Inventory of the the Mariposa Ranch Papers Dykes MSS 00082., 1890-1962
Title:
Inventory of the the Mariposa Ranch Papers 1890-1962
Hacienda de la Mariposa Hacienda de la Mariposa La Hacienda de la Mariposa Cámara Ganadera de Coahuila was situated in the state of Coahuila, District of Monclova, 27 miles north of Músquiz, 50 miles southwest of Sabinas and 90 miles from Eagle Pass, TexasWith capital backing from the Learmonth family, a Scottish entrepreneur in Australia, David Harkness McKellar, an emigrant from Australia and New Zealand in the late 1880s, purchased over 250,000 acres in Coahuila and founded in 1890.The ranch sat in an open valley formed by a fork of the Santa Rosa Mountains which marked the western and northern boundaries, and protected it from winter winds. These mountains yielded cedar and oak timber for fencing and building purposes. On the southern boundary, the Sabinas River, a clear, ever-flowing mountain river, was stocked with fish. Pasture arroyos provided additional watering areas, in addition to ten natural springs, one of which was a mineral spring. Grasses and forage plants thrived, growing much taller than in Colorado or southern Texas. Nutritious Gramma grass abounded, as did Bermuda, mesquite, sotol, palmetto and guajillo, all much sought after by stock. The ranch was sold in the early 1960s by Alden Scott McKellar, a grandson of its founder, David Harkness McKellar.Correspondence, diaries, minutes, proceedings, printed material, financial documents, legal documents, photographic and audio material, maps, charts, graphs, and lists chronicle the history of and document the hard work and political savvy of the McKellars, contending with both the Mexican Revolution and land reform as they managed their ranch.Three series, personal correspondence, business correspondence, and diaries provide a record of the ranch's earnings, business analyses, ranch operations and expenses, accompanied by literate expositions on local as well as national Mexican politics. Personal correspondence (1902-1955) includes a handwritten bound volume of letters from Ernest F. Black to the Learmonth brothers, Stanley Learmonth and James Allen Learmonth, in Australia dated December 29, 1902 to September 30, 1907. Business correspondence (1882-1955; bulk: 1903-1955) documents activities relating to every facet of ranch operations such as ordering supplies and cattle sales, most correspondents being factors in Texas, Missouri, New Mexico in addition to local factors in Músquiz, Coahuila, as well as with the and Mexican National Land Mortgage and Investment Company. Also present are 11 handwritten bound volumes of outgoing correspondence (1890-1918) by Stanley Learmonth, James Allen Learmonth, and Ernest F. Black. Other significant correspondents include Sara Scott McKellar and Jésus M. Palacios. A total of 22 handwritten bound volumes of diaries and cattle records (1921-1962) recount the daily activities of the Mariposa Ranch, including weather conditions, rainfall, ranch and family activities, and visitors. Also present are maps, plats, organizational documents, contracts, Mexican political tracts as well as the organizational charter handwritten on vellum. An interview with Alden Scott Mckellar and photographic prints and negatives are also included.
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