W.P.A. history of grazing collection, 1680-1941

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Willison, George F. (George Findlay), 1896-1972
Title
W.P.A. history of grazing collection
Dates
1680-1941 (inclusive)
Quantity
17 boxes, (7 linear ft. )
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 008
Summary
Correspondence and historical articles (drafts and completed) accumulated during the creation of the "Utah Chapter" of the Work Projects Administration's (WPA) History of grazing, in cooperation with the Grazing Service of the Department of the Interior. Project was intended as a historical companion volume to serial set #10005, "The western range," and included seventeen state histories focusing on western grazing, from the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 to 1941. Also includes correspondence concerning, and drafts of, the compiled work, edited by George F. Willison.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions
Restrictions

Open to public research.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The files of the WPA History of Grazing were accessioned by the Special Collections Department in February 1967 and October 1974 when a second portion, including virtually all of Chapter III,"The Westward Movement," was discovered in files otherwise devoted to Agricultural Experiment Station papers accessioned by University Archives.

Final processing has followed the pattern which we can assume to have been the Willison arrangement in December 1941. Individual state and general project materials have been filed separately. The different sections of the manuscript drafts are filed in the order that they were listed in the proposed outline as established in the circular of June 6, 1940. Though Willison had proposed to develop fourteen chapters for the final book, since the states submitted their individual histories based on the June 6, 1940 outline, he was compelled to put together the first drafts on a seven-chapter outline.*

The original order, numbering system, and section headings as outlined by the June 6, 1940 circular have been processed in the transfer from original folders. The collection is complete as it was transferred to the University with the exception of photographs from Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Washington, Okla-homa, Oregon, and Nevada which have been transferred from the Manuscript Collection to the Department's general photograph filewhere they comprise numbers A-0430 to A-0532.

*A close reading of the chapter contents show that the expansion from seven to fourteen chapters was to be accomplished largely by subdivision of Chapter IV, "Boom Days on the Western Range, 1866-1886." All of the states, but especially Texas, submitted a major portion of their texts on this twenty-year period. The Texas history was to be almost exclusively used for Chapter IV, "The Mustang, Longhorn, and Merino," and Chapter VIII, "The Long Trail."

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Permission to publish material from the W.P.A. history of grazing collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

W.P.A. history of grazing collection, 1680-1941 (COLL MSS 008). Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives Department.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arrangement: Chronological within state.

Acquisition Information

Produced by W.P.A. Federal Writer's Project, given to Utah Agricultural Experiment Station in 1941; transfered to USU Special Collections and Archives in 1967.

Related Materials

Colorado and Washington grazing interview transcripts (COLL MSS 016)

Utah grazing notes (COLL MSS 009)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 Arizona: Correspondence undated
1 2 Arizona: Non-project material undated
1 3 Arizona: History of grazing (part 1) undated
1 4 Arizona: History of grazing (part 2) undated
1 5 Arizona and the Southwest: Maps of cattle trails undated
1 6 California: Correspondence and non-state15 items material undated
1 7 California: Maps, grazing and Section IV,3 items "Advent of Railroads" undated
1 8 California (Northern): Master Bibliography typescript and 1st carbon undated
1 9 Colorado: Correspondence undated
1 10 Colorado: Non-project material undated
1 11 Idaho: Correspondence undated
1 12 Idaho: Non-project materials undated
1 13 Kansas: Correspondence undated
1 14 Kansas: Grazing Chapters: Cattle trails, Flint Hills, Territorial, and Post War Era undated
1 15 Montana: Correspondence and non-state materials undated
1 16 Montana: Trail Maps undated
1 17 Montana: Special Range Report undated
2 1 Nebraska: Correspondence and Cattle brand data undated
2 2 Nevada: Correspondence undated
2 3 Nevada: Non-project material undated
2 4 New Mexico: Correspondence undated
2 5 New Mexico: Non-project materials undated
2 6 North Dakota: Correspondence undated
2 7 North Dakota: History of grazing, Section IV (original) undated
2 8 North Dakota: History of grazing, Section IV (lst carbon) undated
2 9 North Dakota: History of grazing, Section 5 & 6 (original) undated
2 10 North Dakota: History of grazing, Section 5 & 6 (carbon) undated
2 11 North Dakota: History of grazing, Sections VII, VIII, Summary undated
2 12 Oklahoma: Correspondence undated
2 13 Oregon: Correspondence undated
2 14 Oregon: Non-state materials undated
3 1 Oregon: History of grazing, Sections I to III undated
3 2 Oregon:History of grazing, Section IV undated
3 3 Oregon:History of grazing, Section V undated
3 4 Oregon:History of grazing, Section VI undated
3 5 South Dakota: Correspondence undated
3 6 Texas: Correspondence undated
3 7 Texas: Non-state material undated
3 8 Texas: History of grazing: Growing Crisis on the Range, pp. 5-27 pp. 268-375 1886-1917
3 9 Texas: History of grazing:The New Era pp. 1-119 undated
3 10 Texas: Abstract of laws relating to grazing, 66 pp 1831-1939
3 11 Texas: Cattle brands undated
3 12 Texas: History of grazing, partial chapters III, IV undated
4 1 Utah: Correspondence undated
4 2 Utah: Highlights on grazing history of Forest Services Intermountain Region undated
4 3 Utah: Non-project materials undated
4 4 Utah: History of grazing, Section I (2 copies, original) undated
4 5 Utah: History of grazing, Section I (carbon) undated
4 6 Utah: History of grazing, Section II (original) undated
4 7 Utah: History of grazing, Section II (carbon) undated
4 8 Utah: History of grazing, Section III (original) pp. 1-93 undated
4 9 Utah: History of grazing, Section IV (carbon) in complete, pp. 1-93 undated
4 10 Utah: History of grazing, Section III (incomplete carbon) pp. 1-93 undated
4 11 Utah: History of grazing, Section IV (carbon) 153 pp undated
4 12 Utah: History of grazing, Section IV (original, carbon, imcomplete) undated
4 13 Utah: History of grazing, Section V (carbon) pp. 1-75 undated
4 14 Utah: History of grazing, Section VI (carbon) pp. 1-187 undated
4 15 Utah: History of grazing, Section VII (carbon) undated
5 1 Washington: Correspondence undated
5 2 Washington: History of grazing, partial final chapter and bibliography undated
5 3 Wyoming: Correspondence undated
5 4 Wyoming: Non-state materials undated
5 5 Wyoming: "The Wyoming Frontier" published by employees of Region 10, Grazing Service undated
5 6 History of grazing circular (2 copies) undated
5 7 The Taylor Grazing Act in operation undated
5 8 The Federal Range Code undated
5 9 National Forests and Field Offices of U. S. Forest Service undated
5 10 Range Research in the United States undated
5 11 History of grazing: Bibliographical material and notes undated
5 12 History of Grazing: Correspondence undated
5 13 History of grazing: Correspondence, suggested outlines, etc undated
5 14 History of grazing: Miscellany undated
6 1 History of grazing: Bibliographies, National undated
6 2 History of grazing: Bibliographies, State undated
6 3 Division of grazing: Emergency snow clearing, District 7 and 8 undated
6 4 History of grazing: General information undated
6 5 The Range Today: A 1-2 Extent and type of range undated
6 6 The Range Today: A 1-2 Extent and type of range (cont.) undated
6 7 The Range Today: A 1-2 Extent and type of range (cont.) undated
6 8 The Range Today: A 1-2 Extent and type of range (cont.) undated
6 9 The Range Today: A 3 Economic importance undated
6 10 The Range Today: B. Summary view of present practices, historical developments undated
6 11 The Range Today: B. 2(c) Crisis on the Range about 1932 undated
7 1 II Early Background A. 1 Wildlife undated
7 2 II Early Background A. 2 Indians, Use of Range, etc undated
7 3 II Early Background A. 3 Natural Stability of the Range undated
7 4 II The Range in Colonial Times, The Mustang (pt. 1) undated
7 5 II The Range in Colonial Times, The Mustang (pt. 2) undated
7 6 II B. The Range in Colonial Times, Old Spanish Southwest: Exploration, trails, etc undated
7 7 II B. The Range in Colonial Times, Old Spanish Southwest, Early Settlement (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona) undated
7 8 II B. The Range in Colonial Times, Old Spanish Southwest: Missions (Texas, New Mexico etc.) undated
7 9 II B. The Range in Colonial Times, Old Spanish Southwest: Ranchos (California) undated
7 10 II B. The Range in Colonial Times, Old Spanish Southwest: Vaquero, etc undated
7 11 II B. The Range in Colonial times, Old Spanish Southwest: Dominant Personalities undated
7 12 II B. The Range in Colonial Times. Old Spanish Southwest: Anglo-American Ranchers undated
8 1 II B. The Range in Colonial Times, Old Spanish Southwest (lst Draft) undated
8 2 II B. The Range in Colonial Times, Old Spanish Southwest (2nd Draft) undated
8 3 II B. The Range in Colonial Times, Old Spanish Southwest (3rd Draft) undated
8 4 II C. Indian Territory, Through the Civil War undated
8 5 II C. Indian Territory, After the Civil War undated
9 1 III Westward Movement, A. Early Exploration undated
9 2 III Westward Movement, B. Early Trails undated
9 3 III Westward Movement, C. First herds, ranches, markets, etc undated
9 4 III Westward Movement, D. Conflict with Indians, etc undated
9 5 III Westward Movement, E. Effects of Civil War undated
9 6 IV Boom Days, A. L. Accumulation of stock undated
9 7 IV Boom Days, A. 2. Growth of market in expanding industrial cities, etc undated
9 8 IV Boom Days, A. 3. Advent of Railroads undated
9 9 IV Boom Days, B. 1-2. Size and practices of large ranches (pt. 1) undated
10 1 IV Boom Days, B. 1-2. Size and practices of large ranches (pt. 2) undated
10 2 IV Bovm Days, B. 1-2. Size and practices of the average smaller ranch (pt. 1) undated
10 3 IV Boom Days, B. 1-2. Size and practices of the average smaller ranch (pt. 2) undated
10 4 IV Boom Days, B. 3-4. Ownership and profits of boom-day ranches undated
10 5 IV Boom Days, C. 1. Organization and operation of ranches undated
10 6 IV Boom Days, C. 2. Round-ups undated
10 7 IV Boom Days, C. 2(e). Brands undated
10 8 IV Boom Days, C. 3. Rustlers undated
11 1 Boom Days, D. 1. Organization of Great Cattle Drives undated
11 2 Boom Days, D. 3(a). Early trails to Baxter Springs, etc. (part 1) undated
11 3 Boom Days, D. 3(a). Early trails to Baxter Springs, etc. (part 2) undated
11 4 Boom Days, D. 3(b). Abilene Trail undated
11 5 Boom Days, D. 3(c). Chisholm Trail undated
11 6 Boom Days, D. 3(d). Dodge City Trail undated
11 7 Boom Days, D. 3(e). Goodnight Trail undated
11 8 Boom Days, D. 3(g). Trails to Northern Plains (part 1) undated
11 9 Boom Days, D. 3(g). Trails to Northern Plains (part 2) undated
11 10 Boom Days, D. 3(h). Trails in Pacific Northwest undated
11 11 Boom Days, D. 3(i). Trails in Pacific Southwest undated
11 12 Boom Days, D. Texas Fever, Quarantine undated
12 1 Boom Days, D. 4(a). Cow towns - Abilene undated
12 2 Boom Days, D. 4(b). Cow towns - Dodge City undated
12 3 Boom Days, D. 4(c). Cow towms - General undated
12 4 Boom Days, E. 1. The Cowboy - origins, nationality, etc. (part 1) undated
12 5 Boom Days, E. 1. The Cowboy - origins, nationality, etc. (part 2) undated
12 6 Boom Days, E. l. The Cowboy - origins, nationality, etc. (part 3) undated
12 7 Boom Days, E. 3. Cowboy's Accoutrements, shooting irons, etc undated
12 8 Boom Days, E. 4. Cowboy Lingo undated
12 9 Boom Days, E. 5. Cowboy songs and stories undated
12 10 Boom Days, E. 6. "Moonshine" about the cowboy undated
12 11 Boom Days, F. Personalities - Miscellaneous (part 1) undated
12 12 Boom Days, F. Personalities - Miscellaneous (part 2) undated
13 1 IV Boom Days, F. Personalities - Iliff undated
13 2 IV Boom Days, F. Personalities - King undated
13 3 IV Boom Days, F. Personalities - Miller and Lux undated
13 4 IV Boom Days, F. Personalities - Chisum undated
13 5 V Crisis on the Range, A. Fall in prices after 1885 undated
13 6 V Crisis on the Range, A. Losses from weather (part 1) undated
13 7 V Crisis on the Range, A. Losses from weather (part 2) undated
13 8 V Crisis on the Range, A. Losses from weather (part 3) undated
13 9 V Crisis on the Range, A. Barbed wire (part 1) undated
13 10 V Crisis on the Range, B. Barbed wire (part 2) undated
13 11 V Crisis on the Range, C. Introduction of sheep (part 1) undated
13 12 V Crisis on the Range, C. Introduction of sheep (part 2) undated
13 13 V Crisis on the Range, C. Introduction of sheep (part 3) undated
13 14 V Crisis on the Range, C. Introduction of sheep (part 4) undated
14 1 V Crisis on the Range, C. 3. Sheep grazing practices (part l) undated
14 2 V Crisis on the Range, C. 3. Sheep grazing practices (part 2) undated
14 3 V Crisis on the Range, C. 3. Sheep grazing practices (part 3) undated
14 4 V Crisis on the Range, C. 4. Pioneer Sheepman undated
14 5 V Crisis on the Range, C. 5. The Sheepherder undated
14 6 V Crisis on the Range, D. Homesteaders (part 1) undated
14 7 V Crisis on the Range, D. Homesteaders (part 2) undated
14 8 V Crisis on the Range, D. 1. Effect in state as of federal land policies undated
14 9 V Crisis on the Range, D. 2. State laws affecting farmers, homesteaders, ranchers, etc undated
14 10 V Crisis on the Range, D. 3. Progressive reduction of open range undated
14 11 V Crisis on the Range, E. 1. Open Range vs. Big Pasture (part 1) undated
14 12 V Crisis on the Range, E. 1. Open Range vs. Big Pasture (part 2) undated
14 13 V Crisis on the Range, E. 2. Cowmen vs. Nesters undated
14 14 V Crisis on the Range, E. 3. Cowmen vs. Sheepmen undated
15 1 V Crisis on the Range, F. Overgrazing (part 1) undated
15 2 V Crisis on the Range, F. Overgrazing (part 2) undated
15 3 V Crisis on the Range, G. World War Boom undated
15 4 VI Toward Conservation, A. Introduction of blooded stock (part 1) undated
15 5 VI Toward Conservation, A. Introduction of blooded stock (part 2) undated
15 6 VI Toward Conservation, A. Introduction of blooded stock (part 3) undated
15 7 VI Toward Conservation, B. Changes in handling stock -- feeding (part 1) undated
15 8 VI Toward Conservation, B. Changes in handling stock -- feeding (part 2) undated
15 9 VI Toward Conservation, B. Changes in handling stock -- breeding (part 1) undated
15 10 VI Toward Conservation, B. Changes in handling stock -- breeding (part 2) undated
15 11 VI Toward Conservation, B. Changes in handling stock -- transportation to market undated
15 12 VI Toward Conservation, B. Changes in handling stock -- local packing center, etc undated
16 1 VI Toward Conservation, C. The Modern Range (part l) undated
16 2 VI Toward Conservation, C. The Modern Range (part 2) undated
16 3 VI Toward Conservation, C. The Modern Range - 1. Size of herds undated
16 4 VI Toward Conservation, C. The Modern Range - 2. Typical rancher, cowhand, etc undated
16 5 VI Toward Conservation, D. Stockmen's Associations (part 1) undated
16 6 VI Toward Conservation, D. Stockmen's Associations (part 2) undated
16 7 VI Toward Conservation, D. Stockmen's Associations (part 3) undated
16 8 VI Toward Conservation, D. Stockmen's Assoications (part 4) undated
16 9 VI Toward Conservation, E. l(a). Forestry Service (part l) undated
16 10 VI Toward Conservation, E. l(a). Forestry Service (part 2) undated
16 11 VI Toward Conservation, E. l(a). Forestry Service (part 3) undated
16 12 VI Toward Conservation, E. l(b). Indian Service undated
16 13 VI Toward Conservation, E. l(c). National Parks undated
16 14 VI Toward Conservation, E. l(d). Reclamation (part l) undated
16 15 VI Toward Conservation, E. l(d). Reclamation (part 2) undated
17 1 VI Toward Conservation, E. 2(a). State livestock undated
17 2 VI Toward Conservation, E. 2(b). State livestock laws undated
17 3 VI Toward Conservation, E. 3. Crusaders for conservation undated
17 4 VII The New Era on the Range: Grazing Service statement on range conditions 1939
17 5 VII The New Era on the Range: Chapter outline undated
17 6 VII The New Era on the Range: Grazing Service statement - Final draft undated
17 7 VII The New Era on the Range: a) Taylor Grazing Act (part 1) undated
17 8 VII The New Era on the Range: a) Taylor Grazing Act (part 2) undated
17 9 VII The New Era on the Range: b) Grazing Service undated
17 10 VII The New Era on the Range: c) Operation of the Grazing Act undated
17 11 VII The New Era on the Range: d) Public reaction to Grazing Act undated
17 12 VII The New Era on the Range: e) Federal and state land use programs undated
17 13 VII The New Era on the Range - Completed chapter undated
17 14 VII The New Era on the Range - Completed chapter undated
17 15 VII The New Era on the Range - Completed chapter undated
17 16 VII The New Era on the Range - Conclusion undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cattle trade--West (U.S.)--History.
  • Grazing--West (U.S.)--History.
  • Public lands--West (U.S.)--History.
  • Range management--West (U.S.)--History.
  • Rangelands--West (U.S.)--History.
  • Sheep industry--West (U.S.)--History.
  • Western range.

Corporate Names

  • United States. Grazing Service. (contributor)
  • United States. Work Projects Administration (Utah) (contributor)
  • Writers' Program (Utah) (contributor)

Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives.
2008

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