Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society Collection, 1844-2002

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society
Title
Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society Collection
Dates
1844-2002 (inclusive)
Quantity
12.0 cubic feet, (13 letter sized document cases; 1 letter half sized document case; 6 oversized boxes; and 4 map tubes)  :  Fair condition with some ledgers and maps that are soiled, torn and have insect damage
Collection Number
MS007-01
Summary
This collection includes newspaper clippings, correspondence, family histories, genealogies, rare books, and photographs documenting the history of Thorp, WA (1844-2002), and the greater Kittitas Valley.
Repository
Central Washington University, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Central Washington University
400 E University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926
Telephone: 509-963-1023
Fax: 509-963-3684
archive@cwu.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to the public for educational research.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society was established to preserve the Thorpe Mill, which began operations in 1883, for the benefit of the local community and to make it available for the benefit of all citizens seeking to understand American culture and history. The Society devotes itself “to developing the mill site both as an interpretive site and as a gathering place for community activities, maintaining and fostering the close sense of community and family and the enterprising spirit that is Thorp’s heritage.” The Society also collects information and materials documenting the history of Thorp.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of newspaper clippings from regional news agencies and correspondence of the early settlers in the central Kittitas Valley. Family histories and genealogies, birth, death, marriage, census records, and local cemetery information are included in the collection. There are extensive Thorp post office records and numerous materials related to the Thorp public schools. The F.C. Porter family, who owned a general store in Thorp during the first half of the 1900s, contributed many of their store records, shipping records, and children’s school books to the collection. Many materials in the collection are photocopies of the original documents. Also included are a dozen rare books given to the mill over the years. Photographs of the early Thorp community as well as the Thorp Mill restoration project are in the collection in both print and negative form.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Selected photographs from the Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society Collection can be viewed online at Central Washington University Digital Archives.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number]. MS007-07-04, Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society Collection. Archives and Special Collections, Brooks Library, Central Washington University.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically and organized by type and size of document.

Bibliography

"Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society." Accessed 27 February 2012. http://www.thorp.org/

Porter, Barton. ‘’Listen to the Millrace.’’ Seattle, WA: M. J. Stone Co., 1978.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 Bowles Family Dispute 1910
1 2 Brain Family
1 3 George Bush and Some Documentary Records of Slavery in Oregon 1887
1 4 Reminiscences of WM. M. Case and Mrs. Sarah A. Case 1890-1900
1 5 Ellison Family
1 6 Fischer Family Newspaper clippings
1 7 Nathanial Ford’s Letter from Oregon
1 8 Reminiscences of Mrs. Frank Collins, nee Martha Elizabeth Gilliam and of Washington Smith Gilliam 1903-1916
1 9 Stories of Early Years in Johnson Canyon by Ethel McMillen Pearson Goodwin 1883-1980
1 10 Hatfield Family
1 11 Reminiscences of Alanson Hinman 1901
1 12 Hutchinson Family
1 13 Hutchinson Diary, Photocopy and Transcript 1890
1 14 Kittie Ireland Newspaper clippings and Writings
1 15 Karlson Family
1 16 Kellicut Family
1 17 Mason Family
1 18 Mattox Family
1 19 Caroline “Callie” Mattox Family
1 20 Clara Belle Mattox Parker Family
1 21 Reason Turner Mattox Family
1 22 William Miles Mattox Family
1 23 James L. Mills Family
1 24 John A. Yearwood Family
1 25 John Minto, Quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society 1901
1 26 Minto and Parrish Letters Description 1844
1 27 Larry Morree Family
1 28 Mrs. Nancy Irwin Morrison and Robert Wilson Morrison 1890-1894
1 29 Newman and Wilcox Families
1 30 Orndoff Family, Including Oral History Transcript
1 31 Osborn Family
1 32 Crossing the Plains in 1844, Diary of Rev. Edward Evans Parrish
1 33 Pease Family
1 34 Nona Reid, Daily Diary 1918-1921
1 35 Dorothy M. Schwarek Letter 1998
1 36 Schultz Family
1 37 Viola Splawn Shadel and Ethel Shadel Coughlin
1 38 Biography of Capt. William Shaw 1795-1887
1 39 Southern Family
1 40 Michael T. Simmons in Transactions of Oregon Pioneer Association 1886
1 41 Splawn Family History
1 42 From an Interview with Mrs. W.D. Bruton, nee Flora Splawn
1 43 Sublette Papers Description 1844
2 1 Fielden M. and Leonard L. Thorp 1889
2 2 Letters of Judge Joseph Thorp about His Father 1880-1889
2 3 Thorp Family History, 1630-1981
2 4 Reminiscences of R. Paul Tjossem
2 5 Tjossem Family
2 6 Bridget Anna Elizabeth Mackay Warner and Grace Irene Werner Family
2 7 Joseph Watt, Oregon Pioneer Association 1890
2 8 Weed Family
2 9 Mrs. Nancy Dickerson Welch, Transactions of the Oregon Pioneer Association 1897
2 10 An Old Pioneer’s Return, The Oregon Pioneer Association 1889
2 11 Thorp Area Family Genealogies
2 12 Pioneer Family Investigation
2 13 Notices of Continuation of Classification 1941
2 14 World War II Newspaper Clippings, Thorp Residents
2 15 World War II Newspaper Clippings, Thorp Residents
2 16 Tanum House Meal Punch Cards 1906
2 17 Ed Birn’s “National” Cash Register History
2 18 Mann Brothers Sliced Wood Products News clippings
2 19 Quilt Signatures
2 20 1913 Fire Wagon
2 21 The End of the Trail by Leta May Smith, Chapters 6 and 7
2 22 Newspaper Clippings about Thorp 1960
2 23 Newspaper clipping by Clareta Smith, Donated with Mattox Family Material
2 24 Sixth Biennial Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction 1885
2 25 Report of the Governor of Washington Territory to the Secretary of the Interior 1885
2 26 Tenth Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Washington 1890
2 27 Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction of Washington Territory to the Legislative Assembly 1885
2 28 Coal and Coal Mining in Washington by Stephen H. Green 1947
2 29 “Thorp, Be There June 26-30” Sign
3 1 Thorp School Graduates and Teachers 1935-1970
3 2 Thorp High School Newsletter: The Bumble Bee 1941-1942
3 3 Thorp School News clippings
3 4 Hialitza – Thorp High School Yearbook 1922-1926
3 5 Hialitza – Thorp High School Yearbook 1989
3 6 School Census Records of Kittitas County, Washington 1894-1900
3 7 Early Kittitas County Schools News clippings and Photographs
3 8 Ellensburg Junior Chamber of Commerce Activities Report 1951-1952
3 9 Plano Manufacturing Company Catalog 1895
3 10 Land Roller Patent 1899
3 11 Letters from J.A. Wilcox, Justice of the Peace 1907
3 12 Ancient Order of United Workmen Member Death Announcements and Dues Postcards 1909
3 13 Washington Fruit Labels
3 14 Washington Fruit Labels
3 15 Golden West Fine Graham Flour Sack, Thompson’s Flouring Mills, Shedd, Oregon
4 1 Census Photocopies from Yakima County Territorial Census 1871
4 2 Abstract of Title, James H. McMurray to Milford A. Thorp 1885
4 3 Abstract of Title, Milford and Amanda Thorp to Lewis F. Ellison 1901
4 4 Typed List of Polk Directory for Kittitas County, Thorp Listings 1919-1920
4 5 Handwritten List of Names from Polk Directory, Kittitas County, Thorp Listings 1921-1922
4 6 Quit Claim Deed for Thorp Fire Station Property 1944
4 7 Homestead Patents 1875-1898
4 8 Deed to Wilken Briggs 1887
4 9 List of Leases at Thorp Station 1904-1924
4 10 Thorp Commercial Map 1907
4 11 Thorp Township Maps 1934
4 12 Assorted Thorp Area Maps
4 13 Land Ownership Study Maps
4 14 Final Report Farrell Merit Scholarship, Thorp Land Ownership Study on Computer Layered Mapping 1993
4 15 Thorp Area Ranch Histories from Washington’s Centennial Farms: Yesterday and Today
4 16 Christine Peck Railroad Thesis Research 1991
4 17 Northern Pacific Railway Employees and Rule Books 1949-1959
4 18 Northern Pacific Railway Train Orders and Schedules 1957-1962
4 19 Thorp Train Depot Transfer, Historic Thorp Mill Train Project, Proposed Creation of Thorp Historic District 1993-2001
4 20 Correspondence Received and Sent by Mill Society
4 21 Old Cemetery, North of I-90 West
4 22 Thorp Cemetery Directory, Alphabetical Listing
4 23 Thorp Cemetery Directory, by Grave Location
4 24 Thorp Indian Cemetery
4 25 Kittitas County Cemetery Available Plots 1991
4 26 Farming Statistics of Washington 1890-1909
4 27 Upper Kittitas County Landmarks 1999
4 28 Mountains to Sound Greenway Aerial Photos 1999
5 1 Post card Receipts Mailed to F.C. Porter 1907-1909
5 2 Receipts and Calculations
5 3 Receipts and Calculations
5 4 Receipts and Calculations
5 5 List of Items from Porter’s Store Box 1992
5 6 Blank Account Ledger
5 7 Invoices Received by Porter’s Store 1905-1906
5 8 Invoices Received by Porter’s Store 1907-1908
5 9 Invoices Received by Porter’s Store 1911-1922
5 10 Inventory List from Porter’s Store Black Binder 1992
5 11 Thank You Letters to Porter’s Store for Field Trip of Mrs. Erickson’s 4th Grade Class 1956
5 12 Blank Composition Book with List of Baseball Team Players and Positions in Front Page
5 13 Barton Porter’s Composition Books (4), Mostly Blank
5 14 Charles Porter’s Composition Books
5 15 Gerald Porter’s Scrapbook
5 16 Gerald Porter’s Latin Notebook 1916-1917
5 17 Charles Porter’s Composition Books
6 1 Barton Porter’s Spelling Tablet
6 2 Barton Porter’s Augsburg’s Drawing Graded Practice Tablet, #1 and 2
6 3 Barton Porter’s Augsburg’s Drawing Graded Practice Tablet, #3 and 5
6 4 Barton Porter’s Augsburg’s Drawing Graded Practice Tablet, #7
6 5 Barton Porter’s Notebooks
6 6 Gerald Porter’s White’s Outline Studies in the History of the United States
6 7 Two Mostly Blank Ledgers, Porter Family
6 8 Porter Children Schoolbook Inventory List 1992
6 9 University of Washington, University Hospital Meal Ticket 1960
7 1 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1907
7 2 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1908-1909
7 3 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1909
7 4 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1909
7 5 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1909
7 6 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1909-1910
8 1 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1910
8 2 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1910
8 3 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1910
8 4 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1910
8 5 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1910
8 6 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1911
9 1 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1911
9 2 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1911
9 3 F.C. Porter’s Scales Shipping Records 1912
9 4 Receipts from Items Purchased by F. C. Porter 1913
9 5 Receipts from Items Purchased by F. C. Porter 1915
9 6 Receipts from Items Purchased by Joe Deshayer and F. C. Porter 1915-1916
9 7 Receipts from Items Purchased by F. C. Porter 1916
9 8 Receipts from Items Purchased by F. C. Porter and Joe Deshayer 1916
9 9 Pocket Books from F.C. Porter’s Records
9 10 Miscellaneous Papers and Receipts from F.C. Porter’s Records
10 1 Fourth Class, Postmaster’s Account Book, Thorp, WA 1923-1924
10 2 Third Class, Postmaster’s Account Book, Thorp, WA 1929-1930
10 3 Third Class, Postmaster’s Account Book, Thorp, WA 1931-1932
10 4 Third Class, Postmaster’s Account Book, Thorp, WA 1932-1933
10 5 Postmaster’s Daily Savings Bond Cash and Stock Summary, Thorp, WA 1945-1947
10 6 Postmaster’s Daily Savings Bond Cash and Stock Summary, Thorp, WA 1949-1950
10 7 Thorp Post Office and Surrounding Area Post Offices History
10 8 Transcript of Splawn Water Rights Testimony 1868-1886
10 9 Journal Entries from Unknown Author Traveling through Thorp Area 1870
10 10 Newspaper Articles about Thorp 1893-1914
10 11 Record of Thorp Marriages and Births and Deaths 1893-1910
10 12 Thorp Literary Society Constitution and Minutes 1899
10 13 Above the Clouds Production by Thorp Residents, Program 1900
10 14 Thorp Flood, Newspaper Clipping 1906
10 15 “Thorp, Washington,” by Eugene J. Brain in The Coast 1908
10 16 “The Little Shepherd Who Was Left Behind: A Christmas Play in Three Parts” by Helen M. Roberts 1938
10 17 Death Announcements, News clippings 1943-1974
10 18 Thorp Church of Christ Golden Jubilee, 50th Anniversary Church Program 1945
10 19 Newspaper Wedding Announcements 1953-1960
10 20 Newspaper Articles about Thorp 1957-1974
10 21 Handwritten “Early Days in Thorp, 1909,” Author Unknown 1970
10 22 Highway 10 Landslide, Newspaper Clippings 1970-1971
10 23 Newspaper Article on Sawmill and the McPherson Monument 1976
10 24 Newspaper Articles about Thorp 1989-2002
10 25 “The Social and Economic Structure of the Thorp Area During the Year 1900” by Edward M. Tucker III 1992
10 26 Letters from Former Residents’ Families
10 27 Miscellaneous Photocopies about Thorp Area
10 28 Morrison and Lowe Pool Hall Coin
10 29 Handwritten Notes, Newspaper Citations about Thorp Area
10 30 Miscellaneous Correspondence to and from Thorp Residents
11 1 Fourth Class, Postmaster’s Account Book, Thorp, WA 1927-1929
11 2 Fourth Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1933-1935
11 3 Fourth Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1935
11 4 Fourth Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1935-1936
11 5 Fourth Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1936-1937
11 6 Third Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1937
11 7 Third Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1938-1939
11 8 Third Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1939-1940
11 9 Fourth Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1940-1941
11 10 Fourth Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1941-1942
11 11 Fourth Class, Postmaster’s Account and Cash Book, Thorp, WA 1942-1943
11 12 Register of Money Orders Issued, Thorp, WA, Post Office 1948-1950
11 13 Register of Money Orders Issued, Thorp, WA, Post Office 1950-1951
11 14 Abstract of Title, Multiple Transfers 1926
11 15 James L. Mill Deed for Millrace 1880
11 16 Land Transfer Records 1882-1910
11 17 Tenem Ditch Company vs. F.M. Thorp 1887-1888
11 18 Town of Thorp Plat and Addition
11 19 J. L. Mills Financial Papers 1880-1883
11 20 Photocopy of Polk Directory, Kittitas County 1913-1914
11 21 Photocopy of Polk Directory, Kittitas County 1914-1915
12 1 Cashbook of the Domestic Money Order Office, Thorp Post Office 1920-1922
12 2 Thorp Post Office Savings Bond Records 1945-1948
12 3 Thorp Post Office Savings Bond Records 1949-1950
12 4 Thorp Post Office Savings Bond Records 1950-1953
12 5 Record of Credit for Store Customers 1895
12 6 Invoices Received by Porter’s Store 1906-1910
12 7 Invoices Received by Porter’s Store 1907
12 8 Journal Used as Account Ledger, Mostly Blank 1912
12 9 Thorp Manufacturing Company Financial Records 1901-1905
12 10 Store Advertisements
12 11 50th Anniversary Announcements, Newspaper Clippings 1953-1977
12 12 Blank Legal Tablet with Painting on Inside of Back Cover
13 1 Photographs – Business and Occupations 1890-1939
13 2 Photographs – People and Families 1890-1959
13 3 Photographs – People and Community, early 1900s
13 4 Photographs – People and Community 1890-1979
13 5 Photographs – Landscapes and Buildings 1900-1929
13 6 Photographs – School Classes and School Houses 1900-1959
13 7 Photographs – Mill Restoration 1988-1989
13 8 Photographs – Mill Restoration 1988-1989
13 9 Photographs – Mill Restoration 1988-1989
13 10 Photographs – Mill Restoration 1988-1989
13 11 Photographs – Mill Restoration 1988-1989
13 12 Photographs from Newsletters
13 13 Copies of Miscellaneous Photographs of Early Days in Thorp from Collection of Shirley Mattox Churchill
14 1 Photographs – Square Dancing
14 2 Photographs and Drawing of Mill
14 3 Frances H. Spero and Schoolchildren 1919-1920
14 4 Photocopied Photographs Donated by Anita F. Boren 1936-1942
14 5 John and Felicia McDonald Family Photos 1910-1919
14 6 Eva May Fischer Family 1900-1971
14 7 Don Barrett Family Photo 1918
14 8 Amy and John Ellison, Rose and George Harvey, Olive Spencer, Sidney Spencer Family Materials
14 9 Aerial Photos and Negatives
14 10 Negatives
14 11 Negatives – Thorp and Community
15 1 Oversized Photographs – Thorpe and surrounding areas
16 1 Oversized documents – Thorpe Census Records
17 1 Oversized maps - Thorpe
18 1 Oversized ledgers - Postmaster’s Account and Cashbooks, Thorpe Post Office 1943-1954
19 1 Oversized ledgers - Postmaster’s Account and Cashbooks, Thorpe Post Office 1955-1965
20 1 Oversized ledgers - Postmaster’s Account and Cashbooks, Thorpe Post Office 1965-1971
21 1 Oversized map in tube container - Kittitas County Road System, Upper County 1971
22 1 Oversized map in tube container - Kittitas County Road System 1974
23 1 Oversized map in tube container - Northern Pacific Cascade Division Mainline, Thorpe, Kittitas County, Washington, December 22, 1902 (revised November 12, 1924 and March 21, 1925)
24 1 Oversized map in tube container – Station Map of Lands, Tracks and Structures, Northern Pacific Railway, Seattle Division, Thorp, Kittitas County, Washington, May 21, 1931 1931
25 1 Photo Genealogy Project – Compact Discs
25 2 Photo Genealogy Project – Identification of material on Compact Discs
25 3 Photo Genealogy Project – Identification of Photographs
25 4 Photo Genealogy Project – Letter of Agreement with Kittitas County Genealogical Society
25 5 Photo Genealogy Project – Loose photographs
25 6 Photo Genealogy Project – Newspaper clippings and ephmera

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Gristmills--Washington (State)--History.
  • Pioneers--Washington (State)--History
  • Thorp Gristmill

Geographical Names

  • Kittitas Valley (Wash.)
  • Thorp (Wash.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Photographs

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society (creator)
    Family Names
    • F.C. Porter family (creator)

Finding aid prepared by Dieter C. Ullrich and Ramirose I. Attebury
2012

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