FRANK P. DONOVAN:

An Inventory of His Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Creator: Donovan, Frank P., Jr. (Frank Pierce), 1909-1970, creator.
Title:Frank Pierce Donovan papers.
Dates:1909-1974.
Language:Materials in English.
Abstract:Papers belonging to author and railroad researcher Frank Pierce Donovan. Includes clippings and subject files, writings and correspondence, Donovan's research card catalog, exhibition and presentation materials, and posters and other ephemera related to rail history and cartoonist Fontaine Fox (Toonerville Trolley).
Quantity:15 cubic (15 boxes, 1 folder in 1 partial box, and 1 folder, unboxed).
Location: See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseBIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Frank Pierce Donovan was born in Wayne, Pennsylvania on October 5, 1909, and was educated at the Friends Select School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He later graduated from American University in 1938.

Donovan worked in the following roles in his career: handler in the freight department at Pacific Electric Railway (1942); research assistant in the public relations department of the Association of American Railroads (1942-1943); expeditor at the American Friends Service Committee (1945-1946); editor of Trains magazine (1946-1948); special representative at the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway (1948-1951); centennial historian for the First National Bank of St. Paul (1951-1952); and social worker for the Hennepin County Welfare Board (1954-late 1960s).

As a freelance writer, Donovan prolifically published articles and short stories in railroad related serials and publications. He also produced multiple books, including: The Railroad in literature; survey of railroad fiction, poetry, songs, biography, essays, travel and drama in the English language, particularly emphasizing its place in American literature (1940); Headlights and markers: an anthology of railroad stories, with Robert Selph Henry (1946); Mileposts on the prairie (1950); First through a century, 1853-1953: a history of the First National Bank of Saint Paul (1954); The Manchester & Oneida Railway, 1901-1951 (1957); Harry Bedwell: last of the great railroad storytellers (1959); and Wheels for a Nation (1965).


Return to top

Expand/CollapseARRANGEMENT

These papers are organized into the following sections:

Clippings and subject files
Correspondence and writings
Bibliographies, biographical information, and lists
Research card catalog and presentation materials
Oversize and ephemera


Return to top

Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Frank Pierce Donovan Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Provenance:

Transferred from the James J. Hill Research Center and Reference Library (JJHRC) to the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) following the closure of JJHRC in 2019. The collection was originally purchased in the early 1970s by the James J. Hill Research Center and Reference Library.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 17,874

Processing Information:

Processed by: Leif Kopietz, July 2022.

Catalog ID number: 9989821640204294


Return to top

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Expand/CollapseCLIPPINGS AND SUBJECT FILES

Arranged alphabetically by name, place, or topic.


LocationBox
154.I.15.10F1Advertising, 1940s.
Alabama, approximately 1938.
Arts and artists, 1930s-1960s.
Authors, 1836, 1940s-1960s.
Aviation - miscellaneous publications, 1950s-1960s.
Aviation - Northwest Orient Airlines, 1952-1962.
Aviation - Catalina Air Transport, approximately 1941.
Aviation - Pan American World Airways, undated, 1947-1955.
Banks and banking, 1952-1956.
Bedwell, Harry (book), by Frank Donovan, undated.
Books, best, 1931, 1962.
Booksellers, 1930s-1960s.
Books, best, undated, 1920s-1930s.
Boxcar hoboes, 1934.
Bridges and tunnels, 1928-1960s.
Bus transportation, 1920s-1970s.
Budd, Ralph, 1930-1955.
Business - history, 1953-1967.
California - San Francisco, undated, 1940, 1956.
Canada, undated, 1950.
Canals, 1927-1935.
Capital punishment, 1938 September-October.
Chanute, Octave, 1886, 1911.
Children, 1952.
Colleges, 1936-1937, 1950-1964.
Colorado, undated.
Comics, jokes, and quizzes, 1930s-1960s.
Conscientious objectors, 1934-1945, 1962. 2 folders.
Cooke, Jay, undated, 1928.
Denver, 1950s, 1969.
Disciples of Christ, undated, 1960.
Donovan, Frank, Jr., 1936-1963.
Donovan notes and correspondence, 1940s-1960s. 2 folders.
Economics, undated, 1932, 1952-1953.
Electric railways, undated, 1933-1937, 1963-1964.
Electric railways - Twin Cities, undated, 1940s-1950s.
LocationBox
154.I.15.11B2Electric railways - Miscellaneous, 1926-1960s. 3 folders.
Electric railways - General, undated, 1929-1952.
Electric railways, undated, 1910-1971.
Electric railways - Museums, undated, 1955, 1959, 1966.
Electric railways - Atlantic City, undated, 1929.
Electric railways - Baltimore, undated, 1929-1938.
Electric railways - British Columbia, undated.
Electric railways - Boston, 1929-1959.
Electric railways - Cincinnati, June 5, 1937.
Electric railways - Chicago, 1940s-1950s.
Electric railways - Cleveland, undated.
Electric railways - Edinburgh, April 2, 1932.
Electric railways - Kansas City, 1928, 1940, 1963.
Electric railways - London, undated, 1930-1933.
Electric railways - Los Angeles, undated, 1924, 1938-1941.
Electric railways - Macon, Georgia, April 5, 1928.
Electric railways - Massachusetts, Eastern, undated.
Electric railways - Philadelphia, 1900s-1960s. 2 folders.
Electric railways - Pittsburgh, undated, 1936, 1955, 1963.
Electric railways - San Francisco, undated, 1949.
Electric railways - Toronto, undated, 1957-1958.
Electric railways - Tucson, approximately 1965.
Electric railways - Vancouver, undated, 1923.
Electric railways - Washington, D.C., undated, 1930s-1940s.
Engines, 1903, 1928-1969.
Engines, diesel, 1936, 1962.
Ferries, 1928, 1960s.
Fishing, undated.
LocationBox
154.I.15.12F3Friends (Society), The Caldron, 1928-1931.
Quaker publication featuring poems, short stories, and writings.
Flager, Henry M. - railroad builder, undated.
Friends (Society), 1930s-1960s.
Foundations, 1953-1955.
Freight, 1930s-1960.
Friends (Society) - American Friends Service Committee, 1930s-1960s.
Globe, 1952.
Hall, James Norman, 1952.
Hennepin County Historical Society and Museum, undated, 1955.
Highways, 1937, 1940.
Hill, James Jerome, April 18, 1917.
Horse cars, 1927-1932.
Illinois (miscellaneous), 1943, 1947-1948, 1959-1960.
Illinois - Chicago, undated, 1947, 1954, 1960-1962.
Illinois - Peoria, 1949.
Illinois Terminal Railroad System, undated, 1936.
James, Jesse, September 8, 1876.
Iowa (miscellaneous), undated, 1926, 1953-1966.
Kansas (miscellaneous), undated, 1950, 1954, 1963.
Labor and unions, undated, 1954.
Lewis, R.G., 1939.
Louisiana - New Orleans, undated, 1930s-1950s.
Maryland, undated, 1933, 1950, 1956.
Mexico, 1962-1963. 2 folders.
Michigan, undated.
Minnesota, undated, 1940s-1960s. 3 folders.
Minnesota Centennial and Centennial Train, 1957-1958.
LocationBox
154.I.15.13B4Minnesota Historical Society, 1959-1964.
Minnesota - Minneapolis, 1940s-1950s. 2 folders.
Minnesota Twin City Lines, 1940s-1960s. 4 folders.
Minnesota - Twin Cities, undated, 1950s-1960s.
Mitten, Thomas Eugene, undated, 1929.
Montana, undated, 1956.
Montreal, 1967.
Mississippi, undated.
Missouri, undated, 1937-1960s.
Motion pictures, 1943, 1960-1963.
Nebraska, undated, 1960.
Neuberger, Richard L., undated, 1948-1960.
Nuclear power, 1954.
Nevada, undated, 1958, 1963.
New England, undated, 1948-1968.
New Jersey, undated, 1960s.
New York City, undated, 1931, 1959.
New York (State), undated, 1946-1965.
Newcomen Society, 1950s-1960s.
Northwestern States, 1951.
Nurses and nursing, 1956.
Ohio, undated.
O'Meara, Ted, 1952, 1955-1956.
Oregon, undated, 1949, 1958.
Pacific Railway journal, undated, 1960-1961.
Peace and pacifism, 1932-1942.
Peacock press, approximately 1959.
Pennsylvania, 1947-1960s.
LocationBox
154.I.15.14F5Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, 1925, 1949-1969.
Periodicals, 1940s-1960s.
Post offices, mail, etc., 1929-1954.
Presidents - U.S., undated, 1952, 1960, 1962.
Programs - festivals, musicals, etc., 1936-1966.
Prosser, Richard S., 1960.
Publishing and editing, undated, 1965.
Passes, memberships, etc., 1930s-1960s.
Railroad accidents, 1931-1960s.
Railroad anecdotes, undated, 1954, 1961-1962.
Railroad art, undated, 1931-1968.
Railroad bibliography, 1959-1964.
Railroad book reviews, authors, and letters, 1935-1968.
Railroad Christmas cards, 1968.
Railroad clubs, undated, 1932-1968.
Railroad clubs (general), 1928-1968.
Railroad clubs (American Short Line Railroad Association), undated, 1940s-1950s.
Railroad clubs (Electric Railroaders Association), 1934-1970.
Railroad clubs (Federation for Railway Progress), undated, 1951-1955.
Railroad clubs (New England Electric Railway Historical Society), 1946-1947, 1951-1952.
Railroad clubs (National Railway Historical Society, Inc.), 1936, 1952-1969.
Railroad clubs (railroad boosters), undated, 1941, 1958.
Railroad clubs (Minnesota Railfans Association), undated, 1950-1965.
Railroad clubs (The Railroad Enthusiasts), 1938, 1953-1957. 2 folders.
Railroad clubs (Railroad Society of Milwaukee), 1947.
Railroad clubs (National Railroad Historical Society), 1950s-1960s.
Railroad clubs (Railway and Locomotive Historical Society), 1928-1968.
Railroad depots (proposed articles, materials, and correspondence), undated, 1930, 1956-1959.
LocationBox
154.L.7.1B6Railroads - depots, undated.
Railroads drama, undated, 1947-1960s.
Railroad essay contests, 1954-1955.
Railroad essays, 1966.
Railway Express, 1962-1963.
"Railroad fiction," undated, 1930s-1960s.
"Railroad fiction" (items to check), undated, 1939, 1960s.
Railroad in literature, 1929-1960s.
Railroads - Great Northern, undated, 1940s-1960s. 2 folders.
Railroad magazine, undated, 1935-1968.
Railroad mementos, undated, 1957, 1969.
Railroad - motion picture, television, and radio, undated, 1930s-1960s.
Railroad museums, undated, 1929, 1940s-1960s.
Railroad periodicals, 1920s-1960s. 3 folders.
Railroad short stories: Hayes, William E., 1932-1954.
Railroad short stories: Somerville, A.W., 1928-1931, 1938, 1962.
Railroad short stories: Sturdy, John R., 1952, 1957-1960.
Railroad songs, 1920s-1960s.
Railroad verse, 1920s-1960s.
Railroads - passenger service, 1929, 1945, 1959-1970.
Railroads - Asia, 1940s-1960s.
Railroads - Australia, undated.
Railroads - Canada, 1956-1962.
Railroads - crime and criminals, 1928, 1940.
LocationBox
154.L.7.2F7Railroads (general), 1920s-1960s. 3 folders.
Railroads - equipment and rolling stock, undated, 1927-1960s.
Railroads - Europe, undated, 1950-1973.
Railroads - Japan, January 1963.
Railroads - Mexico, 1965, 1969.
Railroads - South America, 1949, 1955, 1959.
Railroads - employees, 1940s-1960s.
Railroads - history, undated, 1927-1967.
Railroads - labor and unions, 1959-1969.
Railroads - legislation, 1937, 1941, 1961-1962, 1967.
Railroads - management, 1927-1968.
Railroads - names, undated.
Railroads - consolidations and mergers, undated, 1960s.
Railroads - the official guide, 1950.
Railroads - pictures, miscellaneous, undated, 1927-1933, 1953, 1960.
Railroads - short lines, undated, 1930s-1960s.
Railroads - tank cars, April 1943.
Railroads - Atchison, Topeka, and Sante Fe Railway, undated, 1940s-1960s. 2 folders.
Railroads - Spokane, Seattle, and Portland Railway, undated, 1909-1911, 1954-1956.
Railroads - Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, 1930, 1956, 1965.
Railroads - Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, undated, 1930s-1960s.
Railroads - Boston and Maine Railroad, 1949, 1956, 1963.
Railroads - Burlington Northern Railroad, undated, 1964, 1972.

Return to top

Expand/CollapseCORRESPONDENCE AND WRITINGS

Correspondence and related materials regarding drafting, publication, and promotion of Donovan's books, articles, and short stories.


Arranged alphabetically by letter, individual, organization, writing title, or topic.


LocationBox
154.L.7.3B8A correspondence, 1952-1968.
Adam, Robert B., 1958, 1963-1964.
Along the Reading, by Jediah Pennymaker, 1960-1965.
"Amazing Great Western," 1953.
American Friends Service Committee 1953-1965.
Association of American Railroads, 1953-1965.
Automobile costs, etc., 1950s.
B correspondence, 1920s-1960s.
Barriger, J.W., 1933-1935, 1950s-1960s.
Bedwell, Harry: A-Z, 1940s-1960s. 2 folders.
Correspondence regarding Frank Donovan's proposed biography of railroad author Harry Bedwell. The files are organized alphabetically by name: A-King (folder 1) and Knapke, W.F.-Z (folder 2). Most of the correspondence is between Donovan and potential publishers.
Bedwell (Harry), book, 1930s-1950s.
Bedwell (Harry), book: Carbons of letters, 1959-1964.
Bedwell (Harry), book: Reviews and statements, 1959-1969.
Bedwell (Harry), book: Distribution, 1959-1967.
Harry Bedwell book, 1958-1967.
Bibliographies of Donovan work, undated, 1954.
Bibliographies, periodicals, and short stories, 1940s-1950s.
Beebe, Lucius, 1940s-1960s.
Bibliographic materials (miscellaneous), undated, 1929-1933, 1938, 1955-1956.
Billing, B.M., 1959.
"Blood center on wheels," May 6, 1953.
Blue prints, 1926-1927.
Book reviewing, January 20-21, 1954.
"Boomer turns to books," (Albert B. Cunningham), 1953-1954.
Ralph Budd (projected), 1954-1956.
Robert J. Burdette, 1960-1961.
Burlington in Iowa, 1961-1971.
"Busiest agent on the Great Northern," (Engelhart), 1954-1955.
LocationBox
154.L.7.4F9C correspondence, 1920s-1969.
Cather, Willa (correspondence and materials), 1959-1961.
Includes book dust covers of Willa Cather's novels, clippings regarding Cather, and correspondence between Donovan and biographers and publishers of Willa Cather.
"C.T.C. - Railroading by remote control," October 1954.
California period - miscellaneous notes, undated, 1942.
Trip to Canada and Expo '67 (materials), 1967.
Correspondence regarding Montreal Fair in 1967.
Canadian National Railway (proposed book), 1950-1951.
Canadian Pacific (proposed book), approximately 1951.
"Canyon War," 1954-1956.
"Channeled railroading," 1955-1956.
Chicago Great Western Railway, Palimpsest, 1952-1953.
Chicago Great Western Railway, Railroad magazine, 1952-1963.
Chicago & Northwestern in Iowa, 1962-1963.
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railway in Iowa, undated.
A Club for Every Railfan (railroad fan club questionnaire), 1966-1967.
Cooperative railroads and cooperatives (not published), 1946-1947.
Cowdery, Morris A. (artist) (Donovan caricature), 1947-1949.
A Review by W.B. Davids of Mileposts on the prairie, by Frank P. Donovan, Jr., 1950-1951.
D correspondence, 1930s-1969.
"A Day with a Vice President," (Congdon), September 26, 1953.
DeGolyer, Everett L. (& the DeGolyer Foundation), 1966.
Destination Topolobampo, 1963-1969. 2 folders.
Drama, 1960s.
"Drive for passenger business," by Frank Donovan, 1964.
"Doctor of weak railroads," (L.C. Sprague), 1948-1950.
Duke, Donald, 1959-1966.
Duncan, Thomas W., 1963, 1967.
"Dynamic railroader," (Warren Brown), 1955-1956.
E correspondence, 1930s-1960s.
"E-E-E Day in St. Paul," 1952-1953.
England, 1950s-1960s.
Europe, 1950s-1960s.
F correspondence, 1940s-1960s.
Fair, James, 1973.
"Farmers' railroad," 1939, 1941.
The First through a century, 1950s.
Fitzpatrick, Mark (1st National Bank), 1946-1952.
Florida, undated, 1948, 1961.
"Flying" (projected new subject field), 1959.
LocationBox
154.L.7.5B10Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railway (proposed history), 1953-1954.
Friendly essays (not published). Proposed collection of Donovan Quaker articles previously published, 1950s-1960s.
Friends (Society), 1950s-1960s.
G correspondence, 1940s-1960s.
Gateway to the Northwest, 1954-1958.
Gateway to the Northwest: Orders, etc., II, 1950s-1970.
Georgia, 1954, 1958.
"Ghost town on a ghost road," 1909-1911, 1953-1961.
Global passage, 1955.
Graeber, Dave, 1973-1974.
"GN's freight traffic men go to finishing school," 1954.
Great Northern in Iowa, Union Pacific, and Sante Fe, 1964-1967.
H correspondence, 1930s-late 1960s.
Haines, William Webster, 1938-1962.
Alvin Fay Harlow, 1963-1964.
Harriman family, 1946, 1951-1952.
Headlights and markers (both editions), 1940-1968.
Headlights and markers - items, 1930s-1950s.
Headlights and markers - reprints and editions, 1937-1970.
Headlights and markers - reviews, 1940s-1960s.
Hennepin County Welfare Board, August 23, 1968.
Henry, Robert S., 1952-1961, 1971.
"Hi-fi railroad records," 1930s-1960.
Empire builder: James J. Hill (projected juvenile biography), 1953-1955.
Hill Library, 1955-1972.
Hofsommer, Don, 1971-1974.
"Huntington's palace on wheels," 1953.
Hubbard, Freeman, 1953-1967.
Edward Hungerford (proposed biography) and "From Ottawa to Edward Hungerford Country," 1949-1952.
I correspondence, 1930s-1968.
"I was born to railroad," 1954-1959.
Ideas for articles, 1950-1961.
Illinois Central in Iowa, 1961-1965.
"Interesting railfans, no. 19," by F.H. Hubbard, 1963-1964.
"Interurban era," (projected for Trains), 1953-1954.
LocationBox
154.L.7.6F11"Interurbans in Iowa," 1953-1960.
Introductory traffic management course - tests, undated.
Iowa Railway Historical Museum, 1958-1960.
Iowa State Historical Society (Peterson, W.J.), 1953-1964.
J correspondence, 1940s-1960s.
Jenner, William B., 1967-1969.
"Jerry the iceman," 1954 September-October.
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Donovan application for fellowship, 1952-1958.
K correspondence, 1940s-1968.
L correspondence, 1930s-1960s.
Lehigh & Delaware Canal (proposed article), May 26, 1953.
Letters regarding periodical articles, 1948-1955.
Lexington Group, 1950s.
Mileposts on the prairie (Davids, W.B.), 1949-1951.
"Edwin Hawley," 1912, 1949-1952.
Mileposts on the prairie, A-Z, 1948-1951. 10 folders.
Mileposts on the prairie (movie rights), 1952-1953.
M correspondence, 1930s-1960s.
"MacFarlane on the NP," 1954-1956.
McCague, James, 1961-1965.
McClintock, Harry K., 1950s.
LocationBox
154.L.7.7B12McGuire, Sister Anne, 1973-1974.
McKnight Foundation Humanities Award, July 1960.
"Man in a woman's world," (male nursing), 1955-1957.
Manchester and Oneida Railway (book orders, etc.), 1957-1962. 4 folders.
Maryville College, undated, 1929-1934.
Middleton, William D., 1962-1969.
Mileposts on the prairie (revised edition), 1966-1967.
Mileposts on the prairie - reviews, 1950s-1960s.
Mileposts on the prairie - review items typed, 1958-1967.
Mileposts on the prairie, Simmons-Boardman, 1949-1955.
Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway in Iowa, 1951-1953.
"The Milwaukee in Iowa," I (materials), 1964.
"The Milwaukee in Iowa," II (correspondence), 1962-1964.
"Minneapolis & St. Louis," 1942-1943, 1958.
Minneapolis & St. Louis is in the news again, 1959.
"Minneapolis unique meeting," 1955-1956.
"Minnesota pioneers in rural nursing," 1954.
"Minnesota Transfer's modernization cuts yard time," 1953-1954.
"Miracle of the C.T.C," 1954 October-December.
"Modern railroader A.P. Wheelock," January and April 1954.
"Molders of management," 1953 March-May.
Christopher Morley (projected biography), 1957-1963.
Harry Murphy...(proposed book), 1962-1963.
"Mystery rides the rails," (miscellaneous and materials) I, 1967-1968.
"Mystery rides the rails," (armchair detective) II, 1968-1969.
N correspondence, 1930s-1960s.
LocationBox
154.L.7.8F13"Northern Pacific's North Coast Limited," Railway Progress, 1955.
"Named for railroad presidents," 1964-1965.
Narrative-railroading in literature, 1968.
Newcomen literature, 1951-1952.
"Newfoundland railways," (proposed article), 1951-1953.
"Northwest Angle trip," (proposed article), 1952-1953.
O correspondence, 1948-1963.
"O Henrys of the High Iron," May 29, 1947.
"Old Mullet Road," 1943-1944.
"One night on a Southbound Limited," 1963-1964.
Outlines of proposed railroad books, 1951-1953.
"Pacific Electric," 1941-1950.
Donovan & Swett - "Pacific Electric," (proposed book), July 1948.
Pan-Am World Flight (projected), July 1955-1958.
Pease, Herbert L., 1949-1958.
Prosser, Dick, 1973-1974.
P correspondence, 1930s-1960s.
"Pushbutton railroading," January 5, 1956.
Putting steam in your vacation, I-III, 1959-1956. 3 folders.
Q correspondence, June 24, 1946.
"Quaker schooling in retrospect," 1953 February-March.
R correspondence, 1930s-1960s.
Railfans book and railroad item sale and exchange, 1942, 1944.
Railfan Club memberships and subscriptions, 1954, 1957.
"Railroad Day in St. Paul," 1956-1957.
Saint Paul Union Depot Company, 1951-1960.
"Railroad fiction books," 1936-1937.
Railroad in literature as a public relations medium, September 14, 1940.
Railroad in literature, new edition, miscellaneous correspondence, 1938-1973
Railroad in literature, new edition, correspondence with Don Hofsommer, 1968-1972
Railroad in literature, new edition, Oklahoma University Press, etc., 1966-1974
Railroad in literature, new edition, correspondence with Merrill Skidmore, 1962-1972
Railroad in literature 1940 edition, 1938-1971.
"Railroad phonograph records," 1935-1937.
"Railroad rimes [and songs]," 1930s.
"Railroading on the bookshelf," 1953-1954.
Railroading cooperate in heart research, 1957-1958.
Railroads of America, September 24, 1949.
Railroads of America reviews, 1949-1960.
"Railroads of the Twin Cities," 1952-1954.
"Railway progress" sales representative, 1953-1955.
"Reel railroading," 1953-1954.
Review of "American Railroad Network..." by G.R. Taylor, 1956 October-November.
Rock Island in Iowa, 1962-1964, 1967.
"Rococo railroading," (Rowland Emmet), 1955-1957.
S correspondence, 1938-1969.
LocationBox
154.L.7.9B14"Safety works on the Chicago Great Western," 1956-1957.
"Senator...writer...railfan," (Neuberger), 1953-1956.
"Short Line Railroad Association," 1954-1955.
Skidmore, 1971-1974.
Short story anthology, 1930, 1948-1959.
Skidmore, M.O., 1962-1969.
"Small town trolley manager," by Robert B. Chew (not published), 1969-1971.
Frank H. Spearman, 1952-1954.
"Spellacy, etc.," (not published), 1954 March-April.
"A.B. Stickney," 1952-1953.
Stoddard (projected article), 1954-1955.
"The story of Penn College," (proposed), 1956.
Stuart, Jesse, 1967-1968.
T correspondence, 1937-1969.
Television series (proposed), 1957-1958.
"Take a ride on the Reading," September 29, 1947.
"Tanakas of Tokyo and Minneapolis," 1953.
"They don't lose time on the Lehigh," (unpublished), 1953-1954.
Thompson, Bob, 1971, 1973-1974.
"Thousand miles by trolley," 1935-1939.
Time freight 20, 1949-1952.
"To a B & B foreman...every job is different," 1952 October-December.
Toonerville and Fontaine Fox: Correspondence with Fontaine Fox, 1937-1964.
Toonerville and Fontaine Fox: Miscellaneous correspondence chronologically arranged, 1937-1970.
Trains magazine research editor, 1946 June-July.
"Tomorrow's trolley today," 1936 September-October.
Trans Siberian Railway (projected), 1958-1959.
"Trolley trouble," (not published?), December 12, 1960.
U correspondence, 1939-1967.
University of Oklahoma Press, 1973-1974.
Unpublished manuscripts, 1930s-1960s.
V correspondence, 1951, 1954.
The Vanishing passenger train (proposed book), 1963.
"Henry Villard...," 1952-1953.
W correspondence, 1932-1964.
Y-Z correspondence, 1928-1964.
"The Wabash in Iowa," 1964.
Washington, Brandywine & Point Lookout Railroad Company, November 8, 1937.
Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad (projected), 1953.
"Whistling out a flag," 1951-1953.
"Why Northern Pacific owns an airplane," April 12, 1956.
Willius brothers (projected), 1954-1955.
Wolfe, Thomas, 1935, 1950s-1960s.
"Yards of progress," November 24, 1955.
"Young blood for the Minneapolis & St. Louis," (not published), 1956-1957.

Return to top

Expand/CollapseBIBLIOGRAPHIES, BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION, AND LISTS

LocationBox
154.L.7.9B14Mimeographed bibliography (original typed and master copy), undated.
Biographical materials, undated, 1950s-1973.
Booklist, 1929-1960s.
Library lists, 1961-1968.

Return to top

Expand/CollapseRESEARCH CARD CATALOG AND PRESENTATION MATERIALS

LocationBox
154.L.7.9B14Presentation guest book, June 16-23, 1973. 1 volume.
Donovan and CLIC exhibit slides, 1972-1973.
LocationBox
142.D.4.816Exhibition poster - James J. Hill Reference Library presents the Frank P. Donovan collection: seminars, photography, and model trains, June 16-24, 1973.
LocationBox
138.J.9.8F-115Research card catalog. 3 card file boxes.

Return to top

Expand/CollapseOVERSIZE AND EPHEMERA

LocationFolder
Unavailable1Milwaukee Road Depot, Minneapolis, Minnesota, blueprints, 1951-1952.
Restricted. Sent to conservation.
LocationBox
138.J.9.8F-115Toonerville Trolley drawings and ephemera, undated, 1938, 1947-1958.
Includes Christmas postcards with the Toonerville Trolley characters (1947-1958), drawings and sketches (undated), and two letters from Paul J. Schieck to Frank Donovan regarding his article "The Real Toonerville Trolley" (January 11 and 22, 1938).

Return to top

Expand/CollapseRELATED MATERIALS

Copies of Donovan's published books are available in the Minnesota Historical Society book collection.

Return to top

Expand/CollapseCATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:
Authors and publishers.
Railroads -- Bibliography.
Railroads -- Research.
Railroads -- United States -- History.
Electric railroads -- United States -- History.
Railroads -- Canada -- History.
Railroads in literature.
Persons:
Bedwell, Harry, 1888-1955.
Fox, Fontaine, 1884-1964, author.
Organizations:
Manchester and Oneida Railway Company.
Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad.
Chicago Great Western Railroad Company.
Minnesota Transfer Railway.
Document Types:
Photographs.
Color slides.
Blueprints (reprographic copies).
Occupations:
Authors, American.
Cartoonists.

Return to top

To search within this finding aid,
expand all and use 'ctrl+f' (PC)
or 'cmd+f' (Mac)

Overview
Biographical Note
Arrangement
Administrative Info
Detailed Description
Related Material
Catalog Headings
Finding Aids, A-Z
New Finding Aids
Search Library & Archives Catalog
Search Collections
Library FAQ
Copy Services
Research Services
Take-Down Procedure
Library Facebook
Collections Management Toolkit