George Clinton Ward Papers: Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by Jessica Bremmer, November 18, 2009.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Manuscripts Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2191

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Overview of the Collection

Title: George Clinton Ward Papers

Dates (inclusive): 1847-1948

Bulk dates: 1927-1936

Collection Number: mssWard papers

Creator: Ward, George Clinton.

Extent: 881 items in 3 boxes and 1 oversize scrapbook.

Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2191

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

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: English.

Access

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

Administrative Information

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.

Related Materials in the Huntington Library

Approximately 350 photographs were transferred to the Photo Archives (photPF 5640-5729 and photPF 8580-8797). These photographs consist chiefly of black-and-white snapshots taken during survey trips, 1910s-1920s, to the High Sierras (including Huntington Lake, Florence Lake, Big Creek, and Ward's Lake), Fresno County, the Colorado River, Big Creek hydro-electric generating project area, and a Southwest survey, including images of Native Americans and a Hopi Village
Louise Ward Watkins papers, 1871-1974. (Call number: mssWatkins papers)
Whipple, Squire. The canal bridges : a specimen of the manner of awarding contracts, by the late canal board (Albany, 1852) (Call number: 263887). This item was removed from the oversize scrapbook and transferred to the Rare Books Department
Southern California Edison Company Ltd., approximately 1931. (Call number: photCL 29)
Photographs of the Big Creek Hydro-Electric Dam Construction, 1912 (Call number: photOV 11000-11028)

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:

Correspondence
Manuscripts
Clippings
Documents
Ephemera

Items are arranged alphabetically within the series.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.

Subjects

Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900.

Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927.

Ward, George Clinton.

Webb, William Seward.

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.

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)

Forms/Genres

Clippings -- United States.

Diaries -- United States.

Letters (correspondence) -- United States.

Professional papers -- United States.

Scrapbooks -- United States.

Additional Contributors

Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900.

Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927.

Whipple, Squire, 1804-1888.

Indexing: Added Entries

Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900

Entry in Correspondence: Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900 (1899-1929). Box 1 (4).

Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927

Entry in Correspondence: Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927 (1903-1948). Box 1 (5). Entry in Manuscripts: Biographical Accounts (1934). Box 2 (1).

Whipple, Squire, 1804-1888

Entry in Ephemera: Engineers’ and Mechanics’ Pocket-Book, Whipple, Squire, 1804- 1888 (1847). Box 3 (11).

Indexing: Subjects

Big Creek (Calif.) - - History - - Sources

Subject in Manuscripts: Memorandum regarding Big Creek Project [undated]. Box 2 (9).

Boulder Canyon (Colo.)

Subject in Ephemera: Photographs (1921-1925). Box 3 (14).

Engineers - -New York (State) - - Archives

Subject in Correspondence: Posthumous Requests for Ward Biographical Information (1933-1934). Box 1 (8).
Subject in Manuscripts: Diary of George Clinton Ward (1887). Box 2 (2).
Subject in Manuscripts: Diary of George Clinton Ward (1888). Box 2 (3).
Subject in Manuscripts: Diary of George Clinton Ward (1897). Box 2 (4).
Subject in Manuscripts: Diary of George Clinton Ward (1898). Box 2 (5).
Subject in Manuscripts: Diary of George Clinton Ward (1900). Box 2 (6).
Subject in Ephemera: Engineers’ and Mechanics’ Pocket-Book, Whipple, Squire, 1804- 1888 (1847). Box 3 (11).

Erie Railroad Company

Subject in Manuscripts: Biographical Accounts (1934). Box 2 (1).

Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900

Subject in Correspondence: Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900 (1899-1929). Box 1 (4).

Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927

Subject in Correspondence: Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927 (1903-1948). Box 1 (5).
Subject in Manuscripts: Biographical Accounts (1934). Box 2 (1).

Huntington Lake (Calif.) - - History - - Sources

Subject in Correspondence: Ward Memorial Dedication (1934-1936). Box 1 (12).
Subject in Correspondence: Ward Memorial Dedication (1936). Box 1 (13).
Subject in Correspondence: Ward Memorial Dedication [undated]. Box 1 (14).

Huntington Land and Improvement Company

Subject in Correspondence: Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927 (1903-1948). Box 1 (5).
Subject in Manuscripts: Biographical Accounts (1934). Box 2 (1).

Huntington Memorial Hospital (Pasadena, Calif.)

Subject in Manuscripts: Minutes of Called Meeting of the Trustees of the Collis P. and Howard Huntington Memorial Hospital (1933). Box 2 (10).

Hydroelectric power plants - - California

Subject in Manuscripts: Memorandum regarding Big Creek Project [undated]. Box 2 (9).

Hydroelectric power plants - - Colorado

Subject in Clippings: Boulder Dam Project (1925). Box 3 (1).

Oberlin College

Subject in Correspondence: Oberlin College Honorary Degree (1928-1942). Box 1 (7).
Subject in Clippings: Oberlin College Honorary Degree (1928). Box 3 (6).
Subject in Ephemera: Oberlin College Honorary Degree (1927-1928). Box 3 (13).

Pacific Light and Power Company

Subject in Manuscripts: Biographical Accounts (1934). Box 2 (1).

Sierra Nevada (Calif. and Nev.) - - Description and Travel

Subject in Manuscripts: Journal of Blaney Meadows Trip (1923). Box 2 (7).
Subject in Manuscripts: Log of Jack Ass Meadows Camp (1922). Box 2 (8).

Sierra Nevada (Calif. and Nev.) - - History - - 20th century

Subject in Clippings: Florence Lake Tunnel Commemoration (1925). Box 3 (2).
Subject in Documents: Ward Memorial Dedication Application (1934). Box 3 (10).
Subject in Ephemera: Photographs (1921-1925). Box 3 (14).
Subject in Ephemera: Ward Memorial Dedication (1935-1936). Box 3 (15).

Southern California Edison Company

Subject in Correspondence: Southern California Edison Company Promotions (1928-1932). Box 1 (9).
Subject in Correspondence: University of Southern California Honorary Degree (1927). Box 1 (11).
Subject in Manuscripts: Biographical Accounts (1934). Box 2 (1).
Subject in Clippings: Miscellaneous (1925-1933). Box 3 (3).
Subject in Documents: Business and Financial (1929-1932). Box 3 (9).
Subject in Ephemera: Miscellaneous (1873-1934). Box 3 (12).

University of Southern California

Subject in Correspondence: University of Southern California Honorary Degree (1927). Box 1 (10).
Subject in Correspondence: University of Southern California Honorary Degree (1927). Box 1 (11).
Subject in Clippings: University of Southern California Honorary Degree (1927). Box 3 (7).
Subject in Ephemera: Miscellaneous (1873-1934). Box 3 (12).

Washington Court House (Ohio)

Subject in Correspondence: Posthumous Requests for Ward Biographical Information (1933-1934). Box 1 (8).

Webb, William Seward

Subject in Correspondence: Posthumous Requests for Ward Biographical Information (1933-1934). Box 1 (8).
Subject in Manuscripts: Biographical Accounts (1934). Box 2 (1).

Zamorano Club

Subject in Correspondence: Miscellaneous (1901-1934). Box 1 (6).

Correspondence

Box 1

Correspondence

Folder 1

Condolence Letters (1933). 86 items.

Folder 2

Condolence Letters (1933). 98 items.

Folder 3

Condolence Letters [undated]. 38 items.

Folder 4

Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900 (1899-1929). 7 items.

Folder 5

Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927 (1903-1948). 12 items.

Folder 6

Miscellaneous (1901-1934). 33 items.

Folder 7

Oberlin College Honorary Degree; Physics Building (1928-1942). 13 items.

Folder 8

Posthumous Requests for Ward Biographical Information (1933-1934). 16 items.

Folder 9

Southern California Edison Promotions (1928-1932). 21 items.

Folder 10

University of Southern California Honorary Degree (1927). 49 items.

Folder 11

University of Southern California Honorary Degree (1927). 69 items.

Folder 12

Ward Memorial Dedication (1934-1936). 79 items.

Folder 13

Ward Memorial Dedication (1936). 91 items.

Folder 14

Ward Memorial Dedication [undated]. 22 items.

Manuscripts

Box 2

Manuscripts

Folder 1

Biographical Accounts (1934). 8 items.

Folder 2

Diary of George Clinton Ward (1887). 1 item.

Folder 3

Diary of George Clinton Ward (1888). 1 item.

Folder 4

Diary of George Clinton Ward (1897). 1 item.

Folder 5

Diary of George Clinton Ward (1898). 1 item.

Folder 6

Diary of George Clinton Ward (1900). 1 item.

Folder 7

Journal of Blaney Meadows Trip (1923). 3 items. Also includes George Clinton Ward’s resume and calling card.

Folder 8

Log of Jack Ass Meadows Camp (1922). 1 item.

Folder 9

Memorandum regarding Big Creek Project [undated]. 1 item.

Folder 10

Minutes of Called Meeting of the Trustees of the Collis P. and Howard Huntington Memorial Hospital (1933). 1 item.

Folder 11

Miscellaneous (1926-1933). 3 items.

Folder 12

Oberlin College Honorary Degree (1928). 1 item.

Clippings, Documents, and Ephemera

Box 3

Clippings, Documents, and Ephemera

Folder 1

Clippings: Boulder Dam Project (1925). 6 items.

Folder 2

Clippings: Florence Lake Tunnel Commemoration (1925). 3 items.

Folder 3

Clippings: Miscellaneous (1925-1933). 15 items.

Folder 4

Clippings: Notices of Death (1933). 67 items.

Folder 5

Clippings: Notices of Death [undated]. 14 items.

Folder 6

Clippings: Oberlin College Honorary Degree (1928). 4 items.

Folder 7

Clippings: University of Southern California Honorary Degree (1927). 2 items.

Folder 8

Clippings: Ward Memorial Dedication [1936]. 1 item.

Folder 9

Documents: Business and Financial (1929-1932). 26 items.

Folder 10

Documents: Ward Memorial Dedication Application (1934). 1 item.

Folder 11

Ephemera: Engineers’ and Mechanics’ Pocket-Book, Whipple, Squire, 1804-1888 (1847). 1 item.

Folder 12

Ephemera: Miscellaneous (1873-1934). 23 items.

Folder 13

Ephemera: Oberlin College Honorary Degree (1927-1928). 9 items.

Folder 14

Ephemera: Photographs (1921-1925). 8 items. Includes card from Lloyd William Taylor.

Folder 15

Ephemera: Ward Memorial Dedication (1935-1936). 23 items.

Oversize

Volume

Glimpses of the Engineering Work of G.C. Ward as shown in Contemporary Newspapers and Magazines (1871-1929). 1 item.

Note: Scrapbook measures 56 cm. and the cover is detached. Contains loose newspaper clippings and photographs.