The Hat Creek Ranch was formed in 1910 by Charles Gottfried Doering when he purchased the McCosh, O'Hara and original Hat Creek Ranches and amalgamated them. The ranch, which was located in the Bonaparte Valley near Ashcroft, was a cattle and horse-breeding, as well as an agricultural centre. Hotel Hat Creek was also situated on the ranch and was operated by Doering.
In addition to his ranching interests, Doering was involved in the brewing industry and associated hotel trade. He was president of the British Columbia Breweries, Ltd., which was incorporated in 1911 following an amalgamation of three other breweries. Until prohibition in 1917, he was also involved in the operation of several Vancouver hotels.
Business records of the Hat Creek Ranch, including account books and land, water and livestock records, and of British Columbia Breweries and Hotel Hat Creek. The business records reflect the day-to-day business operations of Hat Creek Ranch and, to a lesser degree, Hat Creek Hotel, first under Doering and later under John Basil Jackson. There are also records related to land transactions, grazing leases, water rights applications and breeding. Also included is correspondence regarding Doering's brewery and non-local hotel interests which deals primarily with the windup of British Columbia Breweries, Ltd., and his divestiture of his hotels.