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Intermountain Indian School photograph collection, 1955-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian (U.S.)
Title
Intermountain Indian School photograph collection
Dates
1955-1970 (inclusive)
1958-1962 (bulk)
Quantity
1 box, (0.5 linear ft. )
Collection Number
UUS_P0327
Summary
Contains publicity photographs taken of Navajo students who attended the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. The photos were probably taken in the late 1950s or early 1960s and document various school activities including vocational training, classroom scenes, social activities, student artwork, music, theatre, and athletics.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions
Restrictions

Open to public research.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
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Historical Note

In the early decades of the twentieth century federal indian policy revolved around the idea that through education and job training the various Indian tribes could be assimilated into mainstream America. For the nation's largest tribe, the Navajo, Arthur Watkins, Republican Senator of Utah, secured a vacant veteran's hospital in Brigham City, Utah, just days before it was to be sold and transformed into a co-educational military academy in 1948. In May of 1949, Congress approved nearly four million dollars for the remodeling of the school and agreed to educate two thousand students. The school eventually became known as the "world's largest boarding school."

Even though Congress approved funds for remodeling, the former hospital did not lack for resources. Built in 1942, Bushnell Hospital owned over one hundred buildings, four tennis courts, two gymnasiums, four baseball diamonds, and four bowling alleys as well as a swimming pool, a golf course, and a three-hundred seat theater. At it's height, the hospital housed over forty-five hundred veterans and more than 10,000 German, Italian, and Japanese prisoners of war.

In January 1950, the Intermountian Indian School opened to the first five hundred students. The primary goal of educators was to teach these teenage children English and the basic academic disciplines since most of them had not received any formal schooling outside of their tribe. Vocational training was also emphasized as policy planners felt this was the best way Indians could successfully survive in society. The Navajo Nation had reservations towards the school as they felt the system stripped children of their native culture and traditions and that schools should be established on the Navajo reservation. Because of threats to pull their children, school officials proposed to open the school to other tribes and in the fall of 1974, students from twenty-seven tribes entered. Tensions remained high since many of these tribes were long-time enemies and in February of 1975 rioting erupted. During the three-day melee, students injured three officers and destroyed several police cars. Twenty students were arrested. After this incident, enrollment fell and the stability of the school was called into question. Moreover, the federal government, headed by President Richard Nixon, reversed previous rulings regarding the assimilation of Indians and removed federal control. The Intermountian Indian School closed its doors permanently on May 17, 1984.

  • Sources:
  • Williams, Lewis A. The Intermountain Indian School. Master's Thesis. Utah State University, 1991.
  • Reynolds, Dennis Ferron. History of Intermountain School, Brigham City, Utah 1950-77. Master's Thesis. University of Utah, 1968.

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Content Description

This collection contains publicity photographs taken of Navajo Students who attended the Intermountian Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. The photos were probably taken for publicity reasons in the late 1950s or early 1960s and document various school activities including vocational training, class-room scenes, social activities, artwork, music, theater, social activities, and athletics.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Permission to publish material from the Intermountain Indian School photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Intermountain Indian School photograph collection, 1955-1970. (P0327). Utah State University. Special Collections & Archives Department.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The photographs have been separated into seven categories: academics, vocational training, school related activities, athletics, artwork, and miscellaneous.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Zina Reynolds.

Processing Note

Register completed by Jennifer Hodgkinson, March 2002.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List
  • Description: (click to view selected images from Box 1)
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box 1

  • Academics, undated

    Container: Box 1, Folder 1

    • Description: 1:01:01: Aerial photograph of Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:02: Negative of 1:01:01
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:03: A white and black woman examine the ESL language program. Attached note reads: "ESL Team members proof reading copy of the language laboratory"
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:04: Students entering school
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:05: Students sitting in classroom while instructor teaches them English (English sounds written on board)
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:06: Duplicate of 01:01:04
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:07: Students in classroom learning English (Instructor points to simple English sentences written on board)
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:08: Girl dissecting a frog
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:09: Five students stand around podium in front of classroom, giving a presentation(?)
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:10: Students and faculty sit around a table listening to one girl speak. Included in the photo are Lillian Chavis, Joanne Yellowman and Wallace Begay
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:11: Female students sitting at desks looking towards the center girl who is standing
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:12: Male students, and perhaps faculty members, sit at desks listening to two boys speaking at the front of the room
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:13: Boy speaking into or listening to an audio recorder
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:14: Girl operates a "Tac X" word flasher while other students look at screen. An included note states the machine was used to increase the students' word recognition time
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:15: Four students watch as instructor shows them how to write a personal letter
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:16: Eugene Bennally poses in front of his science project, the "Demonstration on Mendal's Law of Heredity." A posted sign reads that he won first place in zoology
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:17: Students reading books at tables in the library
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:18: Three students sit in front of their art projects while fourth student looks over their shoulders. T.K. Begay written on wooden sign
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:19: Duplicate of 1:01:17
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:20: Instructor helping girl with beading
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:21: Three students with microscope dissecting animal
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:22: Instructor helps two students use a telescope
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:23: Instructor helps a boy draw house plans
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:24: Girl using dexterity testing device(?)
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated
    • Description: 1:01:25: Instructor helps two students use a typewriter(?)
      Dates: undated
      Location: Academics, undated

  • Vocational Training, undated

    Container: Box 1, Folder 2

  • School Related Activities, undated

    Container: Box 1, Folder 3

  • Athletics, undated

    Container: Box 1, Folder 4

    • Description: 1:04:01: Boy clears the high jump while coaches (Native-American and African-American) and others look on
      Dates: undated
      Location: Athletics, undated
    • Description: 1:04:02: Gymnasium full of spectators watching boys basketball
      Dates: undated
      Location: Athletics, undated
    • Description: 1:04:03: Two boys wrestling
      Dates: undated
      Location: Athletics, undated
    • Description: 1:04:04: Two boys wrestle while a referee points
      Dates: undated
      Location: Athletics, undated
    • Description: 1:04:05: Male and female cheerleaders perform during a boys' basketball game
      Dates: undated
      Location: Athletics, undated
    • Description: 1:04:06: Girls' basketball team posing for picture. Includes Bessie Yellowhair, Minnie John, and Catheryn Anderson
      Dates: undated
      Location: Athletics, undated
    • Description: 1:04:07: Girls in dance uniforms pose for picture, 1968. Includes Hellena Begay
      Dates: undated
      Location: Athletics, undated
    • Description: 1:04:08: Girls' swim team
      Dates: undated
      Location: Athletics, undated

  • Art, undated

    Container: Box 1, Folder 5

    • Description: 1:05:01: Painting of a man and woman each riding a horse in a desert sunset while the man smokes
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:02: Painting of Navaho symbol
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:03: Drawing of a boy laying on his back, thinking
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:04: Portrait of a boy. Anton Ashley artist
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:05: Collection of pictures of Christmas and desert scenes, deer, and Navajos pinned on a board in the shape of a Christmas Tree
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:06: Painting of a desert scene
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:07: Desert scene
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:08: Picture of a horse
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:09: Drawing of a sheepherder astride a donkey watching over his flock in the desert
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:10: Painting of a small cabin near a meadow, pine trees, and a stream
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:11: Desert scene
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:12: Sheepherder lassoing a lamb in the desert
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:13: Sheepherder watches over his flock in the desert
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:14: Portrait of a woman
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:15: Portrait drawing of an elegant white(?) woman. Timothy Morgan artist
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:16: Drawing of a house and trees
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:17: Duplicate of 1:05:09
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:18: Duplicate of 1:05:05
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:19: Painting of a flower arrangement
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:20: Picture of a deer
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:21: Sketch of flowers and willows in pot next to a broken sculpture
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:22: Drawing of a bottle and cup surrounded by vegetables
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:23: Sketch of small house surrounded by cactus and sagebrush in the desert
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:24: Painting of a small wood house surrounded by pine trees and foliage
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:25: Desert Scene
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:26: Drawing of three men pointing their guns at something in the nearby hills
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:27: Portrait of a boy. Anton Ashley artist
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:28: Duplicate of 1:05:19
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:29: Desert Scene
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated
    • Description: 1:05:30: Drawing of a boy sitting on a chair
      Dates: undated
      Location: Art, undated

  • Miscellaneous, undated

    Container: Box 1, Folder 6

    • Description: 1:06:01: Boy sits in desert next to sand painting. He is wearing Navajo dress and sits on a Navajo rug
      Dates: undated
      Location: Miscellaneous, undated
    • Description: 1:06:02: Navajo Girl lies in a hospital bed while Ida Lynch helps her knit
      Dates: undated
      Location: Miscellaneous, undated
    • Description: 1:06:03: Several boys getting ready to take a sleigh ride drawn by Clydesdale horses
      Dates: undated
      Location: Miscellaneous, undated
    • Description: 1:06:04: Native American art display outside school during winter
      Dates: undated
      Location: Miscellaneous, undated
    • Description: 1:06:05: Leo Cadman dressed in military uniform poses near a female instructor for picture
      Dates: undated
      Location: Miscellaneous, undated
    • Description: 1:06:06: A collection of images from six different churches in Brigham City
      Dates: undated
      Location: Miscellaneous, undated

  • Inventory Addendum:, undated

    Negatives and photos of Intermountain Indian School from the Compton Photograph Collection (P0313). Note: Several photos listed in the collection were not related to school functions so were omitted from this addendum.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Navajo children--Education--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
  • Off-reservation boarding schools--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
  • Student activities--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
  • Teenagers' art--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
  • Vocational education--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.

Corporate Names

  • Intermountain School--Faculty--Photographs.
  • Intermountain School--Photographs.
  • Intermountain School--Students--Photographs.

Geographical Names

  • Brigham City (Utah)--Photographs.

Finding aid created by Jennifer Hodgkinson, March 2002.
2008

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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