Collection Summary
Information for Researchers
Administrative Information
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Kearney Ranch records
Date (inclusive): 1873-1949
Collection Number: BANC MSS C-G 63
Creator:
Kearney Ranch
Extent:
100 volumes, 12 cartons, 4 boxes, 12 oversize boxes, 4 cardfile boxes
circa 35 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 records include account books for the Fruit Vale Improvement Company; records of the Easterby Rancho; records of the Kearney
Vineyard Syndicate; labor and crop reports; financial statements; inventories; general accounts; and records relating to the
Federal Trade Commission and its anti-trust actions concerning the California Associated Raisin Company (later called Sun-Maid
Raisin Growers).
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Information for Researchers
Access Information
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Kearney Ranch Records, BANC MSS C-G 63, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley
Related Material
Kearney Vineyard Company papers, 1903-1948 (bulk 1940-1948). BANC MSS C-G 64
M. Theo Kearney papers, 1865-1906. BANC MSS C-G 77
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog
Kearney, M. Theo.
Kearney Ranch-Archives
Sun Maid Growers of California.
Agriculture-California-History.
Raisin industry-California-History.
Easterby Rancho (Calif.)
Fresno County (Calif.)-History.
Fruit Vale Estate (Calif.)
Administrative Information
Transferred to The Bancroft Library in 1949.
Arrangement
Arranged as received.
Processing Information
Processed at the container level in 2014.
Biography/Organization History
Martin Theodore Kearney died on May 26, 1906, in his stateroom aboard the Cunard liner Caronia, alone, as he had lived in
the Victorian mansion adjacent to his vast Kearney Vineyard property. Kearney was considered the strong man of the raisin
industry, and one of the largest producers of raisins in California. His origins are obscure, although it is known that he
lived in Boston from 1865 to 1867, and in San Francisco after January 1, 1870. He was known as a real estate broker and was
a partner of W.C. Chapman, a speculator in Fresno County lands. In 1877 he was agent for the Bank of California in the sale
of the Easterby Rancho in Fresno, and in 1880 purchased N.K Masten's share therein -- probably Kearney's start in the ranching
and vineyard business. He acquired the Fruit Vale estate also, and later a controlling interest in the Fresno Vineyard Company.
He played an important role in the California Raisin Growers Association and maintained important social connections in San
Francisco. The Kearney Fruit Vale ranch was an estate of 5400 acres, including alfalfa, vineyards, citrus trees, packing facilities,
and a large house. The property was bequeathed to the Regents of the University of California by Mr. Kearney in 1906 and was
administered by the University of California until 1948.
Scope and Content Note
The records include account books for the Fruit Vale Improvement Company; records of the Easterby Rancho; records of the Kearney
Vineyard Syndicate; labor and crop reports; financial statements; inventories; general accounts; and records relating to the
Federal Trade Commission and its anti-trust actions concerning the California Associated Raisin Company (later called Sun-Maid
Raisin Growers).