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Hubert "Hu" Blonk Papers, 1930-1995

Overview of the Collection

Title
Hubert "Hu" Blonk Papers
Dates
1930-1995 (inclusive)
1930-1970 (bulk)
Quantity
2.0 cubic feet
Collection Number
SPC 006-0628
Summary
Consists of manuscript material, newspaper clippings, photographs, and ephemera collected or created by central Washington journalist and editor Hubert Blonk. They focus on the development of dams, hydro-electric power, and irrigation in the Pacific Northwest, especially Grand Coulee Dam.
Repository
Eastern Washington University
Archives & Special Collections
Eastern Washington University Libraries
320 Media Lane - 100 LIB
Cheney, WA
99004-2453
Telephone: 5093592475
archives@ewu.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is available for research.

Languages
Collection materials are in English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
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Historical Note

Hubert C. ("Hu") Blonk was born in Holland on March 7, 1909. His parents emigrated to Canada, and later moved south to the United States, settling in Auburn, Washington. After graduation from high school, Hubert Blonk attended the University of Washington, where he obtained his first experience in journalism. In 1933, at the depth of the Depression, Blonk graduated from the University of Washington.

Blonk was employed briefly by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, then took a job with the Grand Coulee Record in the boom town being built to serve the construction of Grand Coulee Dam. The Record was short-lived, and Hubert Blonk moved on to the Wenatchee Daily World. He covered the construction of Grand Coulee Dam for the World, and moved up in the organization, serving as the paper's Managing Editor. In addition to his work for the World, Mr. Blonk also served as a public relations man for several federal dam construction projects in the northwest.

In 1974 Mr. Blonk retired from the Wenatchee Daily World. He passed away on March 17, 1995 at the age of 86.

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Content Description

The collection consists of manuscript material, newspaper clippings, photographs and research notes created and maintained by Mr. Blonk during his career as a journalist. They focus on the development of dams, hydro-electric generation, and irrigation in the Pacific Northwest, especially Grand Coulee Dam, in central Washington State. His papers and photographs primarily relate to the construction of Grand Coulee Dam and the communities associated with the dam. The digital collection at this time contains photographic materials, but does not contain Mr. Blonk's files on research and writing.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Literary property rights transferred to EWU.

Use of this collection is subject to the rules concerning access to archival and manuscript collections at Eastern Washington University. For more information, see: http://www.ewu.edu/Library/Services/Archives.xml

Copyright restrictions may apply. For more information or permission to publish, contact Eastern Washington University Libraries, Archives & Special Collections at (509) 359-2475, or archives@ewu.edu

Preferred Citation

Hubert "Hu" Blonk Papers; SPC 006-0628; box number; folder number; Archives & Special Collections, Eastern Washington University.

Alternative Forms Available

Selections from the collection have been digitized and are available as part of the Hubert Blonk Photographs of Grand Coulee Dam Digital Collection.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Gift of Blonk's daughter, Julie Yeager, 2006.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Minutes - 50th Anniversary Celebration Planning Meeting
    Container: Box/Folder 1:1
  • Description: Program
    Container: Box 1, Folder 2
  • Description: Letters
    Container: Box 1, Folder 3
  • Description: Finances
    Container: Box 1, Folder 4
  • Description: Invitations
    Container: Box 1, Folder 5
  • Description: December 3, Meeting
    Container: Box 1, Folder 6
  • Description: Ideas for Ceremonies
    Container: Box 1, Folder 7
  • Description: Grand Coulee Dam
    Container: Box 1, Folder 8
  • Description: Third Powerhouse Invitations
    Container: Box 1, Folder 9
  • Description: Grand Coulee / Third Powerhouse
    Container: Box 1, Folder 10
  • Description: Third Powerhouse / General
    Container: Box 1, Folder 11
  • Description: Committee
    Container: Box 1, Folder 12
  • Description: Laborer (Article)
    Container: Box 1, Folder 13
  • Description: Agendas
    Container: Box 1, Folder 14
  • Description: Grand Coulee 50th
    Container: Box 1, Folder 15
  • Description: Third Plant Start-Up
    Container: Box 1, Folder 16
  • Description: Miscellaneous [Informational Photocopies]
    Container: Box 1, Folder 17
  • Description: Fight for Dam
    Container: Box 1, Folder 18
  • Description: July 1, Meeting
    Container: Box 1, Folder 19
  • Description: Farm-In-A-Day
    Container: Box 1, Folder 20
  • Description: Board of Directors / Associated Press Managing Editors Association
    Container: Box 1, Folder 21
  • Description: Judges [Correspondence]
    Container: Box 1, Folder 22
  • Description: [Columbia River Treaty]
    Container: Box 1, Folder 23
  • Description: Rock Island
    Container: Box 1, Folder 24
  • Description: Clearing Land, Towns and Indian Graves (Coulee)
    Container: Box 1, Folder 25
  • Description: Coulee Dam (1975) Third Powerhouse Dedication
    Dates: 1975
    Container: Box 1, Folder 26
  • Description: Farm-In-A-Day
    Container: Box 1, Folder 27
  • Description: Coulee - Newspaper / Grand Coulee News
    Container: Box 1, Folder 28
  • Description: Coulee - First Powerhouse
    Container: Box 1, Folder 29
  • Description: Coulee Milestones
    Container: Box 1, Folder 30
  • Description: Coulee - Roosevelt Visit
    Container: Box 1, Folder 31
  • Description: Photos - Coulee / Newspaper Clippings
    Container: Box 1, Folder 32
  • Description: Photos - Coulee / Newspaper Clippings
    Container: Box 1, Folder 33
  • Description: Miscellaneous / Rufus Woods Quote and Story of Osborne Brothers
    Container: Box 1, Folder 34
  • Description: [Articles by Hu Blonk - Typescript and Magazines]
    Container: Box 1, Folder 35
  • Description: [Miscellaneous Statistics and Notes]
    Container: Box 1, Folder 36
  • Description: Milestones [in Dam Construction]
    Container: Box 1, Folder 37
  • Description: Concrete - [New World's Record]
    Container: Box 1, Folder 38
  • Description: 50th Anniversary Stories
    Container: Box 1, Folder 39
  • Description: 50th Anniversary / Newspaper Clippings
    Container: Box 1, Folder 40
  • Description: 50th Anniversary / Newspaper Clippings
    Container: Box 1, Folder 41
  • Description: Miscellaneous Stories
    Container: Box 1, Folder 42
  • Description: News clippings
    Dates: [1930s]
    Container: Box 1, Folder 43
  • Description: [Miscellaneous]
    Container: Box 1, Folder 44
  • Description: Coulee - Lawyers
    Container: Box 1, Folder 45
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings
    Container: Box 1, Folder 46
  • Description: Coulee Dam Statistics / Comparison with Other Dams
    Container: Box 1, Folder 47
  • Description: Coulee City Articles
    Container: Box 1, Folder 48
  • Description: Two Menus from President's Train trip
    Dates: 1952
    Container: Box 1, Folder 49
  • Description: Grand Coulee Days - Clippings
    Container: Box 2, Folder 1
  • Description: President's Trip / Newspaper Clippings
    Dates: 1950
    Container: Box 2, Folder 2
  • Description: Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings
    Dates: 1934-1942
    Container: Box 2, Folder 3
  • Description: 50th Anniversary Newspaper Clippings
    Container: Box 2, Folder 4
  • Description: Correspondence
    Dates: 1975
    Container: Box 2, Folder 5
  • Description: Clippings and Stories
    Container: Box 2, Folder 6
  • Description: Clippings and Stories
    Container: Box 2, Folder 7
  • Description: [Article photocopied from APF Reporter, Vol. 15, No. 4]
    Dates: [1994]
    Container: Box 2, Folder 8
  • Description: [Article on Photographic Techniques]
    Container: Box 2, Folder 9
  • Description: Press Releases
    Container: Box 2, Folder 10
  • Description: [Miscellaneous Notes and Research Materials]
    Container: Box 2, Folder 11
  • Description: Description of the Grand Coulee Dam and It's Construction
    Dates: November 1952
    Container: Box 2, Folder 12
  • Description: [Working Draft of Article by Hu Blonk]
    Container: Box 2, Folder 13
  • Description: [Hu "Scoop" Blonk... / Photocopied Article]
    Container: Box 2, Folder 14
  • Description: Eighth Annual Graduation Exercises / Grand Coulee High School
    Dates: 5/28/1942
    Container: Box 2, Folder 15
  • Description: [Map]
    Container: Box 2, Folder 16
  • Description: The Story of the Columbia Basin Project [Publication]
    Dates: 1978
    Container: Box 2, Folder 17
  • Description: A Curb-side Story of Grand Coulee Dam and A Last Frontier: Slumbering Riches by Fred M. Weil [Publication]
    Dates: 1938
    Container: Box 2, Folder 18
  • Description: National Irrigation Policy: It's Development and Significance [Publication]
    Dates: 1939
    Container: Box 2, Folder 19
  • Description: The Columbia Basin Project [Publication]
    Dates: 1967
    Container: Box 2, Folder 20
  • Description: Settlement of the Columbia Basin Reclamation Project [Publication]
    Dates: 1945
    Container: Box 2, Folder 21
  • Description: Land and Water Contracts of the Columbia Basin Reclamation Project - Work Copy
    Container: Box 2, Folder 22
  • Description: A Legacy of Greatness: The Washington State History Museum Campaign for Exhibits
    Dates: 1994
    Container: Box 2, Folder 23
  • Description: Reclamation ERA / A Water Review Quarterly [Publication]
    Dates: Autumn 1975
    Container: Box 2, Folder 24
  • Description: Columbia Basin Project / Safety News, Vol. 8, No. 7 [Publication]
    Dates: July 1950
    Container: Box 2, Folder 25
  • Description: Public Power [Publication]
    Dates: July-August 1983
    Container: Box 2, Folder 26
  • Description: Grand Coulee Dam [Publication with 3 Photos Attached]
    Dates: October 30, 1973
    Container: Box 2, Folder 27
  • Description: Grand Coulee from 'Hell to Breakfast' by Fred 0. Jones [Publication]
    Dates: 1947
    Container: Box 2, Folder 28
  • Description: The 23-Year Battle for Grand Coulee Dam by Rufus Woods
    4 copies
    Container: Box 2, Folder 29
  • Description: History of Grand Coulee Dam Area [Publication]
    Dates: 1958
    Container: Box 2, Folder 30
  • Description: Evolution: The Threshold to a New Era by Constantinos H. Vlachos [Publication]
    Dates: 1966
    Container: Box 2, Folder 31
  • Description: Water and Life [Publication]
    Dates: July 16-17, 1983
    Container: Box 2, Folder 32
  • Description: Grand Coulee Dam [Publication]
    Dates: 1937
    Container: Box 2, Folder 33
  • Description: Reclamation's Annual Conference
    2 booklets
    Dates: 1951
    Container: Box 2, Folder 34
  • Description: Report on Public Relations Campaign: Columbia Basin Project
    Dates: 1946
    Container: Box 2, Folder 35
  • Description: Report on Information Program / Initial Delivery of Water to Deschutes Project, Oregon
    Dates: 1946
    Container: Box 2, Folder 36
  • Description: The Bureau of Reclamation in WWII (First Draft) Part I / Departmental War Records Project
    Container: Box 2, Folder 37
  • Description: The Bureau of Reclamation in WWII (First Draft) Part II - Exhibits / Departmental War Records Project
    Container: Box 2, Folder 38
  • Description: Photograph of Individual
    Container: Box 3, Folder 1
  • Description: Certificate (for workers on Grand Coulee Dam Project)
    2 copies
    Container: Box 3, Folder 2
  • Description: Grand Coulee Dam: The First 50 Years (The Wenatchee World Supplement)
    Dates: 1933-1983
    Container: Box 3, Folder 3
  • Description: Eighth Wonder of the World (Spokesman-Review Supplement)
    Dates: 1941
    Container: Box 3, Folder 4
  • Description: Grand Coulee Dam: Eighth Wonder of the World (Spokesman-Review Supplement)
    Dates: 1936
    Container: Box 3, Folder 5
  • Description: Scrapbook [of Newspaper Clippings]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 6
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 7
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 8
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 9
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [full pages/folded]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 10
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 11
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 12
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 13
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [full pages/folded]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 14
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 15
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 16
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 17
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 18
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 19
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 20
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 21
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 22
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 23
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 24
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [full pages/folded]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 25
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose and individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 26
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [loose]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 27
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 28
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 29
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 30
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings [on individual scrapbook pages]
    Container: Box 3, Folder 31
  • Description: Framed and Signed Picture [with glass] "To Hu Blonk with sincere regards and the very best of wishes, William E. Warne"
    Container: Box 4, Folder 1
  • Description: Framed and Signed Picture "With Regards to Hubert Blonk from Harry W. Bashore 3/28/44"
    Dates: March 28, 1944
    Container: Box 4, Folder 2

  • Photographs

    The photographs in this collection are primarily from two sources: Photography which Mr. Blonk did himself to support his work as a newspaper reporter, and photographs supplied by government agencies documenting projects undertaken for these agencies. Most of the photographs contained in the Blonk papers are either those taken by Hubert Blonk, or supplied by the United State Bureau of Reclamation to document the construction of Grand Coulee Dam. A small number appear to be the work of commercial photographers who were hired to document events associated with the project, mostly Charles Libby & Son, of Spokane, Washington.

    • Description: [Ceremonies / Celebrations]
      41 prints8" × 10
      Container: Box 5, Folder 1
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [July 1936 Print]
      1 print8" × 10
      Dates: July 1936
      Container: Box 5, Folder 2
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Color Prints of Dam]
      4 color prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 3
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Mrs. Donald Dunn's House]
      1 print8" × 10
      Container: Box 5, Folder 4
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Yakima Picture]
      1 print6.5" × 8"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 5
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [City of Grand Coulee Pictures]
      10 prints8" × 10"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 6
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Presidential Trips]
      2 prints8" × 10"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 7
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Pangborn]
      2 prints6.5" × 9.5"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 8
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Building of the Dam]
      17 prints8" × 10"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 9
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Pictures of Individuals]
      4 prints8" × 10"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 10
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [People]
      43 prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 11
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [City of Coulee]
      21 prints8" × 10"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 12
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Constructing the Dam]
      22 prints8" × 10"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 13
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Constructing the Dam]
      43 prints8" × 10"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 14
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Constructing the Dam]
      26 prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 15
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [3 Framed Pictures]
      3 cardboard-framed prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 16
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Small Snapshots of Construction]
      15 prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 17
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Identified Pictures]
      24 prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 18
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Construction Pictures]
      30 prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 19
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Very Small Snapshots]
      58 prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 20
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Hu Blonk Photo
      2 prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 21
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Coulee Dam Postcards]
      6 cards
      Container: Box 5, Folder 22
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Postcards]
      8 cards
      Container: Box 5, Folder 23
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Columbia River]
      1 print
      Container: Box 5, Folder 24
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Equipment Photo]
      1 print
      Container: Box 5, Folder 25
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Hu Blonk Humor]
      4 cards
      Container: Box 5, Folder 26
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [City of Coulee Pictures]
      21 prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 27
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Construction Pictures]
      7 prints
      Container: Box 5, Folder 28
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Construction Pictures]
      11 prints8" × 10"
      Container: Box 5, Folder 29
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Negatives]
      6 envelopes
      Container: Box 5, Folder 30
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: [Identified Negatives]
      17 envelopes
      Container: Box 5, Folder 31
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Gilbert G. Stamm / Commissioner
      1 print
      Container: Box 5, Folder 32
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: President Roosevelt
      Container: Box 6, Folder 1
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: President Truman
      Container: Box 6, Folder 2
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Rocky Reach Dedication
      Container: Box 6, Folder 3
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Hells Canyon Dam
      Container: Box 6, Folder 4
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Hu Blonk Newspaper Stories
      Container: Box 6, Folder 5
      Location: Photographs
    • Description: Hu Blonk Newspaper Stories
      Container: Box 6, Folder 6
      Location: Photographs

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Dams--Design and construction
  • Dams--Northwest, Pacific
  • Dams--Washington (State)
  • Electricity-- Northwest, Pacific
  • Hydroelectric power plants--Design and construction
  • Hydroelectric power plants--Washington (State)
  • Hydroelectric power--Northwest, Pacific
  • Irrigation--Northwest, Pacific
  • Visits of state--Washington (State)--Grand Coulee Dam

Geographical Names

  • Coulee Dam (Wash.)
  • Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.)
  • Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.)
  • Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.)--Anniversaries, etc.
  • Grant County (Wash.)
  • Mason City (Wash.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings
  • Photographs
  • scrapbooks

Finding aid prepared by Charles V. Mutschler
2006

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

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