Dorothea Reddy Moroney Papers
MSS.312
Finding aid prepared by Leilani Silver, Pamela Nett Kruger
Processing of this collection was funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and administered by the Council on Library and
Information Resources (CLIR), Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives program.
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
400 West First Street
Chico, CA, 95929-0295
(530) 898-6342
SpecialCollections@csuchico.edu
7/7/2010
Title: Dorothea Reddy Moroney Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.312
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
1 Box containing 3 Folders
Date (inclusive): 1942-1954
Abstract: The Dorothea Reddy Moroney Papers consists of correspondence, reports, magazine articles, a photocopy of a Quitclaim Deed,
a United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Preliminary Geologic map with Sections of the Northeastern part
of the SEIAD Quadrangle, Siskiyou County, California, and a United States Department of the Interior, Chromite Deposits near
Seiad and McGuffy Creeks Siskiyou county California, Geological Survey Bulletin 948-B, 1949.
Alternate Form of Material: No other forms of material.
Language of Materials note: English
creator:
Moroney, Dorothea Reddy
Arrangement note
The collection is arranged in three folders, Correspondence, Magazine Articles, and a Geological Survey map and bulletin.
Biographical/Historical note
Dorothy Reddy Moroney was known in Siskiyou County, California as the “Chrome Queen” due to her success in the chrome mining
industry. Dorothea Reddy (November 26, 1909-Feburary 7, 1974) was the daughter of Dr. John F. (Francis) Reddy (1866-1933),
and Mary F. Cowley. She married William Moroney, and became Dorothea Reddy Moroney. According to a Time Magazine article from
November 16, 1942, her father died leaving $23,000 in debts and some long-abandoned mining claims assessed at precisely $10.
Dot, as the article called her worked first in a Seattle department store, then in San Francisco, then in Washington as a
$30-a-week typist for the old NRA. During this time she researched the locations of her father’s mines, ousted claim-jumpers,
and sold one mine to Baltimore’s Rustless Iron & Steel Corp. for $75,000. According to the article, this is the deal that
won her the title “Chrome Queen”.
She began developing the remaining mines, and producing chrome for the war effort (World War II), since it was necessary for
armor plating, shells and machine tools. At that time it was one of the scarcest metals in the United States. The article
also mentions that she had 45 employees, and that her Joe River mine turns out 20 tons every day. It goes on to state that
she opened her Ladd mine, and increased construction efforts at her McGuffy mine. “She has already sold 3,200 tons to the
Government—20% more than the whole U.S. turned out in 1940.” The Grants Pass Daily Courier published an article on June 11,
1951, titled, “Government Officials Outline Chrome Ore Production Program”, which states Dorothea Reddy Moroney was an advisory
committee member of the Oregon Mining Association.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research without restriction.
Usage Restrictions
No restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Source unknown.
Preferred Citation note
Dorothea Reddy Moroney Papers, MSS 312, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Scope and Contents note
The Dorothea Reddy Moroney Papers consists of correspondence, reports, magazine articles, a photocopy of a Quitclaim Deed,
a United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Preliminary Geologic map, with Sections of the Northeastern part
of the Seiad Quadrangle, Siskiyou County, California, and a United States Department of the Interior, Chromite Deposits near
Seiad and McGuffy Creeks Siskiyou county California, Geological Survey Bulletin 948-B, 1949. Dorothea Reddy Moroney Chromite
mines and prospects are clearly marked on the U. S. Geological Survey map, including Ladd (Dolbear), Cerro Colorado (Liberty)
claim, Veta Chica (Jumbo) claim, Veta Grande (Red Butte) claim, and Lady Gray claim. The 1949 Bulleting 948-B includes notes
by Dorothea Reddy Moroney highlighting information about the operation and production of her mines related to that found in
the bulletin.
There is a report from the Southwestern Engineering Company regarding results obtained by classification and tabling of a
chrome ore from the John Ladd Mine (California). There is also a report from the Oregon Mining Association, Committee for
Pacific Coast Chrome Producers, dated June 16, 1954. The report includes a Supplies and Consumption of chromite graph and
pie chart, as well as a map of the world showing where chromite supplies were coming from in tons during 1952, both prepared
by United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines. The Quitclaim Deed is between John H. Ladd and Dorothea Moroney,
dated October 6, 1950, and recorded March 19, 1954 with the Siskiyou County Recorder. The deed states that Dorothea Moroney
bought Ladd’s mining claims for ten dollars.
Publication Rights
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Processing Information note
Processing of the Dorothea Reddy Moroney Papers was generously funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and administered
by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). The [ABC repository] was awarded a Cataloging Hidden Special Collections
and Archives grant from 2010-2012, "Uncovering California's Environmental Collections," in collaboration with eight additional
special collections and archival repositories throughout the state and the California Digital Library (CDL). Grant objectives
included processing of over 33 hidden collections related to the state's environment and environmental history. The collections
document an array of important sub-topics such as irrigation, mining, forestry, agriculture, industry, land use, activism,
and research. Together they form a multifaceted picture of the natural world and the way it was probed, altered, exploited
and protected in California over the twentieth century. Finding aids are made available through the Online Archive of California
(OAC).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ladd, John, H.
Moroney, Dorothea Reddy
Chromite--California, Northern
Geology--California, Northern
Mines and mineral resources--California--Siskiyou County
Uncovering California's Environmental Collections Project
Report from Oregon Mining Association, Committee for Pacific Coast Chrome Producers,
16 June 1954.
Report from Southwestern Engineering Company, regarding the John Ladd Mine (California).
8 September 1953
Photocopy of Quitclaim Deed between John H. Ladd and Dorothea Moroney, Siskiyou County Recorder, volume 327, page 466-467.
6 October 1950
Folder 2: Magazine Articles
California Mining Journal, “Chromite Mining in Siskiyou County"
June 1942.
Time, “Mining, Chrome Queen Moroney”
16 November 1942.
Grants Pass, Daily Courier, “Government Official Outline Chrome Ore Production Program”
11 June 1951.
Click, n.d., “Queen of Chrome, Steno Builds a Mining Empire Out of Two Abandoned Mines”
Folder 3: Geological Map and Bulletin
United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Preliminary Geologic map and Sections of the Northeastern part
of the Seiad Quadrangle, Siskiyou County, California.
United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Bulletin 948-B, Chromite Deposits Near Seiad and McGuffy Creeks,
Siskiyou County, California,
1949.
