Golden Spike oral histories
Scope and Contents
This single box collection contains both the transcripts and cassette recordings from the six oral history interviews conducted for the Golden Spike oral history project in 2003. Folders 1—6 contain the interview transcripts and Folders 7—8 contain the cassette recordings of the interviews.
Dates
- 2003
Language of Materials
Material in English
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Golden Spike oral histories must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.
Historical Note
In May 2000, the Western National Parks Association sponsored a research project aimed at conducting oral history interviews with six people who had knowledge relating to the history of the Golden Spike National Historical Site, such as early efforts to preserve and promote the site as well as life and railroad operations in and around the old Promontory townsite. This project was carried out in a partnership between the Golden Spike NHS and the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies at Utah State University. Michael Johnson oversaw the project and Robert Sidford conducted the six interviews during the summer of 2003.
- The six candidates selected and interviewed were:
- Delone Glover, the longtime president of the Golden Spike Association who succeeded founder Berniece Gibbs Anderson.
- Deloris Larsen, a Promontory ranch wife who taught at the Promontory school and is married to Merlin Larsen.
- Merlin Larsen, an area rancher who grew up at Promontory in the 1920s and lived near the park.
- Nathan Mazar, who headed the 1969 Golden Spike Centennial Celebration.
- John Stewart, a longtime member of the Golden Spike Association and reenactment cast member who wrote, The Iron Trail to Golden Spike.
- Arnold Whittaker, an area rancher who grew up at Promontory in the 1920s and operated a farm adjacent to the park.
Extent
1 box (.25 linear feet)
Abstract
This single box collection contains both the transcripts and cassette recordings from the six oral history interviews conducted for the Golden Spike oral history project in 2003.
Arrangement
Arranged in alphabetical order.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this collection were donated to Utah State University Special Collections and Archives by the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies in 2004.
Existence and Location of Copies
Contains cassette tapes.
Processing Information
Processed in March of 2005.
- Title
- Guide to the Golden Spike oral histories 2003
- Author
- Finding aid/Register created by Zachary R. Jones
- Date
- ©2011
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid encoded in English.
Revision Statements
- date: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu