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William M. Fitzhugh papers, 1387-1967

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Fitzhugh, William M., 1853-1929
Title
William M. Fitzhugh papers
Dates
1387-1967 (inclusive)
1882-1929 (bulk)
Quantity
52.35 cubic ft. (79 boxes)
Collection Number
00538
Summary
Correspondence, maps, reports, legal files, etc. of a mining and petroleum engineer best known for his discoveries in the Salt Creek Oil Field, Wyoming. Also newspapers, printed material, art, and historical manuscripts dating from the 14th to 20th centuries.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

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

Languages
English
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Historical Note

William M. Fitzhugh (1853-1929) was a petroleum explorer whose investment in the Salt Creek Oil Field in Wyoming made him a millionaire. Fitzhugh was born in 1853 and moved to California with his family 10 years later. He graduated from the University of California in 1875 as a civil engineer. He traveled extensively around the world prospecting for oil and other commodities and was instrumental in uncovering fraud in Alaska’s gold fields. His major success came in 1909 when he located oil in central Wyoming. The fields were highly productive, but disagreements arose between Fitzhugh and Midwest Oil Company over oil rights. Fitzhugh retired from business in 1914 and began to collect art. He died in San Francisco in 1929.

His son, William M. Fitzhugh (1901-1976), was a physician and rare book collector. He traveled extensively with his family and met inventors and politicians, including Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, and Postmaster General Albert S. Burleson. He collected historical documents, early California newspapers, art, and artifacts, as well as books.

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Content Description

The collection contains correspondence, maps, reports, etc. pertaining to Fitzhugh's explorations for minerals, petroleum, and other commodities around the world. There are also many legal files primarily concerning oil rights in the Salt Creek Oil Field, Wyoming, which were disputed between Fitzhugh and the Midwest Oil Company. Also included are newspapers, printed material, art, and historical manuscripts dating from the 14th to 20th centuries, including items from Italy, Spain, England, and Ireland in Europe and from the colonial, Civil War, Reconstruction, and later eras in the United States.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

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

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by William M. Fitzhugh at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

This material was received from the William M. Fitzhugh Estate and William M. Fitzhugh Jr. (son), 1958-1974.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by D. Claudia Thompson in August 2020.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Mining and mineral resources -- 20th century
  • Mining and mineral resources -- Alaska
  • Oil fields -- Wyoming -- Natrona County
  • Petroleum industry and trade -- 20th century

Corporate Names

  • Midwest Oil Company

Geographical Names

  • Salt Creek Oil Field (Wyo.)
  • Wyoming -- History -- 1890-1918

Form or Genre Terms

  • Audiotapes
  • Phonograph records

Processed by D. Claudia Thompson
2020

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

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