Description
This collection documents the career of Frederick Augustus Hihn, an immigrant from Germany
and early settler of Santa Cruz, California who was involved with the early timber,
railroad, water infrastructure, road construction, and real estate industries in the Santa
Cruz area from 1851 to his death in 1913. It contains ledger books which include deeds,
leases, inventories, and contracts for work and supplies, and which document the business
transactions of Hihn, the F.A. Hihn Company, the Capitola-Hihn Company, the Santa Cruz Water
Company, the Valencia-Hihn Company, and related corporate enterprises. The collection also
includes five letter impression books which primarily contain business correspondence,
though not exclusively. The collection also includes a small number of Hihn's personal
records, including his marriage certificate, application for citizenship, and documents from
the execution of his will from 1913 to 1917.
Background
Frederick Augustus Hihn (originally Hühn) was an early settler to Santa Cruz County and a
prominent businessman in the development of the City of Santa Cruz, from his arrival to the
area in 1851 to his death in 1913. He owned a range of businesses, including real estate,
water, lumber, and railroad companies. He also served in local Santa Cruz and state
politics.
Extent
68 Linear Feet
35 boxes, 8 framed items, and 959 maps
Restrictions
Property rights for this collection reside with the University of California. Literary
rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. The publication
or use of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use for research or
educational purposes requires written permission from the copyright owner. Responsibility
for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user. For more
information on copyright or to order a reproduction, please visit
guides.library.ucsc.edu/speccoll/reproduction-publication.
Availability
Collection is open for research.