Archives West Finding Aid

Series I consists primarily of photographs taken by Ralph Gifford while he was stationed on Whiddy Island, Ireland, with the U.S. Navy during World War I. The images depict Gifford's fellow servicemen, the military installation, the local people of Whiddy Island, houses and structures, and landscapes and towns on the island. All of the images are nitrate negatives and are available online in the Best of the Archives digital collection. The series also includes one print, collected by Gifford, of the King of England visiting an American ship.

Series II consists of photographs of Ralph Gifford's family, including his wife Wanda and children Ralph, Jr., and Benjamin L.. The series consists primarily of glass negative; it also includes several nitrate negatives.

Series III consists of nitrate negatives of a variety of subjects including individuals and groups, many participating in outdoor activities, and scenes in the Cascades and on the Oregon Coast. Most of the images of individuals and groups are unidentified; some of these may be of Gifford Family activities and outings. The negatives include some large format (8x10) images; however, many of the negatives are 4x6 or smaller snapshots. Prints for several of the negatives are also included. One image is available only as a print; no negative for that image is included.

Series IV comprises the bulk of the Ralph Gifford Photographs and consists of photographs made by Gifford throughout Oregon during the 1930s and 1940s. Only a few of the images are dated. The series includes views of Mount Hood and the Hood River Valley; the Columbia River Gorge, including Multnomah Falls; the Oregon Coast, especially the southern Oregon Coast; Crater Lake; the Pendleton Round-Up; central and eastern Oregon ranches; the Oregon State Capital building and grounds and other Salem, Oregon, scenes; Silver Creek Falls State Park; and the Wallowa Mountains. The images were assigned four-digit numbers by Gifford; similar unnumbered views are also included in this series. Original film negatives (primarily 4x5 plus some 5x7 and 8x10) are available for most of the images; multiple prints are included for some images. The series includes original photographs and master copy negatives for the Oregon in Miniature souvenir sets.

Series V consists of photographs made for the Oregon State Highway Commission by Gifford. Several of the photographs may have been made by Cecil V. Ager of LaGrande, Oregon. The images depict views of the Oregon Coast, Wallowa Mountains, Rogue River, Columbia Gorge, Imnaha Canyon, highways and bridges, and strawberry pickers. Similar views of many of the images are part of Series IV.

Series VI consists of postcard prints of Oregon scenes produced by Gifford for sale. The series includes primarily postcard prints and 5x7 copy negatives; several larger prints without captions are also included. The images depict waterfalls and other features at Silver Falls State Park; the Wallowa Mountains and Wallowa Valley; the Oregon Capitol building; and the Crooked River Gorge. Other postcards prints are part of Series V.

Series VII consists of photographs of bridges along Highway 101 on the Oregon coast that were designed by Conde McCullough. All of the images are 8x10 film negatives; the series includes a print of only one image. Several of the negatives have a diacetate base that is shrinking or exhibiting other deterioration; these negatives have been separated and are stored separately.

Series VIII consists of photographs made by Gifford throughout Oregon during the 1930s and 1940s that were not assigned individual item numbers. Many of the images are of Oregon landmarks and scenes that are also depicted in other series. The series includes views of the Oregon Coast; Mount Hood and other Cascade Mountain peaks; Crater Lake; Oregon Caves; Silver Falls State Park; the Oregon State Capitol and other Salem, Oregon, scenes; and sport fishing. Of special note are images of the Pendleton Round-Up, including photographs of Native Americans participating in Round-Up activities.. The series includes 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 camera negatives, many of which do not have accompanying prints, as well as prints with no accompanying negatives.

Series IX consists of color transparencies of various Oregon scenes; many of the views are similar to black-and-white images in other series. Subjects include Mount Hood and other Cascade Mountain peaks; Crater Lake; the Oregon Coast; the Wallowa Mountains; the Columbia River Gorge; and the Oregon State Capitol and other buildings in Salem. Of special note is an image of Chief Clarence Burke. Many of the images are available online. Most of the transparencies are 4x5 inches; however there are several 5x7 and 8x10 transparencies included. Two of the 4x5 transparencies are mounted in glass. A color print of one of the images is included.