George L. Webb Family Letters, 1936-1937

Collection

Identifier: MS 4-13-15

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Two letters from George to Ila and her family describe life in Juneau in the mid-1930’s. Includes a poignant account of the landslide in downtown Juneau, November 1936 in which 15 people died and mud was 20 feet high on Franklin Street, Juneau’s main throughfare. Webb describes “bathtubs … mashed flat [and] pipes … twisted into all shapes.” Another item from Mary, 1936, is a Christmas greeting to Ila and her family. Ila explained that the magazine image is from the little girl, who thought it looked like Ila.

Dates

1936-1937

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Request for permission to publish material from the collection must be discussed with the Librarian. Photocopying does not constitute permission to publish.

Biographical

George L. Webb came to Juneau in 1936 to find work. His wife Mary and daughter Mary Ann (2 ½ years) and a baby (10 months) stayed in California. According to one letter Mary must have tried Alaska and decided to return home. The donor, Ila J. Vorderbrueeggen (nee Couture), was a teenager in California who worked as a mother’s helper to Mary Webb during this time period. Ila’s father knew the Webbs; he is referred to as “Toush.”

A photograph of George Webb is located in the Lloyd “Kinky” Bayers Collection, MS 10, Scrapbook 5-48c. The image is of a boxing match with George pictured in the middle. According to the A-J Mining Co. records, George Lincoln Webb was hired June 2, 1936. He was 26 years old. His wife was Mary and his two girls were Margaret and Mary. Social Security Death Index lists: George L. Webb: b. 12 Feb. 1910; d. Jul 1986, San Diego CA.

[From interview with Ila J. Vorderbrueggen, “Kinky” Bayers Collection, A-J Mining Records and SSDI]

Extent

4 items : 3 letters + 1 image

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated by Ila J. Vorderbrueggen in June 2004. Accession no. 2004-36.

Processing Information

Materials are housed in acid-free containers.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Finding aid for the George L. Webb Family Letters, 1936-1937
Status: In Progress
Author: Processed by: Gladi Kulp August 2004 ; ArchivesSpace finding aid by: Sandy Johnston
Date: 2019 June
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: English