Darius and Clark Kinsey were brothers who worked as photographers in the Pacific Northwest in the late 19
Darius Kinsey (1869-1945) was born in Missouri and relocated to Snoqualmie, Washington, with an older brother, Alfred, in late 1889. As early as 1890 he was introduced to photography, and by 1894 was working as an itinerant photographer in Washington. In 1895 he formed a partnership with his younger brother, Clark, and by 1896 they had established a studio at Sedro-Woolley, north of Seattle. Between 1897 and 1906 Darius made seven photographic expeditions, including a 1904 trip to Yellowstone National Park. In late 1906 Darius opened a new studio in Seattle. During World War I he took photographs of the U.S. Spruce Production Division. Darius continued working as a photographer until 1940, when an accident in the field ended his career.
Clark Kinsey (1877-1956) was also born in Missouri and moved with his family to Snoqualmie, Washington, sometime after his two older brothers had moved there. After opening the Sedro-Woolley studio with Darius in 1896, he and another brother, Clarence, moved to Grand Forks in the Yukon Territory in 1897 and operated a photography studio there. Clark was not active as a photographer between 1906 and about 1913. He returned to the photography business just before World War I, taking photographs of logging operations and lumber mills in the Pacific Northwest. Much of this work was done for the West Coast Lumbermen’s Association. During World War I he documented the Spruce Production Division in Oregon and Washington, and during the 1930s he extensively photographed Civilian Conservation Corps camps in both states. Clark retired from photography in 1945.
Both Kinsey brothers used large format cameras in the field – they ranged from 6 ½ x 8 ½” to a mammoth camera that could take a 20”x24” image. The 11”x14” camera was a favorite of both brothers. One account indicated that in order to not compete with one another for photos of logging operations, Darius focused on the area north of Seattle and Clark worked south of Seattle.
These materials were received from Gerald W. Williams in 2007.
Originally described as part of the Gerald W. Williams Collection, these materials were separated in 2016 from the Williams Collection to form this new collection.
Restrictions may exist for reproduction or publication of post-1922 images.
Materials are open for research.
Kinsey Brothers Photographs (P 309), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Other materials that relate to the Kinsey Brothers Photographs include
The University of Washington holds collections of
The collection is arranged into two series, each designated by the photographer of the prints. As Clark’s body of work is larger in this collection, his images make up the first series followed by Darius’s contributions in the second series. The two series are: 1. Clark Kinsey 1907-1945; 2. Darius Kinsey 1907-1940.
The prints in the collection are arranged by subject and then chronologically when possible. The Spruce Division photographs are arranged by item number.
The Kinsey Brothers Photographs collection largely is made up of black and white prints, with a few sepia toned images and a single color print. Gerald W. Williams collected the mounted and unmounted images in the course of his work as a Forest Service sociologist and historian. This was largely due to his deep interest in the history of forestry and the history of the United States, especially that of the Pacific Northwest region. The subjects of the Kinsey Brothers prints aptly matched William’s interest as they were largely concentrated on documenting the logging process from start to finish. Both men were able to capture the innovations in machinery of the time, with donkey engines being a popular background item. In this collection, Clark’s prints showcase the various logging companies, Spruce Production Division and Civilian Conservation Corps camps, primarily those south of Seattle, whereas Darius’s feature scenic backgrounds of the camps and logging areas. chiefly to the north of Seattle.
Series 1 showcases Clark Kinsey's contribution to photography in the Pacific Northwest. The subjects of his photographs are largely group portraitures of logging and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp crews. The CCC participated in public works, such as forestry, flood control, firefighting, and developing national parks. In this series, it is believed that the majority of the camps worked in logging. Clark numbered his prints, such as "No. 100". He seldom used letters. This differs from his brother's system of using a combination of numbers and letters.
A log processing plant that is in the process of being assembled in Toledo, Oregon. Price of print is on the back at 35 dollars. Black and white print. No. 50a
Print of Mt. Rainier, featuring a small forested area. Hand-colored print.
Large group of Polson's Logging Company employees posing in front of two small buildings in Hoquiam, Washington. Black and white print
Rocks along the coastline near Charleston, Oregon. Coos Head is situated at the mouth of Coos Bay. Originally a tribal land, Coos Head had been used by the US Army, then the US Navy, and finally by the Oregon Air National Guard. In 2005 the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians regained control over the area. Black and white print. Item: No. 11x.
Lumber crew posing on a railroad flat car in Powers, Oregon. Black and white print. Item: No. 100
Lumber crew with the majority posing atop a donkey engine in Ryderwood, Washington. Black and white print. Item: No. 58
Large lumber crew sitting atop a flat car in front of two small buildings in Cedarville, Washington. Black and white print. Item: No.16
Located in Lane County, Oregon this camp housed men who performed a variety of conservation work. Black and white print. Item: No. 5 KinseyPhoto
Large group of men and three women posing on a railroad track and what appears to be a railway station. Black and white print. Item: 133
The third print featuring some part of the Polson Logging Co. crew. Written on the back of print: Ira Weber (Lee). Item: No. 18. Black and white print.
Appears to be shot from a hillside. View of a large river, likely the Columbia, as well as a possible lumber camp. Black and white print. Item: No. 11 B
A former Civilian Conservation Corps camp situated in Sitkum, Oregon. Black and white print. Item: No. 9 Kinsey Photo
Dirt road ileading to Vista House above the Columbia River. Black and white print. Item: No. 18-B
Three men posing on top of yarding equipment in Powers, Oregon. Black and white print. Item: No. 106.
Crew posing on a flat car attached to a locomotive. Some of the group are on the ground near the rails, holding canes. Black and white print. Item: No. 36
Logging crew posing outside of a barracks on Wauna Avenue. Black and white print. Item: No. 6
Group of men posing with downed logs. Black and white print. Item: No. 56
Located in Skamania, Washington Camp Beacon Rock is another of the Washington legacy of Civilian Conservation Corps camps. A lieutenant A.M. Hayes is noted as the commander on the print. Black and white print. Item: No. 82
A winter landscape, with an unidentified mountain range. This could be a snowed in logging road. Black and white print. Item: No. 5X
Located in Aberdeen, Washington a large group portraiture, many of the subjects are smiling. Black and white print.
Squadron posing in front of camp that is in the middle of the woods. Black and white print. No. 152
Large group posing for a portraiture in front of two white tents. The title for this print came from a written inscription on the back of the print. Black and white print. No. 100a
Small group of men with shovels in the forest. Black and white print. No. 46x
One of the many crews gathering spruce trees for airplane production. This particular group is posed next to a donkey engine. Black and white print. No. 51x
A group posing on an automobile and a log that has been propped up on the auto. Black and white print. No. 62x
Large squad posing atop felled logs that are secured on two rigs, with the rest of the squad on a platform. A chained baby bear is also pictured. Black and white print. No. 69x
Portraiture showing a large group atop felled logs. Black and white print. No. 71x
Once the 448th Aero Squadron, this group later was redesignated as the 54th Spruce Production Squadron. Black and white print. No 81x
Spruce Division squadron posing in front of camp. Black and white print. No. 86x
Camp New Benson SP-2, Bridal Veil, Oregon. Additional print on photo includes: Lt. Sidney Jenkins and Lt. W.A. Rutherford. Black and white print. No.75
Located in the now unincorporated town of Eufaula, Washington, the business once one of many logging companies in the Pacific Northwest. Black and white print. No. 34
Squad posing with an American flag.; U.S. Signal Corps. Black and white print on foam board. No.28
Series 2 displays the work of Darius Kinsey, the more recognized photographer of the pair. Darius photographed a number of subjects but he is best known for large format prints of logging activities and scenic landscapes. Largely working in Washington State and the surrounding Pacific Northwest, Darius captured many of the early years of the region's lumber activities. However, Darius could be artistic at times, which is evident in the print titled "Waterfall in Western Washington". Unlike his brother, Darius's numbering system used a combination of numbers and letters. Clark seldom used letters in his system.
Picturesque mountain view with a rushing river in the forefront. Black and white print. No. X44
Group of men posing in front of a forest camp building. They are all standing on objects such as a wooden food box, a swooden bench and the steps of the building. One man wears an apron. A dog stands with his paws on one of the men. Black and white print.
The title describes the subject of the photograph well. A 1920s automobile appears in the background. Black and white print.
Aerial view of highway, crisp and picturesque. Black and white print. 321
Logging camp with a crew posing in front of the barracks. Written on the back of the print: Stemarten. Black and white print. 3462
Unidentified waterfall surrounded by trees and rocks. Black and white print. XE6
Small group of eight men standing on and/or near a donkey engine next to three felled logs. Black and white print. 7864
Lumber crew standing near a donkey engine, which is steam-powered winch that was often used for logging. Written on the print in pen these words: Ed. Stemarten. On the back of print: Ida B. Greer Black and white print. 3464