Describing Archives: A Content Standard

NTE2pc7.xml Guide to the William Delbert Barkhuff Photographs 1892-1921 Barkhuff (William Delbert) Photographs Finding aid prepared by David Smestad Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2025 Finding aid encoded by Suzanne James-Bacon. 2025 Finding aid written in English. English. Finding aid based on DACS 2nd Edition ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard). Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections PC 7 Barkhuff, William Delbert, 1873-1930 William Delbert Barkhuff Photographs 1892-1921 0.5 Linear feet of shelf space 1 Box The collection consists of photograph prints, newspaper clippings, invitations, and a poster of Colfax, dating from 1892-1921. Barkhuff took the photographs between 1892-1898, and they record campus life at the State College of Washington (now Washington State University). Collection materials are in English

William Delbert Barkhuff was born at Fayette, Iowa, June 10, 1873, and came west with his parents in 1875. They located at what was then Leitchville (since abandoned) seven miles west of Colton, Washington. He enrolled at the State College of Washington on the opening day in 1892 and was the first editor of the college paper, then called the College Record. He would normally have graduated with the first class, but he stayed out of school one year to earn money, and subsequently graduated with the Class of 1898. After Barkhuff graduated, he was an engineer with the Northern Pacific Railroad in establishing what was known as the Auburn Cut-off that made Seattle rather than Tacoma its terminus. Other positions held by Barkhuff include: City Engineer for Everett; construction engineer with the Union Pacific and the Spokane International, for which he was in charge of constructing some 30 miles of railroad out Dawson City, Alaska; district engineer in Seattle; Superintendent of Streets and Sewers for Seattle; and finally, starting circa 1921, City Engineer for Seattle under three different mayors. In 1930, William Barkhuff was killed in an automobile accident while on his way to Camano Island.

The collection consists of photograph prints, newspaper clippings, invitations, and a poster of Colfax, dating from 1892-1921. Barkhuff took the photographs between 1892-1898, and they record campus life at the State College of Washington (now Washington State University). Scenes include students, the administration and mechanical buildings, the Science Building, the "Crib", the Ferry Hall file of 1897, military cadets, class portraits, class picnics, athletic activities, and the hanging of General Wyler's effigy during the Spanish War. There are also scenes from the Barkhuff homestead near Colton and views of Pullman and Colfax. The bulk of the material concerns the late 1800's.

The photographs, and glass negatives loaned to MASC by Bruce Barkhuff, were digitized and are available online as the William D. Barkhuff Image Collection.

This collection is open and available for research use.

[Item description]

William Delbert Barkhuff Photographs, 1892-1921 (PC 7)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

This collection is the result of two accessions: in December 1957 George P. Barkhuff donated some original prints and some papers, and in 1977 Bruce Barkhuff loaned the University the original glass negatives for copying.

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Barkhuff, William Delbert, 1873-1930 -- Archives State College of Washington -- Photographs Washington State University -- History -- Photographs Washington (State), Eastern -- Photographs Colfax (Wash.) -- History -- Posters Colleges and Universities Washington (State) Photographs Series 1: Photographs Original prints 1 1-2 Original prints showing the Washington State University campus, students, the administration and mechanical buildings, military cadets, the Pullman Hotel and public school, the campground, and the hang in of General Wyler's effigy during the Spanish War. 1892-1898 22 items. Prints made from original glass negatives (some of which are duplicates of original prints) of three sizes: 4x5, 5x8 8x10. 230 items. 1 3-4 Student scenes: informal dormitory room shots, military cadet activities, class portraits and class picnics; also athletic activities: track, football, baseball, and gymnastics. 66 items. 1 5-6 Ranch scenes: the Barkhuff homestead near Colton and various ranches on the Snake River near Wawawai. Included are a few threshing scenes, the fruit harvest and orchard views. 66 items. 1 7 Portraits of individuals or small groups (most unidentified). 37 items. 1 8 Campus views: exteriors of the Administration Building, the Science Building, the "Crib," the Smokestack and the Ferry Hall fire in 1897. Also interior views of the foundry and the Mechanical Building. 20 items. 1 9 Views of Pullman, including individual residences. 15 items. 1 10 Views of Colfax, including the college and millrace. 5 items. 1 11 Public schools, town and rural. 7 items. 1 12 Miscellaneous and unidentified. Including buildings (such as a Baptist Church), bridges, an Anatone camp ground, a view of Davenport, Washington. 25 items. Series 2: Newspaper Clippings 1 13 Commonplace Book 1892-1898 150 items.

Contains clippings describing life in the Pullman area and also student life at WSC, including the 1892 clash between the President and Regents. Other articles concern social life, farm and stock affairs, and other incidents of the area.

1 13 Loose clippings similar to those mounted in the common-place book 1892-1898 20 items. Series 3: Administrative Papers 1 14 Donor Correspondence 1957-1977 6 items. 1 15 Preliminary Register 1957 1 item.