Pen d'Oreille Timber Lands

Scope and Content: Series includes correspondence, land assessments, reports, agreements and contracts. Agreements and contracts were made in regards to the sale or transfer of land, power of attorney and granted use of land. Correspondence reflects Cronin’s responses to those interested in the land in 1924.

History / Biographical: In partnership with Archibald Birnie Mackenzie and James Sutherland Chisholm Fraser, James Cronin owned timber lands north and south of the Pend d’Oreille River in Rossland, B.C. In 1910, Henry Simons of Minnesota sold additional land in the area to Fraser. By 1917, the group had granted Waneta Development Company Ltd. to cut timber on their land, and in 1918 they extended the same rights to Waneta Power Company Ltd. Fraser passed away in 1923, and Laura Martin Fraser granted two-thirds of the land to Waneta Power Co. Ltd. In the same year, Cronin was granted power of attorney to make decisions and execute on behalf of Laura Martin Fraser and Archibald Birnie Mackenzie in regards to the sale and transfer of land to Waneta Power Co. Ltd. Finally, records from 1924 depict Cronin attempting to sell the last parcels of land in that area.

Scope and Content: Series includes correspondence, land assessments, reports, agreements and contracts. Agreements and contracts were made in regards to the sale or transfer of land, power of attorney and granted use of land. Correspondence reflects Cronin’s responses to those interested in the land in 1924.