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Fort Douglas photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: P0858

Scope and Contents

The photograph collection of Fort Douglas reflects the rich history of the Post including early images of Fort Douglas architecture, commanders and soldiers. Folder one contains images not directly related to Fort Douglas, but rather with Utah's military history, i.e. the Nauvoo Legion. The Fort Douglas photograph collection spans the entire history of the Post, ranging from 1859-1991.

Folders 1-19 contain scans of images that were temporarily loaned to the library by the Fort Douglas Museum in 2000. The images are available for viewing on our website, but any distribution, rights, or permissions need to be approved by the Museum.

Inventory descriptions were taken from information appearing on the backs of the original photographs. Where no identifications were available, a brief description appears in brackets as follows: [___].

Folder 20 contains scans of images that were temporarily loaned to the library by the Fort Douglas Museum in 2019. The images are available for viewing on our website, but any distribution, rights, or permissions need to be approved by the Museum.

The remainder of the collection contain images or albums that were collected or purchased by the library.

Dates

  • 1859-1991

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.

Organizational History

With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1961, troops along the overland mail route were relocated to the east. President Lincoln called for volunteers to protect the mail route and directed Colonel (Brevet Major General) Patrick E. Connor to establish a post near Salt Lake City. Colonel Connor was concerned about secessionist activities in the area and chose a location in the foothills that allowed him to keep an eye on the Mormons. The Post was originally called Camp Douglas, in honor of the recently deceased Illinois Senator Stephen A. Douglas who had been a champion of the West. Colonel Connor's regiment soon began mineral prospecting in the surrounding mountains and established a militarily and economically successful stronghold in the Salt Lake Valley.

Over the next fifty years, Fort Douglas provided trained soldiers for the Indian Wars on the Great Plains and Spanish-American War. However, it wasn't until World War I that the Fort experienced major expansion. During both World Wars, the Post served as a mobilization and training garrison, as well as a prisoner of war camp. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor during the Second World War, Fort Douglas also served as the headquarters for the Ninth Service Command, which was relocated from Presidio, San Francisco.

The Ninth Service Command was dissolved in 1946, and in 1947 the army announced that the fort was surplus and land was turned over to the University of Utah and other agencies. In the years since World War II, Fort Douglas has served as headquarters for Reserve and National Guard units and as a support detachment for military activities in the area. Nearly all of the Fort's acreage has been sold or traded, with the exception of the historic area of Fort Douglas which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970. In 1989 Congress approved the final closure of Fort Douglas as a military facility and the final transfer of the Fort to the University of Utah was completed in 1993.

Adapted from:

The Utah History Encyclopedia

http://www.fortdouglas.org

Extent

1.6 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Fort Douglas photograph collection reflects the rich history of the Post including early images of Fort Douglas architecture, commanders and soldiers. Camp Douglas (renamed Fort Douglas in 1878) was established in October 1862 by Colonel Patrick E. Connor and his soldiers from the 3rd Regiment California Volunteer Infantry, sometimes called the California-Nevada Volunteers. By 1866, the Volunteers had all been discharged and replaced by army regulars from the 18th infantry. Captain David B. Stover, to whom this album was presented, was post quartermaster from 1863-1866.

Arrangement

The image order and numbering system used by the Development Office and Fort Douglas Military Museum was retained.

Separated Materials

See also the Fort Douglas records (MS 0518) located in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.

Processing Information

Processed by Alison Christensen and Mary Ann Curtis in 2003.

Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records.
Title
Guide to the Fort Douglas photograph collection
Author
Finding aid created by Alison Christensen and Mary Ann Curtis.
Date
2003 (last modified: 2018)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

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