Overview of the Collection
UUS_P0386
Valeen T. Avery photograph collection
1907-1986
Avery, Valeen Tippetts
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives
Photograph Collection
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-3000
Phone: 435 797-8248
Fax: 435 797-2880
Email: scweb@usu.edu
2 boxes
1.0 linear feet
The images in Valeen Tippetts Avery's collection were removed from manuscript collection 316, and consist of miscellaneous research photos, including images from the life of Charles H. Spencer, three videos and a collection of slides.
The Charles H. Spencer images cover two separate projects. The first are from his Crater Lake Water Development Project 1915-1917. These images have been rearranged to match the numbering on in verso side. Included are 3"x5" proofs as well as 8"x10" enlargements. This collection also includes images of Avery at the Crater Lake site in 1979, and the Lee's Ferry Gold Project 1907-1912. A letter from the Museum of Northern Arizona indicates that many of the photographs from Crater Lake are also housed in their J. C. Clarke collection of photographs, implying that J. C. Clarke was likely the photographer.
Material in English
Processed in April of 2009
The materials in this collection were donated to USU Special Collections in 2006 by the children of Valeen T. Avery.
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright
clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Valeen T. Avery photo collection must
be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections
Department Head.
Initial Citation:
USU_P0386; Valeen T. Avery Photo Collection;
Photograph Collections Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University
Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_P0386,
USUSCA.
Biographical Note
Valeen Tippetts Avery was born on December 22, 1936 in Great Falls, Montana. After earning her bachelor of Arts in foreign languages from Rocky Mountain College in 1959, she moved East, working various jobs in New York City, North Carolina, and Germany. Avery returned to the West in 1972 to produce and direct a weekly educational television program at KOAI TV in Flagstaff, Arizona. After six years with KOAI, she returned to school, earning her Master of Arts in history from Northern Arizona University in 1981. Avery went on to get her PhD at NAU in 1983, specializing in American social and intellectual history. NAU promptly hired her in 1984 as an assistant professor and the Director for the Center of Colorado Plateau Studies. She earned tenure and promotion to associate professor in 1990, and gave up her role at the Center of Colorado Plateau Studies two years later. Avery became a full professor in 1998, and worked in that capacity until her retirement in 2005. She was married to Charles C. Avery in 1961, with whom she had four children before their divorce in 1986. In 1996 she married colleague and English professor Bryan Short. Avery died unexpectedly on April 7, 2006, in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Avery was a prolific writer, authoring two books and numerous articles and book reviews. She is perhaps best known for her work on
Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith, a controversial book she co-authored with Linda Newell, first published in 1984. From Mission to Madness: Last Son of the Mormon Prophet, a biography of David H. Smith, was published in 1999. Both won the Evans Award for Best Western Biography. She was also a respected leader and teacher, serving as president of the Mormon History Association in 1987 and exciting countless students with her enthusiastic teaching style. In 2001, she was the Homecoming Dedicatee at NAU, chosen by a vote of students, staff and faculty.
The images in Valeen Tippetts Avery's collection were removed from manuscript collection 316, and consist of miscellaneous research photos, including images from the life of Charles H. Spencer, three videos and a collection of slides.
The Charles H. Spencer images cover two separate projects. The first are from his Crater Lake Water Development Project 1915-1917. These images have been rearranged to match the numbering on in verso side. Included are 3"x5" proofs as well as 8"x10" enlargements. This collection also includes images of Avery at the Crater Lake site in 1979, and the Lee's Ferry Gold Project 1907-1912. A letter from the Museum of Northern Arizona indicates that many of the photographs from Crater Lake are also housed in their J. C. Clarke collection of photographs, implying that J. C. Clarke was likely the photographer.
More information about Valeen T. Avery is available in her paper collection: COLL MSS 316. Reference to Charles H. Spencer can be found in Box 4: Folder 1: Charles H. Spencer; Box 34: Folder 21: "Charles H. Spencer and the Most Remarkable Water Project in the United States"; Box 34: Folder 22:
Free Running a publication; and Box 57: Folder 2: "All that Glitters..." a paper/manuscript by W.L. Rusho on Charles H. Spencer's life and his search for Gold in Glen Canyon and at Lee's Ferry.
You can also see Leonard J. Arrington's papers for more information about Valeen T. Avery: LJSHS COLL 1.9 Box 136: Folder 1-4. There is also reference to Helen Sekaquaptewa (image of Helen in this collection, 386:1:09:04), in LJSHS COLL 1.9 Box 107: Folder 17: Helen Sekaquaptewa and Louise Udall.
Valeen T. Avery's photograph collection contains 131 images, 68 slides, and one dvd.
Researcher Note
Many of the images have captions taped or glued to them with details describing the image, some of that has been included in the descriptions. Where noted on images, the name of the photographer is included.
The photographs in this collection were kept in the original order as much as possible.
Valeen T. Avery PapersCOLL 316
Colleges and Universities
Avery, Valeen Tippetts--Photographs
Spencer, Charlie--Photographs.
Water-supply--Arizona--History--Photographs.
Water resources development--Colorado River (Colo.-Mexico)--Photographs.
Colorado Plateau--History--Photographs
Lees Ferry (Ariz.)--History--Photographs
1
1
Crater Lake, near Flagstaff, Arizona. 1915-1917. Probably photographed by J. C. Clarke.
1915-1917
1:01:01
"Concrete intake tunnel of crater."
1915-1917
1:01:02
Crater Lake Camp. "Office tent in center."
1915-1917
1:01:03
Men working on intake tunnel to "carry water in from higher elevations."
1915-1917
1:01:04
Crater Lake Camp.
1915-1917
1:01:05
"Ridge built to carry pipe from crater outlet."
1915-1917
1:01:06
Man using horses to haul logs.
1915-1917
1:01:07
Man using horses to haul barrel on stone boat.
1915-1917
1:01:08
View of Crater Lake.
1915-1917
1:01:09
"Breaking camp in snow."
1915-1917
1:01:10
Tower at edge of lake.
1915-1917
1:01:11
Dump with track outside of crater.
1915-1917
1:01:12
Outlet pipe trench. Three men in image.
1915-1917
1:01:13
Measuring rod for lake level. Depth of lake 5 feet.
April 2, 1916
1:01:14
Trench leading to lake from mouth of tunnel.
1915-1917
1:01:15
"End of tunnel, outside of crater," with track for dump car.
1915-1917
1:01:16
Measuring rod for lake level. Depth of lake 10 feet.
April 16, 1916
1:01:17
Tunnel mouth on interior of crater.
1915-1917
1:01:18
"View of Crater Lake from East Rim."
1915-1917
1:01:19
Blown out copy of image 1:01:18.
1915-1917
1:01:20
View of Crater Lake covered with snow.
1915-1917
1:01:21
Another view of men breaking camp.
1915-1917
1:01:22
Image of stream, maybe from the outlet pipe.
1915-1917
1:01:23
"Beginning of dump from a tunnel outside the crater."
1915-1917
1:01:24
View of the intake ditch.
1915-1917
1:01:25
Animal corral at camp with a shelter tent for the animals.
1915-1917
1:01:26
Preparing trench from the mouth of the tunnel to the lake; similar to image 1:01:14.
1915-1917
1:01:27
Another view of the intake ditch.
1915-1917
1:01:28
Another view of the intake ditch.
1915-1917
1:01:29
Another view of camp.
1915-1917
1:01:30
Ditch leading to Crater Lake on the East side.
1915-1917
1:01:31
Deep cut leading to tunnel mouth in interior of crater.
1915-1917
1
2
Crater Lake, near Flagstaff, Arizona. 1915-1917. Probably photographed by J. C. Clarke.
1915-1917
1:02:01
View of lake and camp.
1915-1917
1:02:02
Two men standing by outlet pipe. Writing on image indicates that this image is flipped.
1915-1917
1:02:03
Same as previous image, now printed correctly.
1915-1917
1:02:04
Man walking, leading a horse and mule.
1915-1917
1:02:05
Men with horses making a road through the snow.
1915-1917
1:02:06
Closer image of men making a road through snow.
1915-1917
1:02:07
Dump with track and a man with dump car.
1915-1917
1:02:08
Two men on a raft in Crater Lake.
1915-1917
1:02:09
Men working on trench for outlet pipe.
1915-1917
1:02:10
Man with two donkeys. Back of image indicates man is named "Chet Moon."
1915-1917
1:02:11
Three men with outlet pipe.
1915-1917
1:02:12
Stream with outlet pipe in background.
1915-1917
1:02:13
Tree falling as it is cut down.
1915-1917
1:02:14
Trees in snow.
1915-1917
1:02:15
Stream with outlet pipe in distance.
1915-1917
1:02:16
West shore of lake with measuring rod.
1915-1917
1:02:17
Camp at Crater Lake.
1915-1917
1:02:18
Porcupine on a large rock.
1915-1917
1:02:19
View of lake in storm.
1915-1917
1:02:20
Man cutting a tree down in the snow.
1915-1917
1:02:21
More trees in the snow.
1915-1917
1
3
Crater Lake, near Flagstaff, Arizona. Probably photographed by J. C. Clarke.
1915-1917
1:03:01
Enlargement of 1:01:01.
1915-1917
1:03:02
Enlargement of 1:01:02.
1915-1917
1:03:03
Enlargement of 1:01:03.
1915-1917
1:03:04
Enlargement of 1:01:04.
1915-1917
1:03:05
Enlargement of 1:01:05.
1915-1917
1:03:06
Enlargement of 1:01:06.
1915-1917
1:03:07
Enlargement of 1:01:07.
1915-1917
1:03:08
Enlargement of 1:01:08.
1915-1917
1:03:09
Enlargement of 1:01:09.
1915-1917
1:03:10
Enlargement of 1:01:10. Two copies.
1915-1917
1:03:11
Enlargement of 1:01:11.
1915-1917
1:03:12
Enlargement of 1:01:12.
1915-1917
1:03:13
Enlargement of 1:01:13.
1915-1917
1:03:14
Enlargement of 1:01:14.
1915-1917
1:03:15
Enlargement of 1:01:15.
1915-1917
1:03:16
Enlargement of 1:01:16.
1915-1917
1:03:17
Enlargement of 1:01:17.
1915-1917
1:03:18
Enlargement of 1:01:18. Two copies.
1915-1917
1
4
Crater Lake, near Flagstaff, Arizona. Probably photographed by J. C. Clarke.
1915-1917
1:04:01
Enlargement of 1:02:01.
1915-1917
1:04:02
Enlargement of 1:02:03.
1915-1917
1:04:03
Closer enlargement of 1:04:02.
1915-1917
1:04:04
Enlargement of 1:02:04.
1915-1917
1:04:05
Enlargement of 1:02:05.
1915-1917
1:04:06
Enlargement of 1:02:06.
1915-1917
1:04:07
Enlargement of 1:02:07.
1915-1917
1:04:08
Enlargement of 1:02:08.
1915-1917
1:04:09
Closer enlargement of 1:04:08.
1915-1917
1:04:10
Enlargement of 1:02:09.
1915-1917
1:04:11
Enlargement of 1:02:10.
1915-1917
1:04:12
Enlargement of 1:02:11.
1915-1917
1:04:13
Closer enlargement of 1:04:12.
1915-1917
1
5
Crater Lake.
September 20, 1979
1:05:01
Valeen T. Avery and man standing at Crater Lake site.
1979
1:05:02
Pipe and fallen logs at Crater Lake site.
1979
1:05:03
Valeen T. Avery and man sitting on a log at Crater Lake site.
1979
1:05:04
Valeen T. Avery standing near pipe on the edge of Crater Lake site.
1979
1:05:05
Valeen T. Avery standing near what could be pipe drainage at Crater Lake site.
1979
1:05:06
Collapsing tunnel at Crater Lake site.
1979
1:05:07
Mosquito infested water, would be remains of Crater Lake.
1979
1:05:08
Valeen T. Avery standing near a hole in the ground at Crater Lake site.
1979
1
6
Lee's Ferry Gold Project.
1907-1912
1:06:01
"Ten yolk of oxen and four team of mules move freight wagons past the foot of a great sandstone butte on the road from Chinle to Oljato." Photo by A. H. Jones
1909
1:06:02
Leaving Chinle for Oljato. Photo by A. J. Jones.
1909
1:06:03
Log cabin at base of hill. No caption to identify significance or location.
1907-1912
1:06:04
"E. H. Mayrant (right) with Navajo men."
1912
1:06:05
"Lee's Ferry Fort" used by Spencer as a mess hall.
1911
1:06:06
The Charles H. Spencer wreckage in 1970 with unidentified man fishing. Three copies.
1970
1:06:07
Remains of the Charles H. Spencer at Lee Ferry. Photo by W. L. Rusho.
1961
1:06:08
The Charles H. Spencer at the mouth of Warm Creek preparing for maiden voyage.
1912
1:06:09
The Charles H. Spencer nears completion near the mouth of Warm Creek. Photo by the Kolb Brothers. Two Copies.
1911
1:06:10
Workmen posing on the superstructure of the Charles H. Spencer. Photo by the Kolb Brothers.
1911
1:06:11
Albert E. Jones and Grover Nutter in a boat returning to Lee's Ferry. Photo by A. C. Waller.
1910
1:06:12
Unidentified men crossing river on ferry. Lee's Ferry. Two copies.
1910
1:06:13
"Sluicing Chinle shale from the cliff at Lee's Ferry." Two copies.
1911
1:06:14
Spencer's Crew at Camp Ibex on the San Juan River. Left to right: (seated) W. M. Reid, Harry Ashenhurst (visitor), R. W. Stevenson, (standing) Henry King, Peterson, C. H. Spencer, "Pres" Apperson, J. H. Marks, "Twitty", J. DeJarld. George Keplinger is standing behind Apperson. Photo by A. H. Jones. Two copies.
1909
1:06:15
Moving a load of camp equipment from Nakai Canyon to Spencer's Camp. Piute Mesa in background. Left to Right: Marks, King on horse, Reid, C. H. Spencer at wagon, Keplinger. Photo by A. H. Jones. Three copies.
1909
1
7
Lee's Ferry Gold Project.
1907-1912
1:07:01
E. H. Mayrant bull-whacking oxen on the road from Nakai Creek to the rim above the San Juan River enroute to Camp Ibex. Photo by A. H. Jones.
1910
1:07:02
Enroute to Camp Ibex. "A block and tackle is being used to prevent the wagon from overturning." Photo by A. H. Jones. Two copies.
1909
1:07:03
Men leading oxen. Note: "Dugway? at Lee's Ferry?"
1907-1912
1:07:04
Teams of oxen hauling wagons over the road from Chinle to Oljato. Photo by A. H. Jones. Two copies.
1909
1:07:05
Charles H. Spencer's early gold mining venture on the bank of the San Juan River at the mouth of Copper Canyon.
1907
1:07:06
"Set up at Pahreah, Utah (North of Lee's Ferry)."
1907-1912
1:07:07
Men at work along river. Maybe the amalgamator.
1907-1912
1:07:08
"Christmas dinner somewhere on the road from Chinle to Oljato." Left to right: (seated) George Smith, Harry Wetsel, R. W. Stevenson, J. DeJarld seated at table, (standing) C. T. Roach, H. C. Eckel, C. H. Spencer, P. M. Richardson, James Carter, W. E. Swinehart, W. L. Givens (cook). In the party but not in the picture, E. Howard Mayrant, M. W. Reid, A. H. Jones. Photo by A. H. Jones. Two copies.
1909
1:07:09
"The Lee's Ferry Ranch. Paria River lower left, and the junction with the Colorado [River] upper left." Photo by A. H. Jones.
1910
1:07:10
John H. Marks and a Navajo named Wolfkiller or Navajo George making a moccasin. Copper Canyon. Photo by A. H. Jones.
1909
1:07:11
Albert H. Jones standing next to his transit on Piute Mesa. Photo by John H. Marks.
1909
1:07:12
John H. Marks with transit on Pute Mesa overlooking Camp Ibex and the San Juan River. Photo by A. H. Jones. Two copies.
1909
1:07:13
Crossing the Little Colorado River.
1911
1:07:14
Oxen recrossing Little Colorado River for wagons.
1911
1:07:15
Men breaking down wagons to create make-shift boats. Photo by A. H. Jones. Two copies.
1910
1
8
Lee's Ferry Gold Project.
1907-1912
1:08:01
Men and wagon on the road from Bluff to Oljato Trading Post. Monument Valley area. Photo by A. H. Jones. Two copies.
1908
1:08:02
Spencer's men working with large machinery on the San Juan River.
1910
1:08:03
Camp Ibex on the San Juan River.
1910
1:08:04
Camp Ibex. Caption by Spencer: "Where [pilot] plant was set up below old Zahn workings, [San Juan River]."
1907
1:08:05
Image of men on the Charles H. Spencer.
1912
1:08:06
Remains of the Charles H. Spencer at Lee's Ferry. Photo by W. L. Rusho.
1961
1:08:07
Men crossing the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry. Left to right: Navajo, Waller, Johnson (?), Stevenson (?), George Spencer, crouched figure and man in river unidentified. Photo by A. H. Jones.
1910
1:08:08
Teams of oxen at Lee's Ferry.
1907-1912
1:08:09
Wreckage of automobile, a Thomas Royal Flyer, being towed into Flagstaff. Two copies.
1911
1:08:10
The wreckage of the Charles H. Spencer. USGS photo.
1915
1:08:11
Wood wheels and axle wreckage. No caption to identify significance or location.
1907-1912
1:08:12
Amalgamator set-up at Lee's Ferry.
1907-1912
1:08:13
Launching the Violet Louise at Lee's Ferry.
1911
1:08:14
Man shoeing an oxen. Observed by Mr. and Mrs. Rush. Mr. Rush was a 96 year old veteran of the Mexican War. Photo by A. H. Jones.
1910
1:08:15
"Lovett Pipe Dredge, Lee's Ferry."
1907-1912
1:08:16
Enlargement of 1:06:10.
1907-1912
1:08:17
First bridge across the San Juan River below Mexican Hat, Utah. (caption on photo by Spencer).
1908
1:08:18
"Charles H. Spencer at his mining site on the San Juan River."
1910
1
9
Loose images.
1907-1994
1:09:01
John Wetherill's Oljato Trading Post, 1907.
1907-1994
1:09:02
John Wetherill's Oljato Trading Post, 1909.
1907-1994
1:09:03
Valeen T. Avery with Muriel Spencer Pope, daughter of Charles H. Spencer. Humbolt, Arizona.
1980
1:09:04
Helen (Dowawisnima) Sekaquaptewa, a Hopi author.
1981
1:09:05
Padre Bay, Lake Powell.
1980
1:09:06
Seven photos taped together to form a panarama of a mountain range. Probably San Francisco Peaks. Photos taken by Joe Kobus.
1994
1:09:07-1:09:14
Images from hike taken by Joe Kobus. Probably San Francisco Peaks.
1994
1:09:15-1:09:19
Images of Val Avery. As a little girl, smiling, in an old wooden building, and over-looking an irrigated valley.
1907-1994
1
10
Colorado Plateau Slides. Possibly from a lecture.
1963-1987
1:10:01
"Geological Cross Section of the Standing Up Country." Date unknown.
1963-1987
1:10:02
"Keyenta," possibly Arizona. August 1983.
1963-1987
1:10:03
Rock art (Al Richmond, written on slide).
May 1986
1:10:04
Unknown (mountain range). Date unknown.
undated
1:10:05
"North Rim" Grand Canyon, Arizona. Date unknown.
undated
1:10:06
Vasey's Paradise, Arizona.
June 1983
1:10:07
Havasu Falls, Arizona.
June 1982
1:10:08
Havasu Falls, Arizona.
June 1982
1:10:09
Sunflowers with peaks in background.
August 1983
1:10:10
Rocky mountain view. Date unknown.
undated
1:10:11
Petrified Forest, Arizona. Date unknown.
undated
1:10:12
Petrified Forest, Arizona. Date unknown.
undated
1:10:13
"Hopi Corn," possibly Arizona.
August 1963
1:10:14
Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona.
January 1983
1:10:15
Unknown (Wal Can, written on slide, may refer to Walnut Canyon).
May 1983
1:10:16
Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona. Date unknown.
undated
1:10:17
Walnut Canyon, Arizona.
May 1983
1:10:18
Coal Mine Canyon, Arizona.
May 1983
1:10:19
Coal Mine Canyon, Arizona.
1983 May
1:10:20
Zion National Park, Utah. Date unknown.
undated
1:10:21
Landscape Arch, Arches National Park, Utah.
July 1980
1:10:22
Double-O Arch, Arches National Park, Utah.
September 1967.
1:10:23
Zion National Park, Utah.
August 1984.
1:10:24
Unknown (canyon).
June 1987.
1:10:25
Spider Rock, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. Date unknown.
undated
1:10:26
Canyonlands, Utah.
May 1973.
1:10:27
Canyonlands, Utah.
May 1973.
1:10:28
Halls Crossing, Utah.
May 1973.
1:10:29
Capitol Reef, Utah.
August 1983.
1:10:30
Capitol Reef, Utah.
August 1983.
1:10:31
Capitol Reef, Utah.
August 1983.
1:10:32
Cedar Breaks, Utah.
August 1983.
1:10:33
Cedar Breaks, Utah.
August 1983.
1:10:34
Cedar Breaks, Utah.
August 1983.
1:10:35
Rainbow Bridge, Utah.
March 1972.
1:10:36
Owachomo Bridge, Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah.
August 1983.
1:10:37
Unknown (B. Can Gunn, written on slide).
September 1967.
1:10:38
Unknown (B. Can Gunn, written on slide).
September 1967.
1:10:39
Unknown (Co NM, written on slide).
September 1967.
1:10:40
Unknown (Co NM, written on slide).
September 1967.
1:10:41
Mesa Verde, Colorado.
September 1966.
1:10:42
Mesa Verde, Colorado.
September 1966.
1:10:43
Rock Art.
April 1986.
1:10:44-1:10:45
Rock Art (Al Richmond, written on slide).
August 1983.
1:10:46-1:10:49
Rock Art (Al Richmond, written on slide).
August 1986.
1:10:50
Rock Art. Date Unknown.
undated
1:10:51
Unknown (building and wagon). Date unknown.
undated
1:10:52
Unknown (Lee, written on slide).
January 1983.
1:10:53
Unknown (P. Spr, written on slide). Date unknown.
undated
1:10:54
Unknown (P. Spr, written on slide). Date unknown.
undated
1:10:55
Cattle, location unknown.
May 1963.
1:10:56
Unknown (C. Diab Peaks, written on slide. Railroad). Date unknown.
undated
1:10:57
Unknown (Sunset Crossing, written on slide). Date unknown.
undated
1:10:58
Unknown (LC, written on slide).
June 1983.
1:10:59
Hoover Dam wall.
March 1988.
1:10:60
Generators at Hoover Dam. Date unknown.
undated
1:10:61
Lake Powell.
March 1972.
1:10:62
Unknown (lake).
September 1985.
1:10:63
Fawns, location unknown. Date unknown.
undated
1:10:64
Horned Toad, location unknown.
June 1982.
1:10:65
Unknown (red rock and river).
September 1985.
1:10:66
Unknown (red rock narrows).
September 1985.
1:10:67
Unknown (red rock and river).
September 1985.
1:10:68
Unknown (red rock formation).
September 1985.
1
11
DVD
1998
1:11:01
Valeen T. Avery, distinguished lecture series, Billings, MT
1998
2
CD of Avery Photos (1:09:15-1:09:19), two 1/2 inch tapes,
VCR copy of 1:11:01.
1998