Youngberg, Gilbert A. Papers of the Florida Inland Waterways and the Cross Florida Barge Canal

Collection — Box: Youngberg

Identifier: PP-Youngberg

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection focuses on Youngberg's years in private practice as a consulting engineer on various river and harbor improvement projects in the state of Florida. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, magazine articles, research and reference materials, maps, histories of the Florida east coast and transportation systems, biographies, and government documents. Topics included are beach erosion and shore preservation, the Florida East Coast Canal, and the Gulf-Atlantic Ship Canal (eventually to be better known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal). A preponderance of the collection deals with Youngberg's involvement in the planning and surveying of the Florida East Coast Canal.

Dates

Other: Majority of material found in 1919-1951
Other: Date acquired: 01/08/1951

Creator

Youngberg, Gilbert A. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open access

Extent

12.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

This collection is arranged in four series: Series 1 provides background information and research material that Youngberg accumulated for his work on beach erosion and shore preservation.

Series 2 focuses on Youngberg's work with the Florida East Coast Canal, which is further divided into six sub-series: The first sub-series provides a brief history of the canal, both for and against its existence, and includes research material collected by Youngberg for his professional use. This material consists of business correspondence, articles, speeches, and government documents. The next sub-series deals with the inception of the Florida Inland Navigation District, the entity responsible for the canal lands. Further sub-series provide information relating to the Jacksonville section of the canal, then progresses to material dealing with the St. John's River, specifically the sections from Jacksonville to Miami and then the section from Miami to the Keys. The Inland Waterway is discussed as a whole before the series ends with a plethora of government documents dealing with inland waterways across the country.

Series 3 focuses on the controversial Cross Florida Barge Canal, refered to as the Gulf-Atlantic Ship Canal when Youngberg actively worked as a proponent on its building. Although Youngberg's actual work on the canal was short-lived, he continued to maintain an interest in the canal and to collect information related to its building. The first part of this series contains speeches and articles that provide background information on the canal, while the latter part of the series focuses on research material and government documents.

Series 4 contains biographical information about Youngberg, acquisition notes and archival correspondence.

Source of Acquisition

Gilbert A. Youngberg

Method of Acquisition

Gilbert Youngberg donated his papers to Rollins College in 1951 at the behest of Drs. A.J. and Kathryn Abbey Hanna. The Hannas were involved in researching the history of the east coast of Florida and corresponded with Col. Youngberg about his work on the Florida East Coast Canal. Since Youngberg had already retired and was unsure what paperwork would be deemed important, he donated the bulk of his collection to Rollins so that the Hannas could use the resources they needed to complete their work.