THE WALTER P. INNES, JR. COLLECTION

Finding Aid

Size: 1.0 linear feet

Literary rights:
Literary rights were not granted toWichita State University. When permission is granted to examine the manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.

Restrictions: None

Content note:
The Walter P. Innes Jr. collection contains material concerning two important Wichita businesses, the Innes Department Store and the Stearman Aircraft Company. It includes correspondence, photographs, blueprints, technical reports, financial documents, engineering diagrams, business agreements, pamphlets, memorabilia, newspaper clippings, and personal notes and letters dating from the late 1920’s. These documents are primarily concerned with his role as a manager in the George Innes Dry Goods Company, his position as Secretary of the Stearman Aircraft Company, and his involvement with a spark plug and rotary engine invention and Wichita real-estate developments.

Walter Pease Innes Jr. was born on December 9, 1902. He was the son of Walter Innes, a well-known Wichita merchant and owner of the Innes Department Store located in downtown Wichita. Innes Jr. was involved in retail merchandising, the aviation industry, and was a Wichita civic leader. He was vice president and secretary of the George Innes Company and a manager at the Innes Department Store until it was sold in 1951. Walter Jr. became president of the new Travel Air Company in 1925 and would later help organize and serve as secretary of the Stearman Aircraft Company. In 1930, Innes Jr. became president and treasurer of Stearman and directed the business management of the firm. He also served on the board of directors of several Wichita businesses during the 1950’s including the Fourth National Bank, Wheeler-Kelly-Hagny Investment Company, and the KFH Company. As a civic leader, Walter Jr. was president of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce in 1951 and vice president of the Wichita Community Chest in 1952. Walter Innes Jr. died in Wichita on May 1, 1977.

Acquisition: Purchased from Rock Castle Antiques, Wichita

Processed by: APB, 5-11-1998; SMC, 11-18-1998