Brown Land Company records (Ms.2007.016)

The objective of the Brown Land Company was to purchase, manage, improve, lease, mortgage and sell real estate, principally located in Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. The records span the years 1857-1947 (the bulk falling within the years of the company's incorporation, 1903-1940), and reflect the business and professional activities of the company.

Major focuses are the day-to-day legal and financial concerns involving investments in Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota and the construction of the Turks Head Building in Providence, Rhode Island. Additionally the records document the roles of George Matteson and his son, Frank, in guiding Brown family investments and John Nicholas Brown's increasing involvement in handling his inheritance after 1925. Subject areas represented include investments, property management, civic development, politics, agricultural programs, economics, and architecture.