Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Manuscripts
Newhall Oil District, showing the property of Pacific-Union Oil Co. [T. 3N. R. 15-17W. S.B.M., showing sites of oil wells of Pico Oil Co., Towsley, Wiley, Rice, Grape Vine Oil Co., Gradshaw, Pacific-Union Oil Co., Eureka Oil Co., and Elsmere]
mssSolano
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Visual Materials
Old shelf number Eph J2d. A copy of the Newhall map, ephMPCALIF0136 with the title changed and a few added notes. According to phone books of the time, Newhall Oil & Development was in business from approxiately 1900 to 1911. Housed with RB ephMPCALIF0135 and ephMPCALIF0136. Prime meridian: GM. Relief: no. Graphic Scale: Chains. Projection: Cylindrical. Printing Process: Lithography. Verso Text: MS note: Eph J2d. .
ephMPCALIF0137
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Visual Materials
Old shelf number Eph J2d. A copy printed in a book or magazine of some later date with photos of oil wells in Pico Canyon on the verso. According to phone books of the time, Newhall Oil & Development was in business from approxiately 1900 to 1911. Housed with RB ephMPCALIF0135 and ephMPCALIF0137. Prime meridian: GM. Relief: no. Graphic Scale: Chains. Projection: Cylindrical. Printing Process: Lithography. Verso Text: MS note: Eph J2d. Two photographs of oil wells.
ephMPCALIF0136

Manuscripts
Blueprint profiles: Southern Pacific Co. Through Line, San Francisco to El Paso, El Paso to New Orleans; Central Pacific - San Francisco to Ogden; Southern Pacific System - California. Alt. title supplied by cataloger.
mssSolano SR_Map_0803

Manuscripts
Rancho San Pedro. Red & blue ink; intersection of Center Line of Southern Pacific Railroad & Northline of Sec. 18, T.5S. R.13W., S.B.M.. Featuring J. D. Bicknell, Goodall Perkins & Co., Wharehouse, and Boschke Slough. Title supplied by cataloger.
mssSolano SR_Map_0220
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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