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Otis Halbert Holmes Papers, 1943-1958

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Holmes, Otis Halbert, 1902-1977
Title
Otis Halbert Holmes Papers
Dates
1943-1958 (inclusive)
Quantity
8 Linear feet of shelf space, (16 Boxes)
Collection Number
Cage 224 (collection)
Summary
These are the only extant congressional papers of Representative Otis "Hal" Holmes. This is but a portion of the original Holmes papers, most of which were destroyed by Representative Holmes.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Otis Halbert (Hal) Holmes was born at Cresco, Iowa on February 22, 1902. He was educated at Whitman College at Walla Walla, and Columbia University in 1928 to 1929, then returned to Washington to become a member of the Central Washington State College faculty, where he was employed until 1940. At that time, he became a wheat and livestock rancher in the Ellensburg area. Holmes was elected to Congress in 1942 and served successively until his retirement in 1958. During his congressional career he served on the Ways and Means, Irrigation and Reclamation, Public Lands, Indian Affairs, and Pension committees.

Holmes is the grandson of Dudley Chase Haskell, Republican member of Congress from Kansas from 1876 to 1883.

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Content Description

These are the only extant congressional papers of Representative Holmes. This is but a portion of the original Holmes papers, most of which were destroyed by Representative Holmes. There are five series, the titles of which largely describe the contents. These series are 1: Post Office, 2: Irrigation and Power, 3: Bills, 4: Schools, and 5: Veterans Administration Claims. Series 2-4 cover the period from 1954-1958, while series 1 and 5 cover Holmes' entire tenure as Congressman.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Otis Halbert Holmes Papers, 1943-1958 (Cage 224)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The arrangement is that of Holmes' subject-based filing system.

Custodial History

The collection consists of the papers which Holmes passed to Catherine May Bedell in 1959 when she succeeded him as 4th District Representative.

Acquisition Information

This collection was acquired by the Washington State University Library from Catherine May Bedell in 1971.

Separated Materials

Some of Congressman Holmes' papers were incorporated into the files of his successor, Catherine May, and may be found in the Catherine May Congressional Papers, 1959-1970 (Cage 304).

Related Materials

MASC holds papers of other previous representatives from the 4th Congressional District:

Knute Hill Papers, 1909-1963 (Cage 194)

Catherine May Congressional Papers, 1959-1970 (Cage 304)

>Mike McCormack Papers, 1959-1994 (Cage 690)

Sid Morrison Papers, 1980-1992 (Cage 781)

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Legislators -- United States -- Archives

Personal Names

  • Holmes, Otis Halbert, 1902-1977 -- Archives

Corporate Names

  • United States. Congress. House

Geographical Names

  • United States -- Politics and government -- 1933-1953 -- Sources
  • United States -- Politics and government -- 1953-1961 -- Sources
  • Washington (State) -- Politics and government -- Sources

Finding aid prepared by Lawrence R. Stark
2025

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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