Hubert "Hu" Blonk Papers, 1930-1995

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Blonk, Hu
Title
Hubert "Hu" Blonk Papers
Dates
1930-1995 (inclusive)
1930-1970 (bulk)
Quantity
2.0 cubic feet
Collection Number
SPC 006-0628 (collection)
Summary
Consists of manuscript material, newspaper clippings, photographs, and ephemera collected or created by central Washington journalist and editor Hubert Blonk. They focus on the development of dams, hydro-electric power, and irrigation in the Pacific Northwest, especially Grand Coulee Dam.
Repository
Eastern Washington University
Archives & Special Collections
Eastern Washington University Libraries
320 Media Lane - 100 LIB
Cheney, WA
99004-2453
Telephone: 5093592475
archives@ewu.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is available for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Hubert C. ("Hu") Blonk was born in Holland on March 7, 1909. His parents emigrated to Canada, and later moved south to the United States, settling in Auburn, Washington. After graduation from high school, Hubert Blonk attended the University of Washington, where he obtained his first experience in journalism. In 1933, at the depth of the Depression, Blonk graduated from the University of Washington.

Blonk was employed briefly by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, then took a job with the Grand Coulee Record in the boom town being built to serve the construction of Grand Coulee Dam. The Record was short-lived, and Hubert Blonk moved on to the Wenatchee Daily World. He covered the construction of Grand Coulee Dam for the World, and moved up in the organization, serving as the paper's Managing Editor. In addition to his work for the World, Mr. Blonk also served as a public relations man for several federal dam construction projects in the northwest.

In 1974 Mr. Blonk retired from the Wenatchee Daily World. He passed away on March 17, 1995 at the age of 86.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of manuscript material, newspaper clippings, photographs and research notes created and maintained by Mr. Blonk during his career as a journalist. They focus on the development of dams, hydro-electric generation, and irrigation in the Pacific Northwest, especially Grand Coulee Dam, in central Washington State. His papers and photographs primarily relate to the construction of Grand Coulee Dam and the communities associated with the dam. The digital collection at this time contains photographic materials, but does not contain Mr. Blonk's files on research and writing.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Literary property rights transferred to EWU.

Use of this collection is subject to the rules concerning access to archival and manuscript collections at Eastern Washington University. For more information, see: http://www.ewu.edu/Library/Services/Archives.xml

Copyright restrictions may apply. For more information or permission to publish, contact Eastern Washington University Libraries, Archives & Special Collections at (509) 359-2475, or archives@ewu.edu

Preferred Citation

Hubert "Hu" Blonk Papers; SPC 006-0628; box number; folder number; Archives & Special Collections, Eastern Washington University.

Alternative Forms Available

Selections from the collection have been digitized and are available as part of the Hubert Blonk Digital Collection.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Gift of Blonk's daughter, Julie Yeager, 2006.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Minutes - 50th Anniversary Celebration Planning MeetingReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 1

ProgramReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 2

LettersReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 3

FinancesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 4

InvitationsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 5

December 3, MeetingReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 6

Ideas for CeremoniesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 7

Grand Coulee DamReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 8

Third Powerhouse InvitationsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 9

Grand Coulee / Third PowerhouseReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 10

Third Powerhouse / GeneralReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 11

CommitteeReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 12

Laborer (Article)Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 13

AgendasReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 14

Grand Coulee 50thReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 15

Third Plant Start-UpReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 16

Miscellaneous [Informational Photocopies]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 17

Fight for DamReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 18

July 1, MeetingReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 19

Farm-In-A-DayReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 20

Board of Directors / Associated Press Managing Editors AssociationReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 21

Judges [Correspondence]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 22

[Columbia River Treaty]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 23

Rock IslandReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 24

Clearing Land, Towns and Indian Graves (Coulee)Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 25

Coulee Dam (1975) Third Powerhouse Dedication, 1975Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 26

Farm-In-A-DayReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 27

Coulee - Newspaper / Grand Coulee NewsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 28

Coulee - First PowerhouseReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 29

Coulee MilestonesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 30

Coulee - Roosevelt VisitReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 31

Photos - Coulee / Newspaper ClippingsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 32

Photos - Coulee / Newspaper ClippingsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 33

Miscellaneous / Rufus Woods Quote and Story of Osborne BrothersReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 34

[Articles by Hu Blonk - Typescript and Magazines]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 35

[Miscellaneous Statistics and Notes]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 36

Milestones [in Dam Construction]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 37

Concrete - [New World's Record]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 38

50th Anniversary StoriesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 39

50th Anniversary / Newspaper ClippingsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 40

50th Anniversary / Newspaper ClippingsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 41

Miscellaneous StoriesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 42

News clippings, [1930s]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 43

[Miscellaneous]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 44

Coulee - LawyersReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 45

Newspaper ClippingsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 46

Coulee Dam Statistics / Comparison with Other DamsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 47

Coulee City ArticlesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 48

Two Menus from President's Train trip, 1952Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 49

Grand Coulee Days - ClippingsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 1

President's Trip / Newspaper Clippings, 1950Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 2

Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings, 1934-1942Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 3

50th Anniversary Newspaper ClippingsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 4

Correspondence, 1975Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 5

Clippings and StoriesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 6

Clippings and StoriesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 7

[Article photocopied from APF Reporter, Vol. 15, No. 4], [1994]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 8

[Article on Photographic Techniques]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 9

Press ReleasesReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 10

[Miscellaneous Notes and Research Materials]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 11

Description of the Grand Coulee Dam and It's Construction, November 1952Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 12

[Working Draft of Article by Hu Blonk]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 13

[Hu "Scoop" Blonk... / Photocopied Article]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 14

Eighth Annual Graduation Exercises / Grand Coulee High School, 5/28/1942Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 15

[Map]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 16

The Story of the Columbia Basin Project [Publication], 1978Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 17

A Curb-side Story of Grand Coulee Dam and A Last Frontier: Slumbering Riches by Fred M. Weil [Publication], 1938Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 18

National Irrigation Policy: It's Development and Significance [Publication], 1939Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 19

The Columbia Basin Project [Publication], 1967Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 20

Settlement of the Columbia Basin Reclamation Project [Publication], 1945Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 21

Land and Water Contracts of the Columbia Basin Reclamation Project - Work CopyReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 22

A Legacy of Greatness: The Washington State History Museum Campaign for Exhibits , 1994Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 23

Reclamation ERA / A Water Review Quarterly [Publication], Autumn 1975Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 24

Columbia Basin Project / Safety News, Vol. 8, No. 7 [Publication], July 1950Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 25

Public Power [Publication], July-August 1983Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 26

Grand Coulee Dam [Publication with 3 Photos Attached], October 30, 1973Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 27

Grand Coulee from 'Hell to Breakfast' by Fred 0. Jones [Publication], 1947Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 28

The 23-Year Battle for Grand Coulee Dam by Rufus WoodsReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 29

4 Copies

History of Grand Coulee Dam Area [Publication], 1958Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 30

Evolution: The Threshold to a New Era by Constantinos H. Vlachos [Publication], 1966Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 31

Water and Life [Publication], July 16-17, 1983Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 32

Grand Coulee Dam [Publication], 1937Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 33

Reclamation's Annual Conference , 1951Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 34

2 Booklets

Report on Public Relations Campaign: Columbia Basin Project , 1946Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 35

Report on Information Program / Initial Delivery of Water to Deschutes Project, Oregon , 1946Return to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 36

The Bureau of Reclamation in WWII (First Draft) Part I / Departmental War Records ProjectReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 37

The Bureau of Reclamation in WWII (First Draft) Part II - Exhibits / Departmental War Records ProjectReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 2, Folder 38

Photograph of IndividualReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 1

11" × 14"

Certificate (for workers on Grand Coulee Dam Project)Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 2

2 Copies

Grand Coulee Dam: The First 50 Years (The Wenatchee World Supplement), 1933-1983Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 3

Eighth Wonder of the World (Spokesman-Review Supplement), 1941Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 4

Grand Coulee Dam: Eighth Wonder of the World (Spokesman-Review Supplement), 1936Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 5

Scrapbook [of Newspaper Clippings]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 6

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 7

Newspaper Clippings [loose]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 8

Newspaper Clippings [loose]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 9

Newspaper Clippings [full pages/folded]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 10

Newspaper Clippings [loose]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 11

Newspaper Clippings [loose]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 12

Newspaper Clippings [loose]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 13

Newspaper Clippings [full pages/folded]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 14

Newspaper Clippings [loose]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 15

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 16

Newspaper Clippings [loose]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 17

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 18

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 19

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 20

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 21

Newspaper Clippings [loose]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 22

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 23

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 24

Newspaper Clippings [full pages/folded]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 25

Newspaper Clippings [loose and individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 26

Newspaper Clippings [loose]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 27

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 28

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 29

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 30

Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]Return to Top

Container(s): Box 3, Folder 31

Framed and Signed Picture [with glass] "To Hu Blonk with sincere regards and the very best of wishes, William E. Warne"Return to Top

Container(s): Box 4, Folder 1

Framed and Signed Picture "With Regards to Hubert Blonk from Harry W. Bashore 3/28/44", March 28, 1944Return to Top

Container(s): Box 4, Folder 2

PhotographsReturn to Top

The photographs in this collection are primarily from two sources: Photography which Mr. Blonk did himself to support his work as a newspaper reporter, and photographs supplied by government agencies documenting projects undertaken for these agencies. Most of the photographs contained in the Blonk papers are either those taken by Hubert Blonk, or supplied by the United State Bureau of Reclamation to document the construction of Grand Coulee Dam. A small number appear to be the work of commercial photographers who were hired to document events associated with the project, mostly Charles Libby & Son, of Spokane, Washington.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
5 1
[Ceremonies / Celebrations]
41 Prints 8" × 10
5 2
[July 1936 Print]
1 Print 8" × 10
July 1936
5 3
[Color Prints of Dam]
4 Color Prints
5 4
[Mrs. Donald Dunn's House]
1 Print 8" × 10
5 5
[Yakima Picture]
1 Print 6.5" × 8"
5 6
[City of Grand Coulee Pictures]
10 Prints 8" × 10"
5 7
[Presidential Trips]
2 Prints 8" × 10"
5 8
[Pangborn]
2 prints 6.5" × 9.5"
5 9
[Building of the Dam]
17 Prints 8" × 10"
5 10
[Pictures of Individuals]
4 Prints 8" × 10"
5 11
[People]
43 Prints
5 12
[City of Coulee]
21 Prints 8" × 10"
5 13
[Constructing the Dam]
22 Prints 8" × 10"
5 14
[Constructing the Dam]
43 Prints 8" × 10"
5 15
[Constructing the Dam]
26 Prints
5 16
[3 Framed Pictures]
3 Cardboard-framed Prints
5 17
[Small Snapshots of Construction]
15 Prints
5 18
[Identified Pictures]
24 Prints
5 19
[Construction Pictures]
30 Prints
5 20
[Very Small Snapshots]
58 Prints
5 21
Hu Blonk Photo
2 Prints
5 22
[Coulee Dam Postcards]
6 Cards
5 23
[Postcards]
8 Cards
5 24
[Columbia River]
1 Print
5 25
[Equipment Photo]
1 Print
5 26
[Hu Blonk Humor]
4 Cards
5 27
[City of Coulee Pictures]
21 Prints
5 28
[Construction Pictures]
7 Prints
5 29
[Construction Pictures]
11 Prints 8" × 10"
5 30
[Negatives]
6 Envelopes
5 31
[Identified Negatives]
17 Envelopes
5 32
Gilbert G. Stamm / Commissioner
1 Print
6 1
President Roosevelt
6 2
President Truman
6 3
Rocky Reach Dedication
6 4
Hells Canyon Dam
6 5
Hu Blonk Newspaper Stories
6 6
Hu Blonk Newspaper Stories

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visits of state--Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.)

Personal Names

  • Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
  • Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972

Geographical Names

  • Coulee Dam (Wash.)
  • Grand Coulee (Wash.)

Finding aid prepared by Charles V. Mutschler
2006

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