Stanley Roland Davison Papers, 1850-1985

The series contains correspondence that Davison had with people regarding his research topics. Most of the correspondence was with Harry Fine, a fellow postal historian. Much of their correspondence centers on early Montana history and the early postal service. Other correspondence that Davison conducted was with other professors and historians.

The series consists of Davison's dissertation, a working and a completed copy, entitled The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902. Other writings by Davison include articles about the East Helena fire in 1919, the Montana fur trade, Lewis and Clark, and Chief Joseph.

Much of the research materials that Davison collected centered on three subjects; early Montana history, postal history and Native Americans, particularly the Nez Perce. Davison researched J.X. Biedler, a United States Deputy Marshal in Virginia City, and his vigilante day in Montana. This research includes a copy of Biedler's diary. Davison also interested himself in the different counties of Montana, including Yellowstone, Jefferson, Missoula, Beaverhead, and Ravalli. In Ravalli County, Davison researched Herbert "Bertie" Lord, a founder in the Bitterroot Valley and local fur trapper and trader.

Davison also had an interest in Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. He collected information on both General Howard and General Mason, two of the men responsible for the capture of Chief Joseph. The research includes correspondence between the two men, general correspondence of General Mason and Mason's journal. The Montana schools of nursing and their history also interested Davison. He collected information on nursing from Billings, Great Falls, Helena, Lewiston, and Missoula. He also corresponded with the nursing schools in Missoula and Bozeman. A working draft of his article is included in the series. The majority of the research that Davison conducted was on Montana's postal history. Information on postmasters, early post offices, and how the mail was transferred was included. A draft of one of Davison's articles on the topic is included, as well as articles from other writers.

The series consists of newspaper articles that Davison used for his research. Most of the clippings are from Montana newspapers, such as the Townsend Star, Daily Ravalli Republican, Kalispell Weekly News, Great Falls Tribune, and Montana tour newspaper tour guides. Davison collected information on Frank B. Linderman from the Kalispell Weekly News. A June edition of an 1877 newspaper, Mexico Independent, is also included in the series.

This series includes photographs related to some of Davison's research interests and also, three substantial Graeter family photograph albums illustrating the lives of family and friends around Dillon, Montana, as well as during recreational and vacation times in Yellowstone, Vancouver, B.C., and other locales.

This series includes a 1956 press release and handwritten "Interim notes" from 1969.