Robert Bartlett Rhode papers

Robert Bartlett Rhode papers, 1978-1987

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Rhode, Robert Bartlett, 1916-
Title: Robert Bartlett Rhode papers
Dates: 1978-1987 (inclusive)
Date of CollectionDate of Collection
Quantity: 2.25 cubic ft. (3 boxes)
Collection Number: 10453
Summary: The Robert Bartlett Rhode papers contain Rhode's notes and research for his 1987 history of Rock Springs, Wyoming, "Booms and Busts on Bitter Creek."
Repository: American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions: Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Robert Bartlett Rhode was born and raised in central Wyoming. He attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a degree in journalism. Rhode was a reporter and editor for many Wyoming newspapers and was a professor of journalism at the University of Colorado, University of Southern California, and University of Denver. His first two books were about photography. He wrote "Booms and Busts on Bitter Creek: A History of Rock Springs" in 1987 after he had retired. "Booms and Busts" documents the history of violence and corruption in Rock Springs, a mining town in Wyoming.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Robert Bartlett Rhode papers contain research materials for Rhode’s book on Rock Springs, Wyoming. He documents events such as the massacre of Chinese coal miners, September, 1885; the career of lawman, Ed Cantrell, in the 1970s and 1980s; and the corruption scandal of Rock Springs Mayor, Keith West, who owned the Desert Oil Company.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The donor retains copyright.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Alternative Forms Available

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at https://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~165~165.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The Robert Bartlett Rhode papers are arranged in two series.

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Robert Bartlett Rhode at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Robert Bartlett Rhode, July 1996.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Ashley Sneesby, November 2008.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. Notes and research: Chapter Group, 1978-1987Return to Top

The series is arranged numerically by chapters. Contains working notes, newspaper clippings, and research on Rock Springs, WY.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
1	1	Opening Chapter	undated
1	2-3	Chapter 2: Building of the UP	undated
1	4-5	Chapter 3: Early Rock Springs	undated
1	6-7	Chapter 5: Violence, 1890-1914	undated
1	8-10	Chapter 6: Mine Safety, 1900's	undated
1	11-12	Chapter 7: The Melting Pot	undated
1	13-14	Chapter 8: WWII and the 1920's and 1930's	undated
1	15-18	Chapter 9: Notes Used	undated
2	1	Chapter 10: Countdown to the Energy Boom	undated
2	2	Chapter 11: Boom of the 70's, Bust of the 80's	undated
2	3	Chapter 11: Cantrell	undated
2	4	Chapter 11: Miscellaneous	undated

Series II. Notes and Research: Topic Group, 1978-1987Return to Top

The series is arranged first numerically and then alphabetically by topic. Contains working notes, newspaper clippings, and research on Rock Springs, WY.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
2	5-6	1920's and 1930's: unused notes	undated
2	7-8	1940's: Notes Used	undated
2	9	1950's: unused notes	undated
2	10	1950's and 1960's	undated
2	11	1980's: unused notes	undated
2	12	Biographical Notes	undated
2	13	Book Maps	undated
2	14	Bridger Power Plant, 1920-1980	undated
2	15-16	Chinese	undated
2	17	Chinese Figures	undated
2	18	Chronology	undated
2	19	County Reports	undated
2	20	Exxon LaBarge Project	undated
2	21	Keith West Affair	undated
2	22	Mayors, etc.	undated
2	23	Oil and Gas	undated
2	24-25	Notes Taken	undated
2	26	Overland Trail	undated
2	27	Rock Springs Newspapers	undated
2	28	Social: Not Used	undated
2	29	Subsidence	undated
2	30	Summary	undated
2	31	Trona File	undated
3	1	Chinese Riot/Massacre envelope	undated
3	2	Post Riot envelope	undated
3	3	Military envelope	undated
3	4	Miscellaneous	undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Chinese -- United States
Coal Mines and mining -- Wyoming -- Rock Springs
Political corruption -- History -- Wyoming -- Rock Springs
Rock Springs Massacre, Rock Springs, Wyo., 1885

Personal Names

Cantrell, Ed.
West, Keith.

Geographical Names

Rock Springs (Wyo.) -- History
Rock Springs (Wyo.) -- Politics and government
Wyoming -- History -- 1890-1918
Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945
Wyoming -- History -- 1946-
Wyoming -- History -- To 1889

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