Charles Wallace Vail Photograph Collection, 1934-1965
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Vail, Charles Wallace
- Title
- Charles Wallace Vail Photograph Collection
- Dates
- 1934-1965 (inclusive)19341965
- Quantity
- 0.38 cubic feet (2 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 6556
- Summary
- Photographs of the May 30, 1948, Vanport, Oregon flood, along with images capturing daily life and landmarks in Camas, Stevenson, Kalama, and Bonneville, Washington, and Oregon, including the Camas Labor Day Parade of 1934 and a bridge fire over the Washougal River
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
Charles Wallace Vail (1901-1965) was the son of an Oregon real estate developer in Oakland & Carlton, Oregon. He worked as a telephone engineer for Coos & Curry Telephone Company and later the local Bell Telephone before launching his commercial photography career during the Great Depression. He operated the Vail Studio in Camas, Washington with his wife, Gladys Young Vail.
Source: Zephyr Used & Rare Books
Historical Background
The city of Vanport, Oregon was envisioned as a temporary housing project for the World War II shipbuilders and their families. At its height, it was the largest public housing project in the United States. The housing units were segregated by race, though civic and social life were integrated. The city was located in present day West Delta Park, adjacent to the Columbia River. Following the conclusion of the war, 20,000 residents (4,000 of which were Black) resided permanently in the city. The concentration of Black residents in Vanport resulted in redlining and overt neglect by the Portland Housing Authority. On May 30, 1948, a dike on the railroad embankment failed, and the city flooded within two hours. In the aftermath, 18,500 residents were displaced; a third of those displaced were Black. The city was not rebuilt, and its former residents were largely left to pick up the pieces of their lives on their own.
Sources: Vanport by Manly Maben, Bleeding Albina: A History of Community Disinvestment, 1940-2000 by Karen J Gibson DOI: 10.1525/tran.2007.15.1.03, The Life and Death of Vanport, 70 years After the Flood by Patricia Kullberg https://www.streetroots.org/news/2018/04/20/life-and-death-vanport-70-years-after-flood
Content Description
Photographs include 44 black and white aerial shots taken by Charles Wallace Vail of Vail Studios in Camas, Washington. Photographs provide views of the complete immersion of the Vanport's commercial and residential sections in the days following the flood on May 30, 1948. Includes three photographs of the Bonneville Dam at the time of the flooding. Additionally, the collection includes photos depicting daily life and landmarks in Camas, Washington, as well as Stevenson, Washington, Kalama, Washington, and Bonneville, Oregon. Specific events depicted include Camas Labor Day Parade of September 1934, and a bridge fire over the Washougal River.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Organized into 2 accessions.
- Accession No. 6556-001, 1948 Vanport Flood photograph collection, 1948
- Accession No. 6556-002, Charles Wallace Vail Camas, Washington photograph collection, approximately 1934-1965
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Accession No. 6556-001: 1948 Vanport Flood photograph collection, 1948
0.19 cubic feet (1 box)Scope and Content: Photographs include 44 black and white aerial shots taken by Charles Wallace Vail of Vail Studios in Camas, Washington. Photographs provide views of the complete immersion of the Vanport's commercial and residential sections in the days following the flood on May 30, 1948. Includes three photographs of the Bonneville Dam at the time of the flooding.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
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Description: 1948 Vanport Flood photograph collection
-
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Accession No. 6556-002: Charles Wallace Vail Camas, Washington photograph collection, approximately 1934-1965
0.19 cubic feet (1 box)Scope and Content: Photos depicting daily life and landmarks in Camas, Washington, as well as Stevenson, Washington, Kalama, Washington, and Bonneville, Oregon. Specific events depicted include Camas Labor Day Parade of September 1934, and a bridge fire over the Washougal River.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Acquisition Info: Purchased from Zephyr Used & Rare books, November 2023
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Description: Charles Wallace Vail Camas, Washington photograph collection
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
