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L.M. Winsor photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_p0343

Scope and Contents

The L.M. Winsor Photograph Collection consists of 958 photographs and negatives that document Winsor's carreer as an irrigation specialist and flood control researcher. Collectively, the photographs show the step-by-step construction of many dams and flood control barriers, and chronicle the changing machinery and technologies used to build dams from 1915 to the early 1940s. Included in the images are many different irrigation and flood control projects, the surveying of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, and photos of the Lake Mead area. Many of the photos are of Winsor's farm or projects in Enterprise, Utah. Also contains his report, "Utah's flood problem," and photos showing damage from various Utah floods and flood control projects, in particular the Willard, Utah flood of Aug. 13, 1923.

Box 1 documents the building of a dam at Enterprise, Utah from 1915 through 1918. Boxes 2 and 3 contain photographs and negatives in chronological order by year, from 1916 to 1941. Included in the images are many different irrigation and flood control projects, along with the surveying of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Box 4 is comprised mostly of unidentified prints. The photos in box 5 are part of a report submitted by Winsor to the Utah State Land Board. Although this report on Utah's flood problems was originally located in the manuscript collection (MSS 98), it was included because of the link with the photos in Box 5. Most photographs were given detailed captions by Winsor. An additional set of negatives and prints were included in 2024 (Box 4, folder 27).

L.M. Winsor's original captions were used where available to describe the images. His original numbering was also maintained in addition to our own numbering system. Within the first 3 boxes, there is an occasional empty envelope with a typed caption. These original envelopes were kept in the collection because they may correspond with photos in the L.M. Winsor manuscript collection (MSS 98). This collection also contains a box marked "Picture Index," but does not refer to photographs in this collection. All of the negatives appear to be made of nitrate cellulose. Box 3 also contains 57 negatives which are recent copies of existing photos and negatives from the L.M. Winsor manuscript collection.

Dates

  • 1915-1963
  • Majority of material found within 1915-1941

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Restrictions

Open to public research.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Permission to publish material from the L.M. Winsor photograph collection must be obtained from the Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical note

Luther M. Winsor, born in Hebron, Utah on January 21, 1884, spent his whole life working with water, irrigation, and flood control. With his experience and expertise he was appointed to governmental positions on both the state and national level as well as serving as a specialist to private companies. The bulk of his work with irrigation and flood control kept him in Utah, but he also studied and developed water programs in Chile, Iran, Canada, and much of the western United States.

His early life in Hebron, Washington County, consisted of learning first-hand about irrigation, masonry, and railroad surveying. In 1904 he registered at Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University) in Logan. From the outset of his education he focused on irrigation. He not only attended college, but he also gained valuable field experience by working under the State Engineer in Logan measuring water levels in canals and studying water use in crop production with an appointment from the United States Division of Irrigation Investigations. In 1911 he became the first person in Utah to receive a degree in Irrigation Engineering. In 1926 Winsor earned a Master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Winsor held numerous positions, most of which were concerned with irrigation and flood control. Shortly after he received his degree, Winsor became the first County Agent in the West and served posts in the Uintah Basin and in Colorado. In 1913 he served as the Irrigation Specialist, a position he held for more than 20 years, for the state of Utah. It was in this capacity that he assisted in analyzing floods and developed the barrier system of flood control, in which debris is channeled away from flood waters.

Besides assisting in many flood control projects in Utah, in 1918 Winsor was called upon by the American Smelting and Refining Company to investigate irrigation and, as a result, increase food production for the company's copper mine camp in northern Chile. He would also assist the company on future projects in Garfield, Utah and Black Lake, Quebec. Winsor felt his most significant work, however, was in Iran (under appointment from the President of the United States) serving as Director General at the Ministry of Agriculture. Winsor spent almost five years in the 1940s in the Middle East.

Winsor published extensively about the many projects he assisted on or developed. On January 18, 1968 he passed away. His groundbreaking work set standards for flood control and irrigation not only in Utah, but throughout the West.

Extent

5 boxes (2.5 linear feet)

Abstract

Black and white photographs and negatives that document Winsor's career as an irrigation specialist and flood control researcher. Collectively, the photographs show the step-by-step construction of many dams and flood control barriers, and chronicle the changing machinery and technologies used to build dams from 1915 to the early 1940s.

Arrangement

Arranged in numeric sequence according to Box and item

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated in 1968 by Mrs. L.M. Winsor

Related Materials

L.M. Winsor manuscript collection (COLL MSS 98)

Separated Materials

Photographs and report in box 5 were removed from L.M. Winsor papersMSS 98.

Processing Information

Guide completed by Matthew Stiffler, May 2003, with additional material added in 2024 by Heather Housley.

Title
Guide to the L.M. Winsor photograph collection, 1915-1963
Author
Register completed by Matthew Stiffler, May 2003, revised in 2024 by Heather Housley.
Date
©2008
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Revision Statements

  • June 29, 2008: Template information was updated to reflect Utah Manuscript Association best practices.
  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.
  • 2024: Finding aid updated to include additional material.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)