Descriptive Finding Guide for. Theodore Gildred Special Collection

Transcription

1 Descriptive Finding Guide for Theodore Gildred Special Collection Prepared by: Daniel Schlachet September 17, 2013 SDASM 1

2 Cataloging Information L.C. MS.#: Location: Quarter Moon Room Restrictions: None URL: Copyright: SDASM Provenance The materials in this collection were donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum by the Gildred family. The collection has been processed and is open for research with no restrictions. History Theodore Gildred ( ) was born on May 12, 1900, in Rochester, New York. His parents moved to South America in 1905, and he was educated in Argentina and Ecuador. He entered New York University in 1915 and graduated as a civil engineer in He then began his engineering career with the job of surveying Lake Tahoe to establish the permanent water levels of the lake. He later returned to Ecuador to work with his brothers. In 1925 Theodore and his brother, Phil Gildred, came to San Diego, California, where they began building the Fox Theater in While in San Diego, Theodore began flying in a Travelair biplane at Dutch Flats with Doug Kelly, a pioneer San Diego aviator. Theodore bought a Stimson monoplane in 1929 and, accompanied by Doug Kelly, flew to New York. Then in 1931, he acquired a Wright R5 Whirlwind-powered Ryan Brougham monoplane from Mahoney Ryan Aircraft Corporation and embarked on a 4,200 mile goodwill flight to Quito, Ecuador. He was given a warm welcome upon landing in Quito and commemorated with the Ecuadorian Medal of Honor by the President of Ecuador. After his historic flight, he donated his aircraft, Ecuador, to the people of Ecuador as a goodwill gesture to help the growth of aviation in that country. After returning to San Diego, he married Maxine Edmonds and moved to Mexico City in 1934 with his family. In the period between 1937 and 1965 he worked on the development of Lindavista, one of the largest subdivisions north of Mexico City, in association with Ign. Pascual Ortiz Rubio, ex-president of Mexico. During the 1940s and 1950s, Gildred also developed one of the largest chains of movie theaters in Mexico with Gen. Abelardo Rodriguez, who had also been one of Mexico s presidents. Gildred died in June 1967, in San Diego. Prior to his death, he established the Gildred Foundation, which has made major contributions in the medical research field to the San Diego Air & Space Museum (then the San Diego Aero-Space Museum), the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, Salk Institute, and University of California, San Diego. 2

3 Scope & Content Notes Theodore Gildred s collection primarily consists of documents relating to his Ecuador Goodwill Flight of March Included in the collection are telegrams, personal correspondence, pilot book logs and flight notes, drawings, newspaper articles in Spanish and English, and several maps. There are 54 original English cablegrams + 1 copy, Note: Some of the photographs in this collection are present in the Papers of Theodore E. Gildred Special Collection. Note: Theodore Gildred is sometimes referred to as Theodore Gildred Sr., though this was not his legal name. Related SDASM Resources: Special Collection SDASM, Library Archives, Gildred, Theodore E. Related Research Institutions: Secondary Sources: `SDASM A/V Archives, Audio Visual, F-0238, Ecuador Flight: Spirit of Goodwill, Important Personalities & Subjects Aviation History San Diego Dean Farran Ecuador Gildred Foundation Goodwill Flight Navigation maps New York Panama Quito, Ecuador Theodore Gildred Civilian Aviation Great Depression Guatemala Mahoney-Ryan Brougham B-5 Mexico San Diego Aero-Space Museum Single-engine aircraft South America Spanish language Theodore E. Gildred 3

4 Content & Series Description Box Listing BOX 01 Folder 01 Pilot s Logbook 1. Two pages of photocopied flight logs from San Diego to Latacunga, March 12-April 2, 2. Twenty six pages plus cover page, Engine Log Book courtesy of the Richfield Oil Company of California. 3. Ten pages plus cover page, Pilot s Log Book issued to Gildred, Ted from the San Diego Air Service Corporation, Lindbergh Field, San Diego, California. Folder 02 Biographical Documents 1. Fact sheet about Theodore Gildred, , San Diego Aero-Space Museum. 2. Biography about Theodore Gildred, source unknown. 3. Biographical Sketch about Theodore Gildred, Aerospace Museum, Owen Clarke, cc: Rohr Industries, May 26, Folder 03 Flight Path Records 1. Seven page log of Gildred s flight from San Diego to New York City, October 2-October 21, Handwritten note in Spanish, unofficial flight log entry. 3. Handwritten note regarding a landing in Guadalajara and taking off again. 4. Four pages of notes on the backs of Airtech Flying Service LTD. Solo Flight cards with timestamps. 5. Ecuador Flight, March 13-31, 1931 log, San Diego Aero-Space Museum. Folder 04 Correspondence 1. From: Ted (presumably Theodore Gildred), To: Ben, regarding the flight plans, March Handwritten timestamps on a Hotel Regis paper regarding the flight. 3. Blank paper with note portion of letter from Ted Sr. 4. From: Robert R. Reining, Chief, Registration Section of the Department of Commerce Aeronautics Branch, To: Philip L. Gildred, Gildred Building Company, San Diego Trust & Savings Bank Bldg., June 4, Folder 05- Newspaper Articles in English 1. Captions for newspaper articles, Theodore Gildred, Aerospace Museum. 2. Newspaper clip with a photograph of Theodore Gildred. 3. Unknown newspaper article titled Local Plane Due in Mexico City No Word Received yet From Gildred and Farran, on 9000-Mile Good-Will Trip, March, 4. Unknown newspaper article titled Good-Will Fliers are Forced Down, March, 4

5 5. Unknown newspaper article titled San Diego Fliers Feted in Ecuador Welcome Arch Greets Gildred and Farran at Quito after 4500-Mile Journey, March, 6. Unknown newspaper article titled Gildred Delayed by Bad Weather, March, 7. Unknown newspaper article titled Bad Weather Delays Hop by Gildred, March, 8. Unknown newspaper article titled Gildred will Fly to Panama Today, March, 9. Photocopy of an unknown newspaper article titled Local Flyers Off For South America, c. 10. Photocopy of an unknown newspaper article titled San Diegans Take off for South America: Mazatlan First Goal, c. 11. Photocopy of an unknown newspaper article titled Gildred Off on Hop to Quito. 12. The Evening Tribune newspaper article titled Acclaim Gildred in Ecuador, April 18, 13. Two photocopied pages of The Evening Tribune article titled Acclaim Gildred in Ecuador, April 18, 14. Unknown newspaper article titled Gildred Forced Down 200 Miles from Destination Fog Prevents Dangerous Hop over Andes; Two Aviators Remain at Santa Elina, March, 15. Photocopy of unknown news article titled Wings Way San Diego to Ecuador, 16. Photocopy of the San Diego Union and a continuation page of an article titled Engagement Proves Surprise to Guests Bidden to Cleverly Arranged Party Debutante Announces Betrothal at Dinner Engagement of Miss Maxine Edmonds to Theodore Gildred Revealed in Interesting Motion Picture Film, August 16, 17. Unknown newspaper article titled Debutantes Have Busy Mid-March Programs. 18. Unknown newspaper article titled Wins Commercial Pilot s License Theodore Gildred, San Diego Business Man, Completes Course at Air School, c Folder 06 Telegrams in English 1. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Colón, March 27, 2. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Quito, Panama, March 28, 3. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Gildred in San Diego from Theodore Gildred in Panama. 4. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from San Jose, Costa Rica March 20, 5. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Lanaguanic, March 20, 6. Photocopy of a Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Mexico City, March 17, 7. Mackay Radio Radiogram to Edmonds in San Diego, July 29, 8. Postal Telegrapah The Mackay System to E. A. Edmonds in San Diego, California, July 11, 9. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Quito, Ecuador, from San Diego Trust and Savings Bank, March 31, 10. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Quito, Ecuador, from San Diego, California, March 31, 5

6 11. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Quito, Ecuador, from Lima, March 31, 12. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred, from Philip in San Diego, California, March 31, 13. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Colón, March 28, 14. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Cristobal, Panama, March 27, 15. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Colón, March 26, 16. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Cristobal, Panama, March 26, 17. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred, in Cristobal, Panama, March 24, 18. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred, in Colón, from Philip, March 24, 19. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred, from Carlotta in New York. 20. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Panama, March 23, 21. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Colón, Panama, March 22, 22. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred in Panama, March 22, 23. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Panamá, March 21, 24. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Guatemala city, March 19, 25. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Guatemala city, March 19, 26. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Guayaquil, March 17, 27. Unknown telegram to Theodore Gildred in Guayaquil from Farran Gildred. 28. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Mexico City, March 16, 29. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Mexico City, March 14, 30. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Mexico City, to Philip in San Diego, California, March 14, 31. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred in Mexico City, March 18, 32. All America Cables Inc. cablegram regarding Theodore Gildred s goodwill flight publicity, March 8, Folder 07 Newspaper articles in Spanish 1. Notecard containing note Clippings (Spanish language) 1931 flight. 2. Unknown newspaper article titled Cuatro Provincias Fueron Ayer Recorridas por el Avion Ecuador en su Gira Postal, Dejando Inaugurado el Servicio de Correo Aereo en el Interior del Pais, January 2, Photocopy of unknown newspaper article titled Prueba Hizo al Avion Ecuador A fin de Venderlo, January 23. 6

7 4. Photocopy of unknown newspaper article titled Aviones para Cojurar la Crisis, July 17, 5. Photocopy of unknown newspaper article titled El Avion de Guerra R 4 Dio Una Vuela De Campana al Aterrizar Mantilla en e:l y Resulta el Aparato con Diversas Averias; Pero el Aviador Salio Ileso. 6. Unknown newspaper article titled El Avion Ecuador en Vuelo de Latacunga a Manta se Pierde Ayer y se Inicia una Desesperada Busqueda. 7. Photocopy of unknown newspaper article titled El Avion Ecuador Verifico Ayer el Vuelo de Cuenca a Loja y el Pueblo Honrara a los Aviadores, July El Telégrafo newspaper article titled El Avion Ecuador Volo Ayer de la Capital a esta Ciudad, February 22, Photocopy of El Universo newspaper, August 20, Unknown newspaper with articles titled Por Golpear a una Senorita esta Preso, and Con Solemnidad Festejo Yaguachi el Triunfo de Cone. 11. Photocopy of unknown newspaper with article titled El Congreso Acordo Descalificar a Bonifaz, August Lunes newspaper article titled Ayer Llegaron a Guayaquil Los Aviadores Heridos Y Tambien el Cadaver del Ctan. Cesar Borja el que se Envio Anoche a Quito, August 22, Newspaper cut into an H Shape, August 20, Four photocopies of El Telégrafo article titled Volando desde Mexico a Guatemala tuvo el Aviador Teodoro Gildred que Hacer un Aterrizaje Forzoso, March 17, 15. Full newspaper El Telégrafo with article titled El Avion Ecuador Volo ayerde la Capital a esta Ciudad, February 22, Unknown newspaper article titled El Congreso Acordo Descalificar a Bonifaz, August Unknown newspaper article titled El Avion de Guerra R 4 Dio una Vuelta de Campana al Aterrizar Mantilla en el; Y Resulta el Aparato con Diversas Averias; Pero el Aviador Salio Ileso, with continuation article cut into an L shape. 18. El Universo newspaper page titled Avion Ecuador Destruido, Y Muerto Cptn. Borja. Folder 09 Telegrams and Cablegrams in Spanish 1. Photocopy of All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Rafael Velez. 2. Photocopy of All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Cealfaro, March 29, 3. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Rafael Velez, March 29, 4. All America Cables Inc. cablegram from Theodore Gildred, March 13, 5. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Doctor Rojas, March 29, 6. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Washington Villacreses, March 29, 7. All America Cables Inc. cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Governor Pazayora, March 29, 7

8 8. Inalambricos Del Ecuador radiogram to Theodore Gildred from President Concejo, April 1, 9. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Colón, March 27, 10. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Levy Gildred from Lima, March16, 11. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Alberto from Theodore at Salinas, March 29, 12. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Endara from Ortega at Guayaquil, March 30, 13. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Jefe Zona at Guayaquil, March 29, 14. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Albert Gildred from Salinas, March 29, 15. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred, March 30, 16. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Endara from Ortega at Guayaquil, March 30, 17. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Quito, Ecuador, March 30, 18. Telegrafos Del Ecuador continuation of a cablegram. 19. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Alberto Gildred from Salinas, March 30, 20. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Pdlé. Ayora, March 30, 21. The Guayaquil and Quito Railway Company Telefonema to Theodore Gildred from Nestor J. Villacreses, March 31, 22. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Jefe Zona at Guayaquil, March 31, 23. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Enrique G. Vera at Guayaquil, March 31, 24. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Doctor Rojas at Guayaquil, March 31, 25. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Vilches at Hollywood, California, April 1, 26. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Wilfrido Moreno at Guayaquil, April 1, 27. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Santiago Castillo at Posorja, April 1, 28. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Espindola at Latacunga, April 1, 29. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Leonardo Sotomayor Luna Pdte at Guayaquil, April 1, 30. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Miguel Castro and Eduardo Lopez at Guayaquil, April 3, 31. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Alberto Icaza Carbo y Señora at Guayaquil, April 1, 32. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to President Isidro Ayora at Quito. 33. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to a conference, Page Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram, Page Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram, Page Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram, Page Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram, Page 5, from Alberto. 38. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 8

9 39. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 40. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 41. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred and Enrique from Quito, Ecuador. 42. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred from Quito, Ecuador, c. 43. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred. 44. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 45. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 46. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 47. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 48. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 49. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 50. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Alberto. 51. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred. 52. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Ficil. 53. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 54. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 55. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram. 56. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Theodore Gildred. 57. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred. 58. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram from Theodore Gildred. 59. Telegrafos Del Ecuador cablegram to Alberto. Folder 09 Photographs and Pictures 1. Photograph of the Ecuador and people around it, 2. Photograph of Dean Farran and Theodore Gildred (Gildred photograph in Theodore E. Gildred Special Collection). 3. Photocopied photograph of Theodore Gildred with words, To my darling mother with most appreciate thoughts, Ted, March 13, One photocopied photograph of three that has a picture of the Ecuador B-5 Ryan Brougham aircraft. 5. Photocopied photograph of Theodore Gildred as a student pilot in a double-cockpit biplane. 6. Sketch of Theodore Gildred in his pilot attire. 7. Two blueprint scale drawings of the Mahoney-Ryan B-5 Brougham aircraft with two photocopies. 8. Nineteen photographs and photocopies of photographs that can be found in the Theodore E. Gildred Special Collection. Folder 10 Maps #1 1. Panama Canal Zone, Punta Mala, Panama, Provisional Chart - U.S. Navy Aviation Chart. 2. Standard Map of Sinaloa. 3. Standard Map of Aguascalientes Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit. 4. Salina Cruz, Mexico, San Jose, Guatemala U.S. Navy Provisional Chart. 9

10 Folder 11 Maps #2 5. Standard Map of Oaxaca. 6. Standard Map of Mexico, Destrito Federal and Morelos. 7. Nogales a Hermosillo y Guaymas Map. 8. La Previsora. 9. La Previsora (colored). 10. Nogales Hermosillo y Guaymas Map. 11. Standard Map of Central America. Folder 12 Maps #3 1. Coasts of Panama, Colombia & Ecuador. Folder 13 Maps #4 1. Puntarenas, Costa Rica Cape Mala, Panama. 2. Puebla, Tlaxcala Map and Veracruz. 3. San Jose Gautemala La Union, El Salvador, U.S. Navy Provisional Chart. 4. Standard Map of Sonara. Restricted Folder 1. Standard Map of Mexico End of Box Listing 10