Jerry De Santo papers, 1841-2010 (bulk 1901-1998)

Overview of the Collection

Creator
De Santo, Jerry, 1928-
Title
Jerry De Santo papers
Dates
1841-2010 (bulk 1901-1998) (inclusive)
Quantity
13.5 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 642
Summary
Jerry De Santo (Jerry DeSanto) was a Glacier National Park Ranger for 20 years and devoted a great deal of his time to studying the Park’s native plant life. He was a prolific writer after his retirement and published several books and articles on Glacier Park and Montana topics.
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. There is one restricted folder containing student papers that requires the archivist’s approval for access.

Languages
English.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Jerome Samuel De Santo (DeSanto) was born in Duluth, Minnesota on May 6, 1928. The third of five children, he was sent to the St. James orphanage for a period of time after the death of his mother. His father remarried and De Santo went to live with him and his new wife. In 1946, he joined the United States Air Force and served with the occupying force in Europe until he was honorably discharged in 1949. After he left the Air Force, De Santo travelled to Alaska with his brother and worked construction jobs and with the fire control service until the death of his father took him back to Minnesota.

Following his father’s death, De Santo studied geology at the University of Arizona for two years and then transferred to the University of Denver where he studied English and then to the University of Colorado Boulder where he received a B.A. in 1956 and a M.A. in Italian history in 1958. With the urging of his mentor, Dr. Harrison Thompson, De Santo travelled to Italy on a research fellowship and returned to Boulder and completed all of his requirements for a Ph.D. in history. However, he refused the degree he had earned and joined the National Park Service in 1965.

De Santo had done summer seasonal work in Yellowstone National Park from 1950 until joining the Park Service as a ranger in 1965; he initially was assigned to Yellowstone but was transferred to Glacier National Park in May of 1966. He worked at Belly River, Goat Haunt, and as a backcountry ranger until he was transferred to the Polebridge Ranger Station where he stayed until his retirement in 1986.

He retired to a cabin to Canada and began spending his time collecting, photographing, and cataloguing native plants. He also took time to research and write several books and articles including: Alpine Wildflowers of Glacier National Park, Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta; Logan Pass: Alpine Splendor in Glacier National Park; Bitterroot: Montana State Flower.

De Santo contracted viral encephalitis in 2000, which severely affected his health. He stopped working on his research and writing projects and was no longer able to participate in strenuous physical activities. His retirement became much more sedentary as he attempted to recuperate from his serious illness and ultimately he lived at the Montana Veterans Home. He died in July of 2017.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains materials related to Jerry De Santo’s interest in Glacier National Park particularly its botany. There are many slides and photographs of the plants inhabiting the Park, as well as research materials including field notes, maps, and reports. Less prevalent but still a substantial part of the collection, De Santo collected information on important botanists of Montana and the Northwest. He also maintained files on the wildlife of both Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. His personal files include photographs, immigration information, passport information, correspondence, clippings, and get well cards from his 1983 bear attack. He kept extensive research files on Glacier National Park history, specifically, on the different peaks and the boundaries of the Park. The collection also contains research materials for his many writing projects as well as copies of drafts of his books and articles and a copy of his book Bitterroot: Montana State Flower.

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. Non-exclusive copyright transferred to The University of Montana--Missoula.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Jerry De Santo 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: Subject Files, 9 linear feet, 1841-1999

Subseries 1. Research, 6.5 linear feet, 1841-1999

Subseries 2. People, 2.5 linear feet, 1901-1999

Series II: Personal, 0.3 linear feet, 1962-1999

Series III: Publications, 0.5 linear feet, 1985-1999

Series IV: Photographs and Slides, 3.7 linear feet, 1861-1996

Location of Originals

Many of the photographs and research materials on Glacier National Park are available at the Montana Historical Society in Helena, Montana and the Glacier National Park Museum and Archive Collections in West Glacier, Montana.

Custodial History

The materials arrived in two separate accessions. The bulk of the donation was in the possession of the creator until it was transferred to Duane Hampton who brought the materials to Archives and Special Collections for a term of temporary storage in 2000. Jerry De Santo’s power of attorney, Karen Feather, permanently gifted the materials to Archives and Special Collections in 2002. The second accession was in the possession of the creator until it was collected from his home and car by Rachel Potter and donated to Archives and Special Collections in 2011.

Future Additions

There are no expected additions to this collection.

Processing Note

The creator’s original order was maintained wherever possible, many folders retain their original titles. At the same time, materials collected by individuals other than the creator and deposited in a later accession had no discernible order and were organized topically during processing. Slides were maintained in their original containers, while photographs were removed from envelopes and albums and placed in folders in their original groupings and order. Index cards were removed from six different filing containers and rehoused in their original order. All paper items were refoldered. Financial information, a PanaVue automatic slide viewer, maps, the book Sappers: the Royal Engineers in British Columbia and a certificate of commendation from the Park Service were removed from the collection. Digital materials were separated from the collection to determine long-term maintenance and access.

Separated Materials

A copy of Alpine Wildflowers of Glacier National Park, Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta by Jerry De Santo was transferred from the collection to Special Collections. Groups of plant specimens and their background information were also removed from the collection and transferred to the University of Montana Herbarium. Three books, A Guide to Zermat and the Matterhorn by Edward Whymper, Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860-1869 by Edward Whymper, and Edward Whymper by F.S. Smythe, and a folder containing De Santo’s Lee Creek property records were removed from the collection by Jerry De Santo’s power of attorney, Karen Feather. Digital material, containing cover art for his Bitterroot book, was removed from the collection during processing to determine long-term maintenance and access and will be added at a later date.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Subject Files, 1841-1999Return to Top

9.0 linear feet

This series contains materials organized topically by De Santo's areas of interest.

Container(s) Description Dates
Subseries 1: Research
6.5 linear feet
This subseries contains subject files organized by research topic.
1841-1999
Box
1/1
49th Parallel, Borderlands Project
1987
Box/Folder
1/2
Alberta-British Columbia Boundary
undated
1/3
Alpine Flora
1969-1987
1/4
Astragalus, Seeds, Fort Collins
June 1998
1/5
Backcountry Trips, Mountaineering
1970-1980 and undated
1/6
Bears
1954-1992 and undated
1/7
A Bibliography of Literature and Papers Pertaining to Pre-Settlement Wildlife and Habitat of Montana and Adjacent Areas
1993
1/8
Big Trees
1981-1990
1/9
Birds
1966-1990
1/10
Bison
1888-1996
2/1
Bison
1910-1990 and undated
2/2
Bison
1986 and undated
2/3
The Bitter Root in Science and in History
1929
2/4
Bitterroot
1841-1993
2/5
Bitterroot
1872-1997
2/6
Blackfoot Reservation
1896 and undated
2/7
Bogs
1950-1997
2/8
Botany
1910-1990 and undated
3/1
Botany
1928-1996 and undated
3/2
Botany
1948-1995 and undated
3/3
Cabin
1977 and undated
3/4
Canada
1992 and undated
3/5
Chief Mountain
1982-1992 and undated
3/6
The Composition and Behavior of the Bitter Root
1922
3/7
Correspondence
1991 and undated
3/8
Erigeron
1947-1971
3/9
Field Notes
1984-1990
4/1
Field Notes
1991-1993
4/2
Field Notes
1994-1995
4/3
Field Notes
1996-1998
4/4
Glaciation
1969-1990
4/5
Glacier National Park History
1909-1992 and undated
4/6
Glacier National Park History
1912-1997 and undated
5/1
Glacier National Park History
1947-1995 and undated
5/2
Glacier National Park History
1997-1998 and undated
5/3
Glacier National Park, Montana
1932
5
Glacier Park Bibliography
undated
5/4
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Preliminary Flora of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
October 1996
5/5
Granite Peak, Whitney and Boundary
1980-1993
5/6
Gravelly Range
1992-1996
5/7
Grinnell's Glacier, Thesis
1990
5/8
Heliograph
1890-1986
6/1
"The History of Waterton Lakes National Park, 1800-1937"
1971-1979
6/2
Humboldt National Forest
1985-1991
6/3
Indexed, Anotated Cartobibliography of the University of Montana Mansfield Library Historical Map Collection
1983
6/4
Indian Legend of the Bitter-Root
1984
6/5
International Boundary, Glacier National Park
1980-1992 and undated
7/1
International Boundary, Glacier National Park
1984-1999 and undated
7/2
Kintla Lake
1988
7/3
Kutenai and Scarred Trees
1954-1985
7/4
Lewisia
1992-1997
7/5
Logan Pass Project
1994
7/6
Logging History
1982-1990 and undated
7/7
Maps
undated
8/1
Miscellaneous Papers
1983-1995 and undated
8/2
Montana Champion Tree Program
1996-1998
8/3
Montana Register of Big Trees
1996-1997
8/4
North American Boundary Commission
undated
8/5
Parasitic Plants
1989 and undated
8/6
Photographic Subjects Notebook
undated
8/7
Plant Species
undated
8/8
Plant Species, Bog Collections
1988
9/1
Seeds
1991-1993
18/3
Student Papers - Restricted
1979 and undated
9/2
Subalpine Larch of Glacier National Park
1971
9/3
United States Department of the Interior
1990
9/4
Waterton, Belly River
1969 and undated
9/5
Wildlife Observation Reports
1976-1991
9/6
Wildlife Observation Reports
1986-1998
9/7
Yellowstone National Park
undated
Box
10
General Research, Card File
undated
11
Plant Research, Card File
undated
12
Plant Research, Card File
undated
13
Research for Flower Book and 49th Boundary Survey, Card File
undated
Subseries 2: People
2.5 linear feet
This subseries contains materials related to De Santo's research on individual people.
1901-1999
Box/Folder
14/1
David Lyall
1997 and undated
14/2
Edward Whymper
1912-1991 and undated
14/3
Eugene Bourgeau
undated
14/4
George Bird Grinnell
1901-1991
14/5
George Bird Grinnell
1908
14/6
Klaus Lackschewitz
1979-1995
14/7
Morton J. Elrod
1901-1979
14/8
Paul Standley
1997-1998
14/9
Ranger Hockett
1927-1991 and undated
14/10
Robert Statham Williams
1921-1999 and undated
15/1
Robert Statham Williams
1995
15/2
Sereno Watson
1880-1995 and undated
15/3
Sereno Watson
1997 and undated
15/4
Tulli Kerstetter and J.W. Blankinship
1995-1998
15/5
Wilhelm Nikolaus Suksdorf (1850-1932): Pioneer Botanist of the Pacific Northwest
March 1997
Box
16
Edward Whymper Research, Card File
undated

Series II:  Personal, 1962-1999Return to Top

0.3 linear feet

This series contains personal materials from Jerry De Santo.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
15/6
Bear Attack
1983
17/1
Correspondence
1983-1999
17/2
Diplomas and Certificates
1965-1983
17/3
Immigration
1986-1987
17/4
Outhouse Walls
1998 and undated
17/5
Passport Information
1962-1963 and undated
17/6
Personal Papers
1960-1986
Box
30
Retirement Plaque - Glacier National Park
1986
Box/Folder
17/7
Wine
1972-1993

Series III:  Publications, 1985-1999Return to Top

0.5 linear feet

This series contains materials written and published by Jerry De Santo.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
17/8
Articles for Montana: The Magazine of Western History
1985-1995
17/9
Alpine Wildflowers of Glacier National Park, Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Manuscript
1989
17/10
Introduction, Alpine Wildflowers of Glacier National Park, Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
1989
17/11
History and Dispersal of Alpine Flora, Alpine Wildflowers of Glacier National Park, Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
1989
17/12
Ecology, Alpine Wildflowers of Glacier National Park, Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
1989
17/13
Distribution, Alpine Wildflowers of Glacier National Park, Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
1989
17/14
Identification, Alpine Wildflowers of Glacier National Park, Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
1989
18/1
The Montana State Flower: Bitterroot
1993
18/2
Yellowstone Stories, Manuscript
March 1999

Series IV:  Photographs and Slides, 1861-1996Return to Top

3.7 linear feet

This series contains visual materials for the collection mostly pictures and slides from De Santo's research.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
19/1
Agoseris
undated
19/2
Alberta and British Columbia
undated
19/3
Bailey Willis
undated
19/4
Big Trees
1930-1990
19/5
Bitterroot
undated
19/6
Boulder Glacier
1932-1988
19/7
Brown Pass
August 23, 1990
19/8
Chief Mountain
1903-1990
19/9
Chief Mountain
1989-1990 and undated
19/10
Coyotes, Browning, Montana
1947
19/11
Erigeron, Slides
undated
19/12
Eugene Bourgeaux
2010 and undated
19/13
Extra Color Prints of Flowers
January 14, 1990
19/14
Flathead
undated
19/15
From an Album
undated
19/16
George Bird Grinnell
1923-1990 and undated
19/17
George Bird Grinnell
1923-1991
19/18
Glacier National Park
1900-1998 and undated
19/19
Glacier National Park
1901-1932 and undated
19/20
Glacier National Park
1908-1932 and undated
19/21
Glacier National Park
1948
19/22
Glacier National Park
1990
19/23
Glacier National Park
1990
19/24
Glacier National Park
undated
19/25
Glacier National Park Chalets
1971 and undated
19/26
Historic
1897-1912
19/27
Historic
1902-1933 and undated
19/28
Historic, Butte Well Story
1901 and undated
19/29
International Boundary, Glacier National Park
1861-1873 and undated
19/30
Jerry De Santo and Karen Feather with Juniper
undated
20/1
Kinnerly Peak, Kintla Lake
undated
20/2
Negatives for Chapter 1
undated
20/3
North Fork Article
1992
20/4
Park Rangers
1966-1976 and undated
20/5
Personal
1910-1981 and undated
20/6
Personal
1928-1983 and undated
20/7
Personal
1928-1985 and undated
20/8
Photographic Record, Joe Halm
1910
20/9
Ranger Hockett, Jerry De Santo
1983 and undated
20/10
Robert Statham Williams
undated
20/11
Scarred Trees
undated
20/12
United States Geological Survey
1981-1991 and undated
20/13
United States Park Police
June 8, 1971
20/14
Used for Christmas
1998
20/15
"Whitehead"
1931-1937 and undated
20/16
Yellowstone National Park, Saloons
1884
20/17
Untitled
Box
21
Achillea-Eritrichium, Flowers 1
22
Erythronium-Pyrola, Flowers 2
23
Ranunculus-Zygaderus; Multiple Flowers; Ferns; Algae Colony, Flowers 3
24
Garden Plants; Prairie, Flowers 4
25
Alden Watercolors; Rock City; Lemhi; Zimmerman; Lee Creek; Trees; Oil Wells; Chief Crew; Carthew; Boulder
26
Jerry De Santos; Karen Feather; Skiers and Tracks; Winter Scenics; Joe Prince Site; Winter Buildings and Cabins; Non-Glacier; North Fork Homesteads; Scenic Trees; Animals; Indians
27
Scenics (not winter); Old Cars; People; Buildings (not winter)
28
Graminae; Cyperaceae; Juncaceae
October 1989
28
Aguilegia
Ocober 27, 1992
28
Annu
November 10, 1990
28
Olsen Creek drainage
August 15, 1995
28
Larix slides for Lyall paper
undated
28
Agla
undated
28
Lichens, Needle Balls, Moss, Mushrooms
October 1989
28
Bonsai
October 1989
28
Papy
October 22, 1992
28
S & P, except Cast, I
October 1989
28
S & P, except Cast, II
October 1989
28
Bogs, Not plants-plants in Flowers 4
undated
28
Caro and Caun
August 1993
28
Henry and Garden
November 27, 1995
28
Ledi, Lema
undated
28
Gravelly Range, Snowcrests
July 1994 and July 1996
28
Lebr; Lecol (2ssp); Lecot; Leke; Lele; Lene; Leop
undated
28
Lepyg; Lesti; Letr; Letw
undated
28
Lere-all
October 27, 1992
29
Three rolls of unidentified negatives
undated
29
One roll of undeveloped film
undated
29
Twenty-three unidentified negatives
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Mountain plants--Alberta--Waterton Lakes National Park

Geographical Names

  • Montana--Maps
  • Yellowstone National Park