A. Oscar Olson photograph collection, 1962-1990s
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Olson, A. Oscar
- Title
- A. Oscar Olson photograph collection
- Dates
- 1962-1990s (inclusive)19621999
- Quantity
- 630 megabytes, (100 digital image files)
.25 linear feet, (1 archives box ) : 102 photographic prints - Collection Number
- P1089
- Summary
- The A. Oscar Olson photograph collection consists of digital scans of slides put together as a slide show by A. Oscar Olson. Most of them were taken during a Glen Canyon river trip with SOCOTWA Expeditions in May, 1962; while the rest were taken on later visits to Lake Powell in the 1960s through 1990s. He took the later photographs in order to show the changes in the original locations brought about by the filling of Lake Powell reservoir behind Glen Canyon dam. The images depict the usual scenes of a SOCOTWA river trip, including the launch, days and events on the river, visits to attractions such as Hole In The Rock and Rainbow Bridge, camp scenes, and other events. Other events include University of Utah History tours in the Southwestern United States This collection is entirely digitalized and available online in our Digital Library.
- Repository
- University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860
Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
History of the Glen Canyon photographs of A. Oscar Olson
A. Oscar Olson, a native of Salt Lake City, always wanted to go on a river trip through Glen Canyon of the Colorado River. In 1960, however, he found himself in the US Army, stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. In 1962, with Glen Canyon Dam all-but completed, he realized that he would have to take the trip that year if he was going to do it at all. Accordingly, he signed up for a trip sponsored by SOCOTWA Expeditions, a local river-running group. The trip was in May 1962 and was for seven days, leaving from Hite, Utah, and ending at Kane Creek landing, near Crossing of the Fathers. During the course of the trip, Olson fell and, as he found out later, suffered a fracture of his left leg. This was common on these trips, and although it gave him quite a bit of pain, he continued on without treatment. The pain was sufficient to keep him from the long climb up Hole In The Rock, but it did not deter him from the 14-mile round-trip hike to Rainbow Bridge (although he did not climb to the top of the bridge like many of his party. After the trip, when he returned to duty at Fort Lewis, he reported for sick call and only then discovered that he had the fracture. Olson became a member of SOCOTWA and went on other trips with the group, and indeed became a bus driver for many of their overland expeditions to LDS historic sites, the Seattle and New York World's Fairs, and other journeys. In later years, he began traveling with his family to Lake Powell, and took a number of photographs in the same locations as his Glen Canyon pictures, by way of comparison.
Content Description
The photographs in this collection are digital scans of slides put together as a slide show by A. Oscar Olson. Most of them were taken during a Glen Canyon river trip with SOCOTWA Expeditions in May, 1962; while the rest were taken on later visits to Lake Powell in the 1960s through 1990s. He took the later photographs in order to show the changes in the original locations brought about by the filling of Lake Powell reservoir behind Glen Canyon dam. The images depict the usual scenes of a SOCOTWA river trip, including the launch, days and events on the river, visits to attractions such as Hole In The Rock and Rainbow Bridge, camp scenes, and other events. All but a few of the images were made on 35mm Ektachrome film, which later faded to red. Mr. Olson asked Nelson Wadsworth, an archivist at Utah State University, to adjust the color digitally to return the images to their original color, which was largely successful. The images, however, were taken out of their original order during this process and thus are out of sequence. This is noted where applicable in the register. All photographs were taken in May, 1962, unless otherwise noted. All information for captions supplied by Oscar Olson on June 25, 2003.
Items in Folder 1 are digital only. These images were sent to the library digitally (emailed, on CD, flash drive, hard drive). These images are available online. The image files can be requested, but the library did not create the scan and does not have the original images. Files 88 through 93 have been corrupted on the original donated CD; access hindered.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: A. Oscar Olson digital photograph collection, P1089, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott. Salt Lake City, Utah.
Following Citations: P1089.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Mr. Olson asked Nelson Wadsworth, an archivist at Utah State University, to adjust the color digitally to return the images to their original color, which was largely successful. The images, however, were taken out of their original order during this process and thus are out of sequence. This is noted where applicable in the register.
Processing Note
Processed by Roy Webb in 2003.
Related Materials
This collection forms part of the Utah River Running Archive, which is part of the S.J. Quinney Outdoor Recreation Archive
Detailed Description of the Collection
- Description: Lake Powell, including SCOTOWA expeditions, digital only
- 1: sign at Hanksville, Utah, 1990s
- 2: Oscar Olson at Fort Lewis, Washington
- 3: SOCOTWA bus at Hanksville, Utah (1947 GM Silverside Coach)
- 4: Sign at entrance of Fort Lewis, Washington
- 5: Passengers in SOCOTWA truck, headed south from Hanksville, Utah
- 6: Oscar Olson with broken leg in cast, Fort Lewis, Washington (in the original slide show this was the last slide)
- 7-8: Launch above Hite, Utah, looking downriver
- 9: Ticaboo Creek
- 10: Hite Ferry; water rising in reservoir, 1964
- 11: Launch above Hite, Utah, looking downriver
- 12: Hiking up to Cass Hite's grave
- 13: On boats; cloudy day
- 14-15: Bert Loper's cabin at Red Creek
- 16: Cass Hite's grave at Ticaboo
- 17: Remains of Cass Hite's cabin
- 18: Petroglyphs near Cass Hite's cabin
- 19: Bob Huffaker, boat captain
- 20: On river; Hank Copinga, left
- 21: Looking upriver from Ticaboo
- 22: Sunday afternoon on boats, which are tied together. Robin Davis with guitar
- 23: Looking downriver to Tapestry Wall
- 24: Smith Fork landing
- 25-26: Smith Fork petroglyph panel
- 27: Oscar Olson at Smith Fork
- 28: Lake Canyon cliff dwelling
- 29: Lake Canyon from houseboat on Lake Powell, 1980s
- 30: Upper end of Lake Canyon, 1980s
- 31: Lake Canyon ruin
- 32: Lake Canyon waterfall
- 33: "The Fortress," Lake Canyon
- 34: Downriver from Lake Canyon
- 35: Looking upriver from Lake Canyon
- 36: Lake Canyon
- 37: Sunday afternoon on boats; looking upriver, above Moki Canyon
- 38: Looking upriver from Moki Canyon
- 39: In Moki Canyon
- 40-41: Sunday afternoon on boats; looking upriver, above Moki Canyon
- 42: Mike Walton in red hat at Tapestry Wall
- 43: Lake Canyon camp
- 44: Defiance House, 1980s
- 45: Lake Canyon, looking at old lake deposits
- 46-47: Lake Canyon area, 1980s
- 48: Mouth of Lake Canyon
- 49: Lake Canyon, 1980s
- 50: Lake Canyon
- 51: Lake Canyon, 1980s
- 52-53: Mud fight; John Josephson in cap, Reed Phillips in striped suit
- 54: Mud fight
- 55: Mud fight; Joyce Clark in center
- 56: Mud fight; Richard Jones in white suit
- 57: Gorm Klungervik in yellow scarf
- 58: Barbara Eddington (with cream on head); Robin Davis with guitar
- 59: Richard Jones with 8mm camera
- 60: Scenery
- 61-64: Hole in the Rock (photos taken by Mike Walton)
- 65-66: Hole in the Rock, 1980s
- 67: Music Temple; John Josephson in cap
- 68: Looking toward Hole in the Rock, 1980s
- 69: Cottonwood Canyon, 1970s?
- 70: Cottonwood Canyon, 1980s
- 71: Music Temple, singing
- 72: W[alter] C[lement] Powell inscription, Music Temple
- 73: Hanging Arch and Cleopatra's Needle
- 74: Castle Butte
- 75: In Music Temple; Left-Right: ?; Gorm Klungervik; Richard Jones; John Josephson
- 76: Hanging Arch and Cleopatra's Needle, 1980s
- 77: Above landing at Forbidden Canyon; Navajo Mountain in background
- 78: Above landing at Forbidden Canyon; Navajo Mountain in background, 1980s
- 79: In Forbidden Canyon, 1980s
- 80: Castle Butte, 1980s
- 81: Oscar Olson at Castle Butte
- 82-85: Bridge Canyon
- 86-87: Rainbow Bridge (note people on top of bridge)
- 88: Bridge Canyon, file corrupted on the original donated CD; access hindered.
- 89: On river. Left-Right: Bob Huffaker, John Van Orman, file corrupted on the original donated CD; access hindered.
- 90: Rainbow Bridge, file corrupted on the original donated CD; access hindered.
- 91: Mike Walton in Bridge Canyon, file corrupted on the original donated CD; access hindered.
- 92: Rainbow Bridge, 1983. Left-Right: Nate Olson, Sven Jonssen, file corrupted on the original donated CD; access hindered.
- 93: On river; Gunsight Butte in background, file corrupted on the original donated CD; access hindered.
- 94: Kane Creek landing, 1964
- 95: Glen Canyon Dam, 1963
- 96: Davis Gulch, 1980s
- 97: Escalante River, 1980s
- 98: Glen Canyon Dam, 1963
- 99: Escalante River, 1990s
- 100: Cathedral in the Desert, 1980s
Dates: 1962-1990sContainer: Box 1, Folder 1 - Description: University of Utah Tour to Powell Centennial at Wahweep and tour to Hole in the Rock.
All captions are from the backs of the images.
- 1 : University of Utah on boat trip to Lake Powell
- 2 : Floyd O'Neil and Greg Thompson
- 3-4 : Floyd O'Neil, William "Bud" Rusho, and Greg Thompson at Wahweap
- 5-6 : Wahweap sunset, Lake Powell
- 7 : Wahweap sunset, Navajo Mountain
- 8 : Juanita Brooks and her husband, Charles Peterson at the Hole in the Rock
- 9 : Floyd O'Neil, unknown, Greg Thompson, Charles Peterson at Hole in the Rock
- 10 : Floyd O'Neil, Charles Peterson , Dave Miller and Greg Thompson at Hole in the Rock
- 11 : Floyd O'Neil, R. Eltinge, Greg Thompson, and Charles Peterson at Hole in the Rock
- 12 : Hole in the Rock, Lake Powell
- 13 : Cottonwood Canyon, Lake Powell
- 14-15 : Lake Powell scenes
- 16 : San Juan River and Lake Powell confluence
- 17 : Hidden Passage Canyon, Lake Powell
- 18-20 : Lake Powell scenes
- 21 : Hanging Arch, Cleopatra's Needles
- 22 : Navajo Point, Lake Powell
- 23 : Lake Powell scene
- 24 : Navajo Point, Lake Powell
- 25 : Lake Powell scene
- 26 : Navajo Point, Lake Powell
- 27-28 : Lake Powell scenes
- 29 : Kane Creek, Lake Powell
- 30 : Lake Powell scene
- 31 : Fredonia, Arizona. "The Beer seekers"
- 32 : Lee's Fort, Arizona
- 33 : Dining Room at the Grand Canyon Lodge
- 34 : Bus group in Richfield, Utah
- 35 : Members of the bus group in Richfield, Utah
- 36 : Governor Calvin Rampton speaking at Wahweap for the Lake Powell Centennial
- 37 : Art Greene at Wahweap for the Lake Powell Centennial
- 38 : Dave Miller speaking at Wahweap for the Lake Powell Centennial
- 39 : Navajo Nakai, Arizona Governor Jack Williams, unknown, and Utah Governor Calvin Rampton at Wahweap for the Lake Powell Centennial
- 40 : Nevills Boat at the Lake Powell Centennial
- 41 : Cascade Canyon, Lake Powell
- 42 : Hole in the Rock, Lake Powell
- 43-44 : Cascade Canyon, Lake Powell
- 45 : Navajo Point, Lake Powell
- 46-47 : Lake Powell scenes
- 48 : From Hole in the Rock to Cottonwood Canyon
- 49 : Lake Powell boat trip
- 50 : Gunsight Butte, Lake Powell
- 51 : Lake Powell scene
- 52 : Lee's Ferry boat ramp
- 53 : Music Temple, Lake Powell
- 54-56 : Wahweap sunset, Lake Powell
- 57 : Glen Canyon Dam Bridge and Visitor Center
- 58 : Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam
Dates: 1969 JuneContainer: Box 1, Folder 2 - Description: University of Utah Tour to Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
All captions are from the backs of the images.
- 1 : Lily at Cameron, Arizona
- 2 : Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona
- 3 : Tribal map at Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona
- 4-7 : Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- 8 : Animas River Canyon, Silverton Train
- 9-12 : Silverton, Colorado (1 and 12 are duplicates)
- 13 : At Silverton, view of the San Juan Mountains and Highway 550 to Ouray
- 14 : San Juan Mountains, Colorado. Silverton train
- 15-16 : San Juan Mountains and Animas River Canyon, Colorado. Silverton train
- 17-18 : San Juan Mountains, Colorado. Silverton train
- 19-20 : Animas River Canyon, Silverton Train
- 21-22 : Greg Crampton at Cameron, Arizona (duplicates)
- 23 : Hopi child at Cameron, Arizona
- 24 : Tour at Aztec [Ruins] National Monument, New Mexico
- 25 : Greg Crampton at Aztec [Ruins] National Monument, New Mexico
- 26-27 : Tour at Aztec [Ruins] National Monument, New Mexico (duplicates)
- 28-29 : Tour at Aztec [Ruins] National Monument, New Mexico (duplicates)
- 30 : Tour at Aztec [Ruins] National Monument, New Mexico
- 31-32 : Hopi village at Moenkopi, Arizona (duplicates)
- 33-34 : Hopi village, first mesa at Polacca, Arizona (duplicates)
- 35 : Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona
- 36 : The Great Kiva at Aztec [Ruins] National Monument, New Mexico
- 37 : Window Road, Arizona
- 38 : Unloading the bus, after the trip
- 39-40 : Pipe Springs, Arizona (duplicates)
- 41 : Pipe Springs, Arizona
- 42 : University of Utah History tour: walk to Little Colorado River in Cameron, Arizona
- 43 : Lake Powell at Dam
- 44 : Marble Canyon from US Highway 89
Dates: 1968 JuneContainer: Box 1, Folder 3
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Rafting (Sports)--Utah--Photographs
- Rivers--West (U.S.)--Recreational use--History--Photographs
Corporate Names
- South Cottonwood Ward organization (SOCOTWA)--Photographs
Geographical Names
- Glen Canyon (Utah and Ariz.)--Photographs
- Lake Powell (Utah and Ariz.)--Photographs
