Register of the Northern California Grain Exchange Papers, 1904-1993

Processed by Don Walker; machine-readable finding aid created by Don Walker
Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University Library, University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2404
Fax: (209) 946-2810
URL: http://www.pacific.edu/Library/Find/Holt-Atherton-Special-Collections.html
© 1998
University of the Pacific. All rights reserved.



Register of the Northern California Grain Exchange Papers, 1904-1993

Collection number: Mss267

Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

University Library

University of the Pacific

Contact Information

  • Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
  • University Library, University of the Pacific
  • Stockton, CA 95211
  • Phone: (209) 946-2404
  • Fax: (209) 946-2810
  • URL: http://www.pacific.edu/Library/Find/Holt-Atherton-Special-Collections.html
Processed by:
Don Walker
Date Completed:
1995
Encoded by:
Don Walker
© 1998 University of the Pacific. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Northern California Grain Exchange Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1904-1993
Collection number: Mss267
Creator: Robert Gilbert
Extent: 4.5 linear ft.
Repository: University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
Stockton, CA 95211
Shelf location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Northern California Grain Exchange Papers, Mss267, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

Biography

I. San Francisco
The Merchants' Exchange of San Francisco was incorporated in 1866 for the purpose of providing a central commercial and maritime exchange for such tenants as the Chamber of Commerce, the San Francisco Stock Exchange, the Produce and Call Board, and the U.S. Hydrographic Office. The Association had about two hundred fifty members representing the principal wholesale merchants, banks, steamship lines, grain dealers, lumber merchants, and others, including some thirty Chinese mercantile houses.
Initially there were two separate exchange floors in the Merchants' Exchange building (at the corner of California and Leidesdorff): one for the Commercial Exchange and one for the Maritime Exchange. The former floor was used for produce and grain trade purposes and the latter was devoted to lumber and coal trading as well as to maritime purposes such as ship chartering, registering, and reporting.
By the turn of the century the Exchange building with its separation of functions was seen as both inadequate and obsolete. In 1905 the old structure was razed and a new larger building with a single exchange floor was erected at the same location.
In 1911 the Chamber of Commerce--at that time much more a deliberative than an active civic organization--the Merchants' Association, and the Down-Town Association, which concerned itself with issues affecting the retail trade in San Francisco, all were occupants of the building. The leaders of these various organizations decided at that time that their interests should be consolidated, and, in 1912, the organizations merged under the name: San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. In 1937, by mutual agreement, the Grain Exchange again separated from the Chamber of Commerce because the functions and activities of the two organizations had evolved in quite disparate directions.
II. Stockton
After 1946 construction of cereal and animal feed plants in the interior and the decline of grain production for export lead to a rapid decentralization of the markets. In 1957 grain traders, recognizing the need for an exchange closer to the producing and consuming areas, established the Stockton Grain Exchange. Within ten years the Stockton Exchange had so grown in importance that traders merged the San Francisco Exchange with it to form the Northern California Grain Exchange based at the Port of Stockton. The NCGE membership was comprised of elevator operators, grain merchants, feed and flour manufacturers, cattle and poultry feeders, producers, exporters, and cooperative marketing associations. It was governed by a seven member board elected for two year terms. The NCGE disbanded in 1993 due to a fall-off in dues revenues which resulted from increasing buy-outs and mergers in the industry. At its zenith the organization had 130 members, but when it closed there were only seventy-two. The functions of the NCGE were assumed by the Sacramento-based California Feed & Grain Association.

Scope and Content

The Northern California Grain Exchanges Papers consist of a wide range of director's and committee minutes (1904-1993), publications (1965-1993), legal and financial papers.
SERIES I: SAN FRANCISCO
Box 1: Early San Francisco Grain Exchanges (1904-1937)
Box 2: Grain Exchange of the San Francisco Merchants' Exchange (1937-1963)
SERIES II: STOCKTON
Box 1: Stockton Grain Exchange (1958-1964)
Box 2: Northern California Grain Exchange (1964-1993)
Box 3: NCGE Review (1965-1972)
Box 4: NCGE Review (1973-1978)
Box 5: NCGE Review (1979-1985)
Box 6: NCGE Review (1986-1993)
SERIES III: RELATED BACKGROUND MATERIALS
Box 1: Misc. Papers & Printed Matter

 

SERIES 1: SAN FRANCISCO

 

BOX 1: EARLY SAN FRANCISCO GRAIN EXCHANGES

 

-Vol.1. 1. A: SF Merchants' Exchange: Gray canvas binder (labelled "Committee on Grain/Committee on Beans/Grain Trade Meetings") containing:

 

a)-Minutes of the Arbitration Committee (1907-1912)

 

b)-Minutes of the Appeals Committee (1907-1912)

 

c)-Minutes of the Grain Committee (1904-1911)

 

d)-Minutes of the Committee on Beans (1904-1911)

 

-Vol. 1.1.1: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Vol. 1: Minutes of "Committee on Grain of the SF Chamber of Commerce" (1912-1915) [black canvas w/ rough-grain reddish leatherette spine & corners and gilt striping]

 

-Vol. 1.1.2: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Vol. 2: Do. (1916-1918) [same appearance as vol. 1]

 

-Vol. 1.1.3: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Vol. 3: Do. (1919-1922) [same appearance as vol. 1]

 

-Vol. 1.1.4: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Vol. 4: Do. (1922-1929) [same appearance as vol. 1]

 

-Vol. 1.1.5: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Vol. 5: Do. (1929-1937) [black canvas w/ rough-grain black leatherette spine & corners]

 

1.1.1: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): 19th c. Statistics: Barley & Flour in California

 

1.1.2: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Extracts from Presidential Reports, 1907-09

 

1.1.3: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Minutes of Special Committees of Grain Trade Assn. (1916-1926)

 

1.1. 4: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Minutes of California Feedstuffs Comm. [of Grain Trade Assn.?] (1918)

 

1.1. 5: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Minutes of the "Members of the Grain Trade Assn." (1916-1918)

 

1.1. 6: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Do. (1918-1928)

 

1.1. 7: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Do. (1929-1938)

 

1.1. 8: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937):"Marine Open Policy" (1934)

 

1.1. 9: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Insurance Policy Endorsements--Members (1934-1937)

 

Lewis/Simas/Jones & R.C. McGill (1934)

 

Lompoc Produce & Real Estate (1934)

 

Prospect Is. Farming Co. (1934)

 

J. Stern & Co. (1934)

 

Van Grain Co. (1934)

 

A.J. Ames (1935)

 

Santa Maria Bean & Grain Co. (1936)

 

Rio Farms (1937)

 

Warren & Enos (1937)

 

1.1.10: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Lloyd's of London Policy (1935)

 

1.1.11: II. Grain Trade Assn. of SF Chamber of Commerce (1912-1937): Audit Report (1937-38)

 

BOX 2: Grain Exchange of the SF Merchants' Exchange (1937-63)

 

1.2.1: Hankerson. SF Merchants' Exchange--Sketches of early history (c1941) [incl. corresp. w/ Cal State Lib'n. re]

 

1.2. 2: By-laws of SF Grain Exchange

 

1.2. 3: "General Plan for Organizing" (incl. members' list & sample application), n.d.; Articles of incorporation (1937)

 

1.2. 4: "We, the undersigned mutually agree to the following..." (incl. signatories list and sample individual versions) (1937)

 

1.2. 5: Grain Owner's Indemnity--Lloyd's of London Insurance Policy (1938)

 

1.2.6: Minutes of Bd. Dir. of Merchants' Exchange (1937-39); By-laws of SF Merchants' Exchange [small black vol. w/ claret spine]

 

1.2.7: Minutes of "Governing Board of SF Grain Exchange" (1938-1939)

 

1.2.8: Minutes of "Bd. of Dir. of SF Grain Exchange" (1939)

 

1.2.9: Do. (1940-1949)

 

1.2.10: Do. (1950-1959)

 

1.2.11: Do. (1960-1962)

 

1.2.12: Minutes of "Members of SF Grain Exchange" (1938-1939)

 

1.2.13: Do. (2-24-43)

 

1.2.14: "Comparative grain prices -- Basis San Francisco, 6/29-4/40"

 

1.2.15: Rules (1948) [2]

 

1.2.16: Insurance Policy Endorsements--Members (1938-1946)

 

Sinsheimer & Co. (1938)

 

J. Stern & Co. (1938)

 

A.J. Ames (1939)

 

Herbert Jones (1939, 1940)

 

A. Pinther (1939)

 

Lompoc Produce & Real Estate (1940)

 

Phil O'Connell Grain Co. (1940)

 

Santa Maria Bean & Grain Co. (1940)

 

Silverfield Grain & Export Co. (1946)

 

1.2.17: Pacific Coastwise Freight Tariff Bureau: Schedules (1941)

 

1.2.18: "Inland Marine Master Policy" (1949)

 

1.2.19: Misc. Financial Papers & Correspondence (1938-1955)

 

-SF Grain Exchange Escrow Acct. (1939-1947) [2 tan Bank of California bank books]

 

-Corresp. from Edw. M. Jones & Son re Lloyd's Insurance (1938, 1948, 1949 [2])

 

-Earl Warren, Atty Gen. Calif. to A.A. Brock, Dir. Agric. (1939) [re bonded warehouses]

 

-G.S. Eissler to R.B. Bowden, Grain & Feed Dealers Natl. Assn. (1941)

 

-List of securities in Grain Exchange safe deposit box, Bank of America (1946)

 

-Corresp. from Bank of California re Grain Exchange acct. name change (1947)

 

-Crocker Bank recpt. for stock pledges (1947)

 

-Taylor-Walcott Co. covering letter for depositor of bonds (1947)

 

-Taylor-Walcott Co. recpt. for bonds (n.d.)

 

-Newhouse & Sayre, Inc. certificate for Lloyd's Insurance (1948)

 

-Bank of Calif. Recpt. for Bonds (1955)

 

-USDA Commodity Exchange Administration order designating SF Grain Exchange as contract market for wheat & barley (1939)

 

-Lease Papers from R.E. Crummer or C.S. Turner (1947)

 

-Lease Papers from Merchants Exchange Realty Co. (1950)

 

-Lease Papers from Illinois Wesleyan University & the Stans Fdtn. (1958)

 

-Lease Papers from Merchants Exchange Realty Co. (1953-1958)

 

-Lease Papers from Merchants Exchange Bldg. (1963-1965)

 

-Office Inventory (1950)

 

-Edward M. Jones Co. Fire & Automobile insurance policies (1962)

 

-Argonaut Insurance Co. Workmen's Compensation Insurance

 

-Policies and Claims Forms (1964) [in Andreini & Co. env.]

 

-1.2.20: Discount Schedules

 

SERIES 2: STOCKTON

 

BOX 1: STOCKTON GRAIN EXCHANGE (1958-1964)

 

-Vol. 2.1.1a: Minutes of the Board of Directors (1958-1964) [handwritten version, blue canvas w/ brown leatherette corners]

 

-Vol.2.1.1b: Do. [typescript version, masonite binder]

 

2.1. 1: By-laws & Articles of Incorporation (1958)

 

-Vol.2.1. 2-8: Stockton Grain Exchange Review (1958-1964)

 

2.1. 2: Do. (Jan-Feb 1965)

 

2.1. 3: Discount Schedules

 

BOX 2: NORTHERN CALIFORNIA GRAIN EXCHANGE (1964-1993)

 

2.2.1: Merger of SF Grain Exchange & Stockton Grain Exchange--Corresp., Memos, etc. (1964)

 

2.2.2: By-laws (1939)

 

2.2.3: Articles of Incorporation; By-laws--Draft & Proposed Changes (n.d.)

 

2.24: Articles of Incorporation; By-laws (1970)

 

2.2.5: Do. (1981)

 

2.2.6: State re NCGE as non-profit corp. (1980-1992)

 

2.2.7: Info brochure [2]

 

2.2.8: Alphabetical Directory of Members (1991)

 

2.2.9: Cash Trading Rules (1991)

 

2.2.10: Discount Schedules

 

2.2.11: Bd. of Dir. Minutes (1965-1982)

 

2.2.12: Do. (1983-1991)

 

2.2.13: NCGE Bldg.--Plans, Bids, Lease Agmt.

 

2.2.14: Arbitrations: 1975/76

 

2.2.15: Arbitrations: Continental v. Gallentine (1977)

 

2.2.16: Arbitrations: R.W. Jones v. Bar Ale (1977)

 

2.2.17: Arbitrations: A.H. Martin v. Shafter Grain (1978)

 

2.2.18: Arbitrations: A.H. Martin v. Sundance Feedlot (1978)

 

2.2.19: Arbitrations: A.H. Martin v. E.D. Wilkinson & C.J. Shannon (1979)

 

2.2.20: Arbitrations: General Mills v. Hartmann Bros. Farm (1981)

 

2.2.21: Arbitrations: Sierra Valley Inc. v. Battaglia-Frey Inc. (1981)

 

2.2.22: Arbitrations: Edison Cattle Co. v. Sierra Valley Inc. (1983)

 

2.2.23: Arbitrations: Bar Ale v. Mike Short (1984)

 

2.2.24: Arbitrations: Battaglia-Frey Inc. v. Mike Lowrie Co. (1984)

 

2.2.25: Arbitrations: Continental Grain v. John Farms (1984)

 

2.2.26: Arbitrations: Campos v. Val-Com (1985)

 

2.2.27: Arbitrations: Fiddco v. Scolar Grain (1986)

 

2.2.28: Arbitrations: Amarel Grain Co. v. Perkins Grain Marketing Service (1987)

 

2.2.29: Arbitrations: Blair Grain v. DeCarlo Featherhaven (1987)

 

2.2.30: Arbitrations: L.A. Hearne v. Perkins Grain Marketing Service (1987)

 

BOX 3: NCGE REVIEW (1965-1972)

 

-Vol. 2.3.1: 1965

 

-Vol. 2.3.2: 1966

 

-Vol. 2.3.3: 1967

 

-Vol. 2.3.4: 1968

 

-Vol. 2.3.5: 1969

 

-Vol. 2.3.6: 1970

 

-Vol. 2.3.7: 1971

 

-Vol. 2.3.8: 1972

 

BOX 4: NCGE REVIEW (1973-1978)

 

-Vol. 2.4.1: 1973

 

-Vol. 2.4.2: 1974

 

-Vol. 2.4.3: 1975

 

-Vol. 2.4.4: 1976

 

-Vol. 2.4.5: 1977

 

-Vol. 2.4.6: 1978

 

BOX 5: NCGE REVIEW (1979-1985)

 

-Vol. 2.5.1: 1979

 

-Vol. 2.5.2: 1980

 

-Vol. 2.5.3: 1981

 

-Vol. 2.5.4: 1982

 

-Vol. 2.5.5: 1983

 

-Vol. 2.5.6: 1984

 

-Vol. 2.5.7: 1985

 

BOX 6: NCGE REVIEW (1986-1993)

 

-Vol. 2.6.1: 1986

 

-Vol. 2.6.2: 1987

 

-Vol. 2.6.3: 1988

 

-Vol. 2.6.4: 1989

 

-Vol. 2.6.5: 1990

 

-Vol. 2.6.6: 1991

 

-Vol. 2.6.7: 1992

 

-Vol. 2.6.8: 1993

 

SERIES 3: RELATED BACKGROUND MATERIALS

 

BOX 1: MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS & PRINTED MATTER

 

3.1.1: Elwood's Grain Tables (1902)

 

3.1.2: Non-California Discount Schedules

 

3.1. 3: "Grain Statistics, 1867-1958"

 

3.1.4: USDA. Estimating the quantity of grain in bins... (Misc. circ. no. 41, 1925)

 

3.1.5: Produce Exchange Call Board. Record of sales made at the first call, held at the San Francisco Produce Exchange (1882)

 

3.1.6: Diagram showing the fluctuation of prices in the San Francisco Wheat Market...[1864-1874] (1874) [photocopy]

 

3.1.7: London Corn Trade Assn. Sample contracts, tables, insurance clauses, etc. (1914-1922)