Intermountain Indian School photograph collection, 1955-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian (U.S.)
Title
Intermountain Indian School photograph collection
Dates
1955-1970 (inclusive)
1958-1962 (bulk)
Quantity
1 box, (0.5 linear ft. )
Collection Number
UUS_P0327
Summary
Contains publicity photographs taken of Navajo students who attended the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. The photos were probably taken in the late 1950s or early 1960s and document various school activities including vocational training, classroom scenes, social activities, student artwork, music, theatre, and athletics.
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

Historical NoteReturn to Top

In the early decades of the twentieth century federal indian policy revolved around the idea that through education and job training the various Indian tribes could be assimilated into mainstream America. For the nation's largest tribe, the Navajo, Arthur Watkins, Republican Senator of Utah, secured a vacant veteran's hospital in Brigham City, Utah, just days before it was to be sold and transformed into a co-educational military academy in 1948. In May of 1949, Congress approved nearly four million dollars for the remodeling of the school and agreed to educate two thousand students. The school eventually became known as the "world's largest boarding school."

Even though Congress approved funds for remodeling, the former hospital did not lack for resources. Built in 1942, Bushnell Hospital owned over one hundred buildings, four tennis courts, two gymnasiums, four baseball diamonds, and four bowling alleys as well as a swimming pool, a golf course, and a three-hundred seat theater. At it's height, the hospital housed over forty-five hundred veterans and more than 10,000 German, Italian, and Japanese prisoners of war.

In January 1950, the Intermountian Indian School opened to the first five hundred students. The primary goal of educators was to teach these teenage children English and the basic academic disciplines since most of them had not received any formal schooling outside of their tribe. Vocational training was also emphasized as policy planners felt this was the best way Indians could successfully survive in society. The Navajo Nation had reservations towards the school as they felt the system stripped children of their native culture and traditions and that schools should be established on the Navajo reservation. Because of threats to pull their children, school officials proposed to open the school to other tribes and in the fall of 1974, students from twenty-seven tribes entered. Tensions remained high since many of these tribes were long-time enemies and in February of 1975 rioting erupted. During the three-day melee, students injured three officers and destroyed several police cars. Twenty students were arrested. After this incident, enrollment fell and the stability of the school was called into question. Moreover, the federal government, headed by President Richard Nixon, reversed previous rulings regarding the assimilation of Indians and removed federal control. The Intermountian Indian School closed its doors permanently on May 17, 1984.

  • Sources:
  • Williams, Lewis A. The Intermountain Indian School. Master's Thesis. Utah State University, 1991.
  • Reynolds, Dennis Ferron. History of Intermountain School, Brigham City, Utah 1950-77. Master's Thesis. University of Utah, 1968.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains publicity photographs taken of Navajo Students who attended the Intermountian Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. The photos were probably taken for publicity reasons in the late 1950s or early 1960s and document various school activities including vocational training, class-room scenes, social activities, artwork, music, theater, social activities, and athletics.

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 Intermountain Indian School photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Intermountain Indian School photograph collection, 1955-1970. (P0327). Utah State University. Special Collections & Archives Department.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The photographs have been separated into seven categories: academics, vocational training, school related activities, athletics, artwork, and miscellaneous.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Zina Reynolds.

Processing Note

Register completed by Jennifer Hodgkinson, March 2002.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Academics, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 1

Container(s) Description Dates
1:01:01: Aerial photograph of Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah
undated
1:01:02: Negative of 1:01:01
undated
1:01:03: A white and black woman examine the ESL language program. Attached note reads: "ESL Team members proof reading copy of the language laboratory"
undated
1:01:04: Students entering school
undated
1:01:05: Students sitting in classroom while instructor teaches them English (English sounds written on board)
undated
1:01:06: Duplicate of 01:01:04
undated
1:01:07: Students in classroom learning English (Instructor points to simple English sentences written on board)
undated
1:01:08: Girl dissecting a frog
undated
1:01:09: Five students stand around podium in front of classroom, giving a presentation(?)
undated
1:01:10: Students and faculty sit around a table listening to one girl speak. Included in the photo are Lillian Chavis, Joanne Yellowman and Wallace Begay
undated
1:01:11: Female students sitting at desks looking towards the center girl who is standing
undated
1:01:12: Male students, and perhaps faculty members, sit at desks listening to two boys speaking at the front of the room
undated
1:01:13: Boy speaking into or listening to an audio recorder
undated
1:01:14: Girl operates a "Tac X" word flasher while other students look at screen. An included note states the machine was used to increase the students' word recognition time
undated
1:01:15: Four students watch as instructor shows them how to write a personal letter
undated
1:01:16: Eugene Bennally poses in front of his science project, the "Demonstration on Mendal's Law of Heredity." A posted sign reads that he won first place in zoology
undated
1:01:17: Students reading books at tables in the library
undated
1:01:18: Three students sit in front of their art projects while fourth student looks over their shoulders. T.K. Begay written on wooden sign
undated
1:01:19: Duplicate of 1:01:17
undated
1:01:20: Instructor helping girl with beading
undated
1:01:21: Three students with microscope dissecting animal
undated
1:01:22: Instructor helps two students use a telescope
undated
1:01:23: Instructor helps a boy draw house plans
undated
1:01:24: Girl using dexterity testing device(?)
undated
1:01:25: Instructor helps two students use a typewriter(?)
undated

Vocational Training, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 2

Container(s) Description Dates
1:02:01: Boy masking a vehicle to be painted
undated
1:02:02: Boy points at scratch in car door
undated
1:02:03: Boy works on car part in auto mechanic shop
undated
1:02:04: Two boys work on car part in auto mechanic shop
undated
1:02:05: Boy cutting or sanding a piece of wood
undated
1:02:06: Two boys kneel on scaffolding to paint inside of church(?) Two older men painting
undated
1:02:07: Two boys paint the inside of a room
undated
1:02:08: Boy working on a piece of equipment with soldering iron
undated
1:02:09: Two girls ironing and folding clothes in a home economics room
undated
1:02:10: Four girls fit clothing on a dummy while a male instructor assists
undated
1:02:11: Two boys standing near equipment, discussing machine parts
undated
1:02:12: Boy working on unupholstered chair
undated
1:02:13: Boy working on engine in auto mechanic shop
undated
1:02:14: Girl filing the fingernails of an elderly woman sitting under a hair drier in beauty parlor
undated
1:02:15: Girl in uniform cleaning dishes in a large, commercial kitchen
undated
1:02:16: Girl (Dolly Antony) helping four small children make ice sculptures on trays
undated
1:02:17: Two Navajo girls (Louise John and Lucy Begay) in uniform teaching white and African-American children while the children's teacher looks on
undated
1:02:18: Girl in uniform helps two small children paint at an easel
undated

School Related Activities, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 3

Container(s) Description Dates
1:03:01: Boy given an eye exam with Keystone telebinocular testing instrument
undated
1:03:02: Boy given hearing test using Beltone equipment while another boy waits
undated
1:03:03: Duplicate of 1:03:02
undated
1:03:04: Dentist and assistant with boy
undated
1:03:05: Students eating school lunch. Valentine's Day decor on table, Glenna Bileto (Sp.?) at head of table
undated
1:03:06: Students eating school lunch while others stand in a line waiting to serve themselves
undated
1:03:07: Two girls eating hors d'oeuvres in classroom
undated
1:03:08: Students stand in line for hors d'oeuvres served on toothpicks for classroom party
undated
1:03:09: Students put on a rehearsal Christmas performance of birth of Jesus Christ/ Nativity scene. They are dressed in Native American attire and the background is a desert scene
undated
1:03:10: Nelson Tsosie beats a drum while speaking or singing into microphone on stage
undated
1:03:11: Students wearing skirts and dress clothes at a dance
undated
1:03:12: Navajo all-male band with cowboy hats, Jefferson Yazzie singing
undated
1:03:13: Formal school dance portrait, Left to right: Richard Chee, Mary Navajo, Joanne Yellowman, Herman Chee
undated
1:03:14: Boys gather in lounge area for an informal meeting. They sit on sofas talking and laughing while two supervising men stand by door
undated
1:03:15: Two girls kneel on the floor of their dorm near a small artificial Christmas tree between bunk beds, holding gifts. The walls are covered with photographs of their families and Navajo decor. One girl wears a cheerleader uniform
undated
1:03:16: Three boys ironing clothing
undated
1:03:17: Graduation ceremony
undated
1:03:18: Graduation ceremony. Boy receives his diploma
undated
1:03:19: Boy in cap and gown poses outside for a photo with a woman in native dress. Other boys in cap and gown look on
undated

Athletics, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 4

Container(s) Description Dates
1:04:01: Boy clears the high jump while coaches (Native-American and African-American) and others look on
undated
1:04:02: Gymnasium full of spectators watching boys basketball
undated
1:04:03: Two boys wrestling
undated
1:04:04: Two boys wrestle while a referee points
undated
1:04:05: Male and female cheerleaders perform during a boys' basketball game
undated
1:04:06: Girls' basketball team posing for picture. Includes Bessie Yellowhair, Minnie John, and Catheryn Anderson
undated
1:04:07: Girls in dance uniforms pose for picture, 1968. Includes Hellena Begay
undated
1:04:08: Girls' swim team
undated

Art, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 5

Container(s) Description Dates
1:05:01: Painting of a man and woman each riding a horse in a desert sunset while the man smokes
undated
1:05:02: Painting of Navaho symbol
undated
1:05:03: Drawing of a boy laying on his back, thinking
undated
1:05:04: Portrait of a boy. Anton Ashley artist
undated
1:05:05: Collection of pictures of Christmas and desert scenes, deer, and Navajos pinned on a board in the shape of a Christmas Tree
undated
1:05:06: Painting of a desert scene
undated
1:05:07: Desert scene
undated
1:05:08: Picture of a horse
undated
1:05:09: Drawing of a sheepherder astride a donkey watching over his flock in the desert
undated
1:05:10: Painting of a small cabin near a meadow, pine trees, and a stream
undated
1:05:11: Desert scene
undated
1:05:12: Sheepherder lassoing a lamb in the desert
undated
1:05:13: Sheepherder watches over his flock in the desert
undated
1:05:14: Portrait of a woman
undated
1:05:15: Portrait drawing of an elegant white(?) woman. Timothy Morgan artist
undated
1:05:16: Drawing of a house and trees
undated
1:05:17: Duplicate of 1:05:09
undated
1:05:18: Duplicate of 1:05:05
undated
1:05:19: Painting of a flower arrangement
undated
1:05:20: Picture of a deer
undated
1:05:21: Sketch of flowers and willows in pot next to a broken sculpture
undated
1:05:22: Drawing of a bottle and cup surrounded by vegetables
undated
1:05:23: Sketch of small house surrounded by cactus and sagebrush in the desert
undated
1:05:24: Painting of a small wood house surrounded by pine trees and foliage
undated
1:05:25: Desert Scene
undated
1:05:26: Drawing of three men pointing their guns at something in the nearby hills
undated
1:05:27: Portrait of a boy. Anton Ashley artist
undated
1:05:28: Duplicate of 1:05:19
undated
1:05:29: Desert Scene
undated
1:05:30: Drawing of a boy sitting on a chair
undated

Miscellaneous, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 6

Container(s) Description Dates
1:06:01: Boy sits in desert next to sand painting. He is wearing Navajo dress and sits on a Navajo rug
undated
1:06:02: Navajo Girl lies in a hospital bed while Ida Lynch helps her knit
undated
1:06:03: Several boys getting ready to take a sleigh ride drawn by Clydesdale horses
undated
1:06:04: Native American art display outside school during winter
undated
1:06:05: Leo Cadman dressed in military uniform poses near a female instructor for picture
undated
1:06:06: A collection of images from six different churches in Brigham City
undated

Inventory Addendum:, undatedReturn to Top

Negatives and photos of Intermountain Indian School from the Compton Photograph Collection (P0313). Note: Several photos listed in the collection were not related to school functions so were omitted from this addendum.

Description Dates
1949:439.5: Man in tie stands while two women (secretaries) sit at desk in an office
undated
1949:464: Three men installing projector
undated
1949:407. 1-: Boys standing in baseball field
undated
2- : Outdoor class photograph
undated
3- : Principle(?) sitting at desk
undated
4- : Photo of entire school grounds
undated
5- : Principle(?) sitting at desk
undated
6- : Boys playing baseball
undated
7- : Three teachers walking down corridor
undated
8- : Indian School buildings
undated
9- : Empty gymnasium
undated
10- : Building
undated
11- : Empty indoor swimming pool
undated
12- : Empty room
undated
13- : Outdoor class photo
undated
14- : Empty room
undated
15- : Principle(?) sitting at desk
undated
16- : Empty Church
undated
17- : Three teachers walking down corridor
undated
18- : Empty swimming pool
undated
19- : Principle(?) sitting at desk
undated
20- : Empty auditorium, curtains closed
undated
21- : A few buildings
undated
22- : A few buildings
undated
23- : One building
undated
24- : Two buildings
undated
1949:417. 1- : Three men conversing near a chalk board
undated
2- : Faculty photo? Six men, three women
undated
3- : Four men tearing down wall
undated
1950:789. 1- : Principle(?) talks to three male students in their dorm, near bunkbeds
undated
2- : Principle(?) stands near a car with a US Government label
undated
3- : Principle(?) with six male students eating around a table in dorm
undated
4- : Principle(?) talks to several female students while they eat lunch
undated
5- : Principle(?) stands near his car
undated
1950:465. : Baseball team in group photo
undated
1952:150. : Sixteen photos of drawings of farming and water/soil conservation
undated
1954:1626: Girls' playing some type of sport using a volleyball and four bowling pins
undated
1- : Girls stand in line in gymnasium - using a volleyball and bowling pins
undated
2- : Girls playing the game
undated
3- : Team photo. Girls pose with ball, trophy, and four pegs/pins
undated
4- : Team photo with supervisors, ball and pins. Three girls in the front wear shirts that read, "I.I.S. Phys. Ed. Dept."
undated
5- : Team pose
undated
6- : Team pose
undated
7- : Team pose
undated
8- : Team pose
undated
1954:1037: Social activity in a room with adults and students. The room is decorated in a fall scene with a table laden with food and drink
undated
1955:570: Meeting in session
undated
1958:1619.5: Numerous yearbook group photos - some groups are only girls, some only boys, and some are mixed
undated
1958:397: A student meets with the principle(?) in his office
undated
1959:290. 1- : Four students in native dress standing on stage, holding a banner which has a picture of an eagle and reads: "Remember Our Words: Finish Your Education. Be on the bus in August."
undated
2- : Same four students joined by a fifth on stage
undated
1959:355: Older man with braids with a young girl beating on a drum outside
undated
1959:275: Graduating class of
1959
1960:48 : Cooks in uniform in the school's kitchen
undated
1960:292: Group photo of female students holding a sign, "Golden Eagle Building 20"
undated
1960:293: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:294: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:295: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:297: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:298: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:299: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:300: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:323: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:324: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:325: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:326: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:327: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:328: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:368: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:369: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:370: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:371: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:372: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:373: Group photo of female students
undated
1960:438: Graduating class of
1960
1960:1561: Cooks, faculty, and students pose in group photo
undated
1960:1580: Group photo of older women wearing dresses
undated
1961:25 : Class photo(?) Over five hundred students pose in normal school clothes
undated
1961:137: Group photo of students posed outside - some in native dress
undated
1961:255: Group photo of female students inside a room
undated
1961:558: Men speaking in Indian School auditorium
undated
1961:2047: 3 boys, 4 girls on/in a corvette for a parade
undated
1961:256: Group photo of female students and older women
undated
1961:257: Group photo of female students and older women
undated
1961:258: Group photo of female students
undated
1961:259: Group photo of female students
undated
1961:260: Group photo of female students
undated
1961:261: Group photo of female students
undated
1961:263: Group photo of female students holding banner that reads, "Thunder Bird Bldg. 191"
undated
1961:264: Group photo of female students sitting behind seven trophies
undated
1961:265: Group photo of female students
undated
1961:266: Group photo of female students
undated
1962:529: 2 female dental assistants work on a girl's teeth
undated
1966:509: Graduating class of
1966
1968:356: Graduating class of 1968 pose outside in cap and gown
1968
1969:328: Graduating class of 1969 pose outside in cap and gown
1969
1970:273: Graduating class of 1970 outside in cap and gown
1970
1971:242: Graduating class of 1971 pose outside in cap and gown
1971
1972:277: Graduating class of 1972 pose outside in cap and gown with a picture of an eagle with logo "Home of the Eagles"
1972
1973:233: Graduating class of
1973
1974:163: Graduating class of 1974 with a picture of an eagle with logo, "Home of the Eagles."
1974
1975:173: Graduating class of 1975. Sign reads, "Congratulations class of ‘75 - The Eagles have gathered"
1975

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Navajo children--Education--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
  • Off-reservation boarding schools--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
  • Student activities--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
  • Teenagers' art--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
  • Vocational education--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.

Corporate Names

  • Intermountain School--Faculty--Photographs.
  • Intermountain School--Photographs.
  • Intermountain School--Students--Photographs.

Geographical Names

  • Brigham City (Utah)--Photographs.