George Clinton Ward papers, 1847-1953, bulk 1927-1936

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Ward, George Clinton.
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of engineer and California utility company executive George Ward Clinton (1863-1933). Subject matter includes Ward's life in New York (1887-1900), two trips to the High Sierra in the area of Huntington Lake in 1922 and 1923, and Ward's work with the Big Creek hydro-electric generating project.
Extent:
3.38 Linear Feet (3 boxes, 1 volume, 1 oversize folder)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. George Clinton Ward papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the papers of engineer and California utility company executive George Ward Clinton (1863-1933). Subject matter includes Ward's life in New York (1887-1900), two trips to the High Sierra in the area of Huntington Lake in 1922 and 1923, and Ward's work with the Big Creek hydro-electric generating project. The alphabetically-arranged collection, the bulk of which is correspondence, is arranged into the following series: The correspondence includes condolence letters, letters by and about Henry E. Huntington and Collis P. Huntington, letters related to Ward's honorary degrees, posthumous requests for biographical information about Ward, and letters related to the Ward Memorial dedication ceremony. The manuscripts feature Ward's personal diaries, biographical accounts written by and about Ward, two journals about trips to the Sierra mountains that were written by John B. Miller and that contain references to Ward, and miscellaneous manuscripts. The clippings are primarily about Ward's death (these folders also contain clippings about an accident just prior to his death, funeral services, and the filing of his will), his honorary degrees, and the Ward Memorial dedication ceremony. The documents relate to Ward's business and financial matters and the Ward Memorial dedication. The ephemera feature an engineers' notebook belonging to Squire Whipple, who was famous for his iron bridge work, various items related to Ward's honorary degree from Oberlin College, guest lists for the Ward Memorial dedication, and seven miscellaneous photographs. There is an oversize scrapbook containing various clippings, manuscripts, correspondence, documents, and photographs related to Ward's engineering work. There is also an oversize folder containing various clippings, a manuscript, correspondence, documents, and photographs related to Ward's accomplishments and death. Each subject listed in the index can be found in the oversize scrapbook.

Biographical / historical:

George Clinton Ward (1863-1933), engineer and California utility company executive, was a native of New York, were his first work was in the construction of iron bridges and in railroad engineering. He was chief engineer for the Racquette lake Railroad in NY, owned by Collis P. Huntington. In 1905 Henry E. Huntington persuaded Ward to come to California. Ward became general manager first for the Huntington Land and Improvement Company and then for the Pacific Light and Power Company, where he was in charge of the Big Creek hyrdo-electric generating project. He was made vice-president of the Southern California Edison Company in 1917 and then president in 1932.

Acquisition information:
Gifts of Mrs. Louise Ward Watkins, September 10 and 16, 1946, February 25 and June 30, 1948, August 18, 1953, and December 13, 1954.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following 5 series: Series 1. Correspondence; Series 2. Manuscripts; Series 3. Clippings; Series 4. Documents; Series 5. Ephemera.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

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]. George Clinton Ward papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Website