Rath (Eric) Collection, 1969-1982

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Summary

Title:
Eric Rath Business Collection
Dates:
1969-1982
Creators:
Rath, Eric, 1911-1980
Abstract:
This collection contains papers related to the various business projects conducted in the San Diego area by Eric Rath.
Extent:
3.0 Linear feet (5 boxes)
Language:
and Collection materials are in English, German, and Spanish.
Preferred citation:

Eric Rath Collection, MS 299, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains papers related to the various business projects conducted in the San Diego area by Eric Rath. The majority of the collection relates to PIHCo and consists of blueprints of the hovercraft, meeting minutes, correspondence, financial information, administrative records, informational studies, newspaper articles, reference material booklets, and publicity photos. In addition there are numerous transportation reports and studies as well as information on other projects Rath was involved with. They provide a perspective on the border situation in the 1970s.

The Transportation Center project has information outlining the creation of a transportation center for education, but there is little information about the how successful it was. The San Diego-Tijuana Train Plan concerns the combining Mexicoach with Amtrak to alleviate traffic problems when transporting tourists between San Diego and Tijuana. Also included is a speech written by Congressmen Brock Adams about the California railroad service. The San Diego County Study that was used by TRC Development in their business of helping transport perishable goods is also included.

Biographical / historical:

Eric Rath was born on January 23, 1911. He was president of Pacific International Hover Craft, Mexicoach, TRC Development, and Tijuana-Baja Tours. He lectured about transportation at University of California at San Diego, National University of Colombia, and at the Superior War Academy in Bogota, Colombia. He was also a transportation services advisor for the Colombian government as well as for the Department of Defense. He was awarded Putnam Food Award and several others.

Eric Rath started Pacific International Hover Craft (PIHCo) in 1969. The company leased the hovercraft from a British hovercraft company, Seaspeed. The plan was to transport tourists between San Diego and Tijuana. The hovercraft was able to successfully make a trip down into Tijuana, but on the return trip the engines broke down and required to be towed by the Coast Guard. Eventually PIHCo went bankrupt in the fall of 1971.

Eric Rath started another company in 1970 called Mexicoach which planned to transport tourists by bus between San Diego and Tijuana. In 1975, Mexicoach had some issues with traffic on its trips to Mexico; in 1978, Eric Rath tried to arrange an agreement with Amtrak where it would use the train to take people down into Tijuana instead. The agreement with Amtrak did not work out, but the Mexicoach business was successful and is continuing business today. In 1975, Eric Rath supported the building of a Transportation Center, which would bring together various schools in the San Diego area and focus on training students in the transportation business. Rath’s company, TRC Development, focused on the transportation of perishable goods.

Acquisition information:
Accession number: 831206A.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Bryan D. Cullen in April, 2013.

Arrangement:

Arranged by project in the following series.

Series I: Pacific International Hover Craft Company

Series II: Miscellaneous Projects

Series III: Transportation Reports

Physical / technical requirements:

San Diego Economic Development Research Program’s spine is taped with duct tape.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Bryan D. Cullen
Date Prepared:
October 26, 2015
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2015-10-27T09:38-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Eric Rath Collection, MS 299, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website