Office of Legal Counsel collection on Robinson Forest

Abstract

The Office of Legal Council collection on Robinson Forest predominantly consists of correspondence and reports about the legal issues pertaining to the land of Robinson Forest, 1876-1996; predominant 1990.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Office of Legal Counsel collection on Robinson Forest
Date
1876-1996 (inclusive)
Bulk, 1990 (bulk)
Extent
3.71 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Agriculture--Kentucky.
Deeds.
Mines and mineral resources--Kentucky.
Natural resources--Kentucky.
Petitions.
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Rachel Webb
Preferred Citation
2008ua022: [Item Number], Office of Legal Council collection on Robinson Forest, University of Kentucky Archives.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
The Robinson Forest, managed for research, teaching and extension education by the University of Kentucky’s Department of Forestry, is one of the largest research and educational forests in the eastern United States. Robinson Forest is a collection of seven tracts totaling 14,800 acres, and is located on the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Kentucky.
Native Americans were the first humans to use the areas in and around Robinson Forest. European settlers first came to the area in the early 1800s and built houses and cleared land for agriculture. They raised livestock and grew crops such as corn, peas, beans, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, flax, molasses, and tobacco, mostly for home use. In the late 1800's, they began to engage in land speculation and logging of the virgin timber. Mills were set up, railroads built, and temporary villages sprang up to house the workers. By the early 1920’s, much of the valuable timber had been harvested.
The forest was conveyed in trust to the University of Kentucky in 1923 by the E.O. Robinson Mountain Fund for the purposes of agricultural experiment work, teaching, and the demonstration of reforestation. A concentrated effort was made to remove structures which they had left behind, and forest regeneration began to occur in cut areas. The first forester, C.H. Burrage, spent time establishing boundaries, making maps organizing fire protection, and conducting an inventory of the forest land. The volume of timber in the forest is now approximately four times as great as it was in Burrage's 1929 estimate, but still only half of the pre-settlement volume.
Between 1933 and 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps was involved in projects such as building bridges, fire towers, and firebreaks; establishing tree plantations and doing timber stand improvements; improving roads; and installing phone lines. They removed American chestnut trees which had been killed by the chestnut blight. In 1939, the National Youth Authority used these logs to begin building the cabins at the forestry camp facilities on Boardinghouse Branch. A Wildlife Restoration Area was established in part of the forest in 1947, and white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse were successfully stocked. An attempt to release beaver in the forest was not successful.
A two year association program in forestry was begun nearby at Quicksand in the summer of 1964. In 1970, the Department of Forestry was created at the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture, and a new emphasis was placed on research in forestry and water quality. Many of the teaching areas that now exist in Robinson Forest are results of these studies.
The forest is used annually in the summer to house junior forestry students for their field session, during which they are taught the field basics. Graduate students use the camp sire built in the 1930s as a base for field work related to their theses. The forest is also used by Extension forestry specialists for a variety of programs. Several training programs for county agents, 4-H and home economics have been held there as well as workshops and seminars for forest landowners.
Source: University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Department of Forestry’s website http://www.ca.uky.edu/forestry/robfor.php
Scope and Content
The Office of Legal Counsel collection on Robinson Forest predominantly consists of correspondence and reports about the legal issues pertaining to the land of Robinson Forest. There is also a large series of negatives and photographic prints of the forest found under the visual materials series. The deeds series consists of copies of deeds that track the ownership of the land, while the financial series track the timber and drilling companies that were involved with the forest.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The intellectual rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections.

Contents of the Collection

Correspondence, 1867-1992

Scope and Contents note

The Correspondence series consists of letters and emails mainly between the University of Kentucky and businesses that were involved in the surveying of Robinson Forest. There are several letters to and from Paul VanBooven, Associate General Counsel for the University of Kentucky, as well as letters to Arch Minerals Inc. represented by Wyatt law firm about the land surveys. Also, there are several letters from The Cabinet of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agency to the University and Arch Minerals Inc. about the conditions of the land. Finally, there are copies of letters from Croft written during the 1860s describing the land in Breathitt County. Materials are arranged chronologically within folders.

Arch Minerals and Wyatt Firm

  • Box 1, Folder 1-3
To top

B.A. Mullican Lumber Company

  • Box 1, Folder 4
To top

Cabinet for Natural Resources

  • Box 1, Folder 5-7
To top

Dennis Curtin

  • Box 1, Folder 8
To top

Environmentalists

  • Box 1, Folder 9
To top

Fish and Wildlife Commission

  • Box 1, Folder 10
To top

Hudson

  • Box 1, Folder 11
To top

Mining Miscellaneous

  • Box 1, Folder 12
To top

Overstreet Forestry

  • Box 1, Folder 13
To top

Trus Joist Macmillan

  • Box 1, Folder 14
To top

Letters from Croft about Breathitt County Land, 1867-1870

  • Box 9, Folder 5
To top

Papers of Jim Coyle

  • Box 9, Folder 6
To top

Financial, 1992-1994

Scope and Contents note

The Financial series consists of bids, budgets, and bills from drilling and timber companies that were involved in various projects throughout Robinson Forest.

Bathhouse Project Budget

  • Box 2, Folder 1
To top

Bill – Land Grants

  • Box 2, Folder 2
To top

EREX Drilling Operations

  • Box 2, Folder 3
To top

Payment – Bethel Camp

  • Box 2, Folder 4
To top

Royalty Agreements

  • Box 2, Folder 5
To top

Sources and Uses of Funds

  • Box 2, Folder 6
To top

Tax Opinion/Cooper and Lybrand

  • Box 2, Folder 7
To top

Timber Bid-Breathitt Co. Laurel Fork; Cutting Units 1, 2, 3

  • Box 2, Folder 8
To top

Timber Bid-Breathitt Co. Laurel Fork; Cutting Units 4, 5, 6

  • Box 2, Folder 9
To top

Reports, 1980-1995

Scope and Contents note

The Reports series consists of surveys and numerous reports on different areas in Robinson Forest. In particular, there are several reports on the Quicksand Substation that was being developed and also reports on Arch on the North Fork’s failures in communication with the University about the land.

Archaeological Survey

  • Box 3, Folder 1-3
To top

History of Archeological Survey

  • Box 3, Folder 4
To top

Arch on the North Fork

  • Box 3, Folder 5
To top

Chronology of Arch’s Failure to Address the Questions and Concerns of the University

  • Box 3, Folder 6
To top

Coal Tonnage Report

  • Box 3, Folder 7
To top

Background on Robinson Forest

  • Box 3, Folder 8
To top

Draft Final Committee Report

  • Box 3, Folder 9
To top

Evaluation Committee Report

  • Box 4, Folder 1
To top

Interim Report on Ground Water Research

  • Box 4, Folder 2
To top

Robinson Forest Inventory, 1980-1982

  • Box 4, Folder 3
To top

Disposition of Land at Robinson Substation-Quicksand

  • Box 4, Folder 4
To top

Quicksand Substation

  • Box 4, Folder 5-7
To top

Projects and Proposals

Scope and Contents note

The Projects and Proposals series consists of mining proposals that were reviewed by the University of Kentucky and the various violations that occurred. There are also descriptions of project proposals pertaining to the awarding of funds by the University to outside parties.

Research on Laurel Fork

  • Box 5, Folder 1
To top

Mining Proposal Review, 1991

  • Box 5, Folder 2
To top

Mining Proposal Review -Violation Histories, 1991

  • Box 5, Folder 3
To top

Awarded Project Letters

  • Box 5, Folder 4
To top

Infrastructure Projects

  • Box 5, Folder 5
To top

Powell River Project, 1990

  • Box 5, Folder 6
To top

Land Unsuitable for Mining Petition

  • Box 5, Folder 7
To top

Petition to Designate

  • Box 5, Folder 8
To top

Legal

Scope and Contents note

The Legal series consists of leasing agreements and certain court cases that pertained to Robinson Forest. There are also drafts of legal opinions from Jesse Dukeminier about whether or not the University is allowed to execute mineral leases of Robinson Forest.

Coal Companies’ Summaries

  • Box 6, Folder 1
To top

Coal Leases

  • Box 6, Folder 2
To top

Coal Lease- Draft

  • Box 6, Folder 3
To top

Department for Natural Resources vs. Stearns Coal

  • Box 6, Folder 4
To top

Dukeminier Legal Opinion Draft

  • Box 6, Folder 5
To top

Dukeminier Legal Opinion

  • Box 6, Folder 6
To top

Goff Tract Lease

  • Box 6, Folder 7
To top

Harbert Knob Lease

  • Box 6, Folder 8
To top

Lands Unsuitable Hearing Preparation

  • Box 6, Folder 9
To top

Mennonite Board – Right-of-way Easement

  • Box 6, Folder 10
To top

Women’s initiative Networking Groups

  • Box 6, Folder 11
To top

Weather Service – Rain Gouge Agreement

  • Box 6, Folder 12
To top

Franklin Circuit Court Civil Action No. 86151

  • Box 9, Folder 7
To top

Deeds, 1867-1979

Scope and Contents note

The Deeds series consists of copies of deeds that track the ownership of land that is now Robinson Forest. Box 16 consists entirely of deeds given to two men by Beverley Randolph, governor of Virginia from 1788-1791.

Miller to Craft and Stacy, 1867 February 3

  • Box 7, Folder 1
To top

Carpenter to Stacy, 1867 February 15

  • Box 7, Folder 2
To top

Amyx to Craft and Stacy, 1868 May 28

  • Box 7, Folder 3
To top

Amyx to Stacy, 1868 July 3

  • Box 7, Folder 4
To top

Schuster, 1874 May 7

  • Box 7, Folder 5
To top

Schuster to Connely, 1874 June 8

  • Box 7, Folder 6
To top

Combs, 1882 June 2

  • Box 7, Folder 7
To top

Schuster, 1884 February 6

  • Box 7, Folder 8
To top

Craft, 1890 October 20

  • Box 7, Folder 9
To top

Stacy to Bingham, 1898 March 31

  • Box 7, Folder 10
To top

Bingham to Stacy, 1898 June 14

  • Box 7, Folder 11
To top

Connely to Stacy, 1899 May 20

  • Box 7, Folder 12
To top

Kentucky Union Company, 1904 August 29

  • Box 7, Folder 13
To top

Miller to Stacy, 1904 November 5

  • Box 7, Folder 14
To top

Stacy to Bullitt, 1906 February 5

  • Box 7, Folder 15
To top

Bullitt, 1906 December 28

  • Box 7, Folder 16
To top

KY Union to Stacy, 1907 February 25

  • Box 7, Folder 17
To top

Kemmerer, 1919 September 24

  • Box 7, Folder 18
To top

Combs, 1976 October 30

  • Box 7, Folder 19
To top

University of Kentucky, 1979 August 23

  • Box 7, Folder 20
To top

Notes on Land Ownership

  • Box 9, Folder 4
To top

Beverley Randolph to David Rojo? and James Currie? for 10,000 acres, 1788 May 25

  • Box 16, Folder 1
To top

Beverley Randolph to David Rojo? and James Currie? for 2097 acres, 1788 June 15

  • Box 16, Folder 2
To top

Beverley Randolph to David Rojo? and James Currie? for 1000 acres, 1788 September 8

  • Box 16, Folder 3
To top

Beverley Randolph to David Rojo? and James Currie? for 584 acres, 1788 September 10

  • Box 16, Folder 4
To top

Beverley Randolph to David Rojo? and James Currie? for 1000 acres, 1788 September 10

  • Box 16, Folder 5
To top

Visual Materials

Scope and Contents note

The Visual Materials series is divided into three subseries that consist of maps, negatives, transparencies, and photographic prints.

Maps and related items

Scope and Contents note

The Maps and related items subseries consists of maps and boundary notes of Robinson Forest. There is also a small amount of items pertaining to publicity for the forest including newspaper articles and brochures. Finally, there is a cloth sign used to display the name of a camp site built by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.

Benchmarks on Robinson Forest

  • Box 8, Folder 1
To top

Boundary Notes

  • Box 8, Folder 2
To top

Double Mer. Dist. Chart for Forest

  • Box 8, Folder 3
To top

Magnetic Bearings

  • Box 8, Folder 4
To top

Maps

  • Box 8, Folder 5
To top

News Articles and Brochures

  • Box 8, Folder 6
To top

Orders- Delivered

  • Box 8, Folder 7
To top

Boundary Notes

  • Box 9, Folder 1
To top

Original Survey Notes

  • Box 9, Folder 2
To top

Maps

  • Box 9, Folder 3
To top

Cloth sign CCC Camp Robinson

  • Box 17, Item 1
To top

Negatives and Transparencies

Scope and Contents note

The Negatives and Transparencies subseries consist of frames of general scenes and wildlife of Robinson Forest. Items labeled “Roll” have a corresponding set of prints found in subseries iii. Photographic prints.

Roll 1; Frames 0-37

  • Box 10, Item 1-10
To top

Roll 2; Frames 1-25

  • Box 10, Item 11-17
To top

Roll 3; Frames 0-24

  • Box 10, Item 18-24
To top

Roll 4; Frames 0-23

  • Box 10, Item 25-31
To top

Roll 5; Frames 1-24, 1990 August

  • Box 10, Item 32-38
To top

Roll 6; Frames 1-16

  • Box 10, Item 39-43
To top

Frames 0-24

  • Box 10, Item 44-47
To top

Frames 1-25

  • Box 10, Item 48-54
To top

Frames 1-19

  • Box 10, Item 55-60
To top

Frames 0-36, 1992 June

  • Box 11, Item 1-10
To top

Frames 1-37, 1992 July

  • Box 11, Item 11-21
To top

Frames 1-37, 1992 August

  • Box 11, Item 22-31
To top

Frames 1-25, 1992 October

  • Box 11, Item 32-38
To top

Frames 0-36, 1992 October

  • Box 11, Item 39-48
To top

Frames 0-25, 1992 October

  • Box 11, Item 49-55
To top

2 color slides of forest

  • Box 11, Item 56-57
To top

1 color slide of map

  • Box 11, Item 58
To top

Roll 7; Frames 0-19, 1990 December

  • Box 14, Item 1-4
To top

Roll 8; Frames 1-25, 1990 August

  • Box 14, Item 5-9
To top

Contour maps of Laurel Block, 1991 May

  • Box 15, Item 13-14
To top

Photographic prints

Scope and Contents note

The Photographic prints subseries consists of color and black and white prints of general scenes and wildlife of Robinson Forest. Items labeled “Roll” have a corresponding set of negatives found in subseries ii. Negatives and Transparencies.

Roll 1; 38 color prints including general scenes and wildlife

  • Box 12, Item 1-38
To top

Roll 2; 25 color prints of groups of people in the forest

  • Box 12, Item 39-63
To top

Roll 3; 22 color prints of general scenes

  • Box 12, Item 64-85
To top

Roll 4; 23 color prints of general scenes

  • Box 13, Item 1-23
To top

Roll 5; 1 color print of general scene

  • Box 13, Item 24
To top

Roll 7; 20 black and white prints of general scenes

  • Box 13, Item 25-44
To top

8 color prints of general scenes taken from a helicopter

  • Box 13, Item 45-52
To top

25 color prints of groups of people in the forest, 1990 September

  • Box 13, Item 53-77
To top

18 color prints of houses surrounding the forest

  • Box 13, Item 78-95
To top

Roll 6; 11 color prints of general scenes

  • Box 15, Item 1-11
To top

Roll 8; 1 black and white print of negatives

  • Box 15, Item 12
To top

Black and white of woman with books

  • Box 15, Item 15
To top

12 color prints of general scenes, 1990 August

  • Box 15, Item 16-27
To top

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

Requests

No items have been requested.



Submit a request for SCRC materials.




You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.