Descriptive Summary
Bernrieder, William A.
William A. Bernrieder Collection 1917 - 1988
As an assistant to Houston mayor Oscar Holcombe, William A. Bernrieder spearheaded a successful local drive to have a Navy heavy cruiser named for the City of Houston. He supported the USS Houston (CA-30) during her years of service as a member of the Cruiser Houston Committee, and following the ship's sinking, continued to memorialize the ship and interact with surviving crew members. This collection consists primarily of materials related to the campaign to have a ship named for the city of Houston, and the history of the USS Houston (CA-30). Additional materials are related to the 1936 visit to Houston of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
18 boxes; 8.6 linear feet
1979-001
Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries
Biographical Note
William Anton Bernrieder was born on June 22, 1900. He attended St. Joseph School in 1906, then Annunciation Church School. He then attended St. Thomas College (now St. Thomas High School) after a period at St. Mary's Seminary. William Bernrieder completed three years of law school at Houston Law School.
In 1923, William Bernrieder began six years of service to Oscar Holcombe, the mayor of Houston. During this time he began his work toward having a ship in the U.S. Navy named after Houston. In 1927 he was appointed to the Cruiser Houston Committee, which coordinated the drive towards obtaining a cruiser named "Houston." Thousands of letters and telegrams were sent to Washington as part of the crusade, which was successful. A heavy cruiser named for the city of Houston was launched on Sept. 7, 1927. Once Bernrieder and the other members of the committee had succeeded in having a ship named for the city, the committee worked toward supporting the ship and its crew through gifts and other means.
From 1930 to 1933 Bernrieder served as the assistant to Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd. As part of his duties, he accompanied Byrd on a nationwide speaking tour. During this period, however, Bernrieder paid careful attention to the Cruiser Houston and continued to be involved in supporting the vessel.
Bernrieder was also involved in politics, serving as Executive Secretary for local arrangements for the National Democratic Convention, held in Houston in 1928. He was also involved in arrangements for President Franklin Roosevelt's trip to Houston in 1936.
Receiving his commission in 1926, Bernrieder served for 22 years in the Naval Reserve. He spent five years on active duty with the Navy during World War II, serving on the staffs of five admirals.
Following World War II Bernrieder was involved in the real estate business in Houston, although he continued his interest in the history of the USS Houston (CA-30), which had been lost in the Battle of Sunda Strait on Feb. 28/March 1, 1942. Bernrieder collected information related to the history of the ship as well as efforts to retrieve items from the sunken vessel.
Bernrieder died on October 18, 1993.
Scope and Contents
The William A. Bernrieder Collection has a great deal of information about the history of the USS Houston (CA-30) as well as the USS Texas and Franklin Roosevelt's visit to Houston in 1936. Bernrieder corresponded with many of the leading businessmen and politicians in Houston during his lifetime, as well as officers in the Navy. The collection dates from 1917- 1988, with the bulk of the material dating from 1929-1936 and from 1970-1986.
Bernrieder kept a considerable amount of material from his early work regarding having a ship named for the city of Houston and added additional materials to his files throughout his life. There are also a number of items from A. D. Simpson, who was heavily involved in the Cruiser Houston Committee as well.
For the most part, arrangement has followed Bernrieder's subject files with some modification. File folders that could be sub-divided chronologically or by sub-topic have been refiled. Also, folders with materials covering the same topic which had originally been filed separately have been brought together. Because Bernrieder followed a subject arrangement for his files, correspondence is scattered throughout the collection.
There are a number of series within the collection, based on subject with the exception of the Correspondence series. The series are: Correspondence, Democratic Party, Franklin Roosevelt's Visit, USS Houston Campaign, USS Houston, USS Texas, Publications, and Miscellaneous. Within each series are additional topics, arranged alphabetically by subject heading. The largest series is the USS Houston series, which chronicles the history of the USS Houston.
Later additions to the collection have been incorporated into the subject files arrangement where possible. However, large amounts of correspondence which were donated after the initial gift of materials in 1979 have been given a simple chronological arrangement. Most of the correspondence in those files discusses the USS Houston and related matters, although there is one letter, dated August 23, 1977 which includes Bernrieder's recollections of the Camp Logan riots in Houston in 1917.
For related materials, see the Cruiser Houston Collection, which includes materials donated by crew members from the USS Houston and their families and friends. A large portion of the photographs in the Cruiser Houston Collection were given by Bernrieder, and have remained in that collection.
Index Terms
Terms are either Library of Congress Subject Headings or taken from local sources.
Subjects (Persons)
Bernrieder, William A.
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
Subjects (Organizations)
Cruiser Houston Committee
Houston (Cruiser: CA-30)
Subjects
Java Sea, Battle of the, Indonesia, 1942
World War, 1939-1945 -- Naval operations, American
Sunda Strait, Battle of, Indonesia, 1942
Democratic National Convention (1928 : Houston, Tex.)
Access Restrictions
Open for research.
Use Restrictions
Special Collections owns the physical items in our collections, but copyright normally belongs to the creator of the materials or their heirs. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, locating copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies of Special Collections material in print or electronic form. For more information, consult the appropriate librarian.
Preferred Citation
William A. Bernrieder Collection, Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries.
Acquisition
The collection was given to the library by William A. Bernrieder, Executive Secretary of the Cruiser Houston Committee, in 1979. Additional items were given by Mr. Bernrieder throughout the 1980s.
Processed by
Andrea Bean Hough, 1995
Detailed Description
1
1-18
Correspondence, 1924-1986
(643 items)
This is an artificial series, which incorporates all of the correspondence from later gifts by Bernrieder to the collection. The correspondence follows a chronological arrangement scheme. Most of the correspondence relates to the USS Houston and Mr. Bernrieder's interest in the collection. Materials from the 1980s include a great deal of correspondence with Otto Schwarz, founder of the USS Houston Survivors Association. Bernrieder corresponded with a number of officers in the United States Navy, as well as Texas and Houston politicians.
1
1
Correspondence, 1924-1929
1
2
Correspondence, 1930-1935
1
3
Correspondence, 1936-1940
1
4
Correspondence, 1941-1950
1
5
Correspondence, 1951-1960
1
6
Correspondence, 1961-1970
1
7
Correspondence, 1971-1974
1
8
Correspondence, 1975-1978
1
9
Correspondence, 1979
1
10
Correspondence, 1980
1
11
Correspondence, 1980
1
12
Correspondence, 1981
1
13
Correspondence, 1981
1
14
Correspondence, 1981
1
15
Correspondence, 1982
1
16
Correspondence, 1983
1
17
Correspondence, 1984-1986
1
18
Correspondence, undated
2
1-15
USS Houston Campaign, 1927-1942
(302 items)
This series relates primarily to the campaign to have a cruiser named after the city of Houston. The bulk of the materials is correspondence. A great deal of related materials may be found both the USS Houston series as well as the Correspondence series. A small amount of information relating to the drive for a second Cruiser Houston is in this series (for related materials, see the files in the USS Houston series under USS Houston (CL-81)).
2
1
Correspondence, 1927
2
2
Correspondence, 1927
2
3
Correspondence, 1927
2
4
Correspondence, 1927
2
5
Correspondence, 1927
2
6
Correspondence, 1928
2
7
Correspondence, 1929
2
8
Correspondence, undated
2
9
Organizations, undated
2
10
Press Materials, 1927-1942
2
11
Resolutions, 1927
2
12
Resolutions, 1927
2
13
Resolutions, 1927
2
14
Resolutions, 1928
2
15
Resolutions, 1928
2-11, 18, Framed, Oversize
USS Houston, 1927-1985
(5,452 items)
This is the largest of the series and focuses primarily on the USS Houston (CA-30). The material in this section includes correspondence, clippings, telegrams, photographs, and other materials. The bulk of the series dates from 1927-1936, focusing on the beginnings of the USS Houston, its launch, and early visits to the city of Houston.
The correspondence relating to the launching of the USS Houston is arranged chronologically. Invitations were sent to all major naval officers, many Houston and Texas politicians, members of the U.S. Cabinet, and dignitaries from Congress and from other states. Replies were received by nearly all those invited.
There are some materials relating to the two ships which followed the USS Houston (CA-30). Another ship named the USS Houston was launched in 1943. Materials relating to that ship may be found in the USS Houston (CL-81) files. Materials relating to the nuclear submarine, the USS Houston (SSN-713), may be located under that heading. Clippings have been placed in files, but have not been placed in order. Particular care must be taken when using the clippings as most are on highly acidic, fragile newsprint.
2
16
Address, 1960
2
17
Admiral's Flag
Framed
Admirals--Photographs (9)
2
17
Allin, B. C. and Mrs., 1930-1960
2
18
Bell Presentation, 1974
2
19
Bernrieder Collection, 1978-1980
2
20
Blue Bonnet, 1938-1940
2
21
Blue Bonnet, 1975-1980
2
22
Blue Bonnet, 1980-1982
2
23
Blue Bonnet, 1983
2
24
Blue Bonnet, 1984
2
25
Blue Bonnet, 1985
2
26
Blue Bonnet, 1986
2
27
Blue Bonnet, undated
3
1
Book, 1957-1959
3
2
Book, 1959-1960
3
3
Book, 1961-1964
3
4
Book, 1965-1967
3
5
Book Proposal--Milner, Samuel, undated
3
6
Byrd, Admiral and Mrs., 1929-1930
3
7
Christmas, 1931-1932
3
8
Christmas, 1933
3
9
Christmas, 1936
3
10
Christmas--Photographs, 1936
3
11
Christmas--Photographs, 1936
3
12
Christmas--Photographs, 1936
3
13
Christmas--Photographs, 1936
3
14
Christmas--Photographs, 1936
3
15
Christmas--Solicitation, 1933
3
16
Clippings, undated
3
17
Clippings, undated
3
18
Clippings, undated
3
19
Clippings, undated
3
20
Clippings, undated
3
21
Clippings, undated
3
22
Clippings, undated
3
23
Clippings, undated
3
24
Clippings, undated
3
25
Clippings, undated
3
26
Clippings, undated
3
27
Clippings, undated
3
28
Clippings, undated
3
29
Clippings, undated
3
30
Clippings, undated
3
31
Clippings, undated
3
32
Clippings, undated
4
1
Clippings, undated
4
2
Clippings, undated
4
3
Clippings, undated
4
4
Clippings, undated
4
5
Clippings, undated
4
6
Collection Luncheon--Photographs, 1979
4
7
Collection Luncheon--Photographs, 1979
4
8
Collection Luncheon--Photographs, 1979
4
9
Commanding Officers, 1927-1930
4
10
Commanding Officers, 1931-1934
4
11
Commanding Officers, 1935
4
12
Commanding Officers, 1936
4
13
Commanding Officers, 1937
4
14
Commanding Officers, 1938-1939
4
15
Commanding Officers, 1940-1942
4
16
Commanding Officers, 1943-1962
Framed
Commanding Officers--Photographs (17)
4
17
Commission SSN-713, 1982
4
18
Correspondence, 1927-1933
4
19
Correspondence, 1934-1935
4
20
Correspondence, 1936-1937
4
21
Correspondence, 1938-1944
4
22
Correspondence, 1945-1959
4
23
Correspondence, 1960-1969
4
24
Correspondence, 1970-1981
4
25
Cruiser Houston Committee, 1927-1957
5
1
Cruiser Houston Committee--Correspondence, 1929-1937
5
2
Cruiser Houston Committee--Correspondence, 1955-1972
5
3
Cruiser Houston Committee--Finances, 1926-1929
5
4
Cruiser Houston Committee--Finances, 1929
5
5
Cruiser Houston Committee--Finances, 1930-1941
5
6
Cruiser Houston Committee--Finances--Bank Books, 1934-1941
5
7
Cruiser Houston Committee--Members, undated
5
8
Cruiser Houston Committee--Minutes, 1927
5
9
Cruiser Houston Committee--Miscellaneous, undated
5
10
Cruiser Houston Committee--Resolutions, 1928-1962
5
11
Cruiser Houston Room--Photograph, 1979
5
12
Documentary Expedition, 1979
18
Flags
5
13
Gifts, 1930-1933
5
14
Gifts, 1933
5
15
Gifts, 1934-1936
5
16
Gifts, 1936
5
17
Gifts, 1936-1974
6
1
George R. Brown Room Dedication, 1981
6
2
Houston Centennial, 1936
6
3
History, 1932-1960
6
4
History, 1961-1963
6
5
History, 1964-1967
6
6
History, 1968-1974
6
7
History, 1975-1980
6
8
History of CL-81, 1946
6
9
Information, 1927-1983
6
10
Information--Brochures, 1951-1973
6
11
Information--News Releases, 1942
Oversize
Jahnke, Ernest Lee, 1930-1933
6
12
Launch SSN-713, 1981
6
13
Launch SSN-713--Invitations, 1981
6
14
Launching--Clippings, 1936
6
15
Launching--Correspondence, 1927-1928
6
16
Launching--Correspondence, 1929
6
17
Launching--Correspondence, 1929
6
18
Launching--Correspondence, 1929
6
19
Launching--Correspondence, 1929
6
20
Launching--Correspondence, 1929
6
21
Launching--Correspondence, 1929
7
1
Launching--Correspondence, 1929
7
2
Launching--Correspondence, 1929
7
3
Launching--Correspondence--Sponsors, 1929
7
4
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
5
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
6
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
7
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
8
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
9
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
10
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
11
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
12
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
13
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
14
Launching--Invitations, 1929
7
15
Launching--Invitations--Miscellaneous, 1929
7
16
Launching--Lists, 1929
7
17
Launching--Miscellaneous, 1929
7
18
Launching--Other Ships, 1928
7
19
Launching--Other Ships, 1929
7
20
Launching--Other Ships, 1929
7
21
Launching--Other Ships, 1929
7
22
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
1
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
2
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
3
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
4
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
5
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
6
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
7
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
8
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
9
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
10
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
11
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
12
Launching--Replies, 1929
8
13
Launching--Replies, 1929
9
1
Launching--Replies, 1929
9
2
Launching--Replies, 1929
9
3
Launching--Replies, 1929
9
4
Launching--Replies, 1929
9
5
Launching--Thank yous, 1929
9
6
Loss of Ship, 1942
9
7
Loss of Ship--Memorial, 1942
9
8
Lost Battalion Association, 1985
9
9
Lost Battalion Association, 1985
9
10
Lost Battalion Association, 1985
18
Maps
9
11
McKie, Ronald, 1960-1962
9
12
McKie, Ronald, 1963-1968
9
13
Medal of Honor, [1942]
9
14
Memorial, 1975-1979
9
15
Memorial, 1980
9
16
Memorial Room, Houston Public Library, 1930-1978
9
17
Model, 1958
9
18
Model--Photographs, undated
9
19
Model--Photographs, undated
9
20
Model--Photographs, undated
9
21
Model--Photographs--Drummond, Joseph, undated
9
22
Model--Photographs--Drummond, Joseph, undated
9
23
Model--Photographs--Drummond, Joseph, undated
9
24
Model--Photographs--Presentation, 1958
9
25
Model Presentation, 1958
9
26
Model Presentation, 1958
10
1
Model Purchase, 1942-1979
10
2
Navy Day, 1933
10
3
Navy Day--Correspondence, 1927-1930
10
4
Navy Day--Miscellaneous, 1930
10
5
Navy Day--Planning, 1930
10
6
Oral Histories, 1981
Oversize
Photograph, 1930
Framed
Photograph, undated
10
7
Photographs, undated
10
8
Photographs, undated
10
9
Photographs--Launching CL-81, 1943
10
10
Photographs--Reunion, 1985
10
11
Photographs--Reunion, 1985
10
12
Photographs--Reunion, 1985
10
13
Photographs--Reunion, 1985
10
14
Photographs--Roosevelt, Henry L., undated
10
15
Photographs--Ship's Plans, undated
10
16
Photographs--Ship's Plans, undated
10
17
USS Houston (CL-81), 1942
10
18
USS Houston (CL-81)--Bond Drive, 1942-1943
10
19
Thousand Houston Volunteers --Ceremony, 1942
10
20
Thousand Houston Volunteers--Ceremony, 1942
10
21
Thousand Houston Volunteers--Crew, 1942
10
22
USS Houston (CL-81)--Launch, 1942-1943
Framed
Ship's Plans, undated
10
23
Shrine Proposal, undated
10
24
Silver Service--Clippings, 1906-1967
10
25
Silver Service--Correspondence, 1927-1929
10
26
Silver Service--Correspondence, 1929
10
27
Silver Service--Correspondence, 1929-1942
10
28
Silver Service--Miscellaneous, undated
10
29
Silver Service--Photographs, 1929
10
30
Silver Service--Photographs, Other, [1929]
18
Silver Service--Photographs, Other, [1929]
10
31
Silver Service--Recovery, 1943-1974
10
32
Survivors' Roster, undated
10
33
Thousand Houston Volunteers Monument, 1985
10
34
Thousand Houston Volunteers Monument--Photograph, 1985
11
1
Visit, 1934-1935
11
2
Visit, 1938-1939
11
3
Visit, 1939
11
4
Visit, 1983
11
5
Visit--Committees, 1934
11
6
Visit--Communications with Ship, 1934
11
7
Visit--Finances, 1934
11
8
Visit--Letters of Thanks, 1934
11
9
Visit--Miscellaneous, 1934
11
10
Visit--Navy Day, 1934
11
11
Visit--Officers' Rosters, 1934
11
12
Visit--Publicity, [1934]
11
13
Visit--Radio Address, 1929-1930
11
14
Wait, J. Russell, 1939
11
15
Wait, J. Russell, 1939
11
16
Wait, J. Russell, 1956
11
17
Winslow, Walter, 1967-1969
11
18
Winslow, Walter, 1970-1972
11
19
Winslow, Walter, 1973-1974
11
20
Winslow, Walter, 1975-1977
11
21
Winslow, Walter, undated
12
1-12
Democratic Party, 1927-1967
(119 items)
This is a small series, which includes a number of items relating to Bernrieder's involvement in politics. The bulk of the series includes clippings relating to the 1932 elections and the Democratic National Convention, which was held in Houston in 1928. Additional materials include correspondence with Chesley Jurney and George Graves. For related materials, see the files in the Franklin Roosevelt Visit Series.
12
1
Clippings, 1929
12
2
Clippings, 1932
12
3
Clippings, 1932
12
4
Clippings, 1932
12
5
Clippings, 1967
12
6
Convention--Graves, George, 1927-1962
12
7
Convention--Miscellaneous, 1928-1932
12
8
Convention--Report, 1928
12
9
Convention--Souvenir, 1928
12
10
Jurney, Chesley, 1927-1935
12
11
Miscellaneous, 1928-1962
12
12
Smith, Alfred--Photograph, 1927
12-13, 16, Framed
Franklin Roosevelt Visit, 1933-1980
(495 items)
The bulk of this series relates to Franklin Roosevelt's visit to Houston in 1936. Included are documents relating to planning the various events, such as the parade and visit to the San Jacinto Battlefield. There is some correspondence with various Democratic politicians, including Marvin McIntyre, Alfred E. Smith, Jr. and Henry Breckinridge. These materials were labeled by Bernrieder as belonging with the Roosevelt visit material.
16
Banner, 1936
12
13
Battlefield Plans, 1936
12
14
Boat List, 1936
12
15
Breckinridge, Henry, 1933-1936
12
16
Committees, 1936
12
17
Cooper, Beauford O., 1970
12
18
Correspondence, 1934-1936
12
19
Correspondence, 1936
12
20
Correspondence, 1936
12
21
Correspondence, 1936
12
22
Correspondence, 1936
12
23
Correspondence, 1936-1980
12
24
McIntyre, Marvin, 1933-1937
12
25
Memorabilia, 1936
12
26
Miscellaneous, 1936
12
27
Parade Plans, 1936
12
28
Participants, 1936
12
29
Passes, 1936
Framed
Photograph, undated
12
30
Photographs, 1936
12
31
Recap, 1936
13
1
Scrapbook, 1936
13
2
Ship Channel Trip, 1936
13
3
Smith, Alfred E. Jr., 1928-1962
13-14, 18, Framed
Publications, 1927-1981
(62 items)
This series was created from a box of publications which Bernrieder kept together. There are two sub-series: Miscellaneous and USS
Houston. The publications in the Miscellaneous sub-series relate primarily to Houston history, the Port of Houston, and a book on Edmund W. Starling. Other smaller pamphlets and clippings will be found in other series.
The USS
Houston sub-series includes pamphlets on the USS Houston as well as books and other published materials which discuss the Asiatic Fleet and the U.S. Navy.
13
4
Miscellaneous--Brief History of the Texas Navies, 1961
13
5
Miscellaneous--Houston and Cotton, 1949
18
Miscellaneous--Oversize
13
6
Miscellaneous--Port of Houston, undated
13
7
Miscellaneous--Ports of the Americas, 1961
13
8
Miscellaneous--Starling of the White House, 1946
13
9
Miscellaneous--Starling of the White House--Correspondence, 1978-1979
13
10
Miscellaneous--The Texas Navy, 1968
13
11
Miscellaneous-The Twenty-five Flags of Texas, 1962
13
12
Miscellaneous--West Point Glee Club, 1979
13
13
USS Houston--The Builder, 1927
13
14
USS Houston--Cruiser Special, 1929
14
1
USS Houston--House Resolution 11681, 1936
14
2
USS Houston--Houston, 1945
14
3
USS Houston--Launching SSN-713 Houston, 1981
14
4
USS Houston--Launching SSN-713 Houston, 1981
14
5
USS Houston--Marine Engineering and Shipping Age, 1929
14
6
USS Houston--Presidential Cruise, 1934
Framed
USS Houston--Report on the USS Houston
14
7
USS Houston--Shipyard Bulletin, 1962
14
8
USS Houston--Shipyard Bulletin, 1963
14
9
USS Houston--USS Houston: Ghost of the Java Coast, 1971
14
10
USS Houston--USS Houston: Ghost of the Java Coast, 1971
14
11-19
USS Texas, 1937-1980
(108 items)
This small series relates to the USS
Texas. Materials include clippings, correspondence, and publications which discuss the USS Texas. Most of the material deals with the addition of the USS Texas to the San Jacinto Battlefield.
14
11
Clippings, undated
14
12
Commission, 1977
14
13
Correspondence, 1974-1979
14
14
Miscellaneous, 1936-1978
14
15
Photograph, undated
14
16
Program, 1980
14
17
Publications, 1975-1977
14
18
Publications, 1977
14
19
Publications, undated
15
1-23
Miscellaneous, 1917-1988
(365 items)
These materials were not with other subject files and did not readily fall into available subject files. The majority of the materials in this series relate to a group of lithographs created by Judith Ann Saks of the Port of Houston, which were distributed throughout the country.
15
1
Brief for Naval Base, 1917
15
2
Goodwill, 1978-1988
15
3
Hirsch, Maurice, 1975-1980
15
4
Houston, Andrew Jackson, 1928-1981
15
5
Houston Public Library, 1975
15
6
Pamphlets, undated
15
7
Pamphlets, undated
15
8
Photographs--Reagan, Ronald and Gerald Ford, undated
15
9
Port of Houston Lithographs--Correspondence, 1976
15
10
Port of Houston Lithographs--Correspondence, 1977
15
11
Port of Houston Lithographs--Correspondence, 1977
15
12
Port of Houston Lithographs--Correspondence, 1977
15
13
Port of Houston Lithographs--Correspondence, 1978
15
14
Port of Houston Lithographs--Correspondence, 1979
15
15
Port of Houston Lithographs--Correspondence, undated
15
16
Port of Houston Lithographs--Miscellaneous, 1977
15
17
Port of Houston Lithographs--Miscellaneous, 1977
15
18
Port of Houston Lithographs--Miscellaneous, 1977
15
19
Port of Houston Lithographs--Photographs, undated
15
20
Port of Houston Lithographs--Photographs, undated
15
21
Scrapbook Pages, 1936
15
22
Ship Sponsoring, 1929-1959
15
23
Texas Information, 1957-1980