Ed Fletcher Papers

http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf48700613 Online items available Ed Fletcher Papers Special Collections & Archives Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Copyright 1992, 2003 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla 92093-0175 [email protected] URL: http://libraries.ucsd.edu/collections/sca/index.html Ed Fletcher Papers MSS 0081 1 Descriptive Summary Languages: English Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla 92093-0175 Title: Ed Fletcher Papers Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0081 Physical Description: 48 Linear feet (80 archives boxes, 5 card file boxes, 14 flat boxes, 35 mapcase folders, and 4 volumes) Date (inclusive): 1870 - 1955 (bulk 1920-1950) Abstract: The papers of Ed Fletcher of San Diego, California, consisting primarily of Fletcher's business records from his years as a noted San Diego land developer, civic leader, and member of the California State Senate. The papers document all aspects of Fletcher's career but are most complete in regard to his water-related enterprises, and include correspondence, legal documents, blueprints, reports and photographs. Although the bulk of the collection consists of business records, a large group of photographs provide a visual record of the Fletcher family. Processing Information At the time of processing in 1990, much of the original order of the collection had been destroyed. A number of alphabetical files remained intact, and these were used as a basis for reconstructing the correspondence. Whenever possible the processor attempted to discern the original arrangement of the materials and restore this arrangement, although it was necessary to create many artificial categories. Often, the processor removed from subject files correspondence with prominent individuals, bringing this correspondence together within the General Correspondence series. In these cases the processor created cross-reference sheets for the original subject file, so that all letters from the file could be traced. Custodial History In 1954 the Fletcher family donated a large collection of Ed Fletcher's papers to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). UCLA transferred this collection to UCSD in 1978. The family also gave additional papers to the San Diego Historical Society, and there is much overlap between the two repositories' collections. Scope and Content of Collection The papers of Ed Fletcher of San Diego, California, consisting primarily of Fletcher's business records from his years as a noted San Diego land developer, civic leader, and member of the California State Senate. The papers document all aspects of Fletcher's career but are most complete in regard to his water-related enterprises, and include correspondence, legal documents, blueprints, reports and photographs. Although the bulk of the collection consists of business records, a large group of photographs provide a visual record of the Fletcher family. The collection is a rich source of documentation for the history of San Diego County in the early 20th century and for the history of California water development. Accession Processed in 1991 Arranged in seven series: 1) GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE, 2) BUSINESS RECORDS, 3) CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR AND OTHER REPUBLICAN PARTY MATERIALS, 4) WRITINGS AND INTERVIEWS, 5) PERSONAL MEMORABILIA, 6) PHOTOGRAPHS, and 7) SCRAPBOOKS OF NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS. Accession Processed in 2003 This accession consists mostly of oversized photographs from throughout Fletcher's adult life. There are also numerous oversized certificates from 1895 to 1954 and some ephemera. These materials supplement the larger collection without adding significant new themes. Arranged in three series: 8) PHOTOGRAPHS, 9) CERTIFICATES, and 10) EPHEMERA. Biography Colonel Edward ("Ed") Fletcher was a noted San Diego businessman, land developer, civic leader, and California State Senator. He worked to develop the county's water resources and highways, and his efforts contributed significantly to the urban development of Southern California. Born in Massachusetts on December 31, 1872, Fletcher's mother died when he was 4 years old. His father kept the family together for five years, but finally placed the children in foster homes and moved to Florida. In 1888, at the age of 16, Ed took his savings of $126.50 and moved to San Diego to live with his sister Bess, who had come there following her marriage to Jarvis Doyle. Fletcher claimed that he arrived in San Diego with $6.10. He became friends with M.T. Gilmore, a prominent bank officer, and Gilmore gave Fletcher his first job -- cleaning out Gilmore's yard. Beginning his business career as an agent for a Ed Fletcher Papers MSS 0081 2 produce merchant, Fletcher travelled by bicycle into remote rural areas of the county. He soon developed a network of loyal customers and a thorough knowledge of San Diego county geography. Through his experiences he quickly realized that the growth of the county's population depended largely on the development of water resources. He established his own produce business, eventually joining his brother-in-law in a partnership, called the Fletcher-Doyle Company. Fletcher went back to Massachusetts in April 1896 and married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Catherine Batchelder. It was apparently a happy marriage and the couple had ten children -- seven boys and three girls. The families of most of these children still reside in the San Diego area and are still active in the civic and business life of the city. In his youth Fletcher was involved in a number of military organizations. In 1892 he joined the Naval Militia and was elected Ensign a year later. He organized a regiment of volunteers during the Spanish-American War. In 1904 he received a commission as Ensign in the Naval Militia, and Governor Pardee appointed him Commanding Officer of the unit. In 1906 he went to San Francisco for duty after the earthquake and fire. During World War I he was one of the five members appointed to the District Exemption Board for southern California, serving the entire period of the war. Governor Hiram Johnson appointed Fletcher a "Colonel" on the governor's staff. Fletcher retained this position until his election to the State Senate in 1934, but people continued to use the title in addressing him. Fletcher's familiarity and appreciation for the San Diego "back country" led to greater involvement in its land and water development. Deciding to focus his efforts on land development, he sold his interest in the produce business to his brother-in-law and founded a real estate enterprise, the Ed Fletcher Company. One of Fletcher's most important developments involved the Villa Caro ranch, which included present-day Mt. Helix, Grossmont, and parts of El Cajon. Financing for this venture came from William A. Gross, an actor and theatrical producer who had met Fletcher at Yellowstone Park in 1901. Fletcher and Gross conceived of creating an artists colony in what would become Grossmont Park, and they succeeded in attracting the opera singer Ernestine Schumann-Heink as a resident. They eventually sold lots to a number of prominent people in the arts, including songwriter Carrie Jacobs-Bond, pianist Teresa Carreno, and author Owen Wister. Motion picture companies used the area in the 1910s and 1920s, and Grossmont Studios flourished for a brief period. Fletcher himself established a country residence at the foot of Grossmont. Fletcher's least successful venture was Fletcher Hills, a large tract north of La Mesa. Fletcher placed the lots on the market immediately prior to the Depression and sales were slow throughout the 1930s. It was not until the late 1940s that the area began to grow, and the development eventually became profitable for Fletcher's heirs. In many of his land development ventures Fletcher followed a similar pattern. He functioned as the visionary, possessing foresight and knowledge of the local area. His partners were usually wealthy men from outside the San Diego area, content to furnish the financing and leave Fletcher in charge of the logistics. Generally the partner would contribute 5/6 of the cost, with Fletcher adding the remaining. Fletcher would then carry out the work, often without a salary, until the project was finished or the property sold. The partner would then have his money repaid at 7% interest, Fletcher would take 25% of the profits as salary, and 75% Fletcher would re-invest. Fletcher's many partnerships proved lucrative. With William and Ferdinand Thum, brothers who had become millionaires through the manufacture of ball bearings, Fletcher financed many San Diego building projects. In 1911 he interested William E. Hodges, Vice-President of the Santa Fe Railroad and President of the Santa Fe Land and Improvement Company, in projects such as Rancho Santa Fe, Hodges dam, the San Dieguito water system, and residential developments in Solana Beach and Escondido. Along with William G. Henshaw and William G. Kerckhoff, Fletcher developed Warner Ranch, obtained financing for creation of the Volcan Land and Water Company, and helped to build Warner Dam, which became Lake Henshaw. Early in his career Fletcher became involved with the development of San Diego County's water resources. In 1903 he conceived of channeling the waters of Pauma Creek near Mount Palomar for irrigation of the Pauma valley. He succeeded in securing financing for this project from William Kerckhoff of the Pacific Light and Power Company in Los Angeles, an associate of transportation magnate Henry E. Huntington. Fletcher's involvement in the San Diego Flume Company was one of his most important water-related enterprises. Along with his partner James A. Murray, a banker from Butte, Montana, Fletcher improved the flume system substantially and eventually delivered water to the communities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and East San Diego. The system ultimately included the Cuyamaca and Murray dams, both built by Fletcher, Murray, and other associates. Under Fletcher the San Diego Flume Company evolved into what would be known as the Cuyamaca Water Company.

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