Hahn (Stanley C.) Collection, 1933-1979, bulk bulk 1935-1937

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Summary

Title:
Hahn (Stanley C.) Collection
Dates:
1933-1979, bulk bulk 1935-1937
Abstract:
The materials in the collection supply a picture of the growth of an internationally successful company through the period of the Great Depression, as well as the development of the machines important to the farmers and developers in California and across the world. The collection consists of draftsman’s drawings and blueprints as well as company publications and photographs of equipment, the majority collected during the employment of Stanley Hahn with R. G. LeTourneau, Inc., an internationally respected earthmoving company. The bulk of the collection dates between the years of 1935 and 1937, when Hahn was employed by LeTourneau, and includes related items connected to that company and collected in subsequent years. The collection includes additional items from Hahn’s employment between 1936 and 1943 with Capps Brothers, steel fabricators and machinery builders in Stockton, California.
Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Language:
Records written in English
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation: [Item name], Stanley C. Hahn Collection, Ms73, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum, Lodi, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Stanley C. Hahn Collection consists of papers from the files of Stanley Hahn, a mechanical draftsman, who began his career with R. G. LeTourneau, Inc. The bulk of the collection dates between the years of 1935 and 1937, when Hahn was employed by LeTourneau. It also includes items from his employment in 1936-1943 with Capps Brothers, steel fabricators and machinery builders in Stockton, California. The collection contains original draftsmen’s drawings and blueprints, administrative records and sales information, newsletters and newspaper articles, price lists, parts catalogs, company informational binders, and photographs. Of particular interest are the original draftsman’s materials showing the details of machinery development. Also of interest are copies of salesgrams and two series of different LeTourneau newsletters illustrating the inner workings of the company.

Biographical / historical:

Stanley C. Hahn (1908-2008) graduated from Stockton High School in 1929 and took his first full-time job with R. G. LeTourneau, Inc., as a draftsman. Known as the “Dean of Earthmoving,” Robert G. LeTourneau (1888-1969) established R. G. LeTourneau, Inc., in 1929, combining a contracting business with the manufacture of earthmoving equipment. By 1933, the company dropped out of contracting altogether to concentrate on the manufacturing side of the business. Working with other draftsmen, Hahn created blueprints for numerous machines designed for heavy earthmoving projects. When the company moved its main offices in 1935 to Peoria, Illinois, Hahn relocated briefly to Sunnyvale, California, where he worked for the Wooldridge Company. He returned to Stockton the following year and was employed by Capps Brothers, steel fabricators and machinists. Capps Brothers had bought the rights to the Laurence L. Miller Almond Huller, and Hahn created blueprints detailing the huller. He also worked on projects constructing parts for the Holt Combine and for Stevens Boat Works, in Stockton, California.

In 1943, Stanley Hahn and his wife Lydia bought the H and M Tractor Company in Stockton, renaming it the Hahn Tractor Company. The focus of the business at that time was manufacturing equipment. In 1945, Hahn partnered with Ashley Mehrten to devise and fabricate the first rice combine in the San Joaquin Valley. Soon after, Hahn established the first Oliver tractor dealership in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Though manufacturing remained its focus, the company added a tractor repair and parts division and eventually a rental fleet to its ventures.

Arrangement:

The collection consists of four series: 1. Original Materials by Stanley C. Hahn, 2. Publications of R. G. LeTourneau, Inc., 3. Photographs, and 4. Oversize.

Physical location:
Erickson Vault

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Collection processed by Gail Erwin
Date Prepared:
2012
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid prepared by Leigh Johnsen May 3, 2012

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment.

Terms of access:

The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation: [Item name], Stanley C. Hahn Collection, Ms73, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum, Lodi, California.

Location of this collection:
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95241, US
Contact:
(209) 331-2055
info@sanjoaquinhistory.org
Website