newsletters; negatives; and some material related to Alhambra Brown & Root
facility. It appears that some of the material belonged to Daniel B. Banks, a chemical
engineer, at C.F. Braun & Co.
There are ten exhibition boards with printouts and photographs related to different aspects
of the company.
Processing Information
Processed by Gina C Giang in 2018. Some of the original photograph numbers assigned by the
company have been included in this finding aid for reference. In 2021, the title of the
collection was changed from C.F. Braun & Co. records to Collection of C.F. Braun &
Co. photographs and ephemera to more accurately reflect the contents of the collection and
align with standards.
Arrangement
Arranged by genre.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Engineering firms
Manufacturing industries
Alhambra (Calif.)
Murray Hill (N.J.)
Negatives (photographs)
Newsletters
Photographs
Braun, Carl Franklin
C.F. Braun & Co.
Box 1
Builders' guide - Hardbound publications
Box 1, Folder 1
Builders' guide -- The Piping Guide Part II, (1973)
Box 1, Folder 2
Hardbound publications -- Braun Consulting and Research Services,
(1950)
Box 1, Folder 3
Hardbound publications -- Chemical Plants Engineering and Construction,
(1954)
Scope and Contents
Newspaper clipping laid in
Box 1, Folder 4
Hardbound publications -- Delaware City Power Station, (1956)
Box 1, Folder 5
Hardbound publications -- The Development of the English Bible,
(1948)
Box 1, Folder 6
Hardbound publications -- Fair Thought and Speech by Carl F. Braun,
(1948)
Box 1, Folder 7
Hardbound publications -- The Fluid Catalytic-Cracker at Avon,
(1945)
Box 2, Folder 1
Hardbound publications -- General Index to Companion Books by Carl F. Braun,
(1948)
Box 2, Folder 2
Hardbound publications -- Murray Hill Engineering Office, (1961)
Box 2, Folder 3
Hardbound publications -- Organization for Engineering, (1969)
Box 2, Folder 4
Hardbound publications -- The Restaurant of the Braun Plant,
(1945)
Box 2, Folder 5
Hardbound publications -- The Story of a Modern Engineering Establishment,
(1953)
Box 2, Folder 6
Hardbound publications -- The Story of a Modern Engineering Establishment,
(1953)
Box 3
Hardbound publications - Photograph albums
Box 3, Folder 1
Hardbound publications -- Two Hundred Good Books by Carl F. Braun,
(1949)
Box 3, Folder 2
Invitations -- Nick Nassir's 100th Birthday "It's a Wonderful Life!",
(2011)
Box 3, Folder 3
Job descriptions -- The Role of a Secretary, (1970, Apr. 6)
Box 3, Folder 4
Lists (document genres) -- C.F. Braun & Co., (1957-2001)
Scope and Contents
Included: Action List Moore Binders and 2001 Braun Reunion Guest List
Box 3, Folder 5
Magazines (periodicals) -- Business Week, (1949, May 28)
Box 3, Folder 6
Maps -- Map of Saint Georges Quadrangle Delaware - New Castle Co.,
(1951)
Box 3, Folder 7
Memorandums -- C.F. Braun & Co., (1945-1952)
Scope and Contents
Appears to be a staff handbook
Box 3, Folder 8
Memorandums -- Banks, Daniel B., (1974-2013)
Scope and Contents
Included: Two e-mails
Box 3, Folder 9
Memorandums -- Dodson, Graham to All Alhambra Employees, (1988, Oct.
8)
Scope and Contents
Notice of Facility Closing
Box 3, Folder 10
Negatives (photographs) -- [Unidentified], (1957-1959)
Box 3, Folder 11
Newsletters -- Braun Newsletter, (1970-1979)
Box 3, Folder 12
Newsletters -- Braun Review [photocopies], (1954, May)
Box 3, Folder 13
Photocopies -- Miscellaneous, (1998-2002)
Scope and Contents
Included: Three-Star Chef Opens Restaurant in Alhambra, 2002; Braun's move end
of an era, 1998; and photographs of "A Design Engineers Office", "Designers Office -
One of Some 150", "Blueprint Room", and "File-Vault, Drawings and Records"; Life in
Corporate America Is Bleak
Box 3, Folder 14
Photograph albums -- Murray Hill Landscaping, [undated]
Box 4, Folder 1
Photographs -- Allan Braun, (1970)
Scope and Contents
Included: Negatives
Box 4, Folder 2
Photographs -- Blood Bank, [undated]
Scope and Contents
6705-CN-3
Box 4, Folder 3
Photographs -- Braun Family, [undated]
Scope and Contents
Winifred Hughes Gilbert Braun and unidentified woman
Box 1, Folder 4
Photographs -- Braun Heater and Boiler, (1948-1955)
Box 4, Folder 5
Photographs -- Braun Miscellaneous (Interior), [undated]
Box 4, Folder 6
Photographs -- Braun Plant Gate, [undated]
Scope and Contents
6405-02
Box 4, Folder 7
Photographs -- Braun Publicity, Program on Television Richfield Success
Story, (1952)
Box 4, Folder 8
Photographs -- Building (Yard) Construction Work Planet -Betterments, Boyd
Lumber Company, (1957)
Box 4, Folder 9
Photographs -- Building (Yard) Construction Work Planet -Betterments,
Landscaping, (1957)
Box 4, Folder 10
Photographs -- Building (Yard) Construction Work Planet -Betterments,
Research Laboratory Construction, (1949-1956)
Box 4, Folder 11
Photographs -- Building (Yard) Construction Work Plant - Betterments,
[Miscellaneous], (1949-1955)
Scope and Contents
B2-8, B2-16
Box 4, Folder 12
Photographs -- Charles Smith, (1957)
Scope and Contents
5707
Included: Negatives
Box 4, Folder 13
Photographs -- Engineering, Candid Views, [undated]
Box 4, Folder 14
Photographs -- Engineering, Designers Office, (1951)
Scope and Contents
A2-3
Included: Negatives and photocopies
Box 4, Folder 15
Photographs -- Engineering, Engineers Office, (1955)
Box 4, Folder 16
Photographs -- Engineering, Conference Room, (1954-1955)
Box 5, Folder 1
Photographs -- [Exterior], [undated]
Scope and Contents
5911-05
Box 5, Folder 2
Photographs -- [Exterior Models], [undated]
Scope and Contents
5904-10
Included: Negatives
Box 5, Folder 3
Photographs -- Factory, Installation of Seal, (1958)
Scope and Contents
Included: Negative
Box 5, Folder 4
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Cable Management, (1954)
Box 5, Folder 5
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Case for Radio-Active Material,
[undated]
Box 5, Folder 6
Photographs -- Field Equipment, [Cranes], (1943-1950)
Box 5, Folder 7
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Edison Hyster Crane-Rig Handling Facility and
Tugger Hoist Portable
Box 5, Folder 8
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Electric-Winch, [undated]
Scope and Contents
B5-7 and B5-9
Box 5, Folder 9
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Field Crane, (1956)
Box 5, Folder 10
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Gar-Bro Power-Cart, (1949)
Box 5, Folder 11
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Guy Derricks, (1943)
Box 5, Folder 12
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Loading Three-Drum Steam Hoist,
(1943)
Box 5, Folder 13
Photographs -- Field Equipment, [Miscellaneous], (1944-1952)
Scope and Contents
B5-5, B5-17
Included: Field Batch Plant; Mobile Tar Melter; Tugger Hoist Portable; Concrete
Hopper and Buckets; Small Mobile Concrete Mixer
Box 5, Folder 14
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Storage & Loading Area,
(1951-1953)
Box 5, Folder 15
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Portable Pentagraph Torch-Cutter,
(1949)
Box 5, Folder 16
Photographs -- Field Equipment, Welding Positioner, (1949)
Box 5, Folder 17
Photographs -- Forming Hemispheres, (1958)
Scope and Contents
5810-CN1
Box 5, Folder 18
Photographs -- Henry Braun - Plaque, [undated
Scope and Contents
7501-CN-1
Included: Negative and Braun plate presented by the People's Republic of China
Box 5, Folder 19
Photographs -- H.W. Cunningham, [undated]
Box 5, Folder 20
Photographs -- Installation of Fired-Heater Stack, (1952)
Box 5, Folder 21
Photographs -- Lyman G. Horton, (1960)
Box 5, Folder 22
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, [Cranes], (1943-1956)
Scope and Contents
B6-5
Included: Maintenance Crane; Loading Section of Fired-Heater; Goose-Neck Yard;
Field-Crane
Box 5, Folder 23
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, Fork-Lift, (1943-1954)
Box 5, Folder 24
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, Garden Tools, (1944-1945)
Box 5, Folder 25
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, Ladder, (1948)
Box 5, Folder 26
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, Locomotive, [undated]
Box 6, Folder 1
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, [Miscellaneous], [undated]
Scope and Contents
B6-16, B6-17
Included: Maintenance Hi-Ranger Boom in Use
Box 6, Folder 2
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, Skip-Loader, (1944)
Box 6, Folder 3
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, Skiploader and Wheelbarrow,
(1944-1949)
Box 6, Folder 4
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, Sweeper, (1948)
Box 6, Folder 5
Photographs -- Maintenance Equipment, Trucks, (1943-1948)
Box 6, Folder 6
Photographs -- Maintenance Tunnel, [undated]
Box 6, Folder 7
Photographs -- Miscellaneous Candid Views, (1954-1968)
Scope and Contents
B10-6
Included: Made From Photo in Mechanical Engineering Mag; John Parker & Insurance
Men
Box 6, Folder 8
Photographs -- [Miscellaneous Exterior], [undated]
Scope and Contents
Included: Pipeways; Light Standards West Parking Lot, 6505; refineries;
equipment
Box 6, Folder 9
Photographs -- [Miscellaneous Interior], [undated]
Scope and Contents
6309 and 6709
Box 6, Folder 10
Photographs -- [Miscellaneous Personnel], (1960-1967)
Scope and Contents
Included: Four Braun Men to Europe; Don Nafius; Distinguished Award Presented
President Cliff Burton, 7410-64; Braun Officers, etc., 7507-1; Phil MCGrath, Carl
Unruh, Wayne Glausser, and Bernie Grotz, 1967; Kilpatrick Shop, 6511-10; Arnold A---?
McElroy, 54175-3; Drafting School; Dan Banks and Jack Miller; Ralph Carley; -----
Draper; ----- Chow; unidentified employees; negatives
Box 6, Folder 11
Photographs -- Murray Hill, (1982)
Box 6, Folder 12
Photographs -- Murray Hill Division and Engineering Office,
(1960)
Box 6, Folder 13
Photographs -- Murray Hill Office Model, [undated]
Box 6, Folder 14
Photographs -- Murray Hill Personnel, [undated]
Box 6, Folder 15
Photographs -- [Office Construction], (1952)
Scope and Contents
B3-3
Included: Cabinet work in Lower Level of Building A-8; Cabinet Shop; Hoisting Panels;
Paneling for A-6 Offices
Box 6, Folder 16
Photographs -- Personnel, (1952-1961)
Scope and Contents
B11-1, B11-4, 6901
Caldwell's Retirement Luncheon; Last of the Shop Personnel; VIP Retirement Party
Program, Torgersen; PC McGath Retirement Luncheon
Box 6, Folder 17
Photographs -- [Personnel Activities?], Braun Baseball,
(1923-1972)
Box 6, Folder 18
Photographs -- [Personnel Activities?], [Miscellaneous],
(1950-1958)
Scope and Contents
B9-1, B9-2
Included: Archery Shoot; Annual Dance
Box 6, Folder 19
Photographs -- Plant using Giammarco-Vertrocoke process,
[undated]
Scope and Contents
5906
Included: Negatives
Box 6, Folder 20
Photographs -- Powerhouse, (1949-1950)
Box 6, Folder 21
Photographs -- Tidewater Delaware Refinery, [undated]
Box 7
Printed ephemera - Transparencies
Box 7, Folder 1
Printed ephemera -- Banks, Daniel B., (1958)
Scope and Contents
School-related work belonging to Banks at University of California, Los
Angeles
Box 7, Folder 2
Printed ephemera -- Banks, Daniel B., (1986-1998)
Scope and Contents
Work-related material belonging to Banks at C.F. Braun & Co. and Brown
& Root
Box 7, Folder 3
Printed ephemera -- C.F. Braun & Co., (1957-1983)
Scope and Contents
Primarily booklets
Box 7, Folder 4
Printed ephemera -- Miscellaneous, (1984-1999)
Scope and Contents
"The Alhambra" by Alhambra Preservation Group; The World of Santa Fe, April
1984; C.F. Braun & Co. pioneer process plants; Mark Seal, Contributing Editor
biography; Gerhartsreider, Christian Karl - alias Christopher Chichester material;
Coldwell, Banker & Company
Box 7, Folder 5
Reports -- DBRAUN/PROJ.RP1/CLIENT_NAME, (1994)
Scope and Contents
Included: Client, Project Name, CFB No. and Date
Box 7, Folder 6
Summaries -- Experience Summary, (1984)
Box 7, Folder 7
Telephone directories -- Braun Alhambra Directory, (1990)
Box 7, Folder 8
Transparencies -- Graph of Vapor Rate, Actual FT3 per Minute,
[undated]
Folder Oversize 1
Photographs
Scope and Contents
Carl F. Braun; Murray Hill; and Tidewater Delaware Refinery
Exhibition display boards
Item 1
Project 1200 Tidewater Oil Company
Item 3
The Founder Carl Franklin Braun
Item 4
Braun Faces Are You Here?
Item 6
C.F. Braun & Co. A Modern Engineering Establishment
Item 7
Auxiliary Buildings, Manufacturing Plant, The Restaurant
Item 8
[Miscellaneous photographs]
Item 9
[Miscellaneous photographs]
Item 10
[Miscellaneous photographs]
