Inventory of the Mining Bureau Records, 1882-1905

Processed by Jeff Crawford.
California State Archives
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2002
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Inventory of the Mining Bureau Records, 1882-1905

Inventory: AC 90-112; AC 95-11-13



California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California

Contact Information:

  • California State Archives
  • 1020 "O" Street
  • Sacramento, California 95814
  • Phone: (916) 653-2246
  • Fax: (916) 653-7363
  • Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
  • URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
Processed by:
Jeff Crawford
Date Completed:
June 2001
Encoded by:
Jeff Crawford
© 2002 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Mining Bureau records,
Date (inclusive): 1882-1905
Inventory: 90-112; 95-11-13
Creator: California State Mining Bureau
Extent: 20 bound volumes
Repository: California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Correspondence and financial records of the California State Mining Bureau
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred Citation

Mining Bureau Records, AC 90-112; AC 95-11-13, California State Archives.

Acquisition Information

Part of California State Archives collection as of July 2001.

Administrative History

The State Mining Bureau was created in 1880 by chapter 105 to collect geological and mineral specimens and to carry out various informational functions relating to mining and geology. At the same time, the office of the State Mineralogist was created. A five-member Board of Trustees of the State Mining Bureau was created in 1885 to direct and control property, money, and the financial affairs of the bureau. (Statutes 1885, chapter 105).
The role of the State Mining Bureau was expanded in 1893 by chapter 173 of that year. It repealed the 1880 and 1885 laws and created a new State Mining Bureau and Board of Trustee. The Board would supervise and approve the activities of the bureau and State Mineralogist. The law was again re-written in 1913 (chapter 679) and the Board of Trustee was abolished. In 1927 the Department of Natural Resources was created by chapter 128. At this time, the powers and duties of the State Mineralogist and State Mining Bureau were assigned to the Division of Mines within this new department.

Collection Scope and Content Summary

This collection consists of 20 bound volumes dating from 1882 to 1905. The two most significant of these are the two letterpress books of correspondence by the State Mineralogist and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the State Mining Bureau. The correspondence are with scientists, miners, mine owners, and publications and reflect the daily work of the State Mining Bureau. The other volumes are generally of an accounting nature and contain interesting information on the expenses of the bureau.

AC 95-11-13 (1-2)

1. Correspondence, 1882-1886.

Physical Description: 2 volumes

Scope and Content Note

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically
Letterpress books by the State Mineralogist and the Secretary of the State Mining Bureau. The first volume includes copies of outgoing correspondence of the State Mineralogist covering 1882-1883. Topics include all affairs of the bureau. An index of correspondents is found in the front of the volume. The second volume includes correspondence by the Secretary and Acting Secretary of the State Mining Bureau for the years 1885 to 1886.
AC 90-112 (1-9)

2. Receipt Books, 1889-1903

Physical Description: 9 volumes

Scope and Content Note

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically
Receipts kept by the State Mining Bureau. Receipts paid by and to the State Mining Bureau and pasted into volumes. Receipts are for expenses such as salaries, rent, mineral specimens, department supplies, rent, and telegraph fees. Salaries listed for staff including those for Henry DeGroot, Oscar B. Ireland, and John Hays Hammond.
AC 90-112 (10-15)

3. Cash Books, 1885-1904

Physical Description: 6 volumes

Scope and Content Note

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically within two subgroups
Accounting ledgers for bills allowed and moneys received by the Board of Trustees of the State Mineral Cabinet. Bill approved or disallowed at regular and special meetings of the Board.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Archives online finding aids.
Scientists--California--History.

AC 90-112 (16-18)

4. Publication Accounting Books, 1901-1905

Physical Description: 3 volumes

Scope and Content Note

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.
Receipts from the sale of State Mining Bureau publications as well as for expenses paid for printing publications and other supplies. Also lists of sales of publications including person or organization purchasing, number of and type of publications purchased, and amount paid.