Walter S. Smith Photograph Collection, ca. 1914
Scope and Contents
This collection contains 142 photographs and commercial postcards (Lowman Bros., Nome, Alaska) of interior Alaska and the Nome area taken and collected by Walter S. Smith. These black and white photographs depict life in this remote section of Alaska. There are pictures of prospectors, Native Alaskan people, dog sled teams, dogs, and mining or trapping camps.
There is a photograph that shows the graves of Derabin [Deraibin] (Russian) and Barnard (English Naval Officer) killed in the Nulato Massacre February 16, 1851. Mrs. James Bean is buried between them. She was the first white woman killed in Alaska, on the Tanana River, in October, 1878.
Many of the photographs were printed on postcard stock.
Dates
- circa 1914
EAD
PCA0525-18Conditions Governing Access
The collection is unrestricted.
Conditions Governing Use
Requests for permission to publish material from the collection must be discussed with the Librarian. Photocopying does not constitute permission to publish.
Biographical Note
Walter S. Smith (9/1887-11/1967) was a crew member of the Signal Corp. While stationed in Alaska, around 1914, his crew constructed a telegraph line from Fairbanks to Nome.
This collection was passed down to the donor through his great aunt who was married to Walter S. Smith.
Extent
2 folders : 142 various sized black and white photographs and commercial postcards
Language of Materials
English
Acquisition
The collection was donated by Charles W. McCrary to the Alaska State Library Historical Collections and is accessioned as 2009-20.
Processing Information
This collection has been described at the item level. All items have been placed in Mylar and into pH-neutral folders.
- Title
- Finding aid for the Walter S. Smith Photograph Collection, ca. 1914
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by: Alea Oien, June 2009. ArchivesSpace Finding Aid by: Freya Anderson, June 2019 ; Inventory by: Sandy Johnston, Nov. 2020 ; Revised by: Jacki Swearingen, Nov. 2020 ; Inventory added by: Jacki Swearingen
- Date
- 2021 December
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Alaska State Library - Historical Collections Finding Aids Repository
PO Box 110571
Juneau AK 99811-0571 US
907-465-2920
907-465-2925
907-465-2151 (Fax)
asl.historical@alaska.gov