Horace Chapin Henry Photo Albums

Horace Chapin Henry Photo Albums, 1906-1915

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Henry, Horace C.
Title: Horace Chapin Henry Photo Albums
Dates: 1906-1915 (inclusive)
19061915
Quantity: 1 box (oversize) containing 3 scrapbooks; 3 oversize photos
Collection Number: 1967.4235
Summary: Two albums document different stages in the construction of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul railroad. The third album includes vacation photos, news clippings, brochures and several programs of special interest to the family.
Repository: Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions: The collection is open to the public by appointment.
Languages: English.
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of three leather-bound scrapbooks, two of which contain black-and-white "snap shots" taken during construction of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul railroad from 1906-1909. These scrapbooks also include a letter from real estate broker M.D. Haynes to H.C. Henry that came with the photos, stating that the photos were all taken by "Walter" during construction of the railroad. Henry later placed the photos in albums in geographic order (moving west to east) and captioned them. Horace Chapin Henry's professional and family lives are more strongly emphasized in the third scrapbook, which contains photographs of a "motor trip" taken by Langdon Chapin Henry, his wife Genevieve and their friends Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Chinn to Southern California. The third scrapbook also contains a program from the dedication of the Florence Henry Memorial Chapel (named in honor of Horace's daughter who died young of appendicitis), and a brochure extolling the virtues of the Metropolitan National Bank (where Henry served as Chairman). Henry's commitment to civic life and his stature as a public figure are exemplified by a series of newspaper clippings depicting his narrow escape from an automobile accident, an advertisement for a savings program aimed towards young newsboys, several accounts of donations made to the University of Washington in the form of funding for an art gallery, and reports of his being awarded the French Legion Medal of Honor.

The collection also includes three oversize photographs: portraits of Henry's sons Langdon and Paul, and a panorama of the Henry residence in Seattle.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

In 1906 the Chicago-Milwaukee St. Paul Railroad began preparations to extend its line west to Seattle. According to a biography, Horace Chapin Henry, written by his son-in-law, Noble Hoggson, H.C. Henry (one of Seattle's notable early pioneers) accepted the leadership of this enormous project, which would last more than three years and cover 1150 miles. At the time there were other railroads that had built lines across the Cascades but none had yet attempted Snoqualmie Pass. Noble Hoggson writes that, "Engineers, although helped tremendously by [Isaac] Steven's early published account of his original survey, spent an entire year in resurveying and designing the line."

The construction, which ran from Renton, Washington to Avery, Idaho, was divided into several sections that would be worked and completed independently. The photographs in the first two albums document construction work in these different sections -- particularly work involving some of the more challenging aspects of railroad building (bridges, tunnels, grading, etc.)

Hoggson describes the process of constructing the railroad, writing that the entire project required the work of 10,000 men and that the first step of railroad building was to set up camps complete with sanitary facilities, mess halls, commissaries, offices, stables, water supplies, sleeping quarters and in a few cases, hospitals. Portable sawmills also needed to be set up to cut lumber for both the camps and the railroads themselves.

Once camps were built, the building of the railroads could begin. Loggers cleared the right of way for grading; the felled trees were later hauled out and used for lumber. "Powder monkeys" followed the loggers, blasting out stumps and making way for the "scrapers" who came next to level the roadbed to the proper grade. Several photos depict the difficulty of working in mountainous terrain. In some cases workers were ferried through the air to the worksite using just rope, some lumber and the help of a tram.

After the roadbeds were carved out, track-laying gangs followed with ties, rock ballast and rails. Once the track was spiked into place, materials and supplies could be brought in by train.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

H.C. Henry Photo Albums, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Location of Collection

2a.4.5

Location of Collection

1a.3.10 (oversize photos)

Location of Collection

VII.b.2 (oversize photo)

Acquisition Information

Donated by Noble Hoggson in 1967.

Related Materials

A Biography of Horace Chapin Henry can be found in the Sophie Frye Bass Library of the Museum of History & Industry, Seattle.

Bibliography

A Biography of Horace Chapin Henry (1844-1928), by Noble Hoggson. 1967. The Craftsman Press. Seattle.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Photo Album 1: Construction of Railroad from Cascades to Columbia River Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Page
1	1a-b: Channel change No. 1 near Cedar River, Washington
1	1c: Dryden Siding
2	2a: Anderson's Tunnel as approached from the East, Cedar River, Washington
2	2b: Bridge over Cedar River, Washington
3	3a: Johnson's Tunnel and channel change near Cedar River, Washington
3	3b: Falls at Cedar River, near channel change
4	4b: Channel change of the Cedar River as seen looking West
4	4b: Cut west of intake on the Cedar River looking East
5	5a: Side cut west of intake, Cedar River, looking West
5	5b: Above intake, Cedar River Division, Washington
6	6a: Second bridge over Cedar River
6	6b: East of second bridge crossing the Cedar River
7	7a: Settling pit in Cedar River watershed
7-8	7b-8a: Grade along Cedar River
8	8b: Mt. Si as seen from North Bend
9	9a: South fork of the Snoqualmie River
9	9b: Forest scenery near Snoqualmie Pass
10	10a: Sluicing bulkhead at Pearson's Gulch near the Snoqualmie River
10	10b: Sluicing on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River
11	11a: Spray of water from sluicing on the Snoqualmie River
11	11b: Sluicing trough on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River
12	12a: Sluice construction and trough on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River
12	12b: Sluicing and eroded hillside
13	13a: Excavation for railroad bed in vicinity of the South fork of the Snoqualmie River
13	13b: Bridge construction for Change Creek near North Bend
14	14a: Rock excavation in vicinity of the South fork of the Snoqualmie River. McLean's work
14	14b: Trestle bridge over Change Creek
15	15a: McClellan's Butte in the vicinity of the South fork of the Snoqualmie River	1906 Autumn
15	15b: Mule-drawn cart carrying rocks on McClellan's Butte	1906 Autumn
16	16a: Large Bridge over Mine Creek alongside the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
17	17a: Hull Creek Bridge, looking west
17	17b: Large Bridge at Mine Creek, looking West
18	18a: Rock cut east of McClellan's Butte near the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
18	18b: Work crew grading near Wood Creek along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
19	19a: Bridge and rock cut at Wood Creek
19	19b: McClellan's Butte with penciled-in "X" showing grade
20	20a: McClellan's Butte from Fifteen Mile Bridge
20	20b: Grading workers standing on rocky slope, McClellan's Butte
21	21a: Grade work progressing along McClellan's Butte looking west
21	21b: Grade work progressing along McClellan's Butte looking east
22	22a: Portable sawmill on Alice Creek along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
22	22b: Rock excavation looking West near Harris Creek alongside the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
23	23a: Bridge construction at Harris Creek near the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
23	23b: Grade near Harris Creek, looking west, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
24	24a: McClellan's Butte, looking west, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
24	24b: Grade near McClellan's Butte, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
25	25a: Tram used to lift timber to grade at Carter Creek, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
25	25b: Men using tram and a length of lumber to get to worksite at Hansen Creek, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
26	26a: Tram used to carry crews and lumber to worksite at Hansen Creek, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
26	26b: Rock excavation east of Hansen Creek, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
27	27a: Tracks, cart and workers in cut at station 48/32, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
27	27b: Humpback Creek bridge under construction with derrick
28	28a: Looking west from High Line, Snoqualmie Pass
28	28b: Grade and rock cut looking east, Snoqualmie Pass
29	29a: Workers and flatcar during rock excavation, South Fork of Snoqualmie River
29	29b: Workers at summit of Snoqualmie Pass
30	30a: Summit at Snoqualmie Pass
30	30b: Boulder excavation on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass
31	31a: Track, power line and rock excavation on east side of Snoqualmie Pass
31	31b: Work crews doing rock excavation, east side of Snoqualmie Pass
32	32a: Double track at Station #12 near Lake Keechelus Siding on east side of Snoqualmie Pass
32	32b: Worker on cut-side with flatcar at Station #161/45
33	33a: Rock cut on east side of Snoqualmie Pass with Lake Keechelus in the distance
33	33b: Grade along Lake Keechelus looking west on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass
34	34a: Lake Keechelus on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad with grade on opposite shore
34	34b: Roaring River Falls near Lake Keechelus
35	35a: Government dam on Lake Keechelus
35	35b: East approach of Martin Tunnel in the Yakima Valley
36	36a: West approach of Martin Tunnel in the Yakima Valley
36	36b: Bridge crossing the Yakima River and Northern Pacific Tracks near Easton in the Yakima Valley
37	37a: East approach of tunnel west of Easton
37	37b: West approach of tunnel west of Easton
38	38a: Railroad bed and cut along Yakima River with cliff on the right near Cle Elum
38	38b: Tunnel #27 looking west near Cle Elum in the Yakima River Division
39	39a: Interior view of Tunnel #27 near Cle Elum, Yakima River Division
39	39b: East end of Tunnel #27 near Cle Elum, Yakima River Division
40	40a: Railroad bed along the Yakima River near Cle Elum
40	40b: Before dynamiting, grade near Cle Elum
41	41a: Dynamiting on the Yakima River near Cle Elum
41	41b: After dynamiting, Yakima River Division near Cle Elum
42	42a: Tracks and shovel near Cle Elum
42	42b: Tracks, horse and worker near Cle Elum
43	43a: Steam engine and coal cars, (possibly) H.C. Henry standing next to front engine
43	43b: Crag Hill cut near Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
44	44a: Steam shovel west of Thorp, Yakima River Division
44	44b: Rock work east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
45	45a: Trestles and bridge standing 130 feet high east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
45	45b: Steam shovel east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
46	46a: Portal of tunnel under construction, west end of summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
46	46b: West approach to Tunnel, summit east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
47	47a: Looking west from top of portal, summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
47	47b: East approach from top of portal, summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
48	48a: East approach to tunnel, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
48	48b: East approach, first level, summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
49	49a: Rails approaching tunnel, summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
49	49b: 30 ton Bucyrus shovel working at east end of tunnel, summit, east of Ellensburg
50	50a: Rock cut and 65 foot slopes near Johnson Creek
50	50b: Approach to rock cut at Johnson Creek, Yakima River Division
51	51a: Workers and cart atop steep grade at Johnson Creek, Yakima River Division
51	51b: Rock excavation at Johnson Creek, Yakima River Division
52	52a: Worker and railroad bed during rock excavation at Johnson Creek
52	52b: Tracks at rock excavation near Johnson Creek
53	53a: Rock cut looking west near Johnson Creek
53	53b: Spiral to 4 degree curve on grade near Johnson Creek
54	54a: Cut east of spiral near Johnson Creek
54	54b: More rock excavation near Johnson Creek
55	55a: Tracks, workers and carts doing rock excavation near Johnson Creek
55	55b: Workers on foot and on horseback doing rock excavation near Johnson Creek
56	56a: Lumber for preliminary bridge construction at Johnson Creek
56	56b: Workers testing bottom of Columbia River with steel rail at site of future bridge
57	57a: View of coffer dams at site of future bridge on the Columbia River
57	57b: View of piers at Columbia River crossing
58	58a: Steamer "St. Paul" crossing the Columbia River
58	58b: East approach to the Columbia River crossing

Photo album 2: Railroad Construction - Eastern Washington Division moving into North Idaho Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Page
1	1a: Boulder excavation during grading work east of the Columbia River
1	1b: Second excavation east of the Columbia River
2	2a: Steam shovel and locomotive excavating sand east of the Columbia River
2	2b: Steam shovel, front view of locomotive and tracks during sand excavation east of the Columbia River
3	3a: Dump with Train E near the Columbia River
3	3b: Workers using electric air drills east of the Columbia River
4	4a: Rip rap at Crab Creek crossing east of the Columbia River
4	4b: Bridge building at Crab Creek crossing
5	5a: Two tracks and rock excavation east of the Crab Creek crossing
5	5b: Completed track running through excavated site east of Crab Creek crossing
6	6a: Tracks and rock work along Crab Creek
6	6b: Ledge rock along Crab Creek
7	7a: Lower Crab Creek from a distance with grade visible at left of picture
7	7b: Steep ledge and excavation work along Crab Creek
8	8a: Rocks and preliminary work along Saddleback Mountains
8	8b: Fills along Saddleback Mountains
9	9a: Bridge along Saddleback Mountains
9	9b: Team of horses pulling timber for bridge
10	10a: Shoofly Tunnel entrance and excavation at Crab Creek
10	10b: Trap and Shoofly at Crab Creek
11	11a: Shoofly Tunnel excavation at Crab Creek
11	11b: Trapping dirt into cars at Crab Creek
12	12a: Dynamiting at Crab Creek
12	12b: Post-dynamiting at Crab Creek
13	13a: Dynamite shot from a distance with Shoofly Tunnel at Crab Creek
13	13b: Shacks and clothesline with 300,000 yards of excavation in the background
14	14a: Excavation and power lines at Crab Creek
14	14b: Dynamite blast at Crab Creek
15	15a: Debris settling from dynamite blast near Crab Creek
15	15b: Excavation and fill near Crab Creek
16	16a: Pile driver at Crab Creek
16	16b: Bridge construction west of Taunton near Crab Creek
17	17a-b: Tracklaying at Crab Creek	1908 May 2
18	18a: Spikers working on newly laid track	1908 May 2
18	18b: Looking west along Saddleback Mountains near Crab Creek
19	19a: Boulder excavation at Crab Creek
19	19b: Teams of horses and men at Crab Creek
20	20a: Dynamite blast in cut near Crab Creek
20	20b: Dust settling after dynamite blast in cut near Crab Creek
21	21a: Wheeled Scraper Cut at Crab Creek
21	21b: Hauling supplies by horse and cart near Crab Creek
22	22a: Riding wild horses in Othello
22	22b: Riding wild horses, town of Othello in background
23	23a: Terrain near Crab Creek
23	23b: Hauling lumber with horse and wagon
24	24a: Material yard in Lind
24	24b: Lind Bridge after completion
25	25a: Panoramic view of Lind Bridge
26	26b: Railroad ties stacked in Lind material yard
26	26b: Ballasting crew east of Lind
27	27a: Cow Creek Bridge under construction, east of Lind
27	27b: Panoramic view of Cow Creek Bridge under construction
28	28a: Completed Cow Creek Bridge
29	29a: 80,000 yard gravel cut for roadbed
29	29b: Gravel cut east of Cow Creek
30	30a: Spokane, Portland and Seattle Crossing
30	30b: 65 ton Bucyrus shovel
31	31a: Horses and buggy near Sheep Ranch
31	31b: Pile bridge at west Rock Lake
32	32a: Castle Rock from grade west of Rock Lake
32	32b: Trestle and bridge with Rock Lake in the distance
33	33a: Bridge along Rock Lake as seen from a distance
33	33b: Rock Lake as seen from grade
34	34a: Worker and rock cut looking west near Rock Lake
34	34b: Rock cut near Rock Lake
35	35a: Steam shovel at work near east Rock Lake
35	35b: Tracks, shovel and rock excavation North Idaho
36	36a: Men posing on grassy hillside with horses grazing
36	36b: Team work west of Watts Lake Idaho
37	37a: O. R. & N. Crossing, east end of Watts Tunnel, Idaho
37	37b: East approach to Watts Tunnel from the O.R. & N.
38	38a: East approach to Watts Tunnel, west of Plummer, Idaho
38	38b: Sliding fill east of Watts Tunnel
39	39a: Material yard and containers at Plummer
39	39b: President Earling leaving car at Plummer Material Yard
40	40a: President Earling and party near Lake Chatcolet
40	40b: Steam shovel west of St. Maries Idaho
41	41a: Steel viaduct under construction at Pedee Creek, Idaho
41	41b: Derrick and locomotive during construction of the Pedee Creek Steel Viaduct
41	41a: Pedee Creek Viaduct completed
41	41b: Pedee Creek Viaduct looking East
42	42a: Steel Viaduct at Lake Chatcolet
42	42b: Lake Chatcolet from grade
43	43a: Driving spliced piles at Lake Chatcolet
43	43b: Crossing Benwall Bridge at Lake Chatcolet
44	: Benwall Bridge, Lake Chatcolet Crossing
45	45a: Mr. Earling and party at St. Maries Idaho
45	45b: Tracklaying at St. Maries Idaho
46	: C.M & St. P Grade from St. Joe River, Idaho
47	47a-b: Rock excavation east of St. Maries from St. Joe River, Idaho
48	48a: Rock excavation east of St. Joe, Idaho
48	48b: Shadows on the St. Joe River
49	49a: Tracklaying along the St. Joe River, Idaho
49	49b: C. M. & St.P. sawmill at St. Joe
50	50a: C. M. & St. P crossing onSt. Joe River above St. Joe, Idaho
50	50b: Grade from St. Joe River, Idaho
51	51a: Commissarry at Ferrell, Idaho
51	51b-c: African-American workers holding rocks near St. Joe River
51	51d: Rock cut west of Big Creek on the Upper St. Joe River
52	52a: Men and dog on porch of commissary at Big Creek on the Upper St. Joe River
52	52b: West portal to tunnel at East Big Creek on the Upper St. Joe River
53	53a: Grade on the Upper St. Joe River
53-54	53b-54a: Goat rock cut on the Upper St. Joe River
54	54b: Grade looking West on the Upper St. Joe River
55	55a: Rock cut West Marble Creek Upper St. Joe River
55	55a: Looking east from Wagon Road, Upper St. Joe River
56	56a: Rock cut on the Upper St. Joe River
56	56b: Looking west with the St. Joe River on the left
57	57a: Wagon Road and Grade looking west towards Slate Creek
57	57b: Ethelton Station, Upper St. Joe River, Idaho
58	58a: East Ethelton Station showing Wagon Road and grade
58-59	58b-59a: Fish hole cut, Upper St. Joe River, Idaho
59	59b: Men rafting down the St. Joe River on wooden raft
60	60a: At the spring, Upper St. Joe River
60	60b: Slate Creek on the Upper St. Joe River
61	61a: Forest fire on mountainside on Upper St. Joe River
61	61b: McCormack's cabin and grade on Upper St. Joe River

Photo album 3: Henry family trip to California Return to Top

Container(s)	Description
Page
1-12	Images taken on trip to Southern California by Langdon and Genevieve Henry and Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Chinn, including beach shots, a series documenting the car breaking down, several old missions, and a visit to the Los Angeles Home of Mr. Willard Stimson
12	12d: Portrait of Langdon Chapin Henry, Jr. as a child
13-14	More snapshots of California trip, including behind the scenes at a movie lot and a photo of Mrs. F.H. White
14	14a: Home of H.C. Henry, 1117 Howard North, Seattle, Washington, built in 1904
15	15a: Advance Press Service Bulletin listing H.C. Henry's accomplishments, professional affiliations, titles held and contributions to the community
15	15b: "Satisfaction" brochure for Metropolitan National Bank featuring bank president Horace C. Henry on the front
16-20	Trip to Redwoods and Yosemite taken by the Henry family (Lawrence, Genevieve and daughter, Janet) and Mr. And Mrs. Fred H. White, featuring redwood trunks large enough to drive through, horse and buggy rides, pack mule trips and waterfalls
24	24a: Program from the Order of Service for the Dedication of the Florence Henry Memorial Chapel, Seattle
25	25a: Newspaper advertisement for H.C. Henry's "savings challenge" geared towards paperboys
26	26a: Biographical reference data on H.C. Henry compiled for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
26	26b: Newspaper caricature of H.C. Henry appearing on cover of The Argus
27-36	Newspaper clippings related to H.C. Henry including an automobile accident he survived, a boat he purchased, the opening of the Henry Gallery, and notices regarding his reunions with fellow Civil War soldiers
37	37a: Class photo of elementary-age students on steps of school
37	Genealogy notes on the Henry family compiled by Noble Hoggson (H.C. Henry's son-in-law) and written on his personal stationery

Loose photographsReturn to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
box:ovesize
OS box	1967.4235.3: Portrait of Langdon Chapin Henry Dolph Zubick (photographer) Color photograph Langdon Chapin Henry was the son of Horace C. Henry.	circa 1960s
box:oversize
OS box	1967.4235.7: Portrait of Paul Mandell Henry Paul Mandell Henry, 1880-1938, was the son of Horace C. Henry	undated
mapcase
VII.b.2	1967.4235.6: Panoramic view of Horace Chapin Henry residence at 1117 Harvard Avenue North, Seattle Plummer (photographer) The house was built in 1904 and torn down in the 1930s.	undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Railroad Construction & Maintenance-- United States -- Photographs

Family Names

Henry family--Photographs

Geographical Names

Cascade Range -- Photographs
Idaho Panhandle (Idaho) -- Photographs
Snoqualmie Pass (Wash.) -- Photographs
Washington (State), Eastern -- Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

Photograph Albums
Scrapbooks

Archives West Finding Aid

Table of Contents