Related Collections

Worth Wright Photographs
Photograph copies of Worth Wright. He was the superintendent of King Ranch during the 1930s. Various other workers and family members are photographed at the Ranch.

Flato Family Collection
The Flato family was one of the first families to reside in the newly created town of Kingsville, Texas. Charles H. Flato Jr. moved with his wife Eleanor Louise von Roeder Flato to Kingsville from Shiner, Texas in 1904. During the early years of Kingsville Charles H. Flato Jr. was instrumental starting the education system, establishing businesses, acquiring the "Normal School" (now Texas A&M University - Kingsville), creating many community organizations and promoting Kingsville and Kleberg County. His family carried on his legacy after his early demise.

Theodore F. Koch Collection
Theodore F. Koch (1854-1940) was a land speculator and developer in Minnesota and Texas. In Texas, he purchased land near Beaumont and in southern Nueces County. Koch developed and promoted the land purchased in southern Nueces County and two townships were created: Riviera and Riviera Beach. Koch also established the small railroad that ran between the two communities. Unfortunately, drought and hurricanes caused many setbacks. As a result, the two communities never expanded. Ultimately, Theodore F. Koch was more successful with his fig ranch near Beaumont and his oil leases from property though out Texas. In addition to these materials are the Carl C. Henry Papers, 1908-1972. Henry was a sales representative/manager for Theodore F. Koch & Co. and relative of Mr. Koch. This collection includes correspondence, abstracts and titles, financial records, and maps associated with the Theodore F. Koch Company.

Dr. Z.T. Scott Family Collection
Dr. Zachary Thomson Scott was the director of the Texas Tuberculosis Association in Austin, Texas. This collection contains 46 photographs of the Mary Kleberg’s maternal family (Masterson), publications, books, genealogical information, and one soil map of Corpus Christi. The genealogical information are on various members of the Scott family and their lineage, along with biographical information on members of the King, Kenedy and Kleberg families.

John Rollo’s Collective Research of South Texas Pioneer Ranching
John Rollo, a citizen of Australia, donated his collection of digital files relating to the pioneer ranching families of South Texas. These include materials on the King Ranch in Australia, images of newspaper clippings, and publications concerning the activities of the King Ranch in the United States. Materials also cover Mr. Rollo’s genealogical work on important families of the South Texas region including the James Bryden Family, the King Family, the Kenedy Family, the Chamberlain Family, and the Chapman Family. Included in the collection is the background leading to the litigation of Chapman vs. King Ranch Inc. concerning the Rincón de Santa Gertrudis property which involved James Bryden. The genealogical timelines for the various family connections, though not complete, are their footprints from the past and add another dimension to the historical context of the area.John Rollo complied genealogical information of the James Bryden Family, the Chapman Family, and background of the Chapman vs. King Ranch Inc. ligation over the Rincón de Santa Gertrudis property which James Bryden had a part in. The collection also has some nonrelated series about Chet Downs estate sale that includes King Ranch items, Australian sales catalogs from the King Ranch, a King Ranch 1950’s era slideshow and other materials on the King Ranch in Australia.

Conner Family Collection
John E. Conner was a member of the first faculty at the South Texas State Teachers College that opened in Kingsville in 1925. He was a chairman of the history department, and later dean of the college. He trained students in history by having them visit historic sites and collect documents throughout South Texas; establishing the Robert J. Kleberg History Club and laying the foundation of the South Texas Archives. He left personal papers, records of the South Texas Historical Association, and the early days of Texas College of Arts & Industries as well as research materials from his work and his study. His son, Dr. William Conner and his daughter-in-law Katherine Smith Conner also gave historical records, and family photographs.