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Edmund Converse Papers, 1943-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Converse, Edmund
Title
Edmund Converse Papers
Dates
1943-1970 (inclusive)
Quantity
21 cubic ft. (21 record boxes)
Collection Number
10826
Summary
The collection contains the business and political papers of the founder of Bonanza and Air West airlines, who was also an aviation advocate and a leader in the Republican Party. The include correspondence and business agreements on airline formation, mergers and takeovers. There are reports on legal, personnel, financial, and publicity matters. There are also subject files on advocacy groups, airlines, aircraft, and locations. Files from Converse’s participation as a national leader in the Republican Party are also available.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
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Historical Note

He was born in New York City in 1906. He grew up in California and earned a Bachelor or Arts in Economics and a law degree from Stanford University by 1934. He was on the staff of U. S. Senator Styles Bridges from 1937 to 1941 when he entered the Navy serving in the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Pacific Fleet, and the Office of Strategic Services. In 1945 he founded Bonanza Airlines out of Las Vegas. He was President and Chairman of the Board until Bonanza merged into Air West Airlines where he became a Vice Chairman of the Board.

During this period he was a ranking member of such aviation advocacy groups as the National Association Manufacturers, the Air Transport Association of America, and the Association of Local Transport Airlines. His active interest in Republican politics was mainly expressed at the local level in Arizona and Nevada. He worked in the Dewey, Eisenhower, Goldwater, and Nixon campaigns serving on various business committees and attending of state and national conventions. He was active in the Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce.

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Content Description

The Edmund Converse papers are a valuable resource for anyone who wishes to learn about the growth of regional airlines in the Western United States from the 1950s and into the 1970s. Bonanza Airlines material includes founding documents, merger documents, aircraft subject files, and correspondence. Air West Airlines material contains Bonanza merger materials, and Hughes Tool Company buyout materials. The extensive Republican Party and airline advocacy group materials are a resource for understanding how political influence may have impacted regional airline development. The non-profit files may have some relevancy to this as well.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Edmund Converse papers, 1943-1970, Collection Number 10826, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by Edmund Converse at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Received in 1994 from Edmund Converse’s widow, Sherma Converse.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by John Hanks in February 2006.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Corporations--Political activity.
  • Local service airlines--West (U.S.)

Corporate Names

  • Air West Airlines.
  • Association of Local Transport Airlines.
  • Bonanza Airlines.
  • Republican Party (Ariz.)
  • Republican Party (Nev.)
  • Republican Party (U.S. : 1854-).

Geographical Names

  • Las Vegas (Nev.)
  • Tucson (Ariz.)

Processed by John Hanks
2006

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

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