Archives West Finding Aid

The William A. Langille papers consist of scattered diaries, letters, and historical articles on Alaska and Oregon, and photographs (mainly of Brazil). In Series I: Correspondence, the major correspondent is Samuel H. Boardman, the first Oregon Parks superintendent. Among the manuscripts found in this collection is a biography of Boardman. Langille and his younger brother, Harold D. Doug Langille corresponded most of their adult life. This collection includes correspondence received from Doug and his correspondence to William. With the W.A. Langille papers are the papers of Harold D. Langille (1874-1954), a forester and engineer. His papers include letters to his brother, William, written between 1935 and 1953 from mining areas in western Idaho and Sonora, Mexico. There are also 72 letters written from France, 1917-1919, when Doug was a major in the 505th Engineer Service Brigade.

Series II: Reports, Manuscripts, Publications, contains two short stories about Alaska and numerous papers covering forestry topics concerning Alaska and Oregon. The diaries in this collection focus mainly on Langille's life in Oregon but also include a diary from his four months spent in Sao Paulo, Brazil. During his stay in Brazil, Langille was an avid photographer and this collection includes a large portion of photographs and 2.5x5 black and white negatives of this area. These photographs document Brazilian native life and natural environment. Other subjects include Alaska and Oregon. The final series includes Langille mementos, awards, citations, and photographs.