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Ward (George Clinton) Papers
mssWard  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Provenance
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content
  • Arrangement
  • General
  • Separated Materials

  • Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
    Title: George Clinton Ward papers
    Creator: Ward, George Clinton.
    Identifier/Call Number: mssWard
    Physical Description: 1.4 Linear Feet (3 boxes, 1 volume)
    Date (inclusive): 1847-1948
    Date (bulk): 1927-1936
    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.
    Language of Material: English.

    Access

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

    Publication Rights

    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.

    Provenance

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

    Biographical Note

    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.

    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 also an oversize scrapbook containing various clippings, manuscripts, correspondence, documents, and photographs related to Ward's engineering work. Each subject listed in the index can be found in the oversize scrapbook.

    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.

    General

    Former call number: mssWard papers.

    Separated Materials

    Approximately 350 photographs were transferred to the Photo Archives: photPF 5640-5729 and photPF 8580-8797.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Engineers -- California -- Archives
    Engineers -- New York (State) -- Archives
    Hydroelectric power plants -- California
    Hydroelectric power plants -- Colorado.
    Big Creek (Calif.) -- History -- Sources
    Boulder Canyon (Colo.) -- Photographs
    Huntington Lake (Calif.) -- History -- Sources
    Sierra Nevada (Calif. and Nev.) -- Description and travel
    Sierra Nevada (Calif. and Nev.) -- History -- Sources
    Washington Court House (Ohio)
    Clippings -- United States.
    Diaries -- United States.
    Letters (correspondence) -- United States.
    Professional papers -- United States.
    Scrapbooks -- United States
    Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900
    Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927
    Webb, William Seward.
    Whipple, Squire, 1804-1888
    Erie Railroad Company
    Huntington Land and Improvement Company
    Huntington Memorial Hospital (Pasadena, Calif.)
    Oberlin College
    Pacific Light and Power Company
    Southern California Edison Company
    University of Southern California.
    Zamorano Club.