William D. "Bill" Rishel papers
Collection
Identifier: ACCN 2140
Scope and Contents
The William D. "Bill" Rishel papers contain articles written for the Salt Lake Herald by Rishel, typescript copies of his autobiography, and other items of interest.
Dates
- 1925-1947
Creator
- Rishel, W. D. (Will Dave), 1869-1947 (Person)
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Conditions Governing Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Biographical Sketch
William D. “Bill” Rishel was born on Sept 26, 1869 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to Jennie McLaughlin and John A. Rishel. In 1872 the family moved to Nebraska and in 1876 to Colorado. In 1880, Rishel settled in Cheyenne, Wyoming and lived there until he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1895. He married Mildred Shelmerdine in 1899 in Salt Lake City. She died in 1921. They had one child, Virginia Rishel.
Rishel was an avid bicyclist who pioneered bicycle racing in Wyoming and Utah. After settling in Salt Lake City, Rishel edited a semi-monthly bicycle magazine and managed a bicycle track near Beck’s Hot Springs. He also served as manager of the western section of William Randolph Hearst's 1896 cross country San Francisco to New York bicycle relay race. Through this role, Rishel laid out a route which was partially used for the Utah highway system. From 1900-1910, Rishel was the sports editor of the Salt Lake Herald. After leaving this position, Rishel became involved with the activities of the United States Auto Mobile Association and was an organizer of the Utah State Automobile Association, serving as its president. He was purported to be the first man in Utah to drive a car. Rishel managed the Salt Palace Race Track for a time, but put many of his energies towards promoting the use of automobiles in Utah, particularly through tourism. Rishel ran a tourist bureau in connection with the Utah State Automobile Association.
Bill Rishel died on March 20, 1947. In 1983, his daughter, Virginia Rishel, wrote and published Wheels to Adventure: Bill Rishel's Western Routes about the cross-country relay race and her father’s involvement in mapping the event.
Rishel was an avid bicyclist who pioneered bicycle racing in Wyoming and Utah. After settling in Salt Lake City, Rishel edited a semi-monthly bicycle magazine and managed a bicycle track near Beck’s Hot Springs. He also served as manager of the western section of William Randolph Hearst's 1896 cross country San Francisco to New York bicycle relay race. Through this role, Rishel laid out a route which was partially used for the Utah highway system. From 1900-1910, Rishel was the sports editor of the Salt Lake Herald. After leaving this position, Rishel became involved with the activities of the United States Auto Mobile Association and was an organizer of the Utah State Automobile Association, serving as its president. He was purported to be the first man in Utah to drive a car. Rishel managed the Salt Palace Race Track for a time, but put many of his energies towards promoting the use of automobiles in Utah, particularly through tourism. Rishel ran a tourist bureau in connection with the Utah State Automobile Association.
Bill Rishel died on March 20, 1947. In 1983, his daughter, Virginia Rishel, wrote and published Wheels to Adventure: Bill Rishel's Western Routes about the cross-country relay race and her father’s involvement in mapping the event.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet (1 box and 2 oversize folders)
Abstract
The William D. "Bill" Rishel papers (1925-1947) contain life sketches and clippings. Rishel was an automobile enthusiast from Utah.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
An anonymous gift in 2005.
Separated Materials
See also the William D. "Bill" Rishel photograph collection (P1276) Multimedia Division of Special Collections.
Processing Information
Processed by Samuel J. Passey in 2007.
Creator
- Rishel, W. D. (Will Dave), 1869-1947 (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the William D. "Bill" Rishel papers, 1925-1947
- Author
- Finding aid created by Samuel J. Passey
- Date
- © 2007 (last modified: 2020)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid encoded in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu