Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Rexford S. Blazer and John L. Wachsmuth Papers, 1973-1977
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Blazer, Rexford S.; Wachsmuth, John L.
- Title
- Rexford S. Blazer and John L. Wachsmuth Papers
- Dates
- 1973-1977 (inclusive)19731977
- Quantity
- 0.1 linear feet
- Collection Number
- Mss 336 (collection)
- Summary
- In 1977 Rexford S. Blazer and John L. Wachsmuth managed a historical resource identification and location project study of Montana's mining camps. This collection contains typewritten documents, hand drawn maps, and photo negatives of mining camps in Montana.
- 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.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
In 1977 Rexford S. Blazer and John L. Wachsmuth managed a historical resource identification and location project study of Montana's mining camps. They said they began the study because ghost towns in Montana were disappearing quickly and the sites should be preserved because they tell the story of how Montana and the West came to be. The research was conducted for the University of Montana, Montana State University, The Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society, and The Western Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society. Their goal was to survey historic mining campsites throughout the state of Montana. They determined which sites contained extant remains which could possibly be preserved. Next they prepared bibliographies on these sites to encourage further research.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains typewritten documents, hand drawn maps, and photo negatives of mining camps in Montana. There is information regarding the purpose of the study and the importance of historic preservation of mining camps. Also included is information gathered from their study, including hand drawn maps of sites.
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
[Name of document or photograph number], Rexford S. Blazer and John L. Wachsmuth Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is divided into four series:
Series I: General Information, 2 folders, 1977
Series II: Legal Documents, 1 folder, 1973-1976
Series III: Correspondence, 1 folder, 1977
Series IV: Photographs, 1 folder, undated
Custodial History
The materials in this collection remained with the creators until donation to the Mansfield Library.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Rexford Blazer and John Wachsmuth, date unknown.
Processing Note
The actions of the original processors of the collection are unknown. The collection was re-described in 2002.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: General Information , 1977Return to Top
This series contains an 18-page typed list of the mines studied by Blazer and Wachsmuth and general information about each. The list also includes the main sources for the researcher's information. Also included is a 3-page typed statement about their research on Beaverhead National Forest entitled "An Examination of Historic Preservation of Mining Era Camps." There is a 16-page bibliography of sources of information on mines in Montana and the West, including a short typed statement given by the researchers on their findings. There is a short typed list of mining claims in the Coolidge, Montana, area and where to find them on microfilm.
This series also contains hand drawn maps of the ghost town site in what was Heckla, Montana, the Elkhorn Mine upper camp, the ghost towns of Coolidge and Elkhorn Mill, and the ghost town of Dark Horse. Detailed descriptions are written on the maps. There are typed explanations for the Hecla and Dark Horse maps. There is a typed description of Ajax Mine.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 1 | Introductory and bibliographical
information |
1977 and undated |
| 2 | Mining camp maps and explanations
|
1977 and undated |
Series II: Legal Documents , 1973-1976 Return to Top
This series contains copies of Location Declaratory Statements for mill sites and tunnel sites. There are also Certificates of Location for mining claims. Most of these sites are located in Beaverhead County. The documents give the owner's name and the exact location of the sites.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 3 | Location Declaratory Statements
for mill and tunnel sites and mining claims |
1973-1976 and undated |
Series III: Correspondence , 1977 Return to Top
This series contains a letter written to Rex Blazer and John Wachsmuth on May 20, 1977, by Robert W. Williams, forest supervisor for the Beaverhead National Forest. Williams notified them that the public comment period on the forest's management plan and draft environmental impact statement was extended. Blazer and Wachsmuth respond by urging Williams to consider cultural resources, like mining camps, when creating a forest plan. They tell Williams about the artifacts located in Beaverhead National Forest. They assert that the U.S. Forest Service would be violating a number of laws if they continued to ignore the significance of these historic sites.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 4 | Letters exchanged between U.S.
Forest Service and Blazer and Wachsmuth |
1977 and undated |
Series IV: Photographs , undatedReturn to Top
This series contains negatives for 36 photographs of mining camps in unknown locations.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 5 | Photographs |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Ghost towns--Montana
- Historic preservation--Montana
- Mines and mineral resources--Montana
- Mining camps--Montana--History
- Mining camps--Montana--Maps
- Mining camps--Montana--Photographs
Personal Names
- Blazer, Rexford S.
- Wachsmuth, John L.
Form or Genre Terms
- Maps--Montana
- Photographs--Montana
Finding aid prepared by Carissa Hill
2002
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
