Will MacPheat Collection of U.S.G.S. Photographs

Scope and Contents

The photographs are arranged into two groups. The first group consists of black and white silver gelatin prints dating from 1929-1939 and contain detailed descriptions, including locations. A number of these prints are undated; however, handwritten inscriptions are on the images. Some of the unidentified prints have been grouped with indentified prints to which they seem related. The second group of prints consists of photographs dating from the 1960s. Most of these prints are dated; some have been identified, while others have no identification or dates. All of the photographs are arranged in chronological order when possible.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into one series.

Historical

The collection consists of photographs taken by field personnel of the United States Geological Survey in Montana and North Dakota documenting the construction of equipment for the extraction of oil and gas. Photographs include black and white silver gelatin prints (1920s-1930s), color photographs, Polaroid prints (1960s) and a few negatives. The bulk of these images are believed to have been taken during the 1920s and 1930s, with a smaller group dating from the 1960s.

Will MacPheat's description of the photographs includes the following, referring to an undated photograph: "The handwritten description pretty well tells the story - scene of 180 Quart Nitro explosion." He also refers to "equipment known in the early trade as a 'widow maker' due to the number of people who were killed by them. Loss of fingers was particularly common." He further notes: "In addition to oil field photos are photos showing some of the personnel, the Jordon Hotel in Glendive, MT (1938), a Carbon Black plant and the USGS office in 1935." Most of the early photographs are of sites, excavations, wells, and abandoned claims as well as the labor, mechanisms and structures required to obtain gas and oil from the earth. The later photographs depict the advanced equipment and techniques of the 1960s.