Wagner (Jack Russell) Collection, 1945 - 1980

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Summary

Title:
Jack Russell Wagner collection
Dates:
1945 - 1980
Abstract:
The Jack R. Wagner Collection consists largely of manuscripts, letters, notes and ephemera pertaining to his publications and interest in railroad history.
Extent:
4 Linear Feet 7 boxes + 1 oversize box
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Jack Russell Wagner Collection, MS 27, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Jack R. Wagner Collection consists largely of manuscripts, letters, notes and ephemera pertaining to his publications and interest in railroad history. Also contained is some material relating to his world travels, as well as some ephemera.

Biographical / historical:

A native of California, John ("Jack") Russell Wagner (1916 May 18 - 1988 Oct 28) began his career as a radio engineer in 1937, and served as a civilian with the Army's Signal Corps and Air Corps during World War II. In 1936, he was also part of the Radio Club at San Jose State College. It was in this latter service that he became associated with the Manhattan Project. After the war he returned to the radio business in Northern California, working in that field until 1981 when he retired as Director of Broadcast Operations for San Francisco station KCBS.

Mr. Wagner traveled widely and wrote articles on western topics for such publications as WESTWAYS, TRUE RAILROAD MAGAZINE, AMERICAN FORESTS and WESTERN MINING JOURNAL. In addition he wrote three books, SHORT LINE JUNCTION (1956), GOLD MINES OF CALIFORNIA (1970) and THE LAST WHISTLE [OCEAN SHORE RAILROAD] (1974).

Mr. Wagner died October 28, 1988 at the age of 72 and is buried at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Jack Russell Wagner, 1988
Arrangement:

MS 27 is arranged into five series:

Series 1. Publications

Series 2. Railroad research

Series 3. Foreign railroads

Series 4. Miscellany

Series 5. Published materials

Physical location:
Statewide Museum Collection Center

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Library Archives staff
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-01-10 15:53:30 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Jack Russell Wagner Collection, MS 27, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073
Library.CSRM@parks.ca.gov
Website