Series 10: Salt Cay Series, 1886-1987
Scope and Contents note
Written reports, accounts and articles about the island, sketches, notes, songs, poems, guest books, correspondence, legal documents, leases, maps, a "portfolio" (scrapbook), and some artifacts. Includes letters from guests, tenants, and island staff, as well as "agent reports" from staff and friends, letting the McCutcheon family what was going on at the island when they weren't there. Evelyn Shaw McCutcheon put together a "portfolio" with many interesting photographs and souvenirs of their time entertaining family and VIP's on the island. There is a pack of 10 cigarettes in their original cardboard box, all printed with the island's insignia and called "King John / The First / Treasure Island / Cigarettes".
Dates
- Creation: 1886-1987
Creator
- From the Collection: McCutcheon, John T. (John Tinney), 1870-1949 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The John T. McCutcheon papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Biographical/Historical note
After taking a "pirate cruise" in 1912, John McCutcheon began looking for a private island to purchase. Initially, McCutcheon was planning to purchase Melville Island, off the northern coast of Australia. However, on his return to Chicago after covering World War I in Europe, McCutcheon heard about islands for sale in the Bahamas. McCutcheon learned that an island called Salt Cay was available, and bought it sight unseen in late 1916. From 1917 to 1979, the island (renamed Treasure Island by McCutcheon) was the personal paradise for McCutcheon, his family, and many friends and guests.
Arrangement note
Arranged in the original order as foldered by John T. McCutcheon, Jr. or Susan Dart McCutcheon. One of these individuals also wrote detailed notes about all of the materials in this series; the notes are available in the first folder of the series. Other pertinent items were added to this series from various other series in the collection: Incoming correspondence, Legal/Financial files, etc.
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org