R. H. McKay Photographs, 1880-1965

This extensive collection of images documents western Montana, especially Missoula, the University of Montana, and numerous other towns and recreational areas, and offers a good overview of the work of a commercial photographer at this time.

Documentation of Missoula is especially extensive, and includes the downtown business district, bridges, many residences, and the Missoula County Fairgrounds. There are numerous images of the Florence Hotel, including the 1935 fire, and a series of the staff and studios of KGVO Radio.

Since McKay was the primary photographer for the University of Montana, there are many images of the campus, including buildings, athletic events, and students.

The collection also provides extensive documentation of western Montana, including the Bitterroot Valley and Stevensville, St. Ignatius and the Mission Valley, Flathead Lake and Polson, Alberton, Bearmouth, Lolo Pass, Ovando and the Blackfoot River Valley, and Paradise and the Flathead River Valley. Images of the Swan Valley are quite extensive and include Seeley Lake, Salmon Lake, Holland Lake, Placid Lake, and Lindbergh Lake. There are also images of both Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Agricultural images include those of wheat, apples, peas, and sugar beets, mostly in the Bitterroot Valley and other areas surrounding Missoula. There are also a few images of gold dredges.

Images of Native Americans were mostly produced for scenic Montana postcards and provide no documentation of activities, tribal affiliation, or significance of the individuals.

Most of the images are prints, postcards, or flexible film negatives. There are also many aerial photographs (mostly of Missoula), and some panoramic photographs of Missoula and the University of Montana.

The vast majority of the images appear to be McKay's, though those produced after his retirement were likely taken by Richard Butler or his designee. However, there are a number of images that precede McKay's arrival in Montana and the establishment of his photography business. Some have attribution statements; others are clearly printed from negatives produced by F. M. Ingalls, whose studio he occupied after Ingalls' retirement.