Collection Summary
Lovejoy, Elmer F., 1872-1960
Elmer F. Lovejoy papers
1891-1945
00176
1.15 cubic
ft. (3 boxes)
University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
English
The collection includes a record book, film, correspondence, patents of this Laramie, Wyoming businessman and inventor.
Biography of Elmer F. LovejoyElmer Floyd Lovejoy was a Laramie, Wyoming, businessman and inventor. He was born in Illinois on February 2, 1872, to George W. Lovejoy and his wife. Elmer Lovejoy came to Laramie in 1883 for health reasons and soon developed an interest in mechanics. He opened a general repair shop, Lovejoy Novelty Works, at 412 S. 2nd St. in 1893, and a few years later he built a steam-powered automobile incorporating design innovations of his own. In 1902, he built and drove Laramie’s first steam-driven automobile. In 1905, he invented an automobile steering gear, and in 1918 and 1921 he patented designs for automatic garage door openers. Lovejoy also operated a dealership for Franklin automobiles. Lovejoy was active in the Laramie Bicycle Club and was an amateur photographer. On August 27, 1895, he married Nellie Oakley. The couple had a son, Orell, who was born in 1898.
Scope and ContentThe collection includes a record book (1891-1895) of the Laramie Cycling Club; 3 rolls of 16mm motion picture film depicting University of Wyoming homecoming parades of 1929 and 1930, the 1938 U.W. commencement, and a 1939 pet parade; a 1921 letter concerning a patent; records of the Lovejoy Novelty Works from 1906-1945; United States patents for his automatic door openers; and Laramie area photographs.
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes,
and the collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright,
property, and libel laws as they apply.
Related Materials
There are no other known archival collections created by Elmer F. Lovejoy at the date of
processing.
Acquisition Information
The Elmer F. Lovejoy papers were received from Elmer Lovejoy in 1951, 1952, and 1959.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by D.C. Thompson in May 2000.
Portions of the collection were digitized by Kathy Gerlach in March 2013.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Elmer F. Lovejoy papers, 1891-1945, Collection
Number 00176, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at
http://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu:8180/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~118~118.
Access Terms
Cramer, Frank.
Trabing Commercial Company.
Laramie Cycling Club.
Lovejoy Novelty Works.
University of Wyoming--History.
Inventions--Wyoming--Laramie.
Cycling--Wyoming--Laramie.
Motion pictures--Wyoming--Laramie.
Mechanically-operated doors--Patents.
Parades--Wyoming--Laramie.
Pets--Wyoming--Laramie.
Automobile dealers--Wyoming--Laramie.
Automobiles--Wyoming--Laramie.
Automobile racing.
Fishing--Wyoming.
Hunting--Wyoming.
Railroad accidents--Wyoming.
Ranch houses--Wyoming.
Railroads--Snow-plows.
Railroad bridges--Wyoming.
Train robberies--Wyoming.
Fish hatcheries--Wyoming--Albany County.
Red Buttes (Albany County, Wyo.)
Libby Creek (Albany County, Wyo.)
Sand Creek (Albany County, Wyo.)
Centennial (Wyo.)
Sherman Hill (Wyo.)
Laramie (Wyo.)
Motion pictures.
Photographs.
Patents.
Business records.
Businessmen.
Inventors.
<?xm-replace_text {Title as Subject}?>
Business, Industry, Labor, and Commerce
Businesses and Corporations
Railroads
Retail Trade
Social Life and Customs
City and Town Life
Sports and Recreation
Wyoming
People, Ethnicity, and Culture
Container List
1
1
Business Card
undated
1
2
Laramie Bicycle Club
1891-1895
Record book.
1
3
Laramie Bicycle Club
undated
Rules and regulations.
1
4
Lovejoy Novelty Works
1906-1924, 1945
Account book.
1
5
Pamphlets and Miscellaneous Printed Material
1911-circa 1943
1
6
Patent: Garage Door Opener
March 1918
1
7
Patent: Garage Door Opener
July 1918
1
8
Patent: Garage Door Opener
December 1918
1
9
Patent: Garage Door Opener
May 1921
1
10
Patent: Sketches
undated
1
11
Photographs: Album Pages
1894-1897
Laramie parades; fire company races; Libby Creek; Sand Creek.
1
12
Photographs: Automobile Race
March 1908
Thomas Flyer New York to Paris Racers in Laramie.
1
13
Photographs: Coxey’s Army in Laramie/Bicycle
1893
1
14
Photographs: Cramer, Frank
1893
1
15
Photographs: Dale Creek Railroad Bridge
circa 1890s
1
16
Photographs: Elks Club
undated
1
17
Photographs: Fish Hatchery
undated
1
18
Photographs: Hunting and Fishing Scenes
1896-1906
1
19
Photographs: Laramie
1892-1896
Streets and buildings.
1
20
Photographs: Laramie Bicycle Club
1890s
1
21
Photographs: Lovejoy, Elmer
circa 1894-circa 1912
With bicycle and automobiles.
1
22
Photographs: Lovejoy Shops
1895-1908
2
1
Photographs: Miscellaneous
undated
2
2
Photographs: National Guard/Laramie Militia
circa 1890s
2
3
Photographs: Picnics and Excursions
circa 1900-1910
Tatum’s Ranch; Centennial; Brooklyn Lake; Blackburn Ranch.
2
4
Photographs: Railroad Rolling Mills
undated
2
5
Photographs: Railroad Snow Scenes
1896
Laramie; Sherman Hill.
2
6
Photographs: Railroad Wrecks
undated
Two different wrecks, two views each.
2
7
Photographs: Sherman Hill Blast
undated
For new Dale Creek construction.
2
8
Photographs: Trabing Store
circa 1895-circa 1902
Includes fire destruction.
2
9
Photographs: University of Wyoming (Old Main)
1896
2
10
Photographs: Wilcox Train Robbery
1899
Exploded baggage and express car (2 views).
3
1
Film: Pet Parade
1939
(16mm)
Recording and Reproduction Characteristics
Parades and commencement film 16mm.
3
2
Film: University of Wyoming Graduation
1938
(16mm)
Recording and Reproduction Characteristics
Parades and commencement film 16mm.
3
3
Film: University of Wyoming Homecoming Parade
1929, 1930
(16mm)
Recording and Reproduction Characteristics
Parades and commencement film 16mm.