Museum of History & Industry
Sophie Frye Bass Library
2700 24th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: 206-324-1126
URL: http://www.seattlehistory.org

Guide to the Horace Chapin Henry Photo Albums, 1906-1915


1967.4235





Finding aid prepared by Sheri Boggs

Finding aid encoded by, 2006
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Overview of the Collection
 
Repository Name:
 

Museum of History & Industry
Sophie Frye Bass Library

2700 24th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: 206-324-1126
URL: http://www.seattlehistory.org
 
Collection Number:
 

1967.4235
 
Creator:
 

Henry, Horace C.
 
Title:
 

Horace Chapin Henry Photo Albums

 
Dates:
 

1906-1915 (inclusive)
 
Quantity:
 

1 box (oversize) containing 3 scrapbooks
 
Languages:
 

Collection materials are in English. 

 
Summary:
 

Two albums document different stages in the construction of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul railroad. The third album includes vacation photos, news clippings, brochures and several programs of special interest to the family.
 
Location of Collection:
 

4b.4.2
 

Content Description

The collection consists of three leather-bound scrapbooks, two of which contain black-and-white "snap shots" taken during construction of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul railroad from 1906-1909. These scrapbooks also include a letter from real estate broker M.D. Haynes to H.C. Henry that came with the photos, stating that the photos were all taken by "Walter" during construction of the railroad. Henry later placed the photos in albums in geographic order (moving west to east) and captioned them. Horace Chapin Henry's professional and family lives are more strongly emphasized in the third scrapbook, which contains photographs of a "motor trip" taken by Langdon Chapin Henry, his wife Genevieve and their friends Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Chinn to Southern California. The third scrapbook also contains a program from the dedication of the Florence Henry Memorial Chapel (named in honor of Horace's daughter who died young of appendicitis), and a brochure extolling the virtues of the Metropolitan National Bank (where Henry served as Chairman). Henry's commitment to civic life and his stature as a public figure are exemplified by a series of newspaper clippings depicting his narrow escape from an automobile accident, an advertisement for a savings program aimed towards young newsboys, several accounts of donations made to the University of Washington in the form of funding for an art gallery, and reports of his being awarded the French Legion Medal of Honor.

Historical Background

In 1906 the Chicago-Milwaukee St. Paul Railroad began preparations to extend its line west to Seattle. According to a biography, Horace Chapin Henry, written by his son-in-law, Noble Hoggson, H.C. Henry (one of Seattle's notable early pioneers) accepted the leadership of this enormous project, which would last more than three years and cover 1150 miles. At the time there were other railroads that had built lines across the Cascades but none had yet attempted Snoqualmie Pass. Noble Hoggson writes that, "Engineers, although helped tremendously by [Isaac] Steven's early published account of his original survey, spent an entire year in resurveying and designing the line."

The construction, which ran from Renton, Washington to Avery, Idaho, was divided into several sections that would be worked and completed independently. The photographs in the first two albums document construction work in these different sections -- particularly work involving some of the more challenging aspects of railroad building (bridges, tunnels, grading, etc.)

Hoggson describes the process of constructing the railroad, writing that the entire project required the work of 10,000 men and that the first step of railroad building was to set up camps complete with sanitary facilities, mess halls, commissaries, offices, stables, water supplies, sleeping quarters and in a few cases, hospitals. Portable sawmills also needed to be set up to cut lumber for both the camps and the railroads themselves.

Once camps were built, the building of the railroads could begin. Loggers cleared the right of way for grading; the felled trees were later hauled out and used for lumber. "Powder monkeys" followed the loggers, blasting out stumps and making way for the "scrapers" who came next to level the roadbed to the proper grade. Several photos depict the difficulty of working in mountainous terrain. In some cases workers were ferried through the air to the worksite using just rope, some lumber and the help of a tram.

After the roadbeds were carved out, track-laying gangs followed with ties, rock ballast and rails. Once the track was spiked into place, materials and supplies could be brought in by train.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information 

Donated by Noble Hoggson in 1967.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access 

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

Restrictions on Use 

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation 

H.C. Henry Photo Albums, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Related Information

Related Materials 

A Biography of Horace Chapin Henry can be found in the Sophie Frye Bass Library of the Museum of History & Industry, Seattle.

Bibliography 

A Biography of Horace Chapin Henry (1844-1928), by Noble Hoggson. 1967. The Craftsman Press. Seattle.

Subjects

Henry family--Photographs
Cascade Range -- Photographs
Idaho Panhandle (Idaho) -- Photographs
Snoqualmie Pass (Wash.) -- Photographs
Washington (State), Eastern -- Photographs
Photograph Albums
Scrapbooks
Railroad Construction & Maintenance-- United States -- Photographs

Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Photo Album 1:  Construction of Railroad from Cascades to Columbia River

 
Container(s)
Description
Dates
 
page
1

1a-b:  Channel change No. 1 near Cedar River, Washington
 
 


1c:  Dryden Siding
 
 
2

2a:  Anderson's Tunnel as approached from the East, Cedar River, Washington
 
 


2b:  Bridge over Cedar River, Washington
 
 
3

3a:  Johnson's Tunnel and channel change near Cedar River, Washington
 
 


3b:  Falls at Cedar River, near channel change
 
 
4

4b:  Channel change of the Cedar River as seen looking West
 
 


4b:  Cut west of intake on the Cedar River looking East
 
 
5

5a:  Side cut west of intake, Cedar River, looking West
 
 


5b:  Above intake, Cedar River Division, Washington
 
 
6

6a:  Second bridge over Cedar River
 
 


6b:  East of second bridge crossing the Cedar River
 
 
7

7a:  Settling pit in Cedar River watershed
 
 
7-8

7b-8a:  Grade along Cedar River
 
 
8

8b:  Mt. Si as seen from North Bend
 
 
9

9a:  South fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 


9b:  Forest scenery near Snoqualmie Pass
 
 
10

10a:  Sluicing bulkhead at Pearson's Gulch near the Snoqualmie River
 
 


10b:  Sluicing on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 
11

11a:  Spray of water from sluicing on the Snoqualmie River
 
 


11b:  Sluicing trough on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 
12

12a:  Sluice construction and trough on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 


12b:  Sluicing and eroded hillside
 
 
13

13a:  Excavation for railroad bed in vicinity of the South fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 


13b:  Bridge construction for Change Creek near North Bend
 
 
14

14a:  Rock excavation in vicinity of the South fork of the Snoqualmie River. McLean's work
 
 


14b:  Trestle bridge over Change Creek
 
 
15

15a:  McClellan's Butte in the vicinity of the South fork of the Snoqualmie River
  1906 Autumn
 


15b:  Mule-drawn cart carrying rocks on McClellan's Butte
  1906 Autumn
 
16

16a:  Large Bridge over Mine Creek alongside the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 
17

17a:  Hull Creek Bridge, looking west
 
 


17b:  Large Bridge at Mine Creek, looking West
 
 
18

18a:  Rock cut east of McClellan's Butte near the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 


18b:  Work crew grading near Wood Creek along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 
19

19a:  Bridge and rock cut at Wood Creek
 
 


19b:  McClellan's Butte with penciled-in "X" showing grade
 
 
20

20a:  McClellan's Butte from Fifteen Mile Bridge
 
 


20b:  Grading workers standing on rocky slope, McClellan's Butte
 
 
21

21a:  Grade work progressing along McClellan's Butte looking west
 
 


21b:  Grade work progressing along McClellan's Butte looking east
 
 
22

22a:  Portable sawmill on Alice Creek along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 


22b:  Rock excavation looking West near Harris Creek alongside the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 
23

23a:  Bridge construction at Harris Creek near the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 


23b:  Grade near Harris Creek, looking west, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 
24

24a:  McClellan's Butte, looking west, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 


24b:  Grade near McClellan's Butte, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 
25

25a:  Tram used to lift timber to grade at Carter Creek, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
 
 


25b:  Men using tram and a length of lumber to get to worksite at Hansen Creek, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 
26

26a:  Tram used to carry crews and lumber to worksite at Hansen Creek, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 


26b:  Rock excavation east of Hansen Creek, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 
27

27a:  Tracks, cart and workers in cut at station 48/32, South Fork of the Snoqualmie River
 
 


27b:  Humpback Creek bridge under construction with derrick
 
 
28

28a:  Looking west from High Line, Snoqualmie Pass
 
 


28b:  Grade and rock cut looking east, Snoqualmie Pass
 
 
29

29a:  Workers and flatcar during rock excavation, South Fork of Snoqualmie River
 
 


29b:  Workers at summit of Snoqualmie Pass
 
 
30

30a:  Summit at Snoqualmie Pass
 
 


30b:  Boulder excavation on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass
 
 
31

31a:  Track, power line and rock excavation on east side of Snoqualmie Pass
 
 


31b:  Work crews doing rock excavation, east side of Snoqualmie Pass
 
 
32

32a:  Double track at Station #12 near Lake Keechelus Siding on east side of Snoqualmie Pass
 
 


32b:  Worker on cut-side with flatcar at Station #161/45
 
 
33

33a:  Rock cut on east side of Snoqualmie Pass with Lake Keechelus in the distance
 
 


33b:  Grade along Lake Keechelus looking west on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass
 
 
34

34a:  Lake Keechelus on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad with grade on opposite shore
 
 


34b:  Roaring River Falls near Lake Keechelus
 
 
35

35a:  Government dam on Lake Keechelus
 
 


35b:  East approach of Martin Tunnel in the Yakima Valley
 
 
36

36a:  West approach of Martin Tunnel in the Yakima Valley
 
 


36b:  Bridge crossing the Yakima River and Northern Pacific Tracks near Easton in the Yakima Valley
 
 
37

37a:  East approach of tunnel west of Easton
 
 


37b:  West approach of tunnel west of Easton
 
 
38

38a:  Railroad bed and cut along Yakima River with cliff on the right near Cle Elum
 
 


38b:  Tunnel #27 looking west near Cle Elum in the Yakima River Division
 
 
39

39a:  Interior view of Tunnel #27 near Cle Elum, Yakima River Division
 
 


39b:  East end of Tunnel #27 near Cle Elum, Yakima River Division
 
 
40

40a:  Railroad bed along the Yakima River near Cle Elum
 
 


40b:  Before dynamiting, grade near Cle Elum
 
 
41

41a:  Dynamiting on the Yakima River near Cle Elum
 
 


41b:  After dynamiting, Yakima River Division near Cle Elum
 
 
42

42a:  Tracks and shovel near Cle Elum
 
 


42b:  Tracks, horse and worker near Cle Elum
 
 
43

43a:  Steam engine and coal cars, (possibly) H.C. Henry standing next to front engine
 
 


43b:  Crag Hill cut near Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 
44

44a:  Steam shovel west of Thorp, Yakima River Division
 
 


44b:  Rock work east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 
45

45a:  Trestles and bridge standing 130 feet high east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 


45b:  Steam shovel east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 
46

46a:  Portal of tunnel under construction, west end of summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 


46b:  West approach to Tunnel, summit east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 
47

47a:  Looking west from top of portal, summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 


47b:  East approach from top of portal, summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 
48

48a:  East approach to tunnel, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 


48b:  East approach, first level, summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 
49

49a:  Rails approaching tunnel, summit, east of Ellensburg, Yakima River Division
 
 


49b:  30 ton Bucyrus shovel working at east end of tunnel, summit, east of Ellensburg
 
 
50

50a:  Rock cut and 65 foot slopes near Johnson Creek
 
 


50b:  Approach to rock cut at Johnson Creek, Yakima River Division
 
 
51

51a:  Workers and cart atop steep grade at Johnson Creek, Yakima River Division
 
 


51b:  Rock excavation at Johnson Creek, Yakima River Division
 
 
52

52a:  Worker and railroad bed during rock excavation at Johnson Creek
 
 


52b:  Tracks at rock excavation near Johnson Creek
 
 
53

53a:  Rock cut looking west near Johnson Creek
 
 


53b:  Spiral to 4 degree curve on grade near Johnson Creek
 
 
54

54a:  Cut east of spiral near Johnson Creek
 
 


54b:  More rock excavation near Johnson Creek
 
 
55

55a:  Tracks, workers and carts doing rock excavation near Johnson Creek
 
 


55b:  Workers on foot and on horseback doing rock excavation near Johnson Creek
 
 
56

56a:  Lumber for preliminary bridge construction at Johnson Creek
 
 


56b:  Workers testing bottom of Columbia River with steel rail at site of future bridge
 
 
57

57a:  View of coffer dams at site of future bridge on the Columbia River
 
 


57b:  View of piers at Columbia River crossing
 
 
58

58a:  Steamer "St. Paul" crossing the Columbia River
 
 


58b:  East approach to the Columbia River crossing
 
 

Photo album 2:  Railroad Construction - Eastern Washington Division moving into North Idaho

 
Container(s)
Description
Dates
 
page
1

1a:  Boulder excavation during grading work east of the Columbia River
 
 


1b:  Second excavation east of the Columbia River
 
 
2

2a:  Steam shovel and locomotive excavating sand east of the Columbia River
 
 


2b:  Steam shovel, front view of locomotive and tracks during sand excavation east of the Columbia River
 
 
3

3a:  Dump with Train E near the Columbia River
 
 


3b:  Workers using electric air drills east of the Columbia River
 
 
4

4a:  Rip rap at Crab Creek crossing east of the Columbia River
 
 


4b:  Bridge building at Crab Creek crossing
 
 
5

5a:  Two tracks and rock excavation east of the Crab Creek crossing
 
 


5b:  Completed track running through excavated site east of Crab Creek crossing
 
 
6

6a:  Tracks and rock work along Crab Creek
 
 


6b:  Ledge rock along Crab Creek
 
 
7

7a:  Lower Crab Creek from a distance with grade visible at left of picture
 
 


7b:  Steep ledge and excavation work along Crab Creek
 
 
8

8a:  Rocks and preliminary work along Saddleback Mountains
 
 


8b:  Fills along Saddleback Mountains
 
 
9

9a:  Bridge along Saddleback Mountains
 
 


9b:  Team of horses pulling timber for bridge
 
 
10

10a:  Shoofly Tunnel entrance and excavation at Crab Creek
 
 


10b:  Trap and Shoofly at Crab Creek
 
 
11

11a:  Shoofly Tunnel excavation at Crab Creek
 
 


11b:  Trapping dirt into cars at Crab Creek
 
 
12

12a:  Dynamiting at Crab Creek
 
 


12b:  Post-dynamiting at Crab Creek
 
 
13

13a:  Dynamite shot from a distance with Shoofly Tunnel at Crab Creek
 
 


13b:  Shacks and clothesline with 300,000 yards of excavation in the background
 
 
14

14a:  Excavation and power lines at Crab Creek
 
 


14b:  Dynamite blast at Crab Creek
 
 
15

15a:  Debris settling from dynamite blast near Crab Creek
 
 


15b:  Excavation and fill near Crab Creek
 
 
16

16a:  Pile driver at Crab Creek
 
 


16b:  Bridge construction west of Taunton near Crab Creek
 
 
17

17a-b:  Tracklaying at Crab Creek
  1908 May 2
 
18

18a:  Spikers working on newly laid track
  1908 May 2
 


18b:  Looking west along Saddleback Mountains near Crab Creek
 
 
19

19a:  Boulder excavation at Crab Creek
 
 


19b:  Teams of horses and men at Crab Creek
 
 
20

20a:  Dynamite blast in cut near Crab Creek
 
 


20b:  Dust settling after dynamite blast in cut near Crab Creek
 
 
21

21a:  Wheeled Scraper Cut at Crab Creek
 
 


21b:  Hauling supplies by horse and cart near Crab Creek
 
 
22

22a:  Riding wild horses in Othello
 
 


22b:  Riding wild horses, town of Othello in background
 
 
23

23a:  Terrain near Crab Creek
 
 


23b:  Hauling lumber with horse and wagon
 
 
24

24a:  Material yard in Lind
 
 


24b:  Lind Bridge after completion
 
 
25

25a:  Panoramic view of Lind Bridge
 
 
26

26b:  Railroad ties stacked in Lind material yard
 
 


26b:  Ballasting crew east of Lind
 
 
27

27a:  Cow Creek Bridge under construction, east of Lind
 
 


27b:  Panoramic view of Cow Creek Bridge under construction
 
 
28

28a:  Completed Cow Creek Bridge
 
 
29

29a:  80,000 yard gravel cut for roadbed
 
 


29b:  Gravel cut east of Cow Creek
 
 
30

30a:  Spokane, Portland and Seattle Crossing
 
 


30b:  65 ton Bucyrus shovel
 
 
31

31a:  Horses and buggy near Sheep Ranch
 
 


31b:  Pile bridge at west Rock Lake
 
 
32

32a:  Castle Rock from grade west of Rock Lake
 
 


32b:  Trestle and bridge with Rock Lake in the distance
 
 
33

33a:  Bridge along Rock Lake as seen from a distance
 
 


33b:  Rock Lake as seen from grade
 
 
34

34a:  Worker and rock cut looking west near Rock Lake
 
 


34b:  Rock cut near Rock Lake
 
 
35

35a:  Steam shovel at work near east Rock Lake
 
 


35b:  Tracks, shovel and rock excavation North Idaho
 
 
36

36a:  Men posing on grassy hillside with horses grazing
 
 


36b:  Team work west of Watts Lake Idaho
 
 
37

37a:  O. R. & N. Crossing, east end of Watts Tunnel, Idaho
 
 


37b:  East approach to Watts Tunnel from the O.R. & N.
 
 
38

38a:  East approach to Watts Tunnel, west of Plummer, Idaho
 
 


38b:  Sliding fill east of Watts Tunnel
 
 
39

39a:  Material yard and containers at Plummer
 
 


39b:  President Earling leaving car at Plummer Material Yard
 
 
40

40a:  President Earling and party near Lake Chatcolet
 
 


40b:  Steam shovel west of St. Maries Idaho
 
 
41

41a:  Steel viaduct under construction at Pedee Creek, Idaho
 
 


41b:  Derrick and locomotive during construction of the Pedee Creek Steel Viaduct
 
 


41a:  Pedee Creek Viaduct completed
 
 


41b:  Pedee Creek Viaduct looking East
 
 
42

42a:  Steel Viaduct at Lake Chatcolet
 
 


42b:  Lake Chatcolet from grade
 
 
43

43a:  Driving spliced piles at Lake Chatcolet
 
 


43b:  Crossing Benwall Bridge at Lake Chatcolet
 
 
44

Benwall Bridge, Lake Chatcolet Crossing
 
 
45

45a:  Mr. Earling and party at St. Maries Idaho
 
 


45b:  Tracklaying at St. Maries Idaho
 
 
46

C.M & St. P Grade from St. Joe River, Idaho
 
 
47

47a-b:  Rock excavation east of St. Maries from St. Joe River, Idaho
 
 
48

48a:  Rock excavation east of St. Joe, Idaho
 
 


48b:  Shadows on the St. Joe River
 
 
49

49a:  Tracklaying along the St. Joe River, Idaho
 
 


49b:  C. M. & St.P. sawmill at St. Joe
 
 
50

50a:  C. M. & St. P crossing onSt. Joe River above St. Joe, Idaho
 
 


50b:  Grade from St. Joe River, Idaho
 
 
51

51a:  Commissarry at Ferrell, Idaho
 
 


51b-c:  African-American workers holding rocks near St. Joe River
 
 


51d:  Rock cut west of Big Creek on the Upper St. Joe River
 
 
52

52a:  Men and dog on porch of commissary at Big Creek on the Upper St. Joe River
 
 


52b:  West portal to tunnel at East Big Creek on the Upper St. Joe River
 
 
53

53a:  Grade on the Upper St. Joe River
 
 
53-54

53b-54a:  Goat rock cut on the Upper St. Joe River
 
 
54

54b:  Grade looking West on the Upper St. Joe River
 
 
55

55a:  Rock cut West Marble Creek Upper St. Joe River
 
 


55a:  Looking east from Wagon Road, Upper St. Joe River
 
 
56

56a:  Rock cut on the Upper St. Joe River
 
 


56b:  Looking west with the St. Joe River on the left
 
 
57

57a:  Wagon Road and Grade looking west towards Slate Creek
 
 


57b:  Ethelton Station, Upper St. Joe River, Idaho
 
 
58

58a:  East Ethelton Station showing Wagon Road and grade
 
 
58-59

58b-59a:  Fish hole cut, Upper St. Joe River, Idaho
 
 
59

59b:  Men rafting down the St. Joe River on wooden raft
 
 
60

60a:  At the spring, Upper St. Joe River
 
 


60b:  Slate Creek on the Upper St. Joe River
 
 
61

61a:  Forest fire on mountainside on Upper St. Joe River
 
 


61b:  McCormack's cabin and grade on Upper St. Joe River
 
 

Photo album 3:  Henry family trip to California

 
Container(s)
Description
 
page
1-12

1a-12c
  
 
Images taken on trip to Southern California by Langdon and Genevieve Henry and Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Chinn, including beach shots, a series documenting the car breaking down, several old missions, and a visit to the Los Angeles Home of Mr. Willard Stimson
 
12

12d:  Portrait of Langdon Chapin Henry, Jr. as a child
 
 
13-14

13a-14d
  
 
More snapshots of California trip, including behind the scenes at a movie lot and a photo of Mrs. F.H. White
 
14

14a:  Home of H.C. Henry, 1117 Howard North, Seattle, Washington, built in 1904
 
 
15

15a:  Advance Press Service Bulletin listing H.C. Henry's accomplishments, professional affiliations, titles held and contributions to the community
 
 


15b:  "Satisfaction" brochure for Metropolitan National Bank featuring bank president Horace C. Henry on the front
 
 
16-20

16a-23d
  
 
Trip to Redwoods and Yosemite taken by the Henry family (Lawrence, Genevieve and daughter, Janet) and Mr. And Mrs. Fred H. White, featuring redwood trunks large enough to drive through, horse and buggy rides, pack mule trips and waterfalls
 
24

24a:  Program from the Order of Service for the Dedication of the Florence Henry Memorial Chapel, Seattle
 
 
25

25a:  Newspaper advertisement for H.C. Henry's "savings challenge" geared towards paperboys
 
 
26

26a:  Biographical reference data on H.C. Henry compiled for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
 


26b:  Newspaper caricature of H.C. Henry appearing on cover of The Argus
 
 
27-36

27-36
 
 
Newspaper clippings related to H.C. Henry including an automobile accident he survived, a boat he purchased, the opening of the Henry Gallery, and notices regarding his reunions with fellow Civil War soldiers
 
37

37a:  Class photo of elementary-age students on steps of school
 
 


37b
  
 
Genealogy notes on the Henry family compiled by Noble Hoggson (H.C. Henry's son-in-law) and written on his personal stationery