Northern Arizona University

Abstract

Verkamp discusses his life at the Grand Canyon as a result of his father's opening of the General Store there in 1906. He also shares his recollections about the tourist trains arriving in the Grand Canyon, including those which carried dignitaries such as Eisenhower and the Shah of Iran.

Abstract Richmond interviews Sampson and Poquette in Sampson's home in Williams. Both Sampson and Poquette, long-time friends and residents of Williams were involved for numerous years in teaching in the Williams schools. Poquette's family arrived in Williams around 1923 after her father, Bert Harmon, accepted a position as a conductor/brakeman for the Gran Canyon Railway. They discuss their experience as teachers, guidance counselors to students, the racial make-up of the schools during their years...

Abstract

Harvey Butchart presents, in front of over 60 guests, a myriad of photos that he took while exploring various canyons within Grand Canyon National Park. These photos were being donated to the NAU Archives and Special Collections Division. He discusses some of them in great detail, describing their location within the park (mostly that of various canyons) and their significance both to him as a seasoned trekker of the Grand Canyon and to the natural history of the area.

Abstract Al Richmond interviews Betty Bartlett, a former teacher at Grand Canyon High School (1956-1963) and former employee of the National Parks Service at Grand Canyon National Park. She recounts her first trip to the Park and her enthusiam about tourism and train travel post World War II at the end of the 1940's and into the early 1950's. She describes her various experiences in the Park: sightseeing, accomdations, meals, train travel, development of power and water system in the Park as well as...

Abstract The Blairs talk with Richmond about their purchase of the property that would become the Bar Heart ranch from Cherry's father, John Osborne, where there would raise cattle for almost forty years. They discuss the changes and conditions of transporting the livestock from trains to trucks, the transportation of water, the threats of animals and weather (snow) that effected their heard of primarily Herefords. They also discuss their relationship with and knowledge of the Grand Canyon Railroad...

Abstract

Richmond interviews Black about his father, Leo Black, and grandfather, Harley Monroe Goss, who were conductors and locomotives/diesel engineers on the Grand Canyon Railway during the 1930's and 40's. Goss had prior experience working on the Santa Fe Rairoad in New Mexico and the Pennsylvania Roailroad. Black also gives Richmond some suggestions about other individuals to contact regarding the rairoad and its development.

Abstract

Setterland worked as a locomotive engineer for the Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Compnay from 1927-1940. He describes the logging camps where the employees were accommodated (he lived alone at that time) and the engines (Baldwin and Shea engines) that they used to transport the lumber. He also mentions prohibition and ethic makeup of many of the lumberjacks (i.e. they were mostly Swedes and Mexicans).

Abstract Wamble discusses his work with the Grand Canyon Railroad, first as a laborer building a greenhouse for the Fred Harvey Company and then as a cashier/ticket cashier during the 1950's. He mentions numerous people with whom he had contact while working for the railroad: Betty Bartlett, Henry Riggs, H.P. and "Sully" Sullivan, Merton Harving, Harley Moody, Mayland Spivey, Kenneth M. Polson, as well as his interactions with the National Parks Service itself. Lastly he touches upon the Railroad's...

Abstract

Richmond interviews Acosta, a long time foreman for the Santa Fe and Grand Canyon Railways, who aided with the construction of the Grand Canyon Railroad over the course of 40 years. He discusses in detail his involvement in laying railroad track and ties to construct the local and tourist railway into and around the Grand Canyon.

Abstract Richmond interviews Thurston about his exposure to and utilization of the Grand Canyon Railroad in varying degrees, starting in 1935. Thurston discusses his experience as a cattle rancher and their use of the railway in transporting livestock (last time they trasported cattle by train was in 1948). He goes into depth about mining and blacksmithing along the Railway and in the Canyon as well as the sidings of the railroad at Apex, Hopi, Valley, 11 mile, 18 mile and many others in detail. He...