Collection Guide
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Lowden (William Spencer) Papers
mssLowden
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: William Spencer Lowden papers
Creator:
Lowden, William Spencer,
1830-1912
Identifier/Call Number: mssLowden
Physical Description:
19 Linear Feet
(8 boxes and 94 volumes)
Date (inclusive): 1856-1930
Abstract: A collection of business and personal
papers related to the lives and work of William Spencer Lowden and his son Henry L. Lowden,
California businessmen.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. William Spencer Lowden papers, The Huntington Library, San
Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Leo J. McGlynn, November 1951.
William Spencer Lowden (1830-1912) was born in Windsor, Massachusetts and came to
Sacramento, California by wagon train in 1849. He moved to Weaverville, California, in 1850,
where he engaged in mining. Following work as a trader, contractor, surveyor, and express
rider, he settled in Grass Valley, California. In 1857 he founded the Weaverville and Shasta
Wagon Road Company. Lowden's son, Henry L. Lowden (1857-1935) worked with his father in a
surveying company for many years and served, at one time, as U.S. Deputy County
Surveyor.
A collection of approximately 12,500 items from 1856 to 1930, it consists of letters,
documents, account books, diaries, and letter books related to the business and personal
lives of William S. Lowden and Henry L. Lowden. The collection contains family
correspondence and records; business records of the three companies with which the Lowdens
were involved: the Weaverville and Minersville Wagon Road Company, the Weaverville and
Shasta Wagon Road Company, and the Lewiston Turnpike Company. Also included are
miscellaneous land and legal papers as well as various mining and surveyors' reports,
unsorted bills, receipts, and material related to the wagon road operations.
Processed by Huntington Library Staff, circa 1955. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the
finding aid derived from a legacy summary report.
Arranged by subject and format.
Former call number: mssLowden papers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Land tenure -- California -- Trinity County
Mines and mineral resources -- California -- Trinity County
Real property -- California -- Trinity County
Roads -- California -- Trinity County -- History
Surveyors -- California -- Trinity County
Surveyors -- California -- Weaverville
Trinity County (Calif.) -- History
Trinity County (Calif.) -- Surveys
Weaverville (Calif.) -- History
Weaverville (Calif.) -- Surveys
Account books -- California
Business records -- California
Letter books -- California
Letters (correspondence) -- California
Surveys -- California
Lowden, Henry L.,
1857-1935
Lewiston Turnpike
Company
Weaverville and Shasta
Wagon Road Company
Weaverville and Minersville Wagon Road
Company