Inventory
5.00 Linear Feet
June 1990
Inventory Written by: Eileen Cvitkovich
Introduction
Mrs. Fern Kirtland donated the Eugene McKinley Kirtland Collection to the Calumet Regional Archives on May 23, 1990.
Property rights in the collection are held by the Calumet Regional Archives; literary rights are dedicated to the public. There are no restrictions on access to the collection.
Linear feet of shelf space: 5.00 linear feet Number of Containers: 5 boxes Calumet Regional Archives Collection 300 Processed by: Eileen Cvitkovich Date: June, 1990
Biography
Eugene McKinley Kirtland was born on March 7, 1910 in Woodhull, Illinois. He was educated at Emerson Grade and High School in Gary, Indiana. Kirtland graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a B. S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering in June, 1937. He married Fern Celeste Struebing in 1938, and they had five children.
Mr. Kirtland had been active in many civic groups in Gary, and was elected a Republican Precinct Committeeman in 1964. In 1967, Kirtland was elected to the Gary City Council, the same year that Richard Gordon Hatcher won election as Gary's first black mayor. During Councilman Kirtland's three terms of office (1967-1979), he was an outspoken critic of Democratic Mayor Richard G. Hatcher and his Administration.
Aside from being a Gary city councilman, Kirtland was a registered, professional engineer who owned the Engineering Specialty Company, Inc., formed in 1940. This firm worked on many schools, industrial buildings, and stores in the area. The largest single job done by the firm was the installation of the air conditioning in the ten-story Gary National Bank Building. Kirtland was involved in other successful business ventures in Gary such as Gene's Supermarket on West Ridge Road, and Gene's Incorporated, a corporation for operating the supermarket which was sold in 1960. He built Gene's Wash and Dry in April, 1960, and Gene's B-K Drive Inn at 433 West Ridge Road. This root beer drive-in was purchased in April, 1961 and was operated by the Kirtland children.
Kirtland was an unsuccessful candidate for United States Congress on the G.O.P. ticket in 1970; he was defeated by Congressman Ray J. Madden. Mr. Kirtland passed away in January, 1990.
Scope and Content
The Kirtland Collection contains five series, the first of which, The City of Gary, comprises the bulk of the collection (100 folders). There is a significant sub-series which contains Gary City Council correspondence, City Council meeting minutes, and ordinances passed by the Gary City Council during the early 1970's. The second sub-series in an extensive collection of department and agency files, financial statements, legal documents; and newsletters from various city department ranging from the Air Pollution Department to the Traffic Control Department. A third sub-series contains news articles and campaign material regarding Gary's attempt to annex two neighboring communities, 1970 to 1972. Note: The Glen Park disannexation information is located in Box 1, Folder 1, along with the Kirtland biographical information.
A second series includes correspondence, reports, rosters, and canvassing sheets for city and county elections. Also included here are newsletters sent out by Kirtland during his 1970 Congressional Bid, as well as tally sheets for the First Congressional District. The third series is composed of corporate records, minutes, and ledger books from Kirtland's various business enterprises in Gary. These records span the years 1949 to 1965, and are arranged chronologically within folders.
The fourth series includes correspondence, reports, newsletters; and brochures from the Indiana Association of cities and Towns. This is a relatively small series consisting of eight folders. The fifth series contains 168 photographs. The Majority of these (98), cover the Glen Park Golden Jubilee celebration held in 1949. The next largest group of photographs (48) chronicles Kirtland's unsuccessful Congressional Campaign on the G.O.P. ticket during 1970.
| Box |
File |
Description |
| 1 |
1 |
Biographical Information, Eugene M. Kirtland, (1963-1990) |
Series 1: City of Gary
Sub-Series: Gary City Council
| Box |
File |
Description |
| 1 |
2 |
Personal Correspondence, 1959, 1963-1973 |
|
3 |
Personal Correspondence, Jack K. McFall (1960-1971) |
|
4 |
Correspondence, I-80 Extension, Broadway Cloverleaf Dedication, October 21, 1960 |
|
5 |
Correspondence, Glen Park Association of Commerce, 1966-1972 |
|
6 |
Speech, South Broadway Street Dedication Rites, September 30, 1960 |
|
7 |
Correspondence/News Articles, Blue Ribbon Committee Investigating Federal Programs, 1971 |
|
8 |
Memorandum, Emerson Neighborhood Code Enforcement Program, 1974 |
|
9 |
Correspondence, Gary Board of Realtors, (1970-1972) |
|
10 |
Correspondence, Gary Youth Commission, 1969 |
|
11 |
Correspondence, Hickory Hills Development (Miller), 1971 |
|
12 |
Correspondence, Little League World Series, (1968-1970) |
|
13 |
Correspondence, Senior League World Series, 1969 |
|
14 |
Correspondence, NIPSCO Gas Explosion: 14 East 42nd Avenue, January, 1971 |
|
15 |
News Article, NIPSCO Gas Explosion: 14 East 42nd Avenue, January 1971 |
|
16 |
Correspondence, Public Housing, (Glen Park, 49th and Tennessee Street), 1972 |
|
17 |
Legal Documents, Public Housing Project (Glen Park, 49th and Tennessee Street), 1972 |
|
18 |
News Articles, Public Housing (Glen Park) 1971-1972 |
|
19 |
Correspondence, City Council, 1971 |
|
20 |
Correspondence, 6th District City Councilman, 1971-1972 |
|
21-22 |
Correspondence, Constituents, 1968-1973 |
|
23-26 |
Minutes, Common Council of the City of Gary, 1969-1974 |
|
27-29 |
Ordinances Passed, 1971 |
|
|
|
| 2 |
1-8 |
Ordinances Passed, 1972-1974 |
|
9 |
Ordinances, Fire Prevention Code, 1968 |
Sub-Series: Agencies / Departments
| Box |
File |
Description |
| 2 |
10 |
Correspondence, Air Pollution Department, 1970-1971 |
|
11 |
Minutes, Air Pollution Advisory Board, 1970-1971 |
|
12 |
Correspondence, Airport Commission, 1971 |
|
13 |
Minutes, Board of Public Works and Safety, 1970-1971 |
|
14 |
Minutes, Board of Zoning Appeals, (1970-1973) |
|
15 |
Correspondence, Building Department, (1971-1974) |
|
16 |
Monthly Reports, Building Department, (1970-1974) |
|
|
|
| 3 |
1 |
Annual Reports, Building Department, 1970, 1972, 1973 |
|
2 |
Correspondence, City Clerk, (1970-1972) |
|
3 |
Correspondence, City Engineer, 1970-1971 |
|
4 |
Reports, City Engineer, 1971 |
|
5 |
Annual Report, City Engineer, 1967 |
|
6 |
Minutes, Contractors Licensing Boards of Examiners, (1970-1974) |
|
7 |
Correspondence, Department of Beautification and Conservation, 1973 |
|
8 |
Resolution, Department of Redevelopment, Neighborhood Development Program, June 31, 1973 - June 30, 1974 |
|
9 |
Project Plan, Midtown West II Under Renewal, Department of Redevelopment, 1972 |
|
10 |
Municipal Code, Electrical Department, 1969 |
|
11 |
Rules, Electrical Department, 1970 |
|
12 |
Correspondence, Electrical License Department, 1970 |
|
13 |
Minutes, Electrical Licensing Board, 1970 |
|
14 |
Minutes, Electrical Licensing Board of Contractors, 1973-1974 |
|
15 |
Annual Report, Engineering Department, 1972 |
|
16 |
Correspondence, Finance Department, (1970-1972) |
|
17 |
Financial Statements, Finance Committee, 1970-1971 |
|
18 |
Report, "Annual Salaries Appointed City Officials In Indiana", Finance Committee, 1972, 1972-1975 |
|
19 |
Report, Gary Civil City Salary Ordinance, Finance Committee, 1973 |
|
20 |
Report, "Motor Vehicle Highway Fund", Finance Committee, 1970 |
|
21 |
Report, "Tax Rates of Indiana Cities", Finance Committee, 1972 |
|
22 |
Correspondence/Reports, Fire Department, 1968-1972 |
|
23 |
Correspondence, General Service Department, 1972 |
|
24 |
Reports, General Service Department, (1970-1972) |
|
25 |
Annual Report, General Services Department, December 1, 1970 - November 30, 1971 |
|
26 |
Correspondence, Health Department, (1968-1972) |
|
27 |
Annual Report, Gary Housing Authority, 1969-1971 |
|
28 |
Invitations, Housing Project Dedications, Gary Housing Authority, 1971-1972 |
|
29 |
Resolution, Occupancy Policies, Gary Housing Authority, 1969 |
|
30 |
Minutes, Human Relations Department, (1970-1972) |
|
31 |
Legal Documents, Law Department, (1970-1972) |
|
32 |
Correspondence, Mayor's Office, 1971 |
|
33 |
Newsletter, Mayor's Office, 1971 |
|
34 |
Correspondence, Model Cities, (1971-1974) |
|
35 |
Memorandum, Model Cities, 1974 |
|
36 |
Progress Reports, Gary Model Cities Agency, (1970-1974) |
|
37 |
Application Summary, Model Cities, 1972 |
|
38 |
Transition Plan, Model Cities, 1974 |
|
39 |
Correspondence, Neighbors Helping Hand, Inc., 1968 |
|
40-42 |
Minutes, Park Department (1970-1974) |
|
43 |
Correspondence, Planning Commission, (1971-1974) |
|
44-45 |
Minutes, Plan Commission, 1970-1972 |
|
|
|
| 4 |
1 |
Minutes, Plan Commission, April 1974 |
|
2-3 |
Petitions, Plan Commission, 1970-1971 |
|
4 |
Report, "Capital Improvements Programs, Gary Plan Commission |
|
5 |
Municipal Code, Plumbing, Plumbing Department, 1970-1971 |
|
6 |
Correspondence/Reports, Police Committee, (1968-1970) |
|
7 |
Correspondence/Reports, Police Department (1968-1971) |
|
8 |
Annual Report, Police Department, 1969 |
|
9 |
Correspondence, Public Transportation Committee, 1970-1971 |
|
10 |
Schedules, Gary Transit Inc., Public Transportation Committee, 1962-1965 |
|
11 |
Correspondence, Public Utility Committee, 1968-1970 |
|
12 |
Utility Hearings, Public Utility Committee, 1970 |
|
13 |
Report, Pipeline Accident, Gary Public Utility Committee, 1969 |
|
14 |
Petition, Public Utility Committee, 1972 |
|
15 |
Reports, Pending Street Light Installation, Public Utility Committee, 1968-1971 |
|
16 |
Minutes, Redevelopment Commission, 1971-1972 |
|
17 |
Annual Reports, Redevelopment Commission, 1971 |
|
18 |
Monthly Reports, Sanitation Department, 1974 |
|
19 |
Correspondence and Petitions, Street and Alley Improvements, 1968-1971 |
|
20 |
Correspondence, Traffic Control Department, 1971-1974 |
Sub-Series: Issue Files - Incorporation
| Box |
File |
Description |
| 4 |
21 |
Campaign Material, Lake Ridge Incorporation, 1971-1972 |
|
22 |
News Articles, Lake Ridge Incorporation, 1971-1972 |
|
23 |
Campaign Materials, Merrillville Incorporation 1971-1972 |
|
24 |
Newsclippings, Merrillville Incorporation, 1971-1972 |
Series 2: Elections
| Box |
File |
Description |
| 4 |
25 |
Newsarticles/Campaign Material, 6th District Councilman Campaign, 1963 |
|
26 |
Correspondence, City Council Election 6th District, 1967 |
|
27 |
Correspondence/Newsarticle, 6th District Republican Precinct Organization, 1968-1970 |
|
28 |
Correspondence, 6th District Precinct Committeeman, 1968 |
|
29 |
Correspondence/Campaign Material, City Council Election, 1971 |
|
30-31 |
Correspondence/Newsarticles, Republican Activities, 1971-1972 |
|
32 |
Correspondence/Newsarticles, Lake County Republican Central Committee, 1972 |
|
33 |
Correspondence/Precinct Tally Sheets (Glen Park), Gary Council Elections, 1975 |
|
34 |
Correspondence/Campaign Material, 3rd District Commissioner Election, 1976 |
|
35 |
Correspondence/Precinct Committeeman Rolls, Various Lake County Towns, 1976 |
|
36 |
Roster, County and Township Officials and Agencies, 1969 |
|
|
|
| 5 |
1 |
Rosters, Democratic Central Organizations, Various Lake County Cities, 1970, n.d. |
|
2 |
Rosters, Lake County Democratic Central Committee, 1st and 2nd District Officers, 1970 |
|
3 |
Newsletters, Lake County Republican Central Committee, 1970 |
|
4 |
Canvasser's Sheet, Primary Election, May 4, 1971 |
|
5 |
Reports, Voter Registration Board, 1971 |
|
6 |
Campaign Materials, Kirtland Congressional Campaign n.d. |
|
7 |
Newsletters, Kirtland for Congress, August - November, 1970 |
|
8 |
Recapitulation of Votes, Primary Election, May 5, 1970 |
|
9 |
Tally Sheets, National, State and County Ticket, 1st Congressional District, 1968 |
|
10 |
Ticket, Spiro Agnew, Appearance at State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana, September 23, 1970 |
Series 3: Kirtland Business
| Box |
File |
Description |
| 5 |
11 |
Correspondence, Kirtland Realty, 1968-1971 |
|
12 |
Correspondence, Epoxy Surfaces, 1969-1970 |
|
13 |
Minutes, Engineering Specialty Company, Incorporation January 1949 - February 1961 |
|
14 |
Corporate Records, Engineering Specialty Company Incorporation 1960-1962 |
|
15 |
Corporate Records, Gene Kirtland Incorporation 1959-1962 |
|
16 |
Corporate Records, Gene's 900 Incorporation 1956-1965 |
|
17 |
Sales and Payroll Records Ledger Book, Gene's Supermarket, November 1957 - November 1960 |
|
18 |
Blueprints/Specifications, Chuck Wagon Restaurant, Gary, 1962 |
|
19 |
Newsletters, Glen Park Rotary Club, 1968-1973 |
|
20 |
Correspondence, Glen Park Rotary Club, 1967-1971 |
Series 4: Indiana Association of Cities and Towns
| Box |
File |
Description |
| 5 |
21 |
Correspondence, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, 1968-1972 |
|
22 |
Newsletters, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, (1986-1972) |
|
23 |
Brochure, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, n.d. |
|
24 |
Program, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, Legislative Sessions, 1969 |
|
25 |
Report, Distribution of State-Collected Taxes, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, 1972 |
|
26 |
Report, Federal Revenue Sharing Interim Regulations, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, 1972 |
|
27 |
Report, Tax Rates of Indiana Cities, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, 1973 |
|
28 |
Rosters, Indiana City Officials, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, 1968-1971, 1972-1975 |
Sound Recordings
| Description |
| Sound Recording, (1), "Spiro T. Agnew Speaks Out", ca. 1970 (Located in the Calumet Regional Archives Oral History Collection) |
Subject Tracings
- Agnew, Spiro T.
- Business
- Elections
- Gary Air Pollution Control Division
- Gary Airport
- Gary Board of Public Works and Safety
- Gary Board of Zoning Appeals
- Gary Building Department
- Gary City Council
- Gary Department of Redevelopment
- Gary Fire Department
- Gary Health Department
- Gary Housing Authority
- Gary Park Department
- Gary Plan Commission
- Gary Police Department
- Gary Redevelopment Commission
- Gary Sanitary District
- Glen Park
- Model Cities Program
- Politics
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