Finding Aid to the Frank Rolfe Papers and Photographs MS.210
Library and Archives at the Autry
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org
Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Frank Rolfe Papers and Photographs
Creator:
Rolfe, Frank
Identifier/Call Number: MS.210
Physical Description:
7 Linear Feet
(11 document boxes, 1 flat box)
Date (inclusive): 1859-1960
Language of Material:
English
.
- Series 1: Water records, 1903-1910
- Series 2: USC student papers and master thesis by Rolfe, 1922-1924
- Series 3: Writings by Frank Rolfe, 1924-1955
- Series 4: Newspaper clippings, 1917-1958
- Series 5: Family papers and memorabilia, 1869-1961
- Series 6: John Bidwell family papers and newspaper clippings, 1886-1955
- Series 7: Photographic Materials, 1869-1931
Biographical Note
Frank Rolfe was born in Gold Hill, Nevada in 1874. He was an engineer, geologist, surveyor, and seismologist with an interest
in California history. His parents were Ovid D. Rolfe (died 1902), a miner on the Comstock Lode, and Allena B. Bishop (died
1922). Rolfe's parents were married in 1869 February 4 at 8:00 p.m. in Allena's hotel parlor in Sacramento.
In 1881, the family moved to a ranch in Temescal Valley in Riverside County near what is now the city of Corona, California.
Rolfe's mother moved the children to Los Angeles sometime between 1899 and 1900 to ensure a better education for her children.
The family spent their winters in the city and summers on the family ranch.
Rolfe graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1894, earned a degree in geology from Stanford University in 1898, and a master's
degree from the University of Southern California in 1924.
He worked on the Los Angeles aqueduct survey and possibly on the construction of the Ludlow and Southern Railway. Rolfe served
as vice president of the Southwest Section of the Seismological Society of America beginning in 1921. He was also a long-time
member of the Historical Society of Southern California.
Rolfe authored articles on California history and geology that appeared in the Historical Society publications and the
Los Angeles Times in the 1930s. Rolfe also wrote editorial pieces for the
Los Angeles Times during World War I and authored
Commercial Geography of southern California, published by Biola Press, circa 1915.
His collection of Californiana was donated to the Southwest Museum in 1963. His diaries, field notes, and other various articles
and letters are also part of the collection. Rolfe's collection of negatives and photographs, taken between 1899 and 1959,
depicting locations throughout California and the Western United States, are housed at the Huntington Library Photo Archives.
References:
Finding Aid for the Historical Society of Southern California Collection – Frank Rolfe Collection of Negatives and Photographs.
Retrieved from http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt4n39q8k3/.
General Bidwell dead. (1900, April 5).
Los Angeles Times.
Rolfe, F. (1921, March). The Southwest Section of the Seismological Society of America. Bulletin of the Seismological Society
of America, 11(1). 5.
Tufts, C. T. (1967). Southwest Museum plans new library building.
The Masterkey, 41(1). 5.
Processing History
Processed by Glenna Schroeder, circa 1977-1981. Biographical note created by Maritxu de' Alaiza 2012 May. Finding aid updated
and completed by Anna Liza Posas, 2013 August. Processing of collection and publication of finding aid made possible by a
grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). Finding aid revised by Angel Diaz, Cataloger
for the Metabolic Studios Grant Project, 2013 October.
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian 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.
Preferred Citation
Frank Rolfe Papers and Photographs, 1859-1960, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.210; [folder number] [folder
title][date].
Acquisition
Gift of Frank Rolfe, 1963.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Irrigation -- California, Southern
San Bernardino County (Calif.)
Tin mines and mining
Clippings
Agriculture -- California
Rivers -- California, Southern
Business records
Correspondence
Photographs
Scrapbooks
Los Angeles Aqueduct (Calif.)
Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.)
Field notes
Water use -- California
Bidwell, John
Los Angeles (Calif.). Department of Water and Power. Engineering Department
Rolfe, Alana B. Bishop
Water records Series 1:
1903-1910
box 1, folder 1
Statement of water measurement for the Cucamonga Development Company
1903 July 16
Scope and Contents note
Statement made by Frank Rolfe per M.L. Cook, County Surveyor.
box 1, folder 2-12
Los Angeles Aqueduct Engineering Department Unit Cost in Progress Reports
1909-1910
Scope and Contents
Consists of copies of monthly reports for 1909 March - August; 1909 October - December; and 1910 January and March. Reports
are copied on blueprint paper.
box 7, folder 87
Irrigation documents and newspaper clippings
undated
Scope and Contents
This folder includes two newspaper clippings on the topic of irrigation and five blueprints of section of the Los Angeles
Aqueduct.
Student papers and master thesis by Rolfe for the University of Southern California Series 2:
1922-1924
box 2, folders 13-20
Handbook of Los Angeles
1924
Scope and Contents
"Prepared as a Thesis for the Degree of Master of Arts University of Southern California, June 1924." Thesis is written in
seven parts.
box 2, folder 21
Los Angeles topography research papers
circa 1924
Scope and Contents
Folders includes an original paper, "Handbook of Los Angeles Topography" and revised version entitled, "Topography of Los
Angeles City."
box 2, folder 22
"Economic Factors in the Development of Los Angeles"
1924 June
Scope and Contents
"A thesis presented to the Department of Economics, University of Southern California. In partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the Degree of Master of Arts".
box 3, folder 23
"Economic Development of Los Angeles City 1880-1920"
circa 1924
box 3, folder 24
"Los Angeles and the Inter-Mountain Empire of the West" and "Entradas by Spanish Pioneers"
1921-1923
Scope and Contents
"A paper prepared for the Seminar in Economics, Department of Economics, University of Southern California". Seminar was held
1922 September to 1923 June. "Entradas by Spanish Pioneers" was "a paper prepared for the course in Pacific Slope History,
University of Southern California."
box 3, folder 25
"Political Los Angeles"
1924 June
Scope and Contents
Prepared for a seminar in Economics.
box 3, folder 27
Papers on Western United States
1922-1924
Scope and Contents
Includes papers on western Montana; Reno, Nevada; Twin Falls, Idaho; Durango, Colorado; and Wyoming.
box 3, folder 28
"Idaho, and the New City of Twin Falls"
1922
Scope and Contents
Folder also includes newspaper article from the
Los Angeles Evening Express, dated 1923 July 21. Newspaper article discusses property values of Liberty Acres, located near Inglewood, California. The
article also mentions realtor, Ole Hanson.
box 3, folder 28
"Southwestern Colorado and Durango"
1923 January
box 3, folder 29
"The Unity of California"
1924 June
Scope and Contents
"A paper presented to the seminar in California History conducted by Dr. Rockwell D. Hunt Ph.D. of the University of California"
Writings by Frank Rolfe Series 3:
1924-1955
box 3, folder 30
"Help, Eliza, Help" with rejection from Saturday Evening Post "Outline-DeMille Contest"
1924
1950
Scope and Contents
The story was submitted to the "DeMille Contest Editor" by Rolfe 1926 February 24. Per Rolfe's notes, the "rejection letter"
was received 1950 January 23. 2 copies.
box 3, folder 31
Stories about the Sierras
circa 1955
Scope and Contents
Folder includes 3 copies of "Adventures in the High Sierras," a short story with a rejection letter from
Reader's Digest. Also included is a description Rolfe wrote about a view from his front porch that reminded him of the Sierras. He entitled
the description "The Sierras in the Sky."
box 3, folder 32
"The Prospector at the Gate" and "A Mining Town Woman"
undated
Scope and Contents
Includes two copies of "Prospector at the Gate."
box 3, folder 33
"Spirit of the West-Los Angeles" and "The Spirit of Los Angeles-of Greater Los Angeles"
after 1925, before 1960
box 3, folder 34
"Backing Up Our City's Growth" and " A Firm Foundation"
after 1925, before 1960
box 3, folder 35
"The Beginnings of Glen Ivy"
undated
Scope and Contents
Includes Glen Ivy brochures and newspaper clippings.
box 3, folder 36
"Cajalco," "El Sobrente" and "Corona's 40th Birthday"
undated
box 3, folder 37
"Drowning a Southern California Tin Mine with Rocky Mountain Snows"
undated
box 3, folder 38
"Mt. Santiago: Ascent of it 1899"
undated
Scope and Contents
Folder includes three copies of this title. Also includes "Water in Temescal" and a letter to the editor of the
Corona Daily Independent, dated 1951 September 17.
box 3, folder 39
"The Old Adobe Houses of the Temescal Valley, Riverside County, California"
after 1925, before 1960
box 3, folder 40
"Brewer's Desert" and "Jedediah Smith and Los Angeles"
after 1925, before 1960
box 4, folder 41
"California as Greeley Saw Her in 1859" and "The West in 1850"
after 1925, before 1960
box 4, folder 42
"Conquering the Southern California Deserts"
undated
box 4, folder 43
"Early Gold Mining Days in the San Gabriel Canyon"
after 1925, before 1960
box 4, folder 44
"Future Population of the San Joaquin Valley" and "California's Greatest Crop"
undated
box 4, folder 45
"A Little Gem" (Lee Lake) and "Mojave a Man's Town"
after 1925, before 1960
box 4, folder 46
"Little Rivers of Southern California" and "California Forests Gather Many Waters"
after 1925, before 1960
box 4, folder 47
"On the Right Track"
circa 1924
box 4, folder 48
"Riverside a Potential Agricultural Empire" and "The Agricultural Limits of Our Population"
after 1925, before 1960
box 4, folder 49
"Rural Life in Southern California in the [Eighteen] Eighties"
after 1925, before 1960
box 4, folder 50
"The Sierras the Mother of California" and "A Sunday Morning Walk in the San Bernadino Mountains"
after 1925, before 1960
box 1, folder 51
"The Spell of California" by Frank Rolfe
after 1911, before 1920
Scope and Contents
Possibly an autobiographical account of Rolfe's time in California.
box 4, folder 52
"Southern California's Sleeping Lake" (Lake Elsinore)
after 1925, before 1960
Scope and Contents
Folder includes 4 copies of the story and rejection letters.
box 4, folder 53
"Kipling's Burma"
undated
box 4, folder 54
"Evolution of Transportation in Arizona" and "Impressions of Utah"
undated
box 4, folder 55
Biographies of Arizona engineers
1930-1951
Scope and Contents
Includes articles on Richard Gird and Elmer Walters written by Rolfe. Rolfe submitted these articles for a series "Another
Pioneer Engineer in Arizona" printed in the
Professional Engineer magazine. Folder also includes an newspaper article on Charles Haug printed in the
Corona Daily Independent, 1950 August 21.
box 4, folder 56
Notes on the History of Temescal Valley, Riverside County, California
1948
Scope and Contents
Compiled by Frank Rolfe, written in 2 parts. Report includes photographs.
Newspaper clippings Series 4:
1917-1958
box 4, folder 57
Los Angeles Times editorials by Rolfe
1917-1921
box 5, folder 58
Boulder (Hoover) Dam
1926-1933
Scope and Contents
Includes "How Boulder Dam Power Will Refinance Colorado River Project," informational material and brochures issued by the
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Boulder Dam Association, and two
Los Angeles Times articles.
box 5, folder 59
Ghost town of Calico and Cerro Gordo
1951
box 5, folder 61
Nevada Ghost Towns
1954-1955
box 5, folder 62
Territorial Enterprise and Virginia City News Friday
1952 May 16
box 5, folder 63
Westways Explorer Routes-Partial run
1950-1952
box 5, folder 65
People - Hunt, Rockwell
1943-1958
Biographical Note
Rolfe was a student of Hunt who was a professor at USC.
Family papers and memorabilia Series 5:
1869-1961
Allena B. Bishop and Ovid D. Rolfe papers Subseries 5.1:
1869-1913
box 5, folder 66
Diary of Allena B. Bishop (Rolfe), handwritten
1869 January - August
box 5, folder 67
Diary of Allena B. Bishop (Rolfe), typed
1869 January - August
Scope and Contents
Typescript copy.
box 5, folder 68
Diploma and two letters about Allena B. Bishop
1859-1869
Scope and Contents
Diploma is from 1859. Letters were written in 1868 and 1869.
box 5, folder 69
Teacher's certificates of Allena B. Bishop
1859-1869
box 5, folder 70
Postcard to Mrs. Allena B. Rolfe from Nellie Bishop Rumsey
1907-1913
Scope and Contents
Postcards consist of a Christmas greeting sent from Lorrainne, New York, 1907 December 20 and a a picture of Rumsey's family
sent in 1913.
box 5, folder 71
Letters to Ovid D. Rolfe
1864-1869
Scope and Contents
Letters were sent to Rolfe's home in Sutter Creek. They include letters from the following in order of date:
- J.L. Mann, 1864 December 29
- Unidentified, 1866 November 5. This letter is signed with an illegible signature.
- W. Highby, 1868 June 2
- J.D. Dennis, 1868 July 8
- Palmer Bachelders and Company, 1868 July 22
- O.L. Chamberlain, 1868 September 23
- George Newman with Demit from Henry Clay Lodge, Sutter Creek, circa 1869.
The folder also includes 3 letters that only include month and day the letter was written, no year. The letters are signed
by "Me," January 6; "Will, December 10; and "E.W. Hatch" and December 17. Although the signatures are different, they seem
be written by the same person.
Frank Rolfe diaries and field notebooks Subseries 5.2:
circa 1899-1960
1911-1960
Scope and Contents
Includes 44 diaries from 1911-1960 and 5 field notebooks created circa 1899.
box 9
Field notebooks
circa 1899
Scope and Contents
Consists of five notebooks. One field notebook labelled "level book no. 0" that shows figures and flow of water for Rolfe's
Temescal residence. Other field notebooks show similar information for the flow of wells, although exact location is uncertain.
box 9
1911-1924
Scope and Contents
This group of material consists of twelve diaries, with two diaries for 1922.
box 10
1925-1941
Scope and Contents
This group of material consists of 17 diaries.
box 11
1942-1960
Scope and Contents
This consists of 15 diaries. There are no diaries for the years 1956 through 1959.
Frank Rolfe papers and memorabilia Subseries 5.3:
circa 1921-1961
box 5, folder 72
Letters from Edward Herkelrath to Frank Rolfe
1951-1954
Scope and Contents
Typed copies of letters, dates reflect when the original letters were written. The typed copies were created after 1954.
box 5, folder 73
Bohemian Mountain Club booklet
undated
box 5, folder 74
"Harding for President" poster
circa 1921
box 5, folder 75
Los Angeles population cartoon-football team
undated
box 5, folder 76
Seal of California presented to Frank and Grace W. Rolfe from Assemblyman Tom A. Allen of the 63rd district
undated
box 5, folder 77
List of publications of the School of Mineral Science-Stanford
1951-1961
John Bidwell family papers and newspaper clippings Series 6:
1886-1955
Scope and Contents
This subseries includes newspaper articles and publications about John Bidwell, newspaper articles about Annie Ellicott Kennedy
Bidwell; autobiography by Lena Bidwell; and a genealogy of the Bidwell family written by Lillian Bidwell.
Biographical Note
General John Bidwell was born 1819 August 5 in Sherman, New York and died 1900 April 4 in Chico, California. He was a California
pioneer, Civil War soldier, and Congressman. He founded Chico, California in 1860 and also became a trustee of the city's
Normal School, which is now Chico State University. Bidwell was also the prohibition candidate for president in 1892.
John Bidwell is related to Allena Bishop, Frank Rolfe's mother, by marriage only. They are not blood relatives.
box 6, folder 78, box 6, folder 84
John Bidwell biographies
1939-1955
Scope and Contents
One folder includes newspaper article about John Bidwell.
- "California Sketches,"
Fresno Bee, 1954 January 24
- "Today in American History" by Brainard Dyer,
Los Angeles Times, 1955 June 30
- "I Knew Bidwell" by Rockwell D. Hunt,
Ghost Town News, 1942 November
- "California's Stately Hall of Fame—John Bidwell" by Rockwell D. Hunt,
Los Angeles Times, 1939 March 26
- "Errant Mule Spoils Pioneer's Chance to be Discoverer of Gold" by Joe Smith,
Fresno Bee, 1954 September 5
- "How John Bidwell Bid Well for Fame" by Perry Worden,
Pasadena Star-News, 1942 December 15
Other folder includes
Bibliography on Bidwell from
Goodspeed's magazine, 1934 and a biographical sketch of Bidwell from
Touring Topics, 1931 July
box 6, folder 79
John Bidwell obituaries
1900
box 6, folder 80
Chico and Bidwell's Bar articles
1911
1954
Scope and Contents
Includes "Chico and Bidwell's Bar Linked by Common Heritage,"
P. G. & E. Progress , 1948 September, volume 25, number 10 and "Rancho Chico Sold,"
The Times, 1911 January 8.
box 6, folder 81
Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell articles
1941-1954
box 6, folder 82
Bidwell family genealogy by Lillian Bidwell
after 1903
box 6, folder 83
Lena Bidwell autobiography
1886-1889
Scope and Contents
"Commenced at the age of 12 years" in 1886. The autobiography begins with background and events remembered by Lena. Her diary
continues to tell about her journey form Lorraine, New York to Temescal, California where she was accompanied by her "Auntie"
Mary L. Bishop. The diary entry begins in 1886 August 24. She arrived at her home in Temescal October 17 of the same year.
There are intermittent entries from then on beginning on 1886 December 26, 1887 May 7, and 1889 September. In her last entry,
she writes as she prepares to go away to school.
box 6, folder 85
General Bidwell's letter of acceptance of the prohibition party candidacy for president
1892
Scope and Contents
from George Wharton James Collection.
box 6, folder 86
Memorial exercises for General John Bidwell, directed by Butte County Officers in Oroville, California Court House
1900 May 7
Scope and Contents
from George Wharton James Collection
Photographs and scrapbooks Series 7:
1869-1931
box 12, folder S9
Family Album
late 1800s to early 1900s
Scope and Contents
Includes photographs of the Bishop, Ellerbe, and Rolfe family members. Also includes images of the Bidwell family.
box 7, folder 88
"Miscellaneous Photographs" album
1902-1932
Scope and Contents
This album includes photographs of Sierra Nevada Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, Temescal Valley, San Bernardino County,
mines in Southeast California, construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, Los Angeles, and Catalina Island.
box 7, folder 89
Mt. San Jacinto and Palm Canyon photographs
undated
Scope and Contents
Photographed by Stephen H. Willard, Palm Springs, California. Only includes one image of St. Jacinto and one of Palm Canyon,
both located in California.
box 7, folder 90
Ore wagon
circa 1901
Scope and Contents
Caption on photograph reads: "Picture of ore wagon on way to Bagdad Mines near Ludlow, [California] about 1901."
box 7, folder 91
Photo inventories
undated
Scope and Contents
This folder includes inventories for images in folder. Inventories were written on envelope, presumably by Rolfe.
box 7, folder 92
Riverside County photographs
1920s
Scope and Contents
This folder includes loose mounted photographs of different locations in Riverside County, especially Temescal. Many are commercial
images from the "South Riverside Series" by Shaffner's California Views company.
box 7, folder 93
Rolfe album images, duplicate copies and negatives
1924-1952
Scope and Contents
Duplicates and negatives of many of the pictures used in Rolfe's "History of Temescal" publication as well as duplicated images
found in other photo albums. The specific years that these images were created are 1924, 1930, 1931, and 1952. Folder also
includes original inventory created by Rolfe.
box 7, folder S10
"Temescal Pictures" album
1886-1949
Scope and Contents
Scrapbook includes photographs of Temescal Valley, postcards and brochures from Glen Ivy Hot Springs, and newspaper clippings
featuring Temescal Valley.
Existence and Location of Copies
Duplicates of many of these images are also located in MS. 210, Box 7, Folder 93.
box 7, folder 94
"Touring Topics illustrations"
circa 1930-1931
Scope and Contents
Scrapbook includes clippings of articles and illustrations from
Touring Topics magazine.
box 8, folder S1
California and Western United States scrapbook
circa 1929
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook includes pictures and articles from
Touring Topics, a magazine of the California branch of the American Automobile Association. Many of the articles pertain to projects that
Rolfe worked on, including Colorado River reclamation, borax mines, the Boulder Dam, and the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Album also
contains photographs of California counties and neighboring regions including San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Los
Angeles County, Ventura County, San Bernardino County, Kern County, San Luis Obispo County, Baja California, Mexico, the Colorado
River Aqueduct, San Diego County, and Orange County.
box 8, folder S2
"Homes of Rolfe Family" album
1869-1959
Scope and Contents
This album includes photographs of various Rolfe homes in Nevada and California. The pictures were taken from the late 1800s-1957,
however the Rolfe family were residents of these homes from 1869 to the 1920s.
box 8, folder S3
"Persons" photo album
circa 1893-1956
Scope and contents
This album includes photographs and portraits of various persons throughout Southern California. There are also some loose
images places in the end pages of this album. Also included are picture postcards.
box 12, folder S8
Scrapbook of clippings by Allena Bishop
circa 1870-1890
Biographical note
Allena Rolfe and Frances Bidwell were sisters. Allena Rolfe is also the mother of Frank Rolfe.
Scope and Contents note
Assembled by Mrs. Allena Rolfe and Mrs. Frances Bidwell. Includes articles on Temescal Valley, California; articles on the
Serrano family; a typed letter from Lena Bidwell to her uncle Alenze, dated 1889 January 20; beauty and lifestyle advice columns;
poetry; and other topics.
box 8, folder S4
Southern California album
1926
Scope and Contents note
This photo album consists of Southern California images that include celery fields, canyon streams, Los Angeles County, Riverside
County, San Francisquito Canyon, Los Angeles Aqueduct, Orange County, Kern County, San Diego County, and Ventura County. Most
of the images taken in the summer and fall of 1926. There are empty spaces in this album that only include captions with
no image. These missing images are for locations in Montana and Wyoming.
box 8, folder S5
Southern California deserts, Oregon, and Washington album
1902-1920s
Scope and contents
Photographs in this album were taken at and around various irrigation and mining projects throughout the Western Unites States.
Locations include the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California; Newlands Project, Nevada; Catalina Island; Truckee River; Lake
Tahoe, California; Orange County, Los Angeles County; Los Angeles Harbor; San Diego County; Temescal Valley, Riverside County;
Death Valley; San Bernardino County; Bagdad Mine, San Bernardino, California; Stateline, Nevada; Cascade Mountains, Washington;
Frazier River Valley, near Westminster, British Columbia; Grant Pass, Oregon; Stump Springs, Nevada; Mt. Tallac, Lake Tahoe,
California; Inyo County; California; Columbia River, Washington; Los Angeles Aqueduct; Mission San Juan Capistrano; Mission
San Luis Rey; San Jacinto Mountains; Kern County; Hetch Hetchy Reservoir; Columbia River, Oregon; Lake Chelan, Washington;
and Olympia, Washington.
box 8, folder S6
Southern Sierras, California album
undated
Scope and contents
Full title of the album given by Rolfe is "Southern Sierras California near Giant Forest." Photographs of surveys and camps
at Kearsarge Pass in Inyo National Forest, Kern Lake Kern River, Sequoia National Park, Owens Lake, Red Rock Canyon State
Park, Black Rock Springs, Mt. Whitney, and a southern California desert.
box 8, folder S7
Utah scrapbook
undated
Scope and contents
Color illustrations cut from a magazine of Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Most of the photographs have
been removed from the album. One photograph of a canal delta in Utah remains.