Inventory of the Kramer A. Adams Papers, 1941 – 2004

Descriptive Summary

Abstract: Kramer Arden Adams (1920-2014) worked as a public information officer for the California Department of Fish and Game and as a public relations executive for the Weyerhaeuser Company. He was also an active contributor to the California Redwood Association and the Outdoor Writers’ Association of America. Adams was the author of three published books: Logging Railroads of the West (1961), Covered Bridges of the West (1963), and The Redwoods (1969). He also wrote numerous articles on California history for various publications.

This collection includes correspondence, notes, article clippings, publications, and photographs collected by Adams. The majority of the collection is research materials used by Adams in his writing of history books and articles. The materials are primarily focused on the history of railroads, railroad logging, logging and lumber companies, and redwoods. Much of the collection is focused on California. Also included are numerous historical photographs.

Title: Kramer A. Adams Papers, 1941 - 2004

Creator: Adams, Kramer A.

Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives

Call Number: 2018-005

Language of Material: Material in English

Extent: 4.0 linear ft. (4 boxes)

Biographical Note

Kramer Arden Adams (1920-2014) was born in Sacramento, California, in April of 1920. He attended Sacramento City College before serving in the U.S. Army as an infantry company commander during World War II. Following a medical discharge from the Army, he served two wartime tours of duty in the South Pacific with the U.S. Maritime Service.

In 1947 Adams began work as public information officer for the California Department of Fish and Game. He began working as a public relations executive for the Weyerhaeuser Company in 1954. During this time he also worked for the California Redwood Association and was an active member of the Outdoor Writers’ Association of America.

Adams was the author of three published history books: Logging Railroads of the West (1961), Covered Bridges of the West (1963), and The Redwoods (1969). He also wrote numerous articles on California history for various publications.

Adams passed away on July 13, 2014, at the age of 94.

Collection Overview

This collection includes correspondence, notes, article clippings, publications, and photographs collected by Kramer Adams. The majority of the collection is research materials used by Adams in his writing of history books and articles. The materials are primarily focused on the history of railroads, railroad logging, logging and lumber companies, and redwoods. Much of the collection is focused on California. Also included are numerous historical photographs.

Collection Arrangement

1. Notes, Correspondence, Research Files, Publications
2. Photographs, Slides, Ephemera

Subject Headings

• California
• California, Northern
• California -- Redwood National Park.
• Forest conservation -- California
• Loggers
• Logging
• Logging railroads
• Lumber -- Transportation
• Lumbering
• Lumbering -- California -- History
• Lumbering -- West (U.S.)
• Railroads -- History
• Redwood National Park (Calif.)
• Redwood (Wood)

Detailed Description of the Collection

1. Notes, Correspondence, Research Files, Publications

Box 1

• Folder 1.1: Correspondence and Biographical, 1954-1991
  News releases and articles about Kramer Adams; correspondence related to his business and research; copy of speech made in 1971 to the Resource Forum and Environmental Quality Coalition.
• Folder 1.2: Logging Railroads of the West, 1960-1971
  Correspondence related to Logging Railroads of the West book (1961) written by Kramer Adams; reviews and promotional materials.
• Folder 1.3: Redwoods, 1966-2002
  Includes items from the California Redwood Association and Save-the-Redwoods League; articles, clippings, and other items related to redwood trees.
• Folder 1.4: Redwoods
  “A Yankee Trader in the California Redwoods” by F.J. Monteagle; Redwoods: A Teaching Unit for Upper Elementary Grades (published by California Redwood Association).
• Folder 1.5: Redwood National Park, 1966-1985
  Proposed Expansion of the Redwood National Park: The Industry’s View (1975); California Redwood Parks and Preserves by John B. Dewitt (1982); Clipping file of the “Redwood National Park Expansion” covering 1976-1977; articles, clippings, files on the creation and expansion of Redwood National Park.
• Folder 1.6: Redwood Industry Park Committee, 1975
  Binder of materials.
• Folder 1.7: Redwood – Industry, 1941-1983
  Articles, clippings, research materials, writings on the redwood lumber industry.
  
• Folder 1.8: Weyerhaeuser, 1951-1964
  Editorials by Kramer Adams; articles, promotional materials for Weyerhaeuser.
• Folder 1.9: Potlatch – History
  Writings, research notes, clippings on history of Potlatch Forests, Inc.
• Folder 1.10: Potlatch – History
  Binder of research notes on the history of Potlatch.
• Folder 1.11: Potlatch – Arkansas
  Writings, research files, clippings related to Potlatch operations in Arkansas; Includes copy of presentation by Leonard K. Floan to Chamber of Commerce meeting, Prescott, Arkansas, March 4, 1966, on history of Potlatch.
• Folder 1.12: Potlatch – Publications
  Potlatch promotional publications, annual reports; “Tree Farmers and Wood Converters” by Richard B. Madden.
• Folder 1.13: Potlatch – Presentation to Newcomen Society
  Correspondence and notes concerning Richard B. Madden talk on Potlatch history to Newcomen Society, Northern California Chapter, October 31, 1974.
• Folder 1.14: Forest History Society, 1958-1976
  Book review written for Journal of Forest History, Forest History Society newsletters, copies of Journal of Forest History.
• Folder 1.15: Outdoor Recreation, 1954-1961
  Program for 1957 Annual Convention of Outdoor Writers Association of America; “Movies for Washington Sportsmen” (Weyerhaeuser); Speeches by Kramer Adams: “Industry’s Responsibility to the Recreationist” (1958), “What Price Free Recreation?” (1956); Editorial by Kramer Adams, “Recreation is a Crop” (1961); other articles by Kramer Adams including “Outdoor Writers We Have Known” (1961), “Is There a Future in Outdoor Writing” (1958).
• Folder 1.16: Red Hat Day, 1955
  Red Hat Day was a campaign to better relations between hunters and landowners in Oregon. Red Hat Day promoted fire prevention, observance of game laws, hunting safety, sportsmanship, and respect for private property. Includes binder of Red Hat Day (September 23, 1955) promotional materials, proposals, and reports.
• Folder 1.17: Conservation
  Forty Years of Western Forestry (1949); research notes, articles, clippings; “Forest Conservation Starts at the Grass Roots” 1965 speech by H.R. Glascock, Jr.
• Folder 1.18: Pacific Lumber Company
  Scotia: Home of the Pacific Lumber Company; correspondence, research, articles, timeline, on history of company.
• Folder 1.19: Union Lumber Company
  Articles, clippings on history of company.
• Folder 1.20: McCloud River Lumber Company
  “McCloud River Railroad Golden Spike Special” issue of Western Railroader, 1955; research notes, articles.
• Folder 1.21: Stimson Lumber Company
  Timelines.
• Folder 1.22: Southwest Lumber Mills
  Includes “This Is My Life” by James Graham McNary.
• Folder 1.23: Hammond Lumber Company
  Includes oral history interview on history of company; research notes, articles.
• Folder 1.24: Crown Zellerbach
  News releases, articles, clippings.
• Folder 1.25: Lumber Companies – Various
  Articles on various lumber companies.
• Folder 1.26: Loggers
  Charlie Nichols…Logger; “Boss Logger Conklin” 1963 article; writings, research notes, articles.
• Folder 1.27: Log Drives
  Research notes and articles on river log drives.
• Folder 1.28: Loggers – Food
  Chapter by Kramer Adams on “The Cookshack”; articles on cookhouses and logging camp food; research notes.
• Folder 1.29: Logging trucks
  Research notes, articles, clippings on trucks used for log transportation.
• Folder 1.30: Logging – Horses and Oxen
  “Logging with Ox Teams, An Epoch in Ingenuity” by Mendocino County Historical Society; research notes, articles.
• Folder 1.31: Logging – Flumes and Chutes
  “Last of the Flumes” by Bert Goldrath 1963 articles; “A Study of Trapezoidal Flume Models at San Dimas” by Richard R. Brock and Jay S. Krammes; “Liquid Logging” by Bert Goldrath 1966 article.
• Folder 1.32: Saws
  Research notes on history of saws.
• Folder 1.33: Power Saws
  Articles and Research notes on history of power saws and chainsaws.

Box 2

• Folder 2.1: Logging Machinery
  News, articles, research notes.
• Folder 2.2: Tractors
  Articles, research notes on history of tractor logging.
• Folder 2.3: Logging and Lumber Industry – Miscellaneous
• Folder 2.4: Mills
  Articles and research notes on history of sawmills and lumber mills.
• Folder 2.5: Pulp and Paper
  Articles, research notes on pulp and paper industry; 1972: A Year of Environmental and Economic Progress in the Paper Industry.
• Folder 2.6: Timber Industry – Economics
  “Price and Wage Controls in the Lumber and Plywood Industries” by Walter J. Mead; “California’s Green Gold” by Kenneth Smith; articles, research notes.
• Folder 2.7: Forest Industry – Promotional Publications
  National Lumber Manufacturers Association – Public Relations Blueprint; “Public Attitudes Towards Business” by A.J. Schroder; Forest Management Offsets Pollution; Facts and Fantasies About Our Forests by West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau; “People and Trees in the West” by Dave James; other materials.
• Folder 2.8: Labor
  Research on labor history, labor organization and unions.
• Folder 2.9: Log Brands
  Research on log brands and log markings.
• Folder 2.10: Helicopters
  “Collecting Cones by Helicopter” (1986); “Heli-Stat Takes First Step Toward Flight by Passing Initial Tests” (1984).
• Folder 2.11: Timber Supply
  Research, articles, speeches on nation’s wood supply and historic predictions about timber supply.
• Folder 2.12: Forest Fires
  Research, articles, clippings on history of forest fires.
• Folder 2.13: Forest Insects
  Articles on bark beetle, mountain pine beetle.
• Folder 2.14: Land Laws
  “Background Statement on Intermingled Land Ownership in the West”; articles and research on timber laws, land ownership.
• Folder 2.15: Terminology
  Research on words, language used by loggers.
• Folder 2.16: Legends/Anecdotes
  Research on logging legends, tall tales, stories.
• Folder 2.17: Eatonville, WA
  Includes detailed map of Eatonville.
• Folder 2.18: New Mexico
  Research and maps on logging railroads in New Mexico.
• Folder 2.19: California Western Railroad – Skunk
  Articles and promotional materials on skunk trains operated by California Western Railroad in Fort Bragg, California, area.
• Folder 2.20: Event Programs and Brochures
  Re-Driving of the California Spike, South Fork, CA, June 16, 1965; “Hear the Train Blow” Address by George L. Drake at the dedication of Shay locomotive presented to the city of Shelton by Simpson Logging Company on May 22, 1959; First Annual Meeting of Arizona Forest Industries Committee; Moonlight Steam Train Party; Roaring Camp and Big trees Narrow Gauge Railroad; souvenir railroad passes; various railroad tours.
• Folder 2.21: Traction Engines
  Research on early traction engines.
• Folders 2.22-2.23: Logging Railroads
  Articles, clippings, notes, research on history of logging railroads.
• Folder 2.24: Logging Railroads – Clippings
  Magazine article clippings.
• Folder 2.25: Logging Railroads – Clippings
  Newspaper article clippings.
• Folder 2.26: Publications
  LaMoine Lumber and Trading Company, Narrow Gauge Logging on the Shasta-Trinity Divide by William N. Roy and David W. Braun; The Forest Situation in California (1947): The Simpson Lookout, 60th Anniversary Issue, June 1955; Big Skookum: A Story of 100 Logging Years in Mason County, 1853-1953; “The Trail Back – 100 Years in Southern Humboldt”; “The Monongahela Issue: A Spreading Malady.”
• Folder 2.27: Publications
  Planning a Public Information Program by Albert Arnst (Weyerhaeuser); A Brief Historical Sketch of Shelton, Washington; Pioneer Timbermen: A History of Clearwater Timber and Timbermen by Ralph S. Space; Logging at Cathlamet; “The Development of Industrial Forestry in California” lecture by Emanuel Fritz (signed); American Forests, April 1973 issue; California Forest Facts; Minnesota’s Tallest Crop; Timber Producers Association Bulletin, Dec/Jan 1973; The Case Against the Nader Report, ‘Power and Land in California’; Green America, Winter 1973; Washington Wonderland magazine; Early Loggers in Minnesota by J.C. Ryan.
• Folder 2.28: Publications, 1952-2004
  Lore of the Coast: Mendocino County, Fact or Fiction; Ghost Tracks, Fall 2004 issue; Simpson Diamond, October 1964; The American Eagle, September 1955; Trains and Travel, October 1952; Neah Bay Washington: A Brief Historical Sketch by Charles E. Hoonan; The Noyo Chief, September-October 1965; Short Line Railroader, July 1960; Railroading in Mason County, 1884-1959; Trains, April 1960; The Simpson Lookout, September 1956; End of an Era (Rayonier); Idaho Yesterdays, Winter 1962.
• Folder 2.29: Pacific News, 1961-1974
  Miscellaneous issues of Pacific News, December 1961-April 1974.
• Folder 2.30: Pacific News, 1979-1980
  Miscellaneous issues of Pacific News, March 1979-July 1980.
• Folder 2.31: Western Railroader, 1951-1958
  Miscellaneous issues of Western Railroader, January 1951-December 1958.
• Folder 2.32: Western Railroader, 1966-1977
  Miscellaneous issues of Western Railroader, January 1966-September 1977.
• Folder 2.33: Western Railroader, 1978-1983 and undated
  Miscellaneous issues of Western Railroader, January 1978-May 1983 and undated.
• Folder 2.34: Humboldt Historian, 1966-1997
  Newsletter of the Humboldt County Historical Society. Includes miscellaneous issues and clippings from 1966 to 1997.

Box 3

• Folder 3.1: The Redwoods
  Material related to the book The Redwoods by Kramer Adams (1969). Hardcover and softcover copies of the book included.
• Folder 3.2: California Coast Redwood
  Copy of California Coast Redwood (1957), book is signed by author Emanuel Fritz with a personal inscription to Kramer Adams.
• Folder 3.3: Video
  VHS videotape labeled “The Last Run of the Shay.”

2. Photographs, Slides, Ephemera

Box 3

• Folder 3.4 Photos: Railroads
• Folder 3.5 Photos: Railroads
• Folder 3.6 Photos: Railroads – Log Hauling
• Folder 3.7 Photos: Bridges and Trestles
• Folder 3.8 Photos: Rail Transportation – Other
• Folder 3.9 Photos: Railroad Tracks
• Folder 3.10 Photos: Railroad Accidents
• Folder 3.11 Photos: Miscellaneous
• Folder 3.12: Logos
  Artwork renderings of various logging and lumber company logos, trademarks, and marking.
• Folder 3.13: Ephemera
  Tree Farm logo tie clip; Keep California Green tie clip.
• Folder 3.14: Other Photos and Slides
  Includes 7 small boxes of photos and slides.

Box 4 (Oversize)

• Includes 14 oversize photographs.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

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Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Kramer A. Adams Papers, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.

Processing Information

Processed by Staff, September 2018

Encoded by Staff, October 2018

Support for digitization and outreach provided by the Alvin J. Huss Endowment.