Volny Collection on Central Coast Architecture

Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives staff using RecordEXPRESS
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. Special Collections and Archives
Robert E. Kennedy Library, Rm 409
San Luis Obispo, California 93407
(805) 756-2305
archives@calpoly.edu
http://www.lib.calpoly.edu/specialcollections
2019


Descriptive Summary

Title: Volny Collection on Central Coast Architecture
Dates: 1936-1940 (bulk 1938-1939)
Collection Number: MS0123
Creator/Collector: Southern Pacific Milling Company H.B. Douglas, Architect Frank L. Hope Jr., AIA, Architect H.T. Johnson, Civil Engineer Klicka Lumber Company William D. Lutz, Structural Engineer Burch & Beck, Engineers Robert Stanton, Architect
Extent: 5 flat files, 1 document box (21.79 linear feet)
Online items available
Repository: California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. Special Collections and Archives
San Luis Obispo, California 93407
Abstract: The San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection contains architectural drawings, blueprints and specifications, discovered during the remodel of an old warehouse once belonging to the Southern Pacific Milling Company in San Luis Obispo, California. The bulk of the collection is made up of residential blueprints dating from 1938-1939 for houses located throughout the California’s Central Coast.
Language of Material: English

Access

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Publication Rights

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Preferred Citation

Volny Collection on Central Coast Architecture. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Information

Gift

Biography/Administrative History

The bulk of the San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection comes from the Southern Pacific Milling Company, with various architects and engineers signing off on the documents. The company was founded by R.M. Shackelford circa 1886. Shackelford was originally from Kentucky and came to California in 1853 in search of gold. He had many different occupations including mining, freight hauling, grain milling and lumbering, as well as politics serving one term in the Nevada State Legislature. In November of 1886, Shackelford moved to Paso Robles and began building warehouses and lumberyards along the railroad line between Soledad and Santa Margarita. He organized the Southern Pacific Milling Company and built nine warehouses and lumberyards, one of which was located in San Luis Obispo. This branch of the company still exists today. Another prominent name in the collection is the Klicka Lumber Company. Emil and George Klicka, two brothers from Chicago, moved to San Diego in 1921 and started several companies including the Klicka Lumber Company. Emil was a successful banker and managed the financial side of the business while George served as general manager and developed several prefabricated home designs. The Studio Bungalow was the most famous of these “kit houses.” Patented in the 1930s, it was geared toward lower income families making it possible for the average wage earner to own their own home. A model of the kit was introduced at the 1935 Pan-American Exposition in Balboa Park. After the FHA endorsed the “kit house,” hundreds were sold all over San Diego through 1942. SOURCES Hooper, Peggy. “Hon. R.M. Shackelford.” San Luis Obispo County Biographies, California Genealogy & History Archives. Retrieved 21 Feb. 2012. <http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/biographies/s/shackelford-r-m.txt> “Once Upon A Time In North Park.” History Committee of the North Park Community Association. 2003. Retrieved 21 Feb. 2012. <http://www.northparkhistory.com/documents/brochures/OnceUponATimeBrochure%20Final.pdf> “Park Villas/West End Historic District (Formerly Dryden Historic District) Applicant Nomination.” Policy Subcommittee. 14 Feb 2011. Retrieved 21 Feb. 2012. <http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/programs/historical/pdf/policyagendas/policyagenda110214item3d.pdf>

Scope and Content of Collection

The San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection contains architectural drawings, blueprints and specifications, discovered during the remodel of an old warehouse once belonging to the Pacific Coast Lumber Company in San Luis Obispo, CA. The bulk of the collection is made up of residential blueprints dating from 1938-1939 for houses located throughout the California’s central coast. The plans were given to the lumber company by the owners and builders of the projects in grade for a reduction in materials fees. The San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints are divided into 2 series: 1. Drawings (1936-1940) 2. Documents (1938) The San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection is housed in 5 flat file drawers and 1 document box, with Drawings containing the most extensive and unique portions of the collection. Series 1 contains blueprints and other construction drawings for various structures and buildings. The majority of the blueprints were produced by the Southern Pacific Milling Company, located in San Luis Obispo, and are for residences built in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria. Also includes a number of unidentified blueprints, as well as blueprints for prefabricated houses designed by the Klicka Lumber Company out of San Diego. The drawings are organized by city name and then by project name with unidentified drawings at the end. Series 2 contains construction specifications for several of the residences documented in Series 1. Also includes original sketches and colored pencil renderings. The documents are organized by type and then by project name. Original organization of the records has been preserved where possible. Materials may have been reorganized or rehoused for preservation and access purposes.

Indexing Terms

Architecture -- 20th Century
Architecture -- California.
Architecture -- Designs And Plans
Architecture – Details
Architecture, American -- 20th Century
Architecture, Domestic -- California -- San Luis Obispo.
Berkeley (Calif.) -- Buildings, Structures, Etc.
Blueprints
Building -- California
Architectural Plans
Blueprints
Sketches
Specifications