The Ransom E. Olds papers are divided into two sections. The first section consists of Olds' personal papers. Included in this section are Olds' love letters to Metta Woodward (June 6, 1864-September 2, 1950), whom Olds married in 1899, Olds' philanthropic activities, his daybooks and two journals of the Olds family trip to Europe.

The second section deals with Olds' business activities from 1904 to 1947. Included are correspondence series of Olds Motor Works and REO and several small companies that Olds either owned or was the major stockholder. There is also a correspondence series between Olds and various stockbrokers and bankers who wished to interest Olds in an investment plan.

The correspondence on "Chicago Property" relates to a large apartment building that Olds owned. In 1916, this property plus securities and $200,000 was exchanged for a large tract of land in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, Florida, which was ultimately developed into "Reolds Farms". Olds attempted in April-May of 1917 to interest the Defense Department in establishing a shipyard there to construct a "wooden fleet".