The Theodore Gildred Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10055.O/S

Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
10/21/2014
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Theodore Gildred Special Collection
source: Gildred, Theodore E.
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10055.O/S
Physical Description: 0.5 Cubic Feet One Box
Date (inclusive): 1900-1967
Abstract: Theodore Gildred (1900-1967) was born on May 12, 1900, in Rochester, New York. His parents moved to South America in 1905, and he was educated in Argentina and Ecuador. Theodore Gildred’s collection primarily consists of documents relating to his Ecuador Goodwill Flight of March 1931.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

Preferred Citation

[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in this collection were donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The collection has been processed and is open for research with no restrictions.

Scope and Contents

Theodore Gildred’s collection primarily consists of documents relating to his Ecuador Goodwill Flight of March 1931. Included in the collection are telegrams, personal correspondence, pilot book logs and flight notes, drawings, newspaper articles in Spanish and English, and several maps.
There are 54 original English cablegrams + 1 copy, 1931. •Note: Some of the photographs in this collection are present in the Papers of Theodore E. Gildred Special Collection. •Note: Theodore Gildred is sometimes referred to as Theodore Gildred Sr., though this was not his legal name.

Related Materials

Special Collection SDASM, Library Archives, Gildred, Theodore E.
Secondary Sources: SDASM A/V Archives, Audio Visual, F-0238, “Ecuador Flight: Spirit of Goodwill,” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLo7v4l2toQ

Biographical / Historical

Theodore Gildred (1900-1967) was born on May 12, 1900, in Rochester, New York. His parents moved to South America in 1905, and he was educated in Argentina and Ecuador. He entered New York University in 1915 and graduated as a civil engineer in 1918. He then began his engineering career with the job of surveying Lake Tahoe to establish the permanent water levels of the lake. He later returned to Ecuador to work with his brothers.
In 1925 Theodore and his brother, Phil Gildred, came to San Diego, California, where they began building the Fox Theater in 1927. While in San Diego, Theodore began flying in a Travelair biplane at Dutch Flats with Doug Kelly, a pioneer San Diego aviator. Theodore bought a Stimson monoplane in 1929 and, accompanied by Doug Kelly, flew to New York. Then in 1931, he acquired a Wright R5 Whirlwind-powered Ryan Brougham monoplane from Mahoney Ryan Aircraft Corporation and embarked on a 4,200 mile goodwill flight to Quito, Ecuador. He was given a warm welcome upon landing in Quito and commemorated with the Ecuadorian Medal of Honor by the President of Ecuador. After his historic flight, he donated his aircraft, “Ecuador,” to the people of Ecuador as a goodwill gesture to help the growth of aviation in that country.
After returning to San Diego, he married Maxine Edmonds and moved to Mexico City in 1934 with his family. In the period between 1937 and 1965 he worked on the development of Lindavista, one of the largest subdivisions north of Mexico City, in association with Ign. Pascual Ortiz Rubio, ex-president of Mexico. During the 1940s and 1950s, Gildred also developed one of the largest chains of movie theaters in Mexico with Gen. Abelardo Rodriguez, who had also been one of Mexico’s presidents.
Gildred died in June 1967, in San Diego. Prior to his death, he established the Gildred Foundation, which has made major contributions in the medical research field to the San Diego Air & Space Museum (then the San Diego Aero-Space Museum), the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, Salk Institute, and University of California, San Diego.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Ecuador
Ryan B-5 Brougham
Gildred Foundation
Gildred, Theodore E.
Theodore , Gildred

 

Box 01

 

Folder 01 – Pilot’s Logbook

Physical Description: 1. Two pages of photocopied flight logs from San Diego to Latacunga, March 12-April 2, 1931. 2. Twenty six pages plus cover page, Engine Log Book courtesy of the Richfield Oil Company of California. 3. Ten pages plus cover page, Pilot’s Log Book issued to Gildred, Ted from the San Diego Air Service Corporation, Lindbergh Field, San Diego, California.
 

Folder 02 – Biographical Documents

Physical Description: 1. Fact sheet about Theodore Gildred, 1900-1967, San Diego Aero-Space Museum. 2. Biography about Theodore Gildred, source unknown. 3. Biographical Sketch about Theodore Gildred, Aerospace Museum, Owen Clarke, cc: Rohr Industries, May 26, 1978.
 

Folder 03 – Flight Path Records

Physical Description: 1. Seven page log of Gildred’s flight from San Diego to New York City, October 2-October 21, 1930. 2. Handwritten note in Spanish, unofficial flight log entry. 3. Handwritten note regarding a landing in Guadalajara and taking off again. 4. Four pages of notes on the backs of Airtech Flying Service LTD. Solo Flight cards with timestamps. 5. Ecuador Flight, March 13-31, 1931 log, San Diego Aero-Space Museum.
 

Folder 04 – Correspondence

Physical Description: 1. From: Ted (presumably Theodore Gildred), To: Ben, regarding the flight plans, March 3. 2. Handwritten timestamps on a Hotel Regis paper regarding the flight. 3. Blank paper with note “portion of letter from Ted Sr. 4. From: Robert R. Reining, Chief, Registration Section of the Department of Commerce Aeronautics Branch, To: Philip L. Gildred, Gildred Building Company, San Diego Trust & Savings Bank Bldg., June 4, 1931.
 

Folder 05- Newspaper Articles in English

Physical Description: 1. Captions for newspaper articles, Theodore Gildred, Aerospace Museum. 2. Newspaper clip with a photograph of Theodore Gildred. 3. Unknown newspaper article titled “Local Plane Due in Mexico City – No Word Received yet From Gildred and Farran, on 9000-Mile Good-Will Trip,” March, 1931. 4. Unknown newspaper article titled “Good-Will Fliers are Forced Down,” March, 1931. 5. Unknown newspaper article titled “San Diego Fliers Feted in Ecuador – ‘Welcome’ Arch Greets Gildred and Farran at Quito after 4500-Mile Journey,” March, 1931. 6. Unknown newspaper article titled “Gildred Delayed by Bad Weather,” March, 1931. 7. Unknown newspaper article titled “Bad Weather Delays Hop by Gildred,” March, 1931. 8. Unknown newspaper article titled “Gildred will Fly to Panama Today,” March, 1931. 9. Photocopy of an unknown newspaper article titled “Local Flyers Off For South America,” c. 1931. 10. Photocopy of an unknown newspaper article titled “San Diegans Take off for South America: Mazatlan First Goal,” c. 1931. 11. Photocopy of an unknown newspaper article titled “Gildred Off on Hop to Quito.” 12. The Evening Tribune newspaper article titled “Acclaim Gildred in Ecuador,” April 18, 1931. 13. Two photocopied pages of The Evening Tribune article titled “Acclaim Gildred in Ecuador,” April 18, 1931. 14. Unknown newspaper article titled “Gildred Forced Down 200 Miles from Destination – Fog Prevents Dangerous Hop over Andes; Two Aviators Remain at Santa Elina,” March, 1931. 15. Photocopy of unknown news article titled “Wings Way San Diego to Ecuador,” 1931. 16. Photocopy of the San Diego Union and a continuation page of an article titled “Engagement Proves Surprise to Guests Bidden to Cleverly Arranged Party – Debutante Announces Betrothal at Dinner – Engagement of Miss Maxine Edmonds to Theodore Gildred Revealed in Interesting Motion Picture Film,” August 16, 1931. 17. Unknown newspaper article titled “Debutantes Have Busy Mid-March Programs.” 18. Unknown newspaper article titled “Wins Commercial Pilot’s License – Theodore Gildred, San Diego Business Man, Completes Course at Air School,” c. 1930.
 

Folder 06 – Telegrams in English

Physical Description: 1. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Colón, March 27, 1931. 2. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Quito, Panama, March 28, 1931. 3. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Gildred in San Diego from Theodore Gildred in Panama. 4. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from San Jose, Costa Rica March 20, 1931. 5. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Lanaguanic, March 20, 1931. 6. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Mexico City, March 17, 1931. 7. Mackay Radio Radiogram to Edmonds in San Diego, July 29, 1931. 8. Postal Telegrapah The Mackay System to E. A. Edmonds in San Diego, California, July 11, 1931. 9. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Quito, Ecuador, from San Diego Trust and Savings Bank, March 31, 1931. 10. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Quito, Ecuador, from San Diego, California, March 31, 1931. 11. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Quito, Ecuador, from Lima, March 31, 1931. 12. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred, from Philip in San Diego, California, March 31, 1931. 13. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Colón, March 28, 1931. 14. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Cristobal, Panama, March 27, 1931. 15. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Colón, March 26, 1931. 16. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Cristobal, Panama, March 26, 1931. 17. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred, in Cristobal, Panama, March 24, 1931. 18. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred, in Colón, from Philip, March 24, 1931. 19. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred, from Carlotta in New York. 20. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Panama, March 23, 1931. 21. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Colón, Panama, March 22, 1931. 22. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Panama, March 22, 1931. 23. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Panamá, March 21, 1931. 24. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Guatemala city, March 19, 1931. 25. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Guatemala city, March 19, 1931. 26. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Guayaquil, March 17, 1931. 27. Unknown telegram to Theodore Gildred in Guayaquil from Farran Gildred. 28. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Mexico City, March 16, 1931. 29. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Mexico City, March 14, 1931. 30. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Mexico City, to Philip in San Diego, California, March 14, 1931. 31. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Mexico City, March 18, 1931. 32. All America Cables Inc. cablegram regarding Theodore Gildred’s goodwill flight publicity, March 8, 1931.
 

Folder 07 – Newspaper articles in Spanish

Physical Description: 1. Notecard containing note “Clippings (Spanish language) 1931 flight.” 2. Unknown newspaper article titled “Cuatro Provincias Fueron Ayer Recorridas por el Avion ‘Ecuador’ en su Gira Postal, Dejando Inaugurado el Servicio de Correo Aereo en el Interior del Pais,” January 2, 1932. 3. Photocopy of unknown newspaper article titled “Prueba Hizo al Avion Ecuador A fin de Venderlo,” January 23. 4. Photocopy of unknown newspaper article titled “Aviones para Cojurar la Crisis,” July 17, 1931. 5. Photocopy of unknown newspaper article titled “El Avion de Guerra R—4 Dio Una Vuela De Campana al Aterrizar Mantilla en e:l y Resulta el Aparato con Diversas Averias; Pero el Aviador Salio Ileso.” 6. Unknown newspaper article titled “El Avion Ecuador en Vuelo de Latacunga a Manta se Pierde Ayer y se Inicia una Desesperada Busqueda.” 7. Photocopy of unknown newspaper article titled “El Avion Ecuador Verifico Ayer el Vuelo de Cuenca a Loja y el Pueblo Honrara a los Aviadores,” July 27. 8. El Telégrafo newspaper article titled “El Avion Ecuador Volo Ayer de la Capital a esta Ciudad,” February 22, 1932. 9. Photocopy of El Universo newspaper, August 20, 1932. 10. Unknown newspaper with articles titled “Por Golpear a una Senorita esta Preso,” and “Con Solemnidad Festejo Yaguachi el Triunfo de Cone.” 11. Photocopy of unknown newspaper with article titled “El Congreso Acordo Descalificar a Bonifaz,” August 19. 12. Lunes newspaper article titled “Ayer Llegaron a Guayaquil Los Aviadores Heridos Y Tambien el Cadaver del Ctan. Cesar Borja el que se Envio Anoche a Quito,” August 22, 1932. 13. Newspaper cut into an “H” Shape, August 20, 1932. 14. Four photocopies of El Telégrafo article titled “Volando desde Mexico a Guatemala tuvo el Aviador Teodoro Gildred que Hacer un Aterrizaje Forzoso,” March 17, 1931. 15. Full newspaper El Telégrafo with article titled “El Avion Ecuador Volo ayerde la Capital a esta Ciudad,” February 22, 1932. 16. Unknown newspaper article titled “El Congreso Acordo Descalificar a Bonifaz,” August 19. 17. Unknown newspaper article titled “El Avion de Guerra R—4 Dio una Vuelta de Campana al Aterrizar Mantilla en el; Y Resulta el Aparato con Diversas Averias; Pero el Aviador Salio Ileso,” with continuation article cut into an “L” shape. 18. El Universo newspaper page titled “Avion Ecuador Destruido, Y Muerto Cptn. Borja.
 

Folder 08 – Telegrams and Cablegrams in Spanish

Physical Description: 1. Photocopy of All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Rafael Velez. 2. Photocopy of All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Cealfaro, March 29, 1931. 3. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Rafael Velez, March 29, 1931. 4. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred, March 13, 1931. 5. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Doctor Rojas, March 29, 1931. 6. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Washington Villacreses, March 29, 1931. 7. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Governor Pazayora, March 29, 1931. 8. Inalambricos Del Ecuador radiogram to Theodore Gildred from President Concejo, April 1, 1931. 9. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Colón, March 27, 1931. 10. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Levy Gildred from Lima, March16, 1931. 11. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Alberto from Theodore at Salinas, March 29, 1931. 12. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Endara from Ortega at Guayaquil, March 30, 1931. 13. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Jefe Zona at Guayaquil, March 29, 1931. 14. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Albert Gildred from Salinas, March 29, 1931. 15. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred, March 30, 1931. 16. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Endara from Ortega at Guayaquil, March 30, 1931. 17. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Quito, Ecuador, March 30, 1931. 18. Telegrafos Del Ecuador continuation of a cablegram. 19. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Alberto Gildred from Salinas, March 30, 1931. 20. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Pdlé. Ayora, March 30, 1931. 21. The Guayaquil and Quito Railway Company Telefonema to Theodore Gildred from Nestor J. Villacreses, March 31, 1931. 22. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Jefe Zona at Guayaquil, March 31, 1931. 23. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Enrique G. Vera at Guayaquil, March 31, 1931. 24. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Doctor Rojas at Guayaquil, March 31, 1931. 25. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Vilches at Hollywood, California, April 1, 1931. 26. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Wilfrido Moreno at Guayaquil, April 1, 1931. 27. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Santiago Castillo at Posorja, April 1, 1931. 28. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Espindola at Latacunga, April 1, 1931. 29. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Leonardo Sotomayor Luna Pdte at Guayaquil, April 1, 1931. 30. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Miguel Castro and Eduardo Lopez at Guayaquil, April 3, 1931. 31. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Alberto Icaza Carbo y Señora at Guayaquil, April 1, 1931. 32. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to President Isidro Ayora at Quito. 33. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to a conference, Page 1. 34. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram, Page 2. 35. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram, Page 3. 36. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram, Page 4. 37. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram, Page 5, from Alberto. 38. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 39. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 40. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 41. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred and Enrique from Quito, Ecuador. 42. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Quito, Ecuador, c. 1931. 43. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred. 44. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 45. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 46. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 47. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 48. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 49. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 50. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 51. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred. 52. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Ficil. 53. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 54. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 55. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 56. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred. 57. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred. 58. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred. 59. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Alberto.
 

Folder 09 – Photographs and Pictures

Physical Description: 1. Photograph of the Ecuador and people around it, 1931. 2. Photograph of Dean Farran and Theodore Gildred (Gildred photograph in Theodore E. Gildred Special Collection). 3. Photocopied photograph of Theodore Gildred with words, “To my darling mother with most appreciate thoughts, Ted,” March 13, 1929. 4. One photocopied photograph of three that has a picture of the Ecuador B-5 Ryan Brougham aircraft. 5. Photocopied photograph of Theodore Gildred as a student pilot in a double-cockpit biplane. 6. Sketch of Theodore Gildred in his pilot attire. 7. Two blueprint scale drawings of the Mahoney-Ryan B-5 “Brougham” aircraft with two photocopies. 8. Nineteen photographs and photocopies of photographs that can be found in the Theodore E. Gildred Special Collection.
 

Folder 10 – Maps #1

Physical Description: 1. Panama Canal Zone, Punta Mala, Panama, Provisional Chart - U.S. Navy Aviation Chart. 2. Standard Map of Sinaloa. 3. Standard Map of Aguascalientes Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit. 4. Salina Cruz, Mexico, San Jose, Guatemala – U.S. Navy Provisional Chart.
 

Folder 11 – Maps #2

Physical Description: 5. Standard Map of Oaxaca. 6. Standard Map of Mexico, Destrito Federal and Morelos. 7. Nogales a Hermosillo y Guaymas Map. 8. La Previsora. 9. La Previsora (colored). 10. Nogales Hermosillo y Guaymas Map. 11. Standard Map of Central America.
 

Folder 12 – Maps #3

Physical Description: 1. Coasts of Panama, Colombia & Ecuador.
 

Folder 13 – Maps #4

Physical Description: 1. Puntarenas, Costa Rica – Cape Mala, Panama. 2. Puebla, Tlaxcala Map and Veracruz. 3. San Jose Gautemala – La Union, El Salvador, U.S. Navy Provisional Chart.
 

Restricted Folder

Physical Description: 1. Standard Map of Mexico. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/9940622334/in/set-72157635893466463