AHJ_ah10453 Inventory of the Robert Bartlett Rhode papers, 1978-1987 Rhode (Robert Bartlett) papers Processed by Ashley Sneesby University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
American Heritage Center Dept. 3924, 1000 E. University Avenue University of Wyoming Laramie, WY 82071 Phone: 307.766.2574 Fax:307.766.5511 Email:ahcref@uwyo.edu URL:http://ahc.uwyo.edu/
2008

University of Wyoming

 Finding aid encoded by Ashley Sneesby November 2008 Finding aid is in English Collection Summary Rhode, Robert Bartlett, 1916- Robert Bartlett Rhode papers 1978-1987 10453 2.25 cubic ft. (3 boxes) University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center. English The Robert Bartlett Rhode papers contain Rhode's notes and research for his 1987 history of Rock Springs, Wyoming, "Booms and Busts on Bitter Creek." Arrangement of the Collection

The Robert Bartlett Rhode papers are arranged in two series.

 Biography of Robert Bartlett Rhode

Robert Bartlett Rhode was born and raised in central Wyoming. He attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a degree in journalism. Rhode was a reporter and editor for many Wyoming newspapers and was a professor of journalism at the University of Colorado, University of Southern California, and University of Denver. His first two books were about photography. He wrote "Booms and Busts on Bitter Creek: A History of Rock Springs" in 1987 after he had retired. "Booms and Busts" documents the history of violence and corruption in Rock Springs, a mining town in Wyoming.

 Scope and Content

The Robert Bartlett Rhode papers contain research materials for Rhode’s book on Rock Springs, Wyoming. He documents events such as the massacre of Chinese coal miners, September, 1885; the career of lawman, Ed Cantrell, in the 1970s and 1980s; and the corruption scandal of Rock Springs Mayor, Keith West, who owned the Desert Oil Company.

 Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

 Copyright Information

The donor retains copyright.

 Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Robert Bartlett Rhode at the date of processing.

 Acquisition Information

This material was received from Robert Bartlett Rhode, July 1996.

 Processing Information

The collection was processed by Ashley Sneesby, November 2008.

 Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

 Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at https://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~165~165.

 Access Terms Cantrell, Ed. West, Keith. Political corruption -- History -- Wyoming -- Rock Springs Coal Mines and mining -- Wyoming -- Rock Springs Chinese -- United States Rock Springs Massacre, Rock Springs, Wyo., 1885 Rock Springs (Wyo.) -- History Rock Springs (Wyo.) -- Politics and government Wyoming -- History -- To 1889 Wyoming -- History -- 1890-1918 Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945 Wyoming -- History -- 1946- <?xm-replace_text {Title as Subject}?> Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Politics, Government, and Law Social Life and Customs People, Ethnicity, and Culture Chinese Americans Mines and Mineral Resources Wyoming Container List Series I. Notes and research: Chapter Group1978-1987

The series is arranged numerically by chapters. Contains working notes, newspaper clippings, and research on Rock Springs, WY.

 1 1 Opening Chapter undated 1 2-3 Chapter 2: Building of the UP undated 1 4-5 Chapter 3: Early Rock Springs undated 1 6-7 Chapter 5: Violence, 1890-1914 undated 1 8-10 Chapter 6: Mine Safety, 1900's undated 1 11-12 Chapter 7: The Melting Pot undated 1 13-14 Chapter 8: WWII and the 1920's and 1930's undated 1 15-18 Chapter 9: Notes Used undated 2 1 Chapter 10: Countdown to the Energy Boom undated 2 2 Chapter 11: Boom of the 70's, Bust of the 80's undated 2 3 Chapter 11: Cantrell undated 2 4 Chapter 11: Miscellaneous undated Series II. Notes and Research: Topic Group1978-1987

The series is arranged first numerically and then alphabetically by topic. Contains working notes, newspaper clippings, and research on Rock Springs, WY.

 2 5-6 1920's and 1930's: unused notes undated 2 7-8 1940's: Notes Used undated 2 9 1950's: unused notes undated 2 10 1950's and 1960's undated 2 11 1980's: unused notes undated 2 12 Biographical Notes undated 2 13 Book Maps undated 2 14 Bridger Power Plant, 1920-1980 undated 2 15-16 Chinese undated 2 17 Chinese Figures undated 2 18 Chronology undated 2 19 County Reports undated 2 20 Exxon LaBarge Project undated 2 21 Keith West Affair undated 2 22 Mayors, etc. undated 2 23 Oil and Gas undated 2 24-25 Notes Taken undated 2 26 Overland Trail undated 2 27 Rock Springs Newspapers undated 2 28 Social: Not Used undated 2 29 Subsidence undated 2 30 Summary undated 2 31 Trona File undated 3 1 Chinese Riot/Massacre envelope undated 3 2 Post Riot envelope undated 3 3 Military envelope undated 3 4 Miscellaneous undated