Finding Aid to the Chester Versteeg Papers, 1910-1993 (bulk
1921-1960)
Josh Roselle
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2011
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid to the Chester Versteeg Papers, 1910-1993 (bulk
1921-1960)
Collection number: BANC MSS 96/31 c
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
- Finding Aid Author(s):
- Josh Roselle
- Date Completed:
-
November 2010
- Finding Aid Encoded By:
- GenX
© 2011 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Chester Versteeg papers
Date (inclusive): 1910-1993
Date (bulk): 1921-1960
Collection Number: BANC MSS 96/31 c
Creator:
Versteeg, Chester
Extent:
5 cartons, 1 oversize folder, 1 oversize roll;
6.5 linear feet
Repository: The Bancroft Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: The Chester Versteeg papers, 1910-1993 (bulk 1921-1960), include
materials produced and collected by Versteeg relating to the Sierra Nevada and, in a more
limited scope, other mountainous regions of North America.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite
and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these
materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17,
U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of
University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and
publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of
the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited
without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively
with the user.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library,
University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Chester Versteeg Papers, BANC MSS 96/31 c, The Bancroft
Library, University of California, Berkeley
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Separated Material
Photographs have been transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft
Library.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog
Farquhar, Francis Peloubet,
1887-1974--Correspondence
Matthes, François, 1874-1948
Versteeg, Chester,
1887-1963--Archives
Sierra Club
Sierra Club. Geographic
Committee
Mountaineering--California--Kings Canyon
National Park
Mountaineering--California--Sequoia National
Park
Mountaineering--California--Yosemite National
Park.
Mountaineering--Sierra Nevada (Calif. and Nev.)
Mountaineers--California
Names, Geographical--Sierra Nevada (Calif. and
Nev.)
Sierra Nevada (Calif. and Nev.)
Sierra Nevada (Calif. and
Nev.)--History
Sierra Nevada (Calif. and
Nev.)--Name
Clippings
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Chester Versteeg papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Janice Hampson and
Elizabeth Todd on July 19, 1995.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Processing Information
Processed by Josh Roselle in 2010.
Biographical Information
Chester Versteeg (1887-1963) was a Los Angeles-based insurance broker, Sierra Club officer,
researcher, and author whose hobby was the Sierra Nevada. He was an avid hiker and mountain
climber; he first hiked the Sierra in 1909 and climbed over 250 peaks in the range,
including 40 first ascents. He served on the Sierra Club's editorial board and was
the first chairman of the Geographic Committee of the Sierra Club. In this capacity he was
involved in proposing names for Sierra Nevada features. He also organized the Desert Peaks
section of the Sierra Club. He was an amasser of information and collected historical data
including maps and photographs, and he conducted interviews with over 400 pioneers,
explorers, and settlers of the Sierra Nevada.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Chester Versteeg papers, 1910-1993 (bulk 1921-1960), include materials produced and
collected by Versteeg relating to the Sierra Nevada and, in a more limited scope, other
mountainous regions of North America. The collection consists primarily of correspondence,
raw and analyzed data, complied notes, and clippings. The majority of the collection relates
to books he hoped to write, including a history of saw mills in the Sierra, place names in
the Sierra, and interesting place names in the mountainous regions of North America. These
books are likely unpublished. Researchers may be interested in data collected on place names
and on accounts of Sierra experiences. This material was obtained by various methods,
including interviews and written requests for information. As Versteeg was chairman of the
Geographic Committee of the Sierra Club, this collection contains proposals and
correspondence regarding assigning names for previously unnamed geographic features in the
California Sierra Nevadas. Much of this correspondence is between Versteeg, representatives
of the Sierra Club, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Agriculture. There
is a small amount of correspondence with and from Francis Farquhar, president of the Sierra
Club.
Container Listing
Series 1:
Correspondence.
1922-1958
Physical Description:
Carton 1, folders 1-13
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by topic or individual, as per original arrangement.
ctn. 1, folder 1
Astronomy.
1936
Additional Note
Published in 1935.
ctn. 1, folder 5
International Geographic Information Requests.
1934-1950
ctn. 1, folder 6
Le Conte, Joseph.
1922,
1936
Content/Description
Includes biographical sketch.
ctn. 1, folder 8
Matthes, Francois.
1922-1940
Content/Description
Includes biographical sketch.
ctn. 1, folder 9
Sierra Club North Branch versus South Branch Dispute.
1946
ctn. 1, folder 10
Sierra Nevada Exploration Information Requests.
1922
ctn. 1, folder 11
Smithsonian Correspondence Regarding Mount Whitney.
1923-1936
ctn. 1, folder 12
General Correspondence.
1922-1958
ctn. 1, folder 13
General Requests for Information.
1922-1935
Series 2:
Place Names.
1923-1969, undated
Physical Description:
Carton 1, folders 14-43; Carton 2; Carton 3, folders 1-11
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically. When relating to the Sierra, this series is generally
organized by quadrangle area or by related topics (such as places named after precious
stones, named after explorers, or named after animals). Although there are folders of
place name data arranged by state, the data collected is quite sparse outside of
California. Correspondence found in the place names series folders was left with its
related material, rather than being separated from related material and filed in the
Correspondence series.
Scope/Content
The Place Names series consists of accumulated data, including requests for place name
histories, interviews regarding place names, biographies of places named after
individuals, place name proposals, and first ascents of mountains data.
ctn. 1, folders 14-15
First Ascents - General Sierra - Not Confined to one Quadrangle.
1923-1925, undated
ctn. 1, folder 16
First Ascents - Sierra - Bishop Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 17
First Ascents - Bridgeport Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 18
First Ascents - Dardanelles Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 19
First Ascents - Dinuba Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 20
First Ascents - Sierra - Kaiser Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 21
First Ascents - Sierra - Kaweah Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 22
First Ascents - Mariposa Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folders 23-24
First Ascents - Sierra - Mt. Goddard Quadrangle.
1925-1956, undated
ctn. 1, folders 25-26
First Ascents - Sierra - Mt. Lyell Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 27
First Ascents - Sierra - Mt. Morrison Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folders 28-31
First Ascents - Sierra - Mt. Whitney Quadrangle.
1934, undated
ctn. 1, folder 32
First Ascents - Olancha Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 33
First Ascents - Sonora Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 34
First Ascents - Sierra - Tehipite Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 35
First Ascents - Trimmer Quadrangle.
1923, undated
ctn. 1, folders 36-37
First Ascents - Sierra - Yosemite Quadrangle.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 38
Big Bear Valley History.
1934
ctn. 1, folder 39
Biographical Data on People who Have Mountain Peaks Named after Them.
undated
ctn. 1, folder 40
Canada.
1934-1936, undated
ctn. 1, folder 41
Canada Geographic Board Correspondence.
1935
ctn. 1, folder 42
Decisions of the United States Geographic Board.
1927-1969
ctn. 1, folder 43
Department of the Interior - Spelling of Toponyms and Standardization of
Geographic Names.
1949
ctn. 2, folder 1
General List (Includes Miscellaneous and Major Geographical Features and
Systems: Great Lakes, Rivers, Ranges, etc).
undated
ctn. 2, folders 2-9
North American Continent - Organized by Name Relationship.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 10
North American Continent Worksheet.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 11
Place Name Proposals - Southern California Edison.
1933 September 9-1935 April 5
ctn. 2, folders 12-14
Place Name Proposals.
1925-1957
ctn. 2, folder 15
Systems and Discussions.
1923-1954,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 16
U.S. States - Alabama.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 17
U.S. States - Alaska.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 18
U.S. States - Arizona.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 19
U.S. States - Arkansas.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 20
U.S. States - California.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 21
U.S. States - Colorado.
1934-1935,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 22
U.S. States - Connecticut.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 23
U.S. States - Delaware.
1936
ctn. 2, folder 24
U.S. States - Florida.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 25
U.S. States - Hawaii.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 26
U.S. States - Idaho.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 27
U.S. States - Illinois.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 28
U.S. States - Indiana.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 29
U.S. States - Iowa.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 30
U.S. States - Kansas.
1936,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 31
U.S. States - Kentucky.
1936,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 32
U.S. States - Louisiana.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 33
U.S. States - Maine.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 34
U.S. States - Maryland.
1934-1935,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 35
U.S. States - Massachusetts.
1934,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 36
U.S. States - Michigan.
1935,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 37
U.S. States - Minnesota.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 38
U.S. States - Mississippi.
1935,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 39
U.S. States - Missouri.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 40
U.S. States - Montana.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 41
U.S. States - Nebraska.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 42
U.S. States - Nevada.
1934-1935,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 43
U.S. States - New Hampshire.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 44
U.S. States - New Jersey.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 45
U.S. States - New Mexico.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 46
U.S. States - New York.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 47
U.S. States - North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia
(Includes Great Smokey Mountains).
undated
ctn. 2, folder 48
U.S. States - North Dakota.
1936,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 49
U.S. States - Ohio.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 50
U.S. States - Oklahoma.
undated
ctn. 2, folder 51
U.S. States - Oregon.
1934-1935,
undated
ctn. 2, folder 52
U.S. States - Pennsylvania.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 1
U.S. States - Rhode Island.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 2
U.S. States - South Dakota.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 3
U.S. States - Texas.
1936,
undated
ctn. 3, folder 4
U.S. States - Utah.
1935,
undated
ctn. 3, folder 5
U.S. States - Virginia and West Virginia.
1934-1935
ctn. 3, folder 6
U.S. States - Vermont.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 7
U.S. States - Washington.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 8
U.S. States - Wisconsin.
1935,
undated
ctn. 3, folder 9
U.S. States - Wyoming.
1934,
undated
ctn. 3, folder 10
United States Library of Congress Correspondence.
1935
ctn. 3, folder 11
United States Geographic Board List.
1934
Series 3:
Subject Files.
1910-1993
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 12-49; Cartons 4-5, Oversize folder 1C, Oversize roll
1
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically. Correspondence found in the subject series folders was left
with its related material, rather than being separated from related material and put in
the Correspondence series.
Scope/Content
The Subject Files series consists mostly of data regarding the Sierra, and a small
amount of material on other mountainous regions of the U.S. and Canada. Subject file
topics include tree data; air and water temperature tests; sound tests of rivers and
waterfalls; old mine and sawmill histories; and interviews with pioneers, settlers, and
Sierra explorers.
ctn. 3, folder 12
Accounts, Poems, Sayings, and Songs (non-Sierra).
undated
ctn. 3, folder 13
Aerial Photographic Prints of the High Sierra.
1951-1955
ctn. 3, folder 15
Army Officers - Places Named after Them, Accounts, Biographies.
1924,
undated
ctn. 3, folders 16-17
Book Preparation - Bibliographies.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 18
Book Preparation - Citations, To Do Lists, Photo Lists, Miscellaneous.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 19
Book Preparation - Master Citation Sheet.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 21
Cattle and Sheep in the Sierra - Accounts, History, Persons Involved.
undated
1959
ctn. 3, folder 22
Casa Diablo Hot Springs.
1955
ctn. 3, folder 23
Chase, Ralph Arthur - Address Honoring George C. Ward
undated
ctn. 3, folder 24
Climbing - High Sierra - Miscellaneous Data and Technique.
1921-1964
ctn. 3, folder 26
Comparative Altitudes - California and Colorado, and Extremes of Altitude by
State.
1920-1922
ctn. 3, folder 27
Descriptions of High Sierra Locations and Features.
1923-1955,
undated
oversize-roll 1
Encapsulated Map of Sequoia National Forest Fish Plants.
1870-1914
Content/Description
Trout Species covered: Rainbow; Eastern Brook; Loch Leven; Tahoe or Cutthroat; Golden
(Roosevelt). compiled by S.L.N. Ellis. Fragile. Must be handled with care.
ctn. 3, folder 28
Expedition Accounts, Essays, and Trip Log by Chester Versteeg.
1912-1960
ctn. 3, folder 29
Exploration of the Sierra by Sierra Club Members.
1922-1930,
undated
ctn. 3, folder 30
Explorers and Exploration of the High Sierra prior to 1900.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 31
Explorers and Exploration of the High Sierra since 1900.
1922-1951
ctn. 3, folder 32
Fireside Reading List for Sierra Club.
1921
ctn. 3, folder 34
Forestry in the Sierra.
1922-1923
ctn. 3, folder 35
Foster, Sequoyah - Biography.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 36
Geologic History of the Yosemite Valley - Professional Paper by Francois
Matthes.
1930
ctn. 3, folder 37
Geologic Reconnaissance of the Inyo Range... - Professional Paper by Adolph
Knopf.
1918
ctn. 3, folder 38
Geological Survey Data.
1934-1954
ctn. 3, folder 39
Geology and Geological History of the Sierra.
1922-1934,
undated
ctn. 3, folder 41
Indian War of 1856 - Excerpts of Accounts by John Barker and George Stewart.
1923,
undated
ctn. 3, folder 42
Indians in the Sierra.
1936,
1954
ctn. 3, folder 43
Information about Chester Versteeg - Clippings, Diary, Mount Versteeg,
Correspondence, C.V, Accounts.
1912-1993
ctn. 3, folder 44
King, Clarence - Biographical Notes.
undated
ctn. 3, folder 45
Lake Freezing Data.
1941-1957
ctn. 3, folder 46
Lake Tulainyo - Highest Lake in North America.
1935-1936
ctn. 3, folder 47
Lakes - High Sierra Data and Temperature Tests.
1956-1959
ctn. 3, folder 48
Lakes - International Data (no data collected).
undated
ctn. 3, folder 49
Lakes - North American Data and Temperature.
1953-1956
1930
ctn. 4, folders 1-3
Mapping in the Sierra - History, Correspondence, and Notes.
1922-1933,
undated
ctn. 4, folder 4
Maps - Miscellaneous U.S. Topographical.
undated
ctn. 4, folder 5
Maps - Western Canada Topographical and Travel.
undated
ctn. 4, folders 6-8
Mines of the Sierra - Descriptions, Accounts, and Correspondence.
1921-1955
ctn. 4, folder 9
Mountaineering Clubs.
1923,
undated
ctn. 4, folder 10
Mountains of Southern California - San Gabriel, San Gorgonio, etc. - Place
Names, Clippings, and Notes.
1925-1926,
undated
ctn. 4, folder 13
Mount Whitney Clippings.
1924-1956
ctn. 4, folder 14
Muir, John - Accounts, Poems, and Clippings.
undated
ctn. 4, folder 15
Muir, John - Lecture Notes Given at Shrine Auditorium, 1910, Regarding John
Muir.
1910
ctn. 4, folder 16
National Park Brochures - Canada.
1924-1934
ctn. 4, folders 17-18
National Park Brochures and Publications - U.S.
1930-1935,
1956
ctn. 4, folder 19
National Parks and Forests - Creation of, Purpose, Boundaries (including
Kings Canyon/Grant National Park).
1922-1957
ctn. 4, folder 20
Pioneers, Personal Impressions of.
undated
ctn. 4, folder 21
Poems by Chester Versteeg.
undated
ctn. 4, folder 22
Power Development - Big Creek/San Joaquin Dam.
1927
ctn. 4, folder 23
River and Stream Tests - Sierra and North America.
1956-1958
ctn. 4, folder 24
Sawmills of the Sierra.
1923-1933,
undated
ctn. 4, folder 25
Science Occupies Mount Whitney - Chapter XII (of Versteeg's Planned
Book?).
undated
oversize-folder 1C
Sectional Aeronautical Charts for Seattle, Denver, and Mt. Whitney
undated
Physical Description:
3 charts
ctn. 4, folder 26
Sierra Miscellaneous.
1922-1923,
undated
ctn. 4, folder 27
Snow, Rainfall, and Weather - Data and Requests.
1922-1957
ctn. 4, folder 28
Old Maps of the High Sierra - Copies.
1857-1884
Arrangement
In legal folder along side of carton.
ctn. 5, folder 1-2
Sound - Test Information, Data, and Requests.
undated,
1956-1960
ctn. 5, folder 3
Speeches by Chester Versteeg.
undated,
1935
ctn. 5, folder 4
Temperature Data - Historical Data and Research.
1953-1959
ctn. 5, folder 5
Temperature Test Data.
1954-1957
ctn. 5, folder 6
Temperature Tests Secured by Various Sources.
1950-1955
ctn. 5, folders 7-8
Temperature Tests Secured by Versteeg in the Field.
1950-1959
ctn. 5, folder 9
Tertiary Gravels of the Sierra Nevada - by Waldemar Lindgren.
1911
ctn. 5, folder 10
Tragedies of the High Sierra, Including Mount Whitney, Chapter XXXIII [of
Versteeg's Planned Book?].
1930-1942
ctn. 5, folder 11
Trails and Roads in the Sierra.
1924-1951,
undated
ctn. 5, folder 12
Transportation in the Sierra.
undated
ctn. 5, folder 13
Trees - King of Pines, Madera Sugar Pine Company - Sugar Pine Lumbering
Booklets.
1932
ctn. 5, folder 14
Trees - Sequoias.
1936-1954
ctn. 5, folder 15
Trees of California.
1930-1955
ctn. 5, folder 16
Trees and Flowers of the Sierra.
1922-1957,
undated
ctn. 5, folder 17
Trout and Trout Planting in the Sierra.
1922-1957
ctn. 5, folder 18
Versteeg's Article in the Congressional Record.
1940,
1943
ctn. 5, folder 19
Waterfall Tests - Data and Sound Measurements - Yosemite and other Sierra
Waterfalls.
1956-1958
ctn. 5, folder 20
Wild Animal Life, mostly High Sierra and California.
1922-1959,
undated
ctn. 5, folder 21
Winter Exploration and use of the High Sierra.
1957
ctn. 5, folder 22
Yosemite Firefall Tests.
1957-1958
ctn. 5, folder 23
Yosemite, Naming of, and Poem.
undated
ctn. 5, folder 24
General Printed Matter.
1926-1960
