Manuscripts
Reports on California oil resources
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Report of the geology and oil possibilities of the Kettleman Hills, Fresno and King Counties, California
Manuscripts
Report on oil in California's central valley, by the geologist R. D. Reed. Includes maps. The large map is titled "Geologic Map of the Kettleman Hills Fresno, Kings and Kern Counties, California accompanying the report of R.D. Reed. Scale 1/31680." It measures 147x74 cm. The report was apparently produced at the behest of the Maryland Oil Company, a major American oil company founded in 1917, and in 1920 was estimated to control 10% of the world's oil production. In 1929 it merged with Continental Oil by purchasing it, retaining the name Continental Oil.
mssHM 83419
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J. Yorba letter to Messrs. Ryan & Parsons
Manuscripts
This report from J. Yorba to Messers Ryan & Parsons of Los Angeles described the suitability of the land in the municipality of El Salto, county of Palenquestate in the state of Chiapas for the cultivation of coffee, rubber, cacao and other tropical products. Included in the report is a geographic description of the area with climate, demographics, agricultural products, wages and labor conditions.
mssHM 16375
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I. Ford copies of reports on the water resources of the Singleton Ranch, Riverside County, Cal
Manuscripts
Typed office copy dated January 12, 1912, of a 1909-1910 report submitted to J.J. Suess and R. Holtby Myers by I. Ford, F.C. Finkle, and George Robertson. The multi-part report includes Robertson's description of springs on the Singleton Ranch in Yucaipa, California, including two colored pencil drawings of a fissure spring and the "Hill-Side Spring;" Ford's examination of water resources on the Singleton Ranch, including descriptions of the land, dairy ranch buildings, water storage and supply, the physical descriptions and costs of potential reservoir sites, and the agricultural possibilities of the area; and F.C. Finkle's review of Ford's work on the water supply of the Singleton Ranch and the Frink Ranch in San Mateo Canyon, Riverside, California. Included with Finkle's report are four topographic maps of reservoirs on the Frink and Singleton Ranches, as surveyed by Finkle in March and December 1909.
mssHM 64285
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Report on the boundaries of the Antoine Leroux land grant
Manuscripts
Certified report by U.S. Deputy Surveyor W.H. McBroom describing the boundaries of the Antoine Leroux land grant no.47, near Taos, New Mexico. Also includes a map of the grant lands and surrounding areas and statements on the land from Jose Martin Maes, Pascal Martinez, Antonio Sanchez, and Suaquin A. Garcia.
mssHM 74609
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California - Coalinga Oil District
Visual Materials
A collection of photographs and maps compiled by American geologist and petroleum engineer Ralph Arnold (1875-1961), documenting his pioneering work in oil and mineral exploration, chiefly in the Western United States, Mexico and Venezuela, from 1900 to 1954. The collection centers on 64 photograph albums that span 50 years of Arnold's life and work. Photographs are accompanied by Arnold's typed captions identifying geological features; oil and mining activities; technical data; and dates and locations, i.e. often an oil or mining "district" or "field," such as "Sunset Field" (California). Subject matter includes geological and topographical features such as rock formations, faults and schisms, mountain structure, geothermal activity, and open land with potential drilling or mining spots. Earthquake faults are seen and described in many of Arnold's California investigations. There are also views of small and large-scale oil operations (by individuals and by organized companies); details of oil flow and reservoirs; asphalt; drilling equipment; workers and fields of oil wells. Arnold's work took him all over the Western United States, particularly California oil fields, but also Texas, Wyoming, Arizona, Alaska and other states. From 1911-1916 he was primarily in South America, and in the 1920s-1940s, mostly in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Mining operations are the focus of some albums, showing investigations for tin, gold and other minerals; mines and ore processing, all with detailed descriptions. Arnold also often photographed people: colleagues and business associates, oil lease owners on their properties; workers (particularly Black and Asian workers in Venezuela); and friends and family. Personal photographs are throughout the album, such as of his wife, Winninette, and their two daughters; Stokes family members (Winninette's family) in South Pasadena; and alumni of Pasadena High School and Stanford University. Arnold was an avid gardener and the albums contain detail views of cactus and tropical plants, and scenes of Arnold collecting wild orchids in Trinidad, Venezuela and Mexico. The maps date from 1880-1948 and include U.S.G.S. and geological maps, California oil fields and well locations; layouts of mines, and various tract maps showing oil company-owned land.
photCL 311
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Map of the Kern River oil district, Kern County, California
Rare Books
Alt title from cover. Verso explains recent history of oil and gas discovery here. "Compliments of the Bank of Bakersfield." See also 301401 for a 1901 version of this map. Prime meridian: GM. Relief: no. Graphic Scale: Sections. Projection: Cylindrical. Printing Process: Lithography. Verso Text: MS note: 293385.
293385