Windows to the World - Tom Macaulay Book Collection
By Barbara Czerwinski and Heidi Sproat
You may recall a recent article about Tom Macaulay’s map collection, which we also have on this, our Truckee-Donner Historical Society website. In this column, we want to share with you some of the unique discoveries we found in the massive books and reports collection of Mr. Macaulay, “Reno Iceman”, donated to the Truckee-Donner Historical Society in 2021.
All in all, Mr. Macaulay donated almost 150 books to the Historical Society, 63 of which were new to our collection. Of those “new” books, there are some irreplaceable, no longer available books that are invaluable in researching Truckee history.
Mr. Macauley explored every aspect of ice from the land where it was formed (grown), usages, transportation of, tools and equipment for harvesting, and the people and animals who made it happen. The impact of ice harvesting on Western Civilization still prevails today - even after mechanical ice making became a standard. Mr. Macaulay was always on a quest for knowledge.
Besides the voluminous maps that Mr. Macaulay donated to the Historical Society, some of the oldest books/reports date more than a century ago. One of the oldest is a 1902 US Government Department of the Interior report, Water-supply and irrigation papers of the USGS no. 68. The next oldest reports are two are from 1918. The first 1918 report is a State of Nevada Mines and mineral resources of Nevada County, Chapter of State Mineralogists’ Report Biennial Period 1917-1918. The second 1918 report is one of the most complete reports and details the feasibility of a sanitary cleanup of the Truckee River. The report was issued by C.G. Gillespie to the California State Board of Health. The actual title of the report is Part I. Progress report to the California State Board of Health on the feasibility of a clean-up of the Truckee River and Part II. Report on the pollution of the Truckee River by the mills of the Crown Willamette Paper Co. at Floriston, Cal. There are some spectacular photographs that accompany this report as well as a map showing drainage area of the Truckee River between Lake Tahoe and Reno (TMC M0139). Mr. Macaulay said this is one of the most important documents in his, now our, collection.
The titles and subject matter of some of the priceless books are:
These nuggets are all housed at the Joseph Research Library in Meadow Park. Affectionately known as the Cabin, we are generally open on Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm. If these kinds of books pique your interest, do stop by and take a peek.
The last book we’d like to mention is a 1994 book billed as a “cookbook”, but the title, Harvest of the cold months: the social history of ice and ices surely seems to be an oxymoron.
Several of our volunteer staff have painstakingly perused each book and report and we can provide an interested researcher with some of the more impressive passages and photographs within the books. This link will take you to our online Reference Book Index, current as of April 24, 2022, and includes all of Tom Macaulay's books and reports.
The Truckee-Donner Historical Society is always seeking new members and volunteers to help us with our review of materials, cataloging of donations, and review and identification of photographs. If any of this wets your appetite, and in the process you get to learn a lot more about Truckee’s history, do get in touch with us at [email protected] .
All in all, Mr. Macaulay donated almost 150 books to the Historical Society, 63 of which were new to our collection. Of those “new” books, there are some irreplaceable, no longer available books that are invaluable in researching Truckee history.
Mr. Macauley explored every aspect of ice from the land where it was formed (grown), usages, transportation of, tools and equipment for harvesting, and the people and animals who made it happen. The impact of ice harvesting on Western Civilization still prevails today - even after mechanical ice making became a standard. Mr. Macaulay was always on a quest for knowledge.
Besides the voluminous maps that Mr. Macaulay donated to the Historical Society, some of the oldest books/reports date more than a century ago. One of the oldest is a 1902 US Government Department of the Interior report, Water-supply and irrigation papers of the USGS no. 68. The next oldest reports are two are from 1918. The first 1918 report is a State of Nevada Mines and mineral resources of Nevada County, Chapter of State Mineralogists’ Report Biennial Period 1917-1918. The second 1918 report is one of the most complete reports and details the feasibility of a sanitary cleanup of the Truckee River. The report was issued by C.G. Gillespie to the California State Board of Health. The actual title of the report is Part I. Progress report to the California State Board of Health on the feasibility of a clean-up of the Truckee River and Part II. Report on the pollution of the Truckee River by the mills of the Crown Willamette Paper Co. at Floriston, Cal. There are some spectacular photographs that accompany this report as well as a map showing drainage area of the Truckee River between Lake Tahoe and Reno (TMC M0139). Mr. Macaulay said this is one of the most important documents in his, now our, collection.
The titles and subject matter of some of the priceless books are:
- John Signor’s 1985 book, Donner Pass: Southern Pacific’s Sierra Crossing; there is a photo in this book of a train crossing over the railroad track over now Highway 89 at the “mousehole.” It is one impressive image.
- Lynne Rhodes Mayer and Ken Vose’s 1985 book, Makin’ tracks: the saga of the transcontinental railroad. There are some excellent images from the American Geographical Society, the Association of American Railroads (p. 169 Chinese workers on train tracks), Library of Congress, National Archives, Southern Pacific Railroad (pp. 27, 30, 42, 43), Alfred Hart (pp. 32, 60 early Truckee, p. 61, Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road – maybe a Hart image, and p. 125 Chinese Camp and Construction Train NV), and Union Pacific Railroad, many involving Chinese workers in images not seen before.
- Jack E. Duncan’s 2005 book, A study of Cape Horn construction on the Central Pacific Railroad 1865-1866
- Howard Goldbaum and Wendell W. Huffman’s 2012 book, Waiting for the Cars: Alfred A. Hart's Stereoscopic Views of the Central Pacific Railroad, 1863-1869. Hart images are incredibly detailed.
These nuggets are all housed at the Joseph Research Library in Meadow Park. Affectionately known as the Cabin, we are generally open on Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm. If these kinds of books pique your interest, do stop by and take a peek.
The last book we’d like to mention is a 1994 book billed as a “cookbook”, but the title, Harvest of the cold months: the social history of ice and ices surely seems to be an oxymoron.
Several of our volunteer staff have painstakingly perused each book and report and we can provide an interested researcher with some of the more impressive passages and photographs within the books. This link will take you to our online Reference Book Index, current as of April 24, 2022, and includes all of Tom Macaulay's books and reports.
The Truckee-Donner Historical Society is always seeking new members and volunteers to help us with our review of materials, cataloging of donations, and review and identification of photographs. If any of this wets your appetite, and in the process you get to learn a lot more about Truckee’s history, do get in touch with us at [email protected] .
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Sidebar: In 2020, Tom Macaulay donated his entire collection of books about Truckee and surrounding areas to the Truckee-Donner Historical Society. Going through his materials in 2021 and 2022, there are several images in various books that are also attributed to Alfred A. Hart. For more information, see this link to the Alfred A. Hart images .
Long Ravine Bridge, c. 1866. Today Interstate 80 passes under this pair of steel bridges. From book Cape Horn Construction on the Central Pacific Railroad 1865-1866 by Jack E. Duncan, 2005, p. 21.
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HCS 9/23/2022
Cape Horn Excursion Train. From Makin' Tracks, the Saga of the Transcontinental Railroad by Lynne Rhodes Mayer & Ken Vose, 1995, p. 35. (Image attributed to Alfred A. Hart).
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Road And Rocks At Foot Of Crested Peak Eastern Slope Of Western Summit. From Makin' Tracks, the Saga of the Transcontinental Railroad by Lynne Rhodes Mayer & Ken Vose, 1995, p. 36. (Image attributed to Alfred A. Hart).
Dutch Flat and Donner Lake Wagon Road. From Makin' Tracks, the Saga of the Transcontinental Railroad by Lynne Rhodes Mayer & Ken Vose, 1995, p. 61. (Image attributable to Alfred A. Hart).
Lake Tahoe Railway & Transportation Co. rail line dumping logs into the Truckee millpond. Southern Pacific Main line appears in background. From The Swayne Lumber Co. Narrow Gauge Logging in the Merrimac Forest by Paul Beckstrom and David W. Braum, 1992, p. 12. (Image attributed to Russ Simpson Collection).
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9 engines plowing snow through Coldstream Valley. From Makin' Tracks, the Saga of the Transcontinental Railroad by Lynne Rhodes Mayer & Ken Vose, 1995, p. 42. (Image attributable to Southern Pacific Railroad).
Richardson Brothers Railroad in Martis Valley, c. 1872. From The Swayne Lumber Co. Narrow Gauge Logging in the Merrimac Forest by Paul Beckstrom and David W. Braum, 1992, p. 10. (Image attributed to California State Railroad Museum).
Truckee Lumber Co.'s Office with main rail line running in front, c. 1900s. From The Swayne Lumber Co. Narrow Gauge Logging in the Merrimac Forest by Paul Beckstrom and David W. Braum, 1992, p. 18. (Image attributed to Russ Simpson Collection).
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