Gulf Oil Corporation Reston records

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669

Summary

Extent:
0.5 linear feet (1 box)
Creator:
Gulf Oil Corporation
Abstract:
This collection of papers documents the investment of $4 million from the Gulf Oil Corporation for the purpose of developing Reston, Virginia.All of the records are dated September 11, 1963. The collection is small and all 14 folders are contained within a single document case.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection of papers documents the investment of $4 million from the Gulf Oil Corporation for the purpose of developing Reston, Virginia. All of the records are dated September 11, 1963. The collection is small and all 14 folders are contained within a single document case.

There is only series in this collection, and it consists of exhibit files. The series has the loan proposal from the Gulf Oil Corporation and each exhibit that was presented. There are 12 exhibits in all with an exhibit index in the first folder of the collection.

Biographical / historical:

The Gulf Oil Corporation was founded in 1901 when oil was discovered in Spindletop, Texas. The company invested millions of dollars into the development of gasoline in the early Twentieth Century. By the early 1930s, it had grown into a major United States corporation. The corporation continued to grow into the 1960s.

During that time Gulf Oil became an investor into Robert E. Simon's planned community in Reston, Virginia. As one of his principal investors, Gulf Oil stepped in to save the project from bankruptcy in 1967. The Gulf Reston officials continued development of the New Town and for more than ten years encouraged a diversity in housing sizes, styles, and prices.

Acquisition information:
Donated by the Gulf Oil Corporation on October 16, 1989.
Arrangement:

Organized into one series.

  • Series 1: Exhibit Files, 1963 (Box 1)