Inventory of the Thorpe Babcock Papers, 1885 – 1979
Descriptive Summary
Abstract: Thorpe Babcock (born 1885) was an American lumberman and author of Broke at Forty-Five.
The collection includes correspondence primarily; also some annual reports, correspondence and newspaper clippings pertaining to North Western Lumber Company.
Title: Thorpe Babcock Papers, 1885 - 1979
Creator: Babcock, Thorpe, b. 1885
Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives
Call Number: 3922
Language of Material: Material in English
Extent: 0.5 linear feet (1 archival box)
Biographical Note
Thorpe Babcock (born 1885) was an American lumberman and author.
Babcock was secretary of the West Coast Lumbermen's Association (and its predecessor organizations) from 1911 to 1917. Subsequently he managed the North Western Lumber Company in Hoquiam Washington. After going "broke at forty-five" as a result of the Great Depression, he made a new career in Pasadena in real estate and property management, working for the Stimson family and Mr. and Mrs. Harold A. Miller. Babcock authored Broke at FortyFive: A Letter to His Grandchildren (Los Angeles, Calif.: Fashion Pr., 1967). During his last years he lived in Pacific Grove, California, near Monterey.
Collection Overview
The collection includes correspondence primarily; also some annual reports, correspondence and newspaper clippings pertaining to North Western Lumber Company.
Collection Arrangement
- Correspondence
- Subject Files
Subject Headings
- Babcock, Thorpe, b. 1885
- Bishop, Edward K.
- Cooney, Neil
- Hays, Finley
- Langenbach, Judge John J.
- Long, George S., 1853-1930
- Long, George S., 1895-1984
- North Western Lumber Company
- Oliver, Egbert S. (Egbert Samuel), 1902-
- Stimson, Charles W.
- Vinnedge, Webb
- Western Forestry Center (Portland, Or.)
Detailed Description of the Collection
1. Correspondence, 1917-1978
- Folder 1
Correspondence with C. H. Jones, 1917-1919 - Folder 2
Correspondence with Finley Hays, 1977-1978 - Folder 3
Correspondence with John J. Langerbach, 1970-1978 - Folder 4
Correspondence with John H. Markham, 1975-1978 - Folder 5
Correspondence with Egbert S. Oliver, 1978 - Folder 6
Correspondence, 1923-1925 - Folder 7
Correspondence, 1926-1928 - Folder 8
Correspondence, 1974-1975, and Biographical Information
2. Subject Files and Other Material, 1917-1977 and undated
- Folder 9
Longview Rolleo - Folder 10
George S. Long- Correspondence with George S. Long, Jr., regarding Long's father, George S. Long, Sr., both employees of Weyerhaeuser Timber Company.
- Folder 11
"Neil Cooney: Ship's Carpenter to Millionaire"- Includes correspondence, drafts, and other materials related to Babcock's article on his friendship with Neil Cooney.
- Folder 12
North Western Lumber Company: Correspondence Related to Position, 1917 - Folder 13
North Western Lumber Company, 1923-1977- Includes annual reports, correspondence, and other materials as well as papers relating to the sale of Northwestern Lumber Company.
- Folder 14
Miscellaneous Materials- Includes postcards, clippings, correspondence, and The California Lumber Merchant, December 1, 1940.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright Notice
The nature of the Forest History Society's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Forest History Society claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Thorpe Babcock Papers, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.
Processing Information
Processed by Staff, 1998, and Amanda Ross, September 2008
Encoded by Amanda Ross, September 2008
Funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission supported the encoding of this finding aid. Support for digitization and outreach provided by the Alvin J. Huss Endowment.
