Title: George Swinton Papers
Date: about 1941-1971
Collection Number: H044
Extent: 4.0 cubic feet
Repository: Atlantic City Heritage Collections, Atlantic City Free Public Library, 1 North Tennessee Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, (609) 345-2269
Preferred Citation: George Swinton Papers, Atlantic City Heritage Collections, Atlantic City Free Public Library.
Creator: Swinton, George R., 1901-1972
IN-DEPTH INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Scope and Content: The George Swinton Papers include survey maps, blueprints, photographs, deeds, engineering studies, appraisals, surveys, correspondence, hand-written notes, etc. The items relate primarily to George R. Swinton, especially in his roles as Atlantic City city engineer and consulting engineer.
Part of the collection was found during inventory in 2006, and another part (one box worth) was acquired from Unshredded Nostalgia in Barnegat, May 2008. These files have been integrated.
Biographical/Historical Note:
George R. Swinton was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey on February 20, 1901. His parents were Anna and Robert Swinton. He attended Atlantic City public schools, graduating from Atlantic City High School in 1918. From 1918 to 1922, Swinton studied at Lehigh University, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering.
Swinton’s early jobs included field engineer on the Delaware Bridge in Philadelphia (1922-23), engineer for the E.L. Bader Construction Company in Atlantic City (1923-26), and structural engineer for Peale, Peacock & Kerr in St. Benedict, Pennsylvania (1923-26). In 1926, Swinton started his own practice as a professional consulting engineer in civil and structural engineering. This is a role he would continue throughout his life. From 1935 to 1941, Swinton was the District Manager of the Works Progress Administration. He resigned from the WPA on December 15, 1941 when he was nominated to the position of city engineer for Atlantic City. Swinton remained city engineer until the early 1970’s when he was succeeded by Joseph A. Barrasso.
Swinton held memberships for the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers, the
National Engineers Society, and Tau Beta Pi. Some of his largest engineering projects include the Union Railroad Station (1933), United States Post Office Building (1934), U.S.H.A. Stanley Holmes Village (1935), and the Atlantic City Municipal Airport (1941).
George Swinton was married to Lillian “Odie” Swinton of Shelltown, Maryland. The couple lived at 44 South Raleigh Avenue in Atlantic City. In 1941, Lillian gave birth to their daughter, Joan. George Swinton died February 20, 1972.
Sources:
H118 U.S. Corps of Army Engineers Waves & Erosion Studies and Misc. Heston Duplicates, 1971-8 (box AAAA)
Notice of Separation, George Swinton Papers, Atlantic City Heritage Collections, Atlantic City Free Public Library. Box 3, Series 4, Folder 3 - ‘S’ Misc.
Resume, George Swinton Papers, Atlantic City Heritage Collections, Atlantic City Free Public Library. Box 1, Series 1, Folder 57 - Stout and Swinton Associates
"United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X487-P9Z : accessed 13 June 2017), George R Swinton in household of Robert Swinton, Ventnor City, Atlantic, New Jersey, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 75, sheet 1B, line 87, family 26, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1310; FHL microfilm 2,341,045.
"United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV5Q-LQMZ : 10 September 2016), George Swinton in entry for Mrs Lillian O Or Odie Swinton, New Jersey, United States, 27 Mar 1990; from "Recent Newspaper Obituaries (1977 - Today)," database, GenealogyBank.com (http://www.genealogybank.com : 2014); citing , born-digital text.
"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VSJ5-C47 : 20 May 2014), George Swinton, Sep 1972; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
System of Arrangement:
Collection is divided according to subject or creator. This collection was organized by the creator. George Swinton’s filing system and naming conventions were maintained, except where materials were found outside of existing folders. Folders have been organized alphabetically by series into three boxes.
BOX LIST:
Series 1: Project Files
Includes project files, engineering studies and investigations, survey maps, blueprints, handwritten notes, and correspondence.
Box 1, Folder 1 – 1969 Landfill - Proposed for Albany Ave.
Box 1, Folder 2 – Atlantic City Transportation Company - Includes Decree of Chancery Court, Ephraim S. Frechie v. West Jersey and Seashore Railroad Co.
Box 1, Folder 3 – Atlantic City Transportation Company - Captain Starns
Box 1, Folder 4 – Belair Court Corporation
Box 1, Folder 5 – Betty Bacharach Home for Afflicted Children (1) - Survey and Bulkhead; includes certificate of incorporation, deeds, and photostat of Chancery Court document
Box 1, Folder 6 – Betty Bacharach Home for Afflicted Children (2)
Box 1, Folder 7 – Betty Bacharach Home for Afflicted Children (3)
Box 1, Folder 8 – Brigantine Hotel - Beach erosion
Box 1, Folder 9 – Brighton Towers
Box 1, Folder 10 – Cole & Koury - Dutill v. Michael
Box 1, Folder 11 – Coronet Motel
Box 1, Folder 12 – Drake Hotel
Box 1, Folder 13 – Dubois, H.H. - Beach erosion; includes advertisement for the Spearwell Paver and some personal correspondence
Box 1, Folder 14 – Eaton Bros, Inc. - Engineering study of various deeds, includes photo of building
Box 1, Folder 15 – Fedway Association - Survey of premises - Federal Wine & Liquor Company, Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township
Box 1, Folder 16 – Flying Dutchman Survey - Dan Bell, Esq.
Box 1, Folder 17 – Giordana Industries - Appraisal for 411 N. Carolina Ave.
Box 1, Folder 18 – Gravatt, Frank - The Lafayette Hotel
Box 1, Folder 19 – Hackney, Ralph - Hackney’s Restaurant, 1962 storm and 1963 fire damages, includes photos of storm damage
Box 1, Folder 20 – Hackney’s Restaurant - Includes photos of storm damage, 1962
Box 1, Folder 21 – Hanson Partnership
Box 1, Folder 22 – Harbor House Motel - Ocean City
Box 1, Folder 23 – Kents Restaurant & Baking Co. (1)
Box 1, Folder 24 – Kents Restaurant & Baking Co. (2)
Box 1, Folder 25 – Lubik Cadillac
Box 1, Folder 26 – Margate Board of Education
Box 1, Folder 27 – Mathis, J.V. - Architect, Brighton Hotel Pool
Box 1, Folder 28 – Miller, Harry, Esq. - Lou Mar Apartments, hurricane
Box 2, Folder 29 – Mobil Oil Corp.
Box 2, Folder 30 – Mt. Calvary Cemetery Association - Beth Israel
Box 2, Folder 31 – New England Hotel and Sears Roebuck Building - 1944
Box 2, Folder 32 – New Jersey Bell Telephone Company
Box 2, Folder 33 – New Jersey Bell Telephone Company - 19 and 21st Mt. Vernon
Box 2, Folder 34 – New Jersey Bell Telephone Company - Galloway Township
Box 2, Folder 35 – New Jersey Bell Telephone Company - Polar Observation
Box 2, Folder 36 – New Jersey Bell Telephone Company - R.M. Schaffer, Hamilton Township
Box 2, Folder 37 – Ocean Manor - A.P. Miller
Box 2, Folder 38 – Ocean Manor - Construction
Box 2, Folder 39 – Ocean Manor - Diesel Pile Hammer
Box 2, Folder 40 – Ocean Manor - Maps and Blueprints (1)
Box 2, Folder 41 – Ocean Manor - Maps and Blueprints (2)
Box 2, Folder 42 – Ocean Manor - Maps and Blueprints (3)
Box 2, Folder 43 – Ocean Manor - Outfall Drains and Bulkheads
Box 2, Folder 44 – Ocean Manor - Photographs by Fred Hess & Son of the properties adjacent to the Ocean Manor project (1963)
Box 2, Folder 45 – Ramada Inn
Box 2, Folder 46 – Richmond Avenue School - 1942, includes Board of Education contract
Box 2, Folder 47 – Silver Building Company - Barlinvis Apartments - 1971, includes Board of Commissioners resolution by Mayor Somers
Box 2, Folder 48 – Silver Building Company - Si Hy Apartments - 1970-71, includes Board of Commissioners resolution by Mayor Somers
Box 2, Folder 49 – Smith-Clowney, St. James Place and Boardwalk - 1944-45
Box 2, Folder 50 – Soble Construction Company - Atlantic Villas - 1971
Box 2, Folder 51 – Soble Construction Company - Bacharach Village - 1971
Box 2, Folder 52 – Soble Construction Company - Magellan Manor - 1970, includes Federal Housing Administration surveyors report (1950)
Box 2, Folder 53 – Soloff, Ed
Box 2, Folder 54 – South Jersey Gas Company
Box 2, Folder 55 – Stewart, Peter - Steel erector, Hollywood Theater, 1944
Box 2, Folder 56 – Stout, H.A. - Architect, Swinton’s business partner at Stout and Swinton Associates, Guarantee Trust Building
Box 2, Folder 57 – Stout and Swinton Associates - Includes correspondence relating to a request made by George Swinton and H.A. Stout with the Navy Department to be involved in the construction of the Naval Air Facilities at the Atlantic City Airport; George Swinton’s resume and letters of recommendation
Box 2, Folder 58 – Supplee-Wills - Jones Co. Building
Box 2, Folder 59 – Terminal Hotel - Store
Box 2, Folder 60 – Traymore Hotel - Feldman Deed, 1972, includes photos of demolition
Box 2, Folder 61 – Vassar Square Apartments
Box 2, Folder 62 – Vassar Square Apartments - Parzow
Box 2, Folder 63 – Vaughn, Mathis J. - Architect, Friedman Stores
Box 2, Folder 64 – Vermont Avenue Apartment Building - 1945
Box 2, Folder 65 – Warwick Apartments - 1964-65
Box 2, Folder 66 – Yacht Safety Bureau - 1960-61
Series 2: Personal Files
Includes documents relating to Swinton’s home, bills, and correspondence.
Box 3, Folder 1 – Personal - 44 S. Raleigh Ave. - Documents relating to George Swinton’s home such as utility bills and purchases.
Box 3, Folder 2 – Personal - 44 S. Raleigh Ave. (Fuel Oil) - Includes World War II fuel ration stamps
Box 3, Folder 3 – Personal - Bills
Box 3, Folder 4 – Personal - Correspondence - Includes letters congratulating George Swinton on his post as city engineer
Series 3: Consulting Engineer Miscellaneous Project Files
This series was originally one large, overstuffed file created by George Swinton. These are miscellaneous project files that have been re-foldered. Documents include engineering reports, surveys, blueprints, and engineering investigations for court cases.
Box 3, Folder 1 – G.R.S. - Consulting Engineer (1)
Box 3, Folder 2 – G.R.S. - Consulting Engineer (2)
Box 3, Folder 3 – G.R.S. - Consulting Engineer (3)
Series 4: Miscellaneous Files
Folders 1 and 3 were created by George Swinton. Folders 2 and 4 were created during processing for items that did not belong to existing folders.
Box 3, Folder 1 – ‘D’ - Misc. - Topics of this folder include diving, hurricane damage, and boardwalk damage
Box 3, Folder 2 – Land Deed - Albany Ave., 1969. Last Will and Testament, liquidation of partnership between Claude Clifford, George Swinton, Ignatious P. Conway, Rudolph J. Bushell, and James B. Trumbower.
Box 3, Folder 3 – ‘S’ - Misc. - Includes correspondence, letters of recommendation written by George Swinton, Notice of Separation from the Works Progress Administration
Box 3, Folder 4 – Survey Maps and Blueprints - Misc.
ITEM LIST:
George Swinton Diploma – Graduation from Lehigh University in Civil Engineering
OTHER INFORMATION FOR USERS OF THE COLLECTION
Access Points:
Architectural surveys
Atlantic City Electric Co.
Atlantic City, N.J. - Employees
Beach erosion
Betty Bacharach Home
Blueprints
Engineering
Gravatt, Frank
Hackney’s Restaurant
New Jersey Bell Telephone
Real property surveys
Stout, H.A.
Swinton, George R.
World War II fuel ration
Works Progress Administration
Related Materials:
H119 Farley, Fredericks, and Ferry Law Firm Papers (Frank Gravatt)
H118 U.S. Corps of Army Engineers Waves & Erosion Studies and Misc. Heston Duplicates, 1971-8 (box AAAA)
Processing Note: The collection is processed and cataloged. Finding aid written by Melissa McGeary, June 2017.
Copyright Notice: While the Atlantic City Free Public Library owns the collection, the Library may not own the copyright for all of the items. Researchers wishing to reproduce materials are responsible for obtaining the proper permissions.
Updated 6/28/2017
Title: Yates Family Papers
Date: about 1910 - 1963
Collection Number: H114
Accession Number: 2005.005
Extent: .25 cubic feet
Repository: Atlantic City Heritage Collections, Atlantic City Free Public Library, 1 North Tennessee Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, (609) 345-2269
Preferred Citation: Yates Family Papers, Atlantic City Heritage Collections, Atlantic City Free Public Library.
Creator: Bruyns, Augusta Yates; Yates, Harry E. ; Yates, Harry Washington
IN-DEPTH INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Scope and Content: The Yates Family Papers include photographs, menus, brochures, certificates, and a dinner invitation. The items are primarily relating to Captain Harry E. Yates. A few items are relating to Harry Washington Yates and Augusta Kathryn Yates, Harry E. Yates’ children.
The papers were donated to the Atlantic City Historical Museum in 2005 and were transferred to the Atlantic City Free Public Library in 2012 when the library acquired the museum’s collections.
Biographical/Historical Note:
Harry E. Yates was born in Atlantic City in 1874. He attended Pennsylvania Avenue School and then joined Captain Mark Casto at sea on the “Annie Fowler” for 17 years. He then captained private yachts for several years. In 1905 he joined the United States Lifesaving Station crew, serving until 1917, during which time it became part of the Coast Guard and Yates was placed in charge of the Vermont Avenue Coast Guard Station. He served summers on the Atlantic City Beach Patrol. He joined the Atlantic City Police Department in 1917 as a patrolman and in 1920 was promoted to detective and, later, Captain of Detectives. He retired in 1937 and died in 1949. Harry E. Yates married Florence “Flossie” Henold and had 3 children, including Harry Washington Yates and Augusta Kathryn Yates.
Harry Washington Yates was born in Atlantic City in 1893. He joined the Atlantic City Beach Patrol in 1915 and served as Captain of the beach guards at Maryland Avenue in 1933. He was appointed Assistant Chief in 1956, and he retired in 1963 and died in 1971.
Augusta Kathryn Yates was born in 1907. She married Otto Bruyns in 1927. During World War II, she was recognized for patriotic service by the City of Atlantic City for her work with the Red Cross and the Sewing Moms. She worked for Prudential Insurance Company. In 1947 she was appointed secretary of the Northfield Board of Education until her retirement in 1970. She died in 2008.
Sources:
“Who’s Who in the Resort,” Atlantic City Press, 16 July 1933.
“Augusta Kathryn Yates Bruyns,” Find a Grave, www.findagrave.com, accessed 26 May 2017.
United States Census Records, www.familysearch.org, accessed 26 May 2017.
System of Arrangement:
Collection is divided according to subject or creator – items about Harry E. Yates, items about Harry Washington Yates, items about Augusta Yates Bruyns, and items from the Guarantee Trust Company.
FOLDER LIST:
Folder 1: Harry E. Yates
Contains a photograph of Yates in his Beach Patrol uniform, an invitation to his 1937 retirement dinner at Hyman’s Restaurant and two programs from the dinner.
Folder 2: Harry Washington Yates
Contains a photograph of Yates in Beach Patrol uniform with another guard and another man in a suit, and a program from a testimonial dinner at 500 Club held in honor of Yates and Richard W. Hughes at their 1963 retirement.
Folder 3: Augusta Yates Bruyns
Contains 2 certificates of commendation for patriotic service as part of the Red Cross and Sewing Moms during World War II, 2 portrait photographs of a young woman, 1 photograph of a wedding party, 1 photograph of a parade float for Atlantic City Electric Company, 1 photograph of a youth group, and a program for a dinner to Charles B. Boyer in 1930 at Hotel Chelsea.
Folder 4: Guarantee Trust Company
Contains brochures distributed by the Atlantic City company, found with the collection.
OTHER INFORMATION FOR USERS OF THE COLLECTION
Access Points:
500 Club
Atlantic City Beach Patrol
Atlantic City Electric Co.
Atlantic City Police Department
Beach
Boyer, Charles B.
Bruyns, Augusta Kathryn Yates
Guarantee Trust Company
Hotel Chelsea
Hughes, Richard W. Sr.
Hyman’s Restaurant
Red Cross
Sewing Moms
United States Life-Saving Service
World War II
Yates, Harry E.
Yates, Harry Washington
Related Materials:
H033- Atlantic City Beach Patrol Collection
Local History Biography Files – Yates, Harry E.
Processing Note: The collection is processed and cataloged. Finding aid written by Heather Perez, archivist, May 2017.
Copyright Notice: While the Atlantic City Free Public Library owns the collection, the Library may not own the copyright for all of the items. Researchers wishing to reproduce materials are responsible for obtaining the proper permissions.
Updated: 27 June 2017
