PA State Archives

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Land Records

Office of the Commissioner of State Police

Records of Special Duty Involving Visiting Dignitaries,
1936-1960.
(3 boxes)

{series #30.31} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Covers the visits of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1936-1945; King and Queen of England, 1939; Wendell Wilkie, 1940; The Governor's Conference, May 1944; Thomas E. Dewey, 1944-1948; Gen. Douglas MacArthur, 1951; The British Bus Tour, 1952; Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1925-1955; Senator Richard M. Nixon, 1952-1960; and President Eisenhower's Birthday, 13 October 1953. Included are PRR issued identification cards for those traveling on trains with the dignitaries issued by the state department, as well as post listings for men on various route locations. There are extensive PRR maps showing stops and locations of railroad police during the visit of the King and Queen. There are blueprints for the main steps to the West Capitol Plaza dated 1 October 1940 showing roped off areas for the visit of Wendell Wilkie. The Governor's Conference file shows traffic control plans for areas visited and maps of the National Military Park at Gettysburg.

Record Relating to the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg,
1963.
(1 box)

{series #30.32} [Holdings]

Grouped by subject, thereafter chronologically.

Two binder copies of operational plans for 1-4 July 1963 concerning establishment of command posts, transportation, security details, motorcades, quarters, meals, uniforms, laundry services, roll call. Various telephone listings and maps are included, one being a view of Gettysburg College. Thank you letters are provided from the Gettysburg Centennial Commission and the National Park Service to the superintendent of the State Police after the event. There are extensive maps of Gettysburg and surrounding Adams county.

Reports and Related Records Concerning Floods, Snow Storms, and Tornadoes,
1936-1958.
(4 boxes)

{series #30.33} [Holdings]

Grouped by subject, thereafter arranged chronologically.

Flood reports indicate time and highway information for Greensburg as well as route closures and detours. The downing of radio antennae and resulting problems is often touched upon in the reports. Medical emergencies and requests for more medical staff seems to be a popular subject. Consolidated morning reports list number of men per troop for particular flood stations. Each location has a separate report and lists the number of cars and horses at each substation. There are also multiple copies of PA state road maps.

Rodeo (Mounted Police Exhibition) Files,
1957-1977.
(3 boxes)

{series #30.34} [Holdings]

Grouped by district and thereafter by Troop.

Bank statements, supply invoices (leather and tack repair), and receipts for lumber and building material show construction efforts of the exhibit. Also included is a calendar listing special state police exhibitions. Meal records, mileage reports, expense summaries, and insurance contracts give state police expenditure for the events.

Rodeo (Mounted Police Exhibition) Publications,
1921-1963.
(6 boxes)

{series #30.35} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically, thereafter grouped by troop.

Annual field meet publications include a large amount of local advertisements for the areas of Lancaster, Wilkes-Barre, Butler, Reading, Greensburg, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia. Each Troop and Squadron had their own publications, but there are two district publications for Philadelphia and Harrisburg, 1956 and 1958, respectively. Some have photos of troop members and headquarters buildings and in memoriam lists for troopers killed in the line of duty.

Scrapbooks,
1908-1982.
(14 boxes)

{series #30.36} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Covering one year periods containing newspaper clippings from an unknown newspaper(s). A scrapbook for March 1932 is entirely devoted to the Lindbergh Baby episode and the subsequent trial of Bruno R. Hauptman in Hunterdon City, NJ. A member of the PA state police seems to have been at the trial and the book contains extensive notes on witnesses. The September 1947-March 1948 book contains subjects such as increases in crime, the status of highway hazards and safety, police rodeos, handwriting experts, drunken brawls, and problems with student drivers.

Special Events Correspondence,
1968-1980.
(2 boxes)

{series #30.37} [Holdings]

Grouped by subject and thereafter arranged chronologically.

Correspondence relating to the Devon Horse Show, PA Farm Show, Field Exhibitions, Quentin Horse Show, National Horse Show, Memorial Fund Project, and the Rodeo. Topics covered in correspondence include results of police shooting competitions, trophy lists, operating orders, and prize listings. Other records given are a copy of the PA Horse and Pony Survey, police account invoices from the Devon Horse Show, farm show detachment lists, and maps of fair grounds. Also given are rental invoices for equipment as well as menus for the Rodeo.

Special Orders,
1974-1983.
(2 folders)

{series #30.38} [Holdings]

Grouped randomly.

Covers topics relating to police service such as the abuse of radar equipment, firearms investigations, conservation of gasoline, mental health procedures, Criminal History Act, and a wide range of others.

Statistical Record Book,
1906-1945.
(2 volumes)

{series #30.39} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Illustrates how to organize the statistical records of the State Police. Examples include: docket sheet binders, loose leaf books, and biennial reports. Those statistics to be organized by fiscal year include personnel figures, summary of activities, arrests, and comparative tables (under the subjects of cause of offense, color, sex, and conjugality). Other categories for tables given are arranged by age, nationality, occupation, requests for assistance, investigations, fines imposed, duties performed for other state departments, stolen autos recovered, substations, summary of arrests, and disposition of arrest case.

Strike Reports,
1922, 1932-1964.
(29 boxes)

{series #30.40} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by start of strike date.

Records contained in individual reports include police endorsements of special duties assigned to troops to investigate labor unrest, patrol reports from picket areas, telegrams from the superintendent to local sheriffs, and various radiograms. Strike reports were filed for the following labor occupations: coal, milk, clothes, silk, clay products, teachers, textiles, glass, sewer pipes, lumber, hosiery, steel, refractories, chocolate, ship building, leather, rubber, electric products, trucks, turnpike employees, iron, aircraft manufacture, shoes, wallpaper, buses, and highway construction workers. Individual details of those troopers involved in the surveillance of industrial disturbances are given, as well as passes issued to companies in order that some workers might work despite a strike or disturbance. There are also general orders issued by the superintendent pointing out that before the state police could be sent to an area of unrest, the governor must be notified that it is beyond the local sheriff's control. Labor disturbance reports from substations in the strike region form a large part of the reports.

Troop Reports,
1906-1930.
(8 boxes)

{series #30.41} [Holdings]

Grouped by troop and arranged thereafter chronologically.

Semiannual reports for Troops A, B, C, and D as issued to the superintendent of the PA State Police residing in Harrisburg by troop commanders. Topics included in the reports are: arms and equipment status, arrests (by county and amount of fines imposed), barrack and stable conditions, details furnished for special public occasions, disposition of cases previously reported as pending, fines collected by other state departments, horses (condition of, number lost/gained, recapitulations, those reported sick), motor transportation, patrols and mileage, recommendations, record of important events, requests for assistance, schools, stolen property, substations, and overall troop conditions (number reported sick, summary court martials, number resigned, and number of men gained/lost.

World War Activity File,
1917, 1942-1943.
(1 box)

{series # 30.42} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Various reports, orders, and miscellaneous papers relating to the activities of the police during the two world wars. Of interest is a report from a the Lancaster substation involving a farmer who called the police to report the sighting of a lone paratrooper descending in one of his fields whom he thought to be an enemy soldier, but which was later confirmed to be a kite. Others include a V-J Day proclamation from the Governor ordering commissioners to be extra vigilant about any disorder that might erupt during the celebrations in May 1945. Records showing the total number of state police who served during the second world war are given, as well as reports covering the history of PA state prisoners of war. Pamphlets on tire conservation due to rubber rationing are provided, along with orders for blackouts of industrial and aerial signs that could easily be spotted by enemy aircraft. Notice is provided that some weapons of the police were turned over to a Military Intelligence training center in Maryland to be used for the war effort.

Yearbook,
1964.
(1 volume)

{series #30.43} [Holdings]

The Police Yearbook of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. containing the papers and proceedings of the 70th annual conference of the association, 5-10 October 1963. The official greetings to the delegates at the beginning of the book were issued by President John F. Kennedy. Sections include an administrative summary and reports of the committees of communications, research, and civil defense. Of particular interest regarding the time period is a chapter on Civil Rights and the police titled "Police responsibility in race tension and conflict." Other sections include legal issues, crime control, results of a panel discussion on crime, crime reports, public relations, traffic control and enforcement, and training issues. A chapter titled "Problems caused by transients." Transients, by nature, include college students, migrant workers, and tourists.

Appropriation Records,
1911-1923.
(1 folder)

{series #30.44} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Records listing amount of money appropriated for annual salaries. Consisting of correspondence from the superintendent to the Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee. The departments covered consist of the State Police as well as the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Account Book of Cpt. John C. Groome,
1905-1915.
(1 folder)

{series #30.45} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Records of account balances as well as checks issued for the Harrisburg Trust Company.

Canceled Checks and Check Stubs,
1906-1960.
(7 folders)

{series #30.46} [Holdings]

Grouped by subject, thereafter arranged chronologically.

Issued by the Farmers National Bank of Reading.

Cash Books,
1905-1915, 1919-1945.
(4 boxes, 1 folder, 1 volume).

{series #30.47} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Accounts of receipts and expenditures for Troops A through D covering such things as books, freight, fuel, ice, individual personnel pay, inspections, medicine, postage, and uniforms. Information provided includes date, name of account, ledger page number reference, name of individual making or receiving the money, and amount. For expenditures the voucher number is listed.

Cash Book, Journal, and Ledger of Troop D,
1911-1917.
(1 box)

{series #30.48} [Holdings]

Grouped by subject, thereafter chronologically.

Cash book list records for cash payments issued for salary, to individuals, and companies. Ledger is listed alphabetically for balances of persons and companies. Date of transaction, account name, and the amount and purpose of receipt or payment is given. Cash book and journal entries are listed in the ledger.

Check Stub Books,
1906-1923.
(3 volumes)

{series #30.49} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Checks stubs originally issued for School Troop State Police Civic Association, Newville, PA Canteen, and School Troop State Police Commissary, Newville, PA Mess.

Commitment Control Register,
1937-1941.
(1 volume)

{series #30.50} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Register issued for the PA Motor Police. Listing appropriation symbols, object classification, nature of item (with date), purchase date, request number, order number, amount, period to date, amount of invoice, direct requisition number, amount budgeted, uncommitted balance, addition and deductions. Divided into four categories: original order or commitment, direct requisition, budget, and adjustment. Also lists totals on ledgers.

Equipment Inventory Books,
1910-1937.
(2 volumes)

{series #30.51} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Inventories and status of available equipment for individual Troops. For automobile inventory, information given includes: date received, number serviceable, number unserviceable, date, number expended, and those deemed unserviceable (listed in red). Also included for inventory are automobile casings, motorcycles, motorcycle innertubes, automobile oil, as well as domestic items. Those include: pillow cases, breeches, woolen gloves, winter helmets, rubber coats, summer trousers, envelopes, carbon paper, etc.

Expenditure and Budget Control Ledgers,
1931-1941.
(3 volumes)

{series #30.52} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Appropriation expenditures for the PA State Police. Records list appropriation symbols, function codes, object codes, function classification, and object classification. Yearly entries cover requisition date and number, warrant date and number, and remarks. Actual expenditures give detail, month to date, and biennium to date. Budget gives present month, biennium to date, and amount over or under budget. Object class gives superintendents salary, control account, motor vehicle supplies and repairs, advance requisitions, more salaries, and general expenses.

Fine Books,
1906-1908.
(1 volume)

{series #30.53} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Loose fine book pages provide date of fine issue, name of person issued to, Troop (if applicable), reason of fine, and total fine given. Some reasons for fine were due to leaving guard, illegal fishing, court fees, fines resulting in one week pay suspension, absent at roll call, resignation forfeiture, and being away without leave. Total fines for each year is calculated at the end of each list.

Journal,
1905-1920.
(1 volume)

{series #30.54} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of transaction.

A double entry record of amounts debited and credited to the various accounts of the Pennsylvania State Police. Entries from this journal are posted in the Fiscal Division's ledgers, 1905-1915, 1919-1945. Each dated entry provides the names of the accounts to be debited and credited, the related ledger page number, the purpose of the receipt or expenditure, and the amount.

Ledgers,
1905-1945.
(4 boxes, 4 volumes)

{series #30.55} [Holdings]

Arranged by year and thereunder by account.

A debit-credit account of the receipts and expenditures of the Pennsylvania State Police. Entries in these ledgers are posted from the Cash Books, 1905-1915, 1919-1925, 1937-1945, and the Journal, 1905-1920. Information furnished for each transaction includes the date, the related cash book or journal page number, a brief notation identifying the transaction, and the amount. Accounts listed in the ledgers range from automobile to water expenses, and from receipts for money transferred from the Commonwealth to receipts for fines collected.

Miscellaneous Account Book,
1908-1919, 1927-1929.
(1 volume)

{series #30.56} [Holdings]

Grouped by topic, thereafter arranged chronologically.

The PA state police cash book for Troop C, stationed in Reading. The record provides monthly expenditures, salaries, and bills. A duty roster is also given, showing names of first sergeants, corporals, and privates. Some remarks are given for troopers showing those away without leave or those suspended for insubordination. A daily record of gas taken from tank and amount of gas purchased is also given, showing the date, car number, gallons of gas issued, meter readings, amount on hand, and monthly totals and expenditure rates. A performance record for troop cars lists date, driver, passenger, destination, gas/oil, mileage, remarks, and meter readings from the beginning and end of the month.

Muster and Pay Rolls,
1906-1935.
(25 boxes)

{series #30.57} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically and grouped by troop.

County pay rolls list the total number or commissioned officers and enlisted men. The front of the record lists a voucher number and total amount paid out. The breakdown for the troop as recorded in the payroll was one captain, one first sergeant, five sergeants, and fifty privates. The payroll provides the name, rank, enlistment date, general register, number of days, pay amount per day, amount of fines or deductions, total amount due, signature, and remarks, such as number of enlisted Deduction sheets are also given listing name, lost property article, price owed, barrack rent, total owed, and troop totals.

Pay Roll Requisition,
1928-1937.
(4 boxes)

{series #30.58} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Consists primarily of appropriation payroll requisitions dated 1932-1937, submitted by the secretary of Revenue to the Auditor General, requesting that warrants on the State Treasurer be issued for the payment of the salaries of the State Highway Patrol. Also included are employee payroll sheets and payroll summaries for the period of 1928 through 1931. Payroll requisitions give the name of the spending agency and fund, the requisition identification number, date of the appropriation symbol, and the month to be charged. Also provided are the names and positions of the individuals to be paid, their salary for the pay period, their retirement rate, and the amount of the retirement deduction. In addition there is a certification by the Secretary of Revenue which lists the total amount of the salaries, the name of the authorizing appropriation fund, the appropriation symbol, the appropriation act number, and a verification that the payroll is accurate, that services were actually rendered, and that retirement deductions to the State Employees' Retirement Board were made. The employees payroll sheet lists the pay period and section, employment, authorization, operation, and occupation identification numbers, the number of men and the total number of days pay, and the total amount of pay requested by the section chief. The name of the section, the pay period, the amount of the payroll for the entire section, and the Employment Identification Number are provided on the payroll summaries.

Refund of Expenditures File,
1937-1953. |
(1 box)

{series #30.59} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

A record of refunds of expenditures transmitted by the Department of Revenue to the Treasury Department for credit to State Police appropriations. Types of refunds range from a draft of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad representing the refund of a one-way portion of a round trip ticket, to checks issued by insurance companies for returns of premiums on insurance policies covering motor equipment disposed of by the PA State Police. Each transmittal document provides the name of the appropriation to be credited, the appropriation symbol, the classification of the item to be credited, the requisition number being drawn on, the auditor general's warrant number, the treasury department check number, the payee's name, and the amount of payment.

Statement of Incidental Expenses,
1905-1908.
(1 box)

{series #30.60} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by number.

Quarterly listings of expenses for the Department of State Police under provisions of the act approved 14 May 1874, Section 2 P.L. 150, General Appropriation Act. The statements list the voucher number, to whom they were payable,amount issued, along with total expenses.

Transmittal of Revenue Records,
1929-1953.
(2 boxes)

{series #30.61} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

A record of the transfer of revenue by the Pennsylvania State Police transmitted through the Department of Revenue to the Treasury Department. Sources of the revenue include fees, summary court fines, reimbursements for lost property, forfeitures, and training school fees. In addition to the signature of the agent of the department of revenue, each transmittal record provides the sheet number, the agents' transmittal number, the date transmitted, the funds to be credited, the names of the payers, the license or receipt numbers, the total payments, and the total payments broken down by types of funds to be credited.

Trial Balance Book,
1917-1945.
(1 volume)

{series #30.62} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Statements prepared on a monthly basis from July 1917 to May 1937 and quarterly from December 1938 to May 1945. They list the amount of income and expenses for each state police account with balanced sum totals for each reporting period. Income usually is received from state appropriations, fines, interest, and the sale of state property, while expenditures range from automobile expenses to water bills. Entries in the Trial Balance are posted from the Fiscal Division's Ledgers,1905-1915,1919-1945.

Trial Balance Sheets,
1927-1929.
(1 folder)

{series #30.63} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by month.

Balance sheets give financial balances for the following groups: Bureau of Fire Protection, commanding officers of Troops A through E, commanding officers of School Troop, contingent expenses, Department of Agriculture, Department of Forests and Waters, fines, Games Commission, interests, identification cards, miscellaneous cash, petty cash, refunded cash, salaries, sale of state property, state employees, annuity savings, fund, summary court fines, superintendent (Lynn G. Adams), and any available cash.

Voucher Book,
1905-1906.
(1 volume)

{series #30.64} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Voucher book lists dates, the name of person or company the voucher was issued to, occupation, subject of voucher (i.e. salary, stationary, postage, laundry, room/board, etc.), and total money amount issued.

Descriptive Book of Troopers,
1906-1939.
(4 volumes)

{series #30.65} [Holdings]

A record of persons employed as State troopers by the Commonwealth. Entries list the person's name, identification number, age, birthplace, race, height, hair and eye colors, and occupation previous to enlistment.

Diary and Photographs of Wallace C. Keely,
ca. 1905-1949.
(1 volume and 1 folder)

{series #30.66} [Holdings]

A diary kept by Wallace C. Keely, a member of Troop C of the PA State Police, together with three related photographs. The Diary contains: newsclippings, summaries of arrests and investigations complete with mug shots and fingerprints, a brief narrative history of the regular and special duty of Troop C for the years 1905 to 1913, a list of Keely's World War Two service for U.S. Army Intelligence. The diary also contains photographs of Keely on horseback at Reading and Pottsville; President Theodore Roosevelt with Troop B at the State Police Barracks of Wyoming, PA; and scenes of special duty at Swatara Creek, the State Capitol, the Clark's Ferry Bridge, West Fairview Dam, Buzzard's Hideout, and the War Barn of Troop C during the Trolley Strike at Wilkes-Barre in 1915-1916.

Orders,
1936-1952.
(1 box)

{series #30.67} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically.

Personnel action orders issued by the Commissioner of State Police. The Orders provide an official record of personnel transactions such as promotions, demotions, resignations, and citations. Prior to 1936, all orders relating to personnel were known as special orders.

Personnel Files,
1913-1943.
(2 boxes)

{series #30.68} [Holdings]

Arranged alphabetically by last name, thereafter chronologically.

Files of state troopers contain return receipts for registered state police articles such as equipment and clothing. Other records consist primarily of requests for leave absences, applications for returns of contributions from the state employees retirement system, and final statements of state property belonging to each person. Of special interest is testimony from the trial of Private Henry Bessonett. Also included are employers reports of accidents for insurance claims, enlistment papers of each person, as well as radiograms and special reports. Correspondence from commanding officers and the deputy superintendent is also provided.

Personal Lists,
1912-1929.
(1 folder)

{series #30.69} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by the final date of service.

Trooper enlistment, separation, reinstatement and complement lists. The list of officers leaving service covers the period from 1912 through 1929. It provides the name of the trooper, troop designation, file number, date span of service, reason for leaving, and last known address. The list of enlisted dated 1926-1929 is arranged chronologically by date of enlistment and gives the troop letter designation the name of the trooper, the date of enlistment, and in some cases the date of discharge. The recapitulation of personnel for 1926-1928 lists the number of troops present for duty on 1 January, the number of enlisted, and losses during the year, and the total number of troops present for duty at the end of the year. Also included are statistics on the number of men leaving the service during the year for specific reasons such as to accept better paying positions, expiration of enlistment, death, disciplinary problems, desertion, etc. The list of former members who desired reinstatement between 1915 and 1924 gives the name of the officer, the troop, span of service, reason for leaving, last known address, and file number.

Personnel Orders,
1940-1943.
(1 folder)

{series #30.70} [Holdings]

Arranged by number of order.

Orders from the Pennsylvania motor police. Subjects touched upon include those enlisted men who left the service, those personnel who were transferred, special citations for exceptional performances, announcements of court martials, amendments to orders, promotions, revolver competition results, and listings of those student recruits who successfully completed Motor Police Training School. Orders were issued by the Commissioner of State Police as well as the Deputy Commissioner. The Commissioner during 1940 was Lynn G. Adams, who was replaced by C. M. Wilhelm in 1943.

Promotion Lists for Lieutenants,
1955-1986.
(1 box)

{series #30.71} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of promotion.

Lists provide list number, lieutenant's name, date of rank as lieutenant, date and place born, date of entry into service, and location of duty.

Descriptive Book of Public Animals,
1905-1917.
(1 volume)

{series #30.72} [Holdings]

A descriptive list of the horses of the Department of State Police. The first five pages list an index for each horses number, followed by the fate of that particular animal. In this volume there are entries for 592 horses. Some animals were "destroyed by shooting" for various reasons, others were transferred to departments such as the Games Commission, and some were exchanged for other horses. Following the index are more detailed entries for each animal, listing its assigned number, name, name of rider, physical description (age, height, color), peculiar marks, date purchased, purchaser, inspector, cost, date received, from who received, condition received in, troop assignment, and remarks as to eventual fate. Peculiar marks include saddle scars, color markings, brands, and muscle abnormalities. Some reasons for shooting were "general debility," old age, blindness, broken neck, spasms, ringbone, open joints, and bad back and legs. Costs per horse range from $115 to $160.

PA State Archives

Hours, Directions, & Fees

Research Topics

Finding Aids for Collections

Land Records