Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- David Lindsay Joslyn papers
- Dates:
- 1927-1963
- Abstract:
- Includes a collection of historical essays written by historian and photographer David L. Joslyn (1886-1963), correspondence from Lucius Beebe about Southern Pacific (SP) and SP equipment rosters.
- Extent:
- .333 Linear Feet 1 manuscript box
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], David Lindsay Joslyn Papers, MS 42, California State Railroad Museum Library, Sacramento, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection represents a compilation of Joslyn writings with some correspondence and notes. In addition, there are a few separate short essays included in the collection, as well as letters and locomotive rosters relating primarily to Southern Pacific equipment.
- Biographical / historical:
-
David Lindsay Joslyn was born on April 8, 1886 in Salina, Kansas, but from the age of ten, lived in Sacramento.
While still in his teens, he went to work at the Southern Pacific's Sacramento General Shops. There he worked at a number of assignments, including laborer, car truck builder, foreman, clerk, draftsman, and photographer. He became the railroad's offical photographer in 1921.
Over the years Joslyn also spent much time researching and writing about the history of Southern Pacific and its predecessor and subsidiary companies, as well as other railroad topics. David Joslyn was one of the founding members of the Pacific Coast Chapter of the Railway and served as its historian for several years.
He died in San Francisco on December 13, 1963 and is buried at East Lawn Memorial Park, Sacramento, California.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of David W. Joslyn, 1981, except the addition of the Lucius Beebe correspondence, which was a gift of Roger D. Joslyn, 2021
- Arrangement:
-
The collection consists of photocopies of typescripts of historical essays by Joslyn which have been bound in three parts:
(1) RAILROADS OF CALIFORNIA
(2) MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS
(3) SACRAMENTO GENERAL SHOPS, SOUTHERN PACIFIC COMPANY-PACIFIC LINES, 1948.
- Accruals:
-
Includes a 2021 donation of correspondence from Lucius Beebe to David Joslyn, 1956-1963.
- Physical location:
- Statewide Museum Collections Center
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-01-10 22:06:07 +0000 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], David Lindsay Joslyn Papers, MS 42, California State Railroad Museum Library, Sacramento, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
111 I StreetSacramento, CA 95814, US
- Contact:
- (916) 323-8073