Cuban-American Land and Lumber Corporation Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0349

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection houses 12 letters and documents, a map, and one photograph, all dating from the 1920s. The letters and documents record business transactions related to the Cuban-American Land and Lumber Corporation. One of the documents includes a land survey with a description in Spanish of the topography of the western side of the Zapata peninsula in Cuba. The map depicts the Cuba Railroad, and the photograph shows men working with concrete forms with palm trees in the background.

Dates

Creation: 1920-1925
Creation: Majority of material found within 1924-1925

Creator

Cuban-American Land and Lumber Corporation. (Organization)

Language of Materials

Includes materials written in Spanish and English.

Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

This collection documents the development of U.S. lumber companies in Cuba. The Platt Amendment (1902) after the Spanish American War (1898) gave way to major U.S. investment in the island. By then, the main economic activity was the production of sugar. The exploitation of Cuba's massive forests attracted U.S. investors and the clearing of forests was attractive for the Cuban government because it accelerated sugar production. Public and private railroad companies played an important role in transporting lumber and cane, and they proliferated.

The collection includes information on some of the U.S. business men involved in the lumber business, such as Demostene Leonard Casa (1883-1945), Francis K. Holmested (1878-1952), A. M. Belcher, and Lewis Brown.

Extent

0.1 Linear feet (3 Folders)

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection includes 12 letters and documents (20 folios), a map, and one photograph related to the Cuban-American Land and Lumber Corporation's business in Cuba, specifically the timber and lumber market.