Fonds consists primarily of records relating to Van Horne's non-C.P.R. business activities.
The documentation relating to the establishment and running of the Cuba Company and Cuba Railroad Company, 1898-1915, includes: letterbooks, incoming correspondence, subject files, financial and operational records, and published material. Papers dealing with Van Horne's private business dealings in Cuba consist of correspondence, legal and property records, 1902-1915.
The records relating to the Guatemela Railway Company include correspondence and subject files, 1904-1912.
Private business letterbooks, 1893-1915; correspondence, and subject files, 1870-1915, containing Van Horne's correspondence (both incoming and outgoing) on a wide variety of his business, political and private affairs.
Included is correspondence about The Albertite Oilite and Cannel Coal Company, Brazilian Traction Light and Power Company, Canada North-West Land Company, Canadian Salt Company, Canadian Sardine Company, the Cuba Company, Dominion Iron and Steel Company, Equitable Life Insurance Society, Grand Falls Company, Guatemala Railway Company, Laurentide Paper Company, Norwood Improvement Company, Riode Janerio Tramway, Light and Power Company, Winnipeg Electric Railway Company and others.
Van Horne's correspondence with leading Canadian and American public figures can be found in his business records. There are also corporate letterbooks for the Southern Minnesota Railway, 1876-1879, and the Robin Hood Powder Company, 1900-1904.
Correspondence and subject files relating to the Van Horne family's summer home "Covenhoven" on Minister's Island, St. Andrews, New Brunswick; Van Horne's model farm at East Selkirk, Manitoba; and his hacienda in Cuba.
The family papers inlcude correspondence to and from all members of Van Horne's extended household (with the exception of the Van Hornes' first son William C. Van Horne who died in childhood).
The correspondence is organized in sub-series by recipient. Family journals, publications, and miscellanea concerning the Van Horne and Hurd Families. Legal files, particularly concerning the estates of Sir William Van Horne and Adeline Van Horne. Correspondence to Adeline Van Horne from R. Randolph Bruce, Canadian Minister to Japan, 1936-1938. Microfilmed copies of private correspondence held at the Canadian Railroad Association Archives, 1856-1938.
Microfilmed material consists of incoming correspondence concerning CPR business, investments and personal matters, 1856-1938, and undated material. These records are located on microfilm reels M-7493 and M-7494.
Fonds also contains photographs of events, subjects, places and individuals associated with the life and career of Van Horne.
In addition, the fonds includes portraits, views and caricatures of Canadian and non-Canadian subjects, illustrated letters and the privately published books "The Covenhaven Follies of 1919", "Getting an Earful" and "A Happy New Year From a Basketful of Puppies".
Additionally there are a selection of commemorative medals and lapel pins, mostly of an agricultural theme, however a pair of medals were presented to Van Horne as an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
Fonds also includes an illuminated address of Congratulations from the Citizens of Vancouver. It is located in horizontal storage, container 107.
Also, the fonds contains several hundred maps and architectural plans. Many relate to the construction of the railway in Cuba, but some also relate to locations in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere, including Van Horne's Farm Buildings in St. Andrews, New Brunswick and for a house in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
