Overview of the Collection
UUS_P0601
Merl LaVoy photograph collection
1930-1932
LaVoy, Merl.
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives
Photograph Collection
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-3000
Phone: 435 797-8248
Fax: 435 797-2880
Email: scweb@usu.edu
1 box
.5 linear feet
The Merl LaVoy photograph colleciton consists of 125 images, mostly from a 1930 expedition to the remote Prayer Rock District on the
Navajo Reservation in Northeast Arizona. The Prayer Rock expedition was an archaeological foray sponsored by Charles Bernheimer into some lesser
known canyons around the
Lukachukai Mountains. The photos show expedition members in ruins, the pack train, a few artifacts including a huge
basket, and many ruin structures. Another portion of the photos focuses on the
Native Americans in the area, with many close-ups of Puebloan potters, Navajo weavers, children, and sheepherders.
Also included are scenes from Zion National Park's tunnel (probably at its official opening in 1930),
reenactment scenes with many covered pioneer wagons, men with telescopes, and a Keystone view of a diver mid-air at the
El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs. World traveler and
adventurer/photographer Merl LaVoy took the photographs.
Material in English
Processed in January of 2016
Purchased from Beyond Books.
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright
clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Merl LaVoy must be obtained from the Special Collections
Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Initial Citation:
USU_P0601; Merl LaVoy photograph collection;
Photograph Collections Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University
Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_P0601,
USUSCA.
Biographical Note
Merl LaVoy (1886-1953) was a prolific photographer and film maker for the British Pathe news service. An adventurer and world
traveler, he is particularly known for his photos and film footage of World War I, China in the 1920s and 1930s, two Mount McKinley climbing
expeditions in 1910 and 1912, and of indigenous peoples from around the world. LaVoy grew up in Oregon, although he listed Seattle as
his hometown until the 1920s.
The Merl LaVoy photograph colleciton consists of 125 images, mostly from a 1930 expedition to the remote Prayer Rock District on the
Navajo Reservation in Northeast Arizona. The Prayer Rock expedition was an archaeological foray sponsored by Charles Bernheimer into some lesser
known canyons around the
Lukachukai Mountains. Earl Morris, John Wetherill, Charles Bernheimer, Zeke Johnson, Clarence Rogers, Glen Owens, John Hanley and others collected, took photographs, and
documented their findings in the area. The photos show expedition members in ruins, the pack train, a few artifacts including a huge
basket, and many ruin structures. Another portion of the photos focuses on the
Native Americans in the area, with many close-ups of Puebloan potters, Navajo weavers, children, and sheepherders. Also included are scenes from
Zion National Park's tunnel (probably at its
official opening in 1930),
reenactment scenes or a movie set with many covered pioneer wagons, men with telescopes, and a Keystone view of a diver mid-air at the
El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs. Some of the images were probably taken at the Zuni Pueblo.
World traveler and
adventurer/photographer Merl LaVoy took the photographs (Mostly 5" x 7") which
include eight Keystone View Company published stereographs.
Photographs
Archeology
Expeditions and Adventure
Native Americans
LaVoy, Merl.
Bernheimer, Charles L. (Charles Leopold), 1864-1944--Travel--Southwest, New--Photographs.
Navajo Tribe--History--Photographs.
Indians of North America--Social life and customs--Photographs.
Prayer Rock Region (Ariz.)--Antiquities--Photographs.
Navajo Mountain Region (Utah and Ariz.)-Photographs.
Arizona--Description and travel-Photographs.
1
1
1-01-01 through 1-01-03
Images from a movie set or reenactment, men dressed as Native Americans and covered wagons. Keystone
stereo-views.
1930-1932
1
2
1-02-01 through 1-02-02
Bisbee, Arizona(?) - Diver mid-air at the
El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs. Keystone stereo-view.
1930-1932
1
3
1-03-01 through 1-03-07
Wetherill, Morris, and Bernheimer among the ruins.
1930-1932
1
4
1-04-01 through 1-04-11
Bernheimer among ruins.
1930-1932
1
5
1-05-01 through 1-05-11
Bernheimer and the expedition among ruins.
1930-1932
1
6
1-06-01 through 1-06-13
Female Pueblo pottery maker. Keystone stereo-view.
1930-1932
1
7
1-07-01 through 1-07-09
Pueblo Indians, making jewelry(?).
1930-1932
Image 1-07-03 shows a man at the Zuni Pueblo.
1
8
1-08-01 through 1-08-11
Navajo Indian women, weaving.
1930-1932
1
9
1-09-01 through 1-09-07
Navajo Indian women and children, weaving. Keystone stereo-view.
1930-1932
1
10
1-10-01 through 1-10-10
Bernheimer and the expedition, men eating under a tree.
1930-1932
1
11
1-11-01 through 1-11-10
Images of the expedition, camping.
1930-1932
Images 1-11-10 and 1-11-09 show, left to right, Earl Morris, Clarence Rogers, Bernheimer, Johnson, Glen Owens, John Hanley, and unknown
man (probably Native American guide).
1
12
1-12-01 through 1-12-02
Men with telescopes or some kind of photographic apparatus.
1930-1932
1
13
1-13-01 through 1-13-12
Expedition members including Johnson, Bernheimer, and Morris, Indian men with sheep on the side of a cliff.
1930-1932
1
14
1-14-01 through 1-14-14
Scenic views.
1930-1932
1
15
1-15-01 through 1-15-03
Offical opening of Zion National Park tunnel(?).
1930