Includes records from the Overweight Counterbalance Elevator Company.

The Overweight Counterbalance Elevator Company of San Francisco was incorporated March 13, 1897 by Henry L. Weber, Charles M. Weymann, John L. Boone, Charles J. Armbruster and Elmer E. Greeley. The Company had purchased the rights to Philip Hinkle's patent No. 257,943 (issued May 16, 1882) which by the application of an overweight counterbalance improved the lifting power of freight and passenger elevators. With the assistance of Oakland attorney Hiram Van Arman, the Company began to target companies which had infringed on the patent and to collect royalties. Individuals involved with the Sierra Railway of California, were connected to the Elevator Company: Sidney D. Freshman, one of the five original stockholders of the Sierra, was appointed to the Board of Directors May 6, 1898 and named President August 20, 1898. Thomas S. Bullock, first General Manager and later President of the Sierra, was also on the Board of Directors. By 1901 the Elevator Company was in decline. Without fiscal resources the Elevator Company was forced to sell all rights to the Hinkle patent to attorney Van Arman to settle legal fees.

1 half-box

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 Head Librarian. 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.

This collection is open for research at our off-site storage facility with one week's notice. Contact Library & Archives staff to arrange for access.