John E. Dunn photographs, 1900-1919

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Dunn, John E., 1871-1935
Title
John E. Dunn photographs
Dates
1900-1919 (inclusive)
Quantity
6.0 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 361
Summary
This collection consists of photographic images of Missoula and other western Montana locations from 1900 through 1919. These images capture the Dunn family and friends; Missoula homes, businesses, and neighborhoods; as well as a few images of western Montana landscapes and towns.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Funding for preparing this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John E. Dunn was born on September 10, 1871 in Medina, Ohio, in 1871. He came to Missoula, Montana, in 1890 and was employed at the Federson and England ranches. He was a charter member of the local carpenter's union and worked on many important buildings in Missoula, including University Hall at the University of Montana and many homes in downtown Missoula and the University District.

Dunn was an avid amateur photographer who captured images of early Missoula, including Sacred Heart Academy, Lincoln School, Ravalli Mill, Garden City Brewery, the Missoula County Fairgrounds, the lower Rattlesnake Creek valley, the University district, the University of Montana campus, and the Higgins Avenue business district between Front and Broadway streets.

Dunn built and remodeled the family home in the Rattlesnake Valley on Alvina Drive. He died on November 25, 1935.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of photographic prints and negatives of Missoula and other western Montana locations from 1900 through 1919. These images capture the Dunn family and friends; Missoula homes, businesses, and neighborhoods; as well as a few images of western Montana landscapes and towns. Materials in this collection provide detailed reference evidence for comparative examinations of western Montana domestic lifestyles, community recreation activities, architectural styles and infrastructure patterns.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

John E. Dunn Photographs, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is divided into three series:

Series I: Dunn Family, 92 images, 1900-1912

Series II: Missoula and Surrounding Areas, 127 images, 1900-1919

Series III: Photograph Albums, 4 albums, circa 1900-1919

Custodial History

The items in Series I (Dunn Family) and Series II (Missoula and Surrounding Areas) were in the possession of the Dunn family until donation to the Archives. The Photograph Committee of the Friends of the Library assisted with the acquisition. There is no available documentation about how or when the photograph albums in Series III arrived at the Archives although some images duplicate those in the first two series.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Marion R. Dunn and Evelyn B. Ririe, 1987.

Processing Note

Original processing of the materials in this collection placed the negatives and copy prints into the Archives general photograph collection. During 2003 reprocessing staff reorganized all materials into two series as a reflection of content, removed original negatives from the general collection and housed them in separate boxes, and created a collection finding aid. New reference numbers were applied to all negatives and corresponding copy prints to establish manuscript collection association and reflect series organization. Original general photograph collection numbers were retained for cross-reference. Several image descriptions were augmented during 2003 reprocessing for instances in which existing descriptions were either insufficient or of dubious accuracy. These added notes were placed within brackets to distinguish them from original information. In 2009 two photograph albums, with some images duplicating those in Series I and II of this collection, were transferred from the Archives' general photograph album collection into this collection, where they belong by provenance and content. In 2021, two additional photograph albums were added to Series III. Like the 2009 transfer, these albums duplicate some of the images from Series I and II and were moved from the Archive's general photo collection.

The original image descriptions use the names Jack and John to refer to the collection creator. This practice creates potential for confusion as one of the Dunn children was also named Jack. In such instances the original descriptions were retained but "[John]" (in brackets) was added to image descriptions of the elder Dunn.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Dunn Family, 1900-1912Return to Top

92 items

This series contains 92 glass plate negatives. The images captured include both posed and candid portraits of the Dunn family and several family friends. Many of the candid images in this series provide evidence of domestic lifestyles and community recreation activities in Missoula at the beginning of the 20th Century.

Items within this series are organized by photo_number.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box photo_number
1 361(I):1 or 86-0096 1903
1 361(I):2 or 86-0097 1903
1 361(I):3 or 86-0098 1907
1 361(I):4 or 86-0099 1907
1 361(I):5 or 86-0100 1907
1 361(I):6 or 86-0101 circa 1903
1 361(I):7 or 86-0102 circa 1903
1 361(I):8 or 86-0103 circa 1903
1 361(I):9 or 86-0104 circa 1903
1 361(I):10 or 86-0105 1903
1 361(I):11 or 86-0106 1912
1 361(I):12 or 86-0108 circa 1902
1 361(I):13 or 86-0109 1907
1 361(I):14 or 86-0110 1907
1 361(I):15 or 86-0111 1903
1 361(I):16 or 86-0116 circa 1900
1 361(I):17 or 86-0117 1910
1 361(I):18 or 86-0120 1910
1 361(I):19 or 86-0121 undated
1 361(I):20 or 86-0146 1912
1 361(I):21 or 86-0147 circa 1900
1 361(I):22 or 86-0148 1907
1 361(I):23 or 86-0149 1902
1 361(I):24 or 86-0150 1903
1 361(I):25 or 86-0151 circa 1903
1 361(I):26 or 86-0152
[man and woman sitting on a log]
circa 1903
1 361(I):27 or 86-0153 circa 1903
1 361(I):28 or 86-0154 circa 1902
1 361(I):29 or 86-0155
[Unidentified children on a porch]
circa 1912
1 361(I):30 or 86-0156
Not Dunns [children on a porch, original description is questionable]
circa 1912
1 361(I):31 or 86-0157 undated
1 361(I):32 or 86-0158
Evelyn and Walter (Bud) Dunn
1908
1 361(I):33 or 86-0159
John Dunn, at age 30
1901
1 361(I):34 or 86-0160 1912
1 361(I):35 or 86-0161 circa 1901
1 361(I):36 or 86-0162 1908
1 361(I):37 or 86-0163
Walter (Bud) Dunn
1908
1 361(I):38 or 86-0165
John Dunn
circa 1895
1 361(I):39 or 86-0166
John Dunn with Jack Dunn
1912
1 361(I):40 or 86-0167
John Dunn [Sitting on beehive]
1902
1 361(I):41 or 86-0168
[baby with rattle on porch]
circa 1903
1 361(I):42 or 86-0169
[two women, one man and two dogs sitting outside; house behind them]
circa 1903
1 361(I):43 or 86-0170 1901
1 361(I):44 or 86-0174 circa 1903
1 361(I):45 or 86-0182
[Two women, a man and a boy on a horse]
undated
1 361(I):46 or 86-0183
[Two women, a man, a boy with a gun and a dog walking outside]
undated
2 361(I):47 or 86-0184
[Two women, a man, a boy and a dog sitting by a tree]
undated
2 361(I):48 or 86-0185
[A boy holding a rifle with an American flag; a small teepee]
undated
2 361(I):49 or 86-0186
[A man against a white wall, inside]
undated
2 361(I):50 or 86-0188
[A woman with three small children, outside a house]
undated
2 361(I):51 or 86-0189
[A little child with a dog outside]
undated
2 361(I):52 or 86-0190
[A small child with a Missoulian newspaper, outside]
undated
2 361(I):53 or 86-0197
[Elderly woman outside by a fruit tree]
undated
2 361(I):54 or 86-0198
[Four children outside, sitting on lawn, house in the background]
undated
2 361(I):55 or 86-0217
[A boy and a smaller child, outside with a dog]
undated
2 361(I):56 or 86-0219
[Two women and a man outside]
circa 1900
2 361(I):57 or 86-0226
[A baby in a yard; house in the background]
undated
2 361(I):58 or 86-0230 undated
2 361(I):59 or 86-0236
[Possibly Edith Dunn and the Dunn children]
undated
2 361(I):60 or 86-0237
[Possibly the Dunn children]
undated
2 361(I):61 or 86-0238
[Possibly the Dunn children]
undated
2 361(I):62 or 86-0239
[Possibly Edith Dunn and the Dunn children]
undated
2 361(I):63 or 86-0240
[Possibly Jack Dunn]
undated
2 361(I):64 or 86-0241
[Possibly Edith Dunn and the Dunn children]
undated
2 361(I):65 or 86-0242 undated
2 361(I):66 or 86-0243 undated
2 361(I):67 or 86-0244
[Possibly Evelyn Dunn]
undated
2 361(I):68 or 86-0245
[Possibly Dunn children with horse]
undated
2 361(I):69 or 86-0246 undated
2 361(I):70 or 86-0247
[Possibly John Dunn on a horse]
undated
2 361(I):71 or 86-0248
[Three woman and man outside with instruments]
undated
2 361(I):72 or 86-0249
[Children outside on lawn]
undated
2 361(I):73 or 86-0250 undated
2 361(I):74 or 86-0251
[Three children and a woman by a house]
undated
2 361(I):75 or 86-0252
[Eight children outside on lawn]
undated
2 361(I):76 or 86-0253 undated
2 361(I):77 or 86-0254
[Two men sitting inside by a stove]
undated
2 361(I):78 or 86-0266 undated
2 361(I):79 or 86-0267 undated
2 361(I):80 or 86-0268
[A man, woman, horse and dog by a barn]
undated
2 361(I):81 or 86-0269
[Possibly the Dunn children]
undated
2 361(I):82 or 86-0270 undated
2 361(I):83 or 86-0271
[Two children by a house with vines, possibly Dunn children]
undated
2 361(I):84 or 86-0272
[Possibly Dunn children in pram outside]
undated
2 361(I):85 or 86-0273
[Possibly Edith Dunn with infant, outside]
undated
2 361(I):86 or 86-0289
[Edith Dunn and children in front of house]
undated
2 361(I):87 or 86-0298
Walter (Bud) Dunn
1908
2 361(I):88 or 86-0180
[A man and a boy sitting on a log over a creek or river]
undated
2 361(I):89 or 86-0181
[Double-exposure, a man two women and a boy on the bank of a creek]
undated
2 361(I):90 or 86-0211
[John and Edith Dunn with friends]
circa 1903
2 361(I):91 or 86-0218 circa 1903
2 361(I):92 or 86-0173
[Two women, a young girl, and two young men sitting on a log]
undated

Series II:  Missoula and Surrounding Areas, 1900-1919Return to Top

127 items

This series contains 127 photographic images from the first two decades of the 20th Century documenting Missoula buildings and residential areas, mines on Butte Hill in Butte, Montana, and a few western Montana landscapes. Many of the images in this series reflect architectural and infrastructural patterns common of the era. Some significant Missoula buildings and neighborhoods extensively documented in this series include: Sacred Heart Academy, Lincoln School, Ravalli Mill, Garden City Brewery, the Missoula County fairgrounds, the lower Rattlesnake Creek valley, the University district and campus, and the Higgins Avenue business district between Front and Broadway streets.

Items within this series are organized by photo_number.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box photo_number
3 361(II):1 or 86-0086 undated
3 361(II):2 or 86-0087
Front Street looking west from Higgins, Missoula, Montana
circa 1910
3 361(II):3 or 86-0088
Construction of Sacred Heart Academy, Missoula, Montana
1900
3 361(II):4 or 86-0089 May 9, 1919
3 361(II):5 or 86-0090 1919
3 361(II):6 or 86-0091 1910
3 361(II):7 or 86-0092 1910
3 361(II):8 or 86-0093
Higgins Avenue looking north from Broadway, Missoula, Montana
1910
3 361(II):9 or 86-0094
Front Street looking west from Higgins, Missoula, Montana
1910
3 361(II):10 or 86-0107 circa 1901
3 361(II):11 or 86-0108A
Not the Dunns [Typical dress for the turn of the century; one person playing a zither in a parlor scene]
circa 1900
3 361(II):12 or 86-0112
Sain home (?) east side of Rattlesnake, Missoula, Montana
undated
3 361(II):13 or 86-0113 1900
3 361(II):14 or 86-0114 circa 1903
3 361(II):15 or 86-0115 circa 1901
3 361(II):16 or 86-0118 circa 1901
3 361(II):17 or 86-0119 undated
3 361(II):18 or 86-0122
Higgins Avenue looking north, Missoula, Montana
circa 1905
3 361(II):19 or 86-0123 circa 1900
3 361(II):20 or 86-0124 circa 1900
3 361(II):21 or 86-0125 circa 1900
3 361(II):22 or 86-0126 circa 1900
3 361(II):23 or 86-0127 circa 1900
3 361(II):24 or 86-0128 circa 1903
3 361(II):25 or 86-0129 circa 1900
3 361(II):26 or 86-0130 circa 1901
3 361(II):27 or 86-0131 circa 1900
3 361(II):28 or 86-0132 circa 1900
3 361(II):29 or 86-0133 circa 1908
3 361(II):30 or 86-0134 undated
3 361(II):31 or 86-0135
[man with dog]
circa 1903
3 361(II):32 or 86-0136 circa 1900
3 361(II):33 or 86-0137 circa 1900
3 361(II):34 or 86-0138 circa 1900
3 361(II):35 or 86-0139 circa 1900
3 361(II):36 or 86-0140
Drilling contest at corner of Higgins and Main, Missoula, Montana
circa 1900
3 361(II):37 or 86-0141 circa 1900
3 361(II):38 or 86-0142 1900
3 361(II):39 or 86-0143 circa 1900
3 361(II):40 or 86-0144 circa 1900
3 361(II):41 or 86-0145 circa 1900
3 361(II):42 or 86-0164 circa 1903
3 361(II):43 or 86-0171 Circa 1900
3 361(II):44 or 86-0172 circa 1903
3 361(II):45 or 86-0304
[Two women and man by railroad track]
undated
3 361(II):46 or 86-0175
[Construction site?]
undated
3 361(II):47 or 86-0176
[a man outside by fallen trees]
undated
3 361(II):48 or 86-0177
[Montana road, creek and forest]
undated
4 361(II):49 or 86-0178
Camping
undated
4 361(II):50 or 86-0179
Drilling contest at corner of Higgins and Main, Missoula, Montana
circa 1903
4 361(II):51 or 86-0300
Garden City Brewery, Missoula, Montana
circa 1900
4 361(II):52 or 86-0301
[Four men with barrel of beverage]
undated
4 361(II):53 or 86-0187 circa 1900
4 361(II):54 or 86-0191 circa 1903
4 361(II):55 or 86-0192 undated
4 361(II):56 or 86-0193 circa 1903
4 361(II):57 or 86-0194 circa 1903
4 361(II):58 or 86-0195 circa 1903
4 361(II):59 or 86-0196 circa 1903
4 361(II):60 or 86-0199 circa 1903
4 361(II):61 or 86-0200
[Winter tree with birds, houses in the background]
undated
4 361(II):62 or 86-0201
[Landscape, trees and a hill]
undated
4 361(II):63 or 86-0202 undated
4 361(II):64 or 86-0203
[An orchard]
undated
4 361(II):65 or 86-0204 undated
4 361(II):66 or 86-0205
[A Montana river]
undated
4 361(II):67 or 86-0206
[A Montana river]
undated
4 361(II):68 or 86-0207
[A Montana river]
undated
4 361(II):69 or 86-0208
Lolo Hot Springs area, Montana
circa 1903
4 361(II):70 or 86-0209
Lolo Hot Springs area, Montana
circa 1903
4 361(II):71 or 86-0210 undated
4 361(II):72 or 86-0302
[Four men with barrel of beverage]
undated
4 361(II):73 or 86-0212 undated
4 361(II):74 or 86-0213 undated
4 361(II):75 or 86-0214 undated
4 361(II):76 or 86-0215 undated
4 361(II):77 or 86-0216 undated
4 361(II):78 or 86-0303 circa 1903
4 361(II):79 or 86-0220 undated
4 361(II):80 or 86-0221 undated
4 361(II):81 or 86-0222
[People walking up a road by a river]
undated
4 361(II):82 or 86-0223
[Landscape with hills and a house]
undated
4 361(II):83 or 86-0224
[A man standing by a road, hills in the background]
undated
4 361(II):84 or 86-0225
[A house]
undated
4 361(II):85 or 86-0227
Livery stable next door to Missoula Mercantile Company building on East Front Street, Missoula, Montana
circa 1903
4 361(II):86 or 86-0228
Painting of one of Marcus Daly's houses
circa 1903
4 361(II):87 or 86-0229
[A man stands outside a house]
undated
4 361(II):88 or 86-0231
Rattlesnake Creek, Missoula, Montana
circa 1903
4 361(II):89 or 86-0232
[A man sits outside a house]
undated
4 361(II):90 or 86-0233 circa 1900
4 361(II):91 or 86-0234 undated
5 361(II):92 or 86-0235 circa 1903
5 361(II):93 or 86-0255 undated
5 361(II):94 or 86-0256
[A man standing inside, against a white wall]
undated
5 361(II):95 or 86-0257 undated
5 361(II):96 or 86-0258 circa 1903
5 361(II):97 or 86-0259 circa 1903
5 361(II):98 or 86-0260 circa 1903
5 361(II):99 or 86-0261 circa 1903
5 361(II):100 or 86-0262 circa 1903
5 361(II):101 or 86-0263 circa 1903
5 361(II):102 or 86-0264
[A house]
undated
5 361(II):103 or 86-0265
[A house and a shed]
undated
5 361(II):104 or 86-0274 circa 1903
5 361(II):105 or 86-0275
Home on Railroad Street, Missoula, Montana
circa 1903
5 361(II):106 or 86-0276
[Man and carriage by a river]
undated
5 361(II):107 or 86-0277
[A house, probably in the Missoula area, Missoula, Montana]
undated
5 361(II):108 or 86-0278
Craig Hall (women's dormitory) on University of Montana campus, Missoula, Montana
circa 1903
5 361(II):109 or 86-0279 circa 1903
5 361(II):110 or 86-0280 undated
5 361(II):111 or 86-0281 circa 1903
5 361(II):112 or 86-0282 circa 1903
5 361(II):113 or 86-0283 circa 1903
5 361(II):114 or 86-0284 undated
5 361(II):115 or 86-0285 undated
5 361(II):116 or 86-0286 undated
5 361(II):117 or 86-0287
[Two women with stringed instruments]
undated
5 361(II):118 or 86-0288
[Four men at the Captain Robert R. Stevens structure]
undated
5 361(II):119 or 86-0290
Grandstand, Missoula, Montana
circa 1903
5 361(II):120 or 86-0291
Dam
circa 1903
5 361(II):121 or 86-0292
[Boats on river]
undated
5 361(II):122 or 86-0293
[Dockhouse on river]
undated
5 361(II):123 or 86-0294
Butte, Montana
circa 1903
5 361(II):124 or 86-0295
Butte, Montana
circa 1903
5 361(II):125 or 86-0296
Garden City Brewery, Missoula, Montana
circa 1900
5 361(II):126 or 86-0297
Parade, North Higgins looking north, Missoula, Montana
circa 1900
5 361(II):127 or 86-0299
Parade, North Higgins looking north, Missoula, Montana
circa 1900

Series III:  Photograph Albums, 1900-1919"Return to Top

4 albums

The images in the albums are similar in subject to many of the individual photographs listed here. In fact, some album photographs duplicate the individual photographs. Where possible, duplications are indicated within the albums, including specific image numbers.

Items within this series are organized thematically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box
6
Photograph Albums
circa 1900-1919
OS 7-OS 8
Photograph Albums
circa 1900-1919

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Architecture--Montana--Missoula--Photographs
  • Architecture--Montana--Photographs
  • Central business district--Montana--Missoula--Photographs
  • Cities and towns--Montana--Photographs
  • Community life -- Montana--Missoula--Photographs
  • Landscape--Montana--Photographs
  • Recreation--Missoula--Photographs
  • Recreation--Montana--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Dunn, John E., 1871-1935--Archives

Family Names

  • Dunn family

Geographical Names

  • Missoula (Mont.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Photographs
  • Missoula (Mont.)--Photographs
  • Missoula (Mont.)--Social life and customs--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs
  • Photographs--Montana--Missoula

Occupations

  • Photographers--Montana -- Missoula