Guide to the San Diego Electric Railway Papers MS 139

Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills

San Diego History Center Document Collection

1649 El Prado, Suite 3

San Diego, CA, 92101

619-232-6203

November 16, 2015

Title: San Diego Electric Railway Papers

Identifier/Call Number: MS 139

Contributing Institution: San Diego History Center Document Collection

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (1 box)

Date (inclusive): 1890-1892

Abstract: This collection contains papers related to the construction of the San Diego Electric Railway in 1892.

creator: San Diego Electric Railway Company.

Biographical / Historical Notes

The San Diego Electric Railway Company was incorporated by A.B. Spreckels in 1892 after he acquired the entire property of the ailing San Diego Street Car Company for $115,000. The original officers were A.B. Spreckels (president), E.S. Babcock (vice president), Joseph A. Flint (secretary, treasurer, and general manager), John D. Spreckels, and Charles T. Hinde. In May 1892 they began to transform all existing street car lines to electric power.

Scope and Content

This collection contains papers related to the construction of the San Diego Electric Railway in 1892. These papers include correspondence between Henry E. Brett and E.S. Babcock, bids and contracts, documents detailing the costs of machinery and other equipment, and work specifications for different aspects of the project.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject.

Preferred Citation

San Diego Electric Railway Papers, MS 139, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials.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

Processing Information

Collection processed by Samantha Mills on December 2, 2013.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Atlas Iron Works.

Babcock, Elisha S.

Brett, Henry E.

French, F.M.

General Electric Company.

H.P. Gregory & Co..

Hacker & Son.

Julian & Son.

Los Angeles Consolidated Railway Company.

Parke & Lacey.

San Diego Street Car Company.

Standard Iron Works.

Contracts

Correspondence

Invoices

San Diego (Calif.)

Street-railroads

Box-folder 1:1

Correspondence 1892 March 17-1892 November 13

Includes:

Letters and memos between Henry E. Brett and E.S. Babcock.

Box-folder 1:3

Equipment Costs 1890-1892

Includes:

Costs of coal consumed at powerhouse, motors and generators from General Electric Company, and other equipment and machinery from Parke & Lacey, Atlas Iron Works, Standard Iron Works, and H.P. Gregory and Co.

Box-folder 1:2

Contractor Costs 1892

Includes:

Bids on pole and track work, contracts with F.M. French, Julian & Sons, and Hacker & Son, as well as the wage scale for Los Angeles Consolidated Railway Co. and an estimate of work completed by F.M. French.

Box-folder 1:4

Work Specifications 1892 April 18-1892 October 31 and undated

Includes:

Specifications for tin work, laying track, erecting poles, and building a chimney.