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George H. Pradt Geographic Survey Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-124-BC

Scope and Content

This collection contains Pradt's field notebooks, survey notes, maps, drawings, and a small amount of personal ephemera. Box 1 contains field notebooks and logs, 1882-1911. Box 2 contains texts on surveying. Box 3 contains field maps, drawings, and survey notes, arranged by township and range. Box 3 also contains one folder with personal correspondence, certificates, and documents. An oversized folder of maps is itemized at the end of the accompanying inventory.

Much of the data in this collection pertains to surveys of land grants in New Mexico, including the Acoma, Cebolleta, Laguna, Pajarito, Atrisco, Elena Gallegos, Los Padillas, Isleta, Alameda, Santiago Ramirez, Cañon del Agua, Salvador Gonzales, Galisteo, Piedra Lumbre, Talaya Hill, Luis Jaramillo, San Mateo Spring, Montaño, Guadalupe Montoya, Sebastián de Vargas, Cieneguilla, Cubero, and Felipe Tafoya grants or tracts. Additionally, there is survey data for Pueblo Bonito (Chaco Canyon), railroad lands, and other private surveys.

Dates

  • 1860-1920

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research

Copy Restrictions

Most material in this collection is fragile.

Limited duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.

Biography

George H. Pradt was born in Pennsylvania and reared in Wisconsin. He came to New Mexico in 1869, commissioned by the government to survey the Navajo reservation. Upon completion of the project, Pradt returned to the east. He made his way back to New Mexico (Santa Fe) in 1872; he worked as a civil engineer and surveyor of public lands and reservations, affiliated with the Territorial Surveyor General's Office. In 1876, Pradt made Laguna Pueblo his permanent residence.

He held positions including deputy surveyor of the District of New Mexico, justice of the peace for Valencia County, governor of Laguna Pueblo, and Deputy United States Marshal. In addition to his career in surveying and engineering, Pradt served in the military. He also was involved in the cattle business and in general merchandise and post trading (with Walter and Robert Marmon). George H. Pradt died at his home in Laguna Pueblo on January 9, 1927.

Extent

3 boxes (1 cu. ft.) + 1 oversized folder

Related Material

Thomas B. Catron Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Records of the Geographic Surveys West of the 100th Meridian Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Land records of New Mexico (microfilm): Spanish archives of New Mexico, series I, Surveyor General records and the records of the Court of Private Land Claims. University of New Mexico, University Libraries, Center for Southwest Research. Indian Affairs Collection Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico

Separated Material

Maps not pertaining to New Mexico have been transferred to the Map and Geographic Information Center, Centennial Science and Engineering Library, University of New Mexico.

Relevant Secondary Sources

  • Walters, Paul. "Necrology: Major George H. Pradt." New Mexico Historical Review 2(1927):208-214
Title
Finding Aid of the George H. Pradt Geographic Survey Papers, 1860-1920
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by B. Silbergleit
Date
©1999
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 124 BC::George H. Pradt Geographic Survey Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss124bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451