Special Collections - Photos & Manuscripts

Southern Utah University was founded in 1897 as the Southern Branch of the State Normal School, but was called simply the Branch Normal School (BNS). The photographs in this collection represent the early history of the institution, 1897 to 1913.

The Utah Parks Company, a subsidiary of Union Pacific Railroad, employed thousands of college students to operate restaurants, lodging, and bus tours in Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon and Cedar Breaks parks from 1923 to 1973.

Iron Mining has been the principal industry in the Cedar City area for 150 years. The photographs in this collection document mining industry activities from the 1920s to the 1980s.

The Dixie National Forest Photograph Collection contains over 8,000 photographs taken during the 20th Century on and near the largest national forest in Utah.

The Gerald R. Sherratt Library Historical Photograph Collection is a composite of photographs from many sources covering places and events in Iron County, Utah and the surrounding areas.

The Southwest Utah Livestock Association Collection contains photographs of prize winners and activities at the livestock show held annually in Cedar City, Utah.

Southern Utah University began as the Southern Branch of the State Normal School of the University of Utah in 1897-98. This collection contains early college catalogs. They give insights into the educational environment as well as list the officers and instructors, the courses offered, and the students enrolled.

Originally the Beaver Branch of Brigham Young University, the school became independent in 1908 and was renamed Murdock Academy. Housed in the buildings of Fort Cameron, a former military base, it offered a 4 year high school program. This privately owned school closed in 1922 when the new public Beaver High School opened.

The Crawford Family Zion National Park Collection consists of diaries and photographs by William Louis Crawford, 1873-1935, and his son, J. L. (Jasper Louis) Crawford, 1914-. Living and farming in what later became Zion National Park, they give insights into pioneer life and the history of this scenic canyon.

Southern Utah University's name has changed several times. It began as the Southern Branch of the State Normal School of the University of Utah in 1897. Administrative oversight switched to the Utah State Agricultural College in 1913, resulting in the name Branch Agricultural College. The photographs in this collection are from 1913 to 1953.

The William R. Palmer Photograph Collection is a visual record of life centered in the Southern Utah area. It includes the activities of Paiute Indians and Anglo-Americans during the years 1900 to 1960 and Palmer's travels in the United States and Europe.

R. D. Adams was one of the early photographers of Southern Utah and Nevada. For five decades, he took pictures of individuals, families, street scenes, parades, celebrations, and school children. His photographs of Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Cedar Breaks became some of the first postcards sent from these national parks.

Michael O. Leavitt was sworn in as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on January 26,2005. Prior to his current service, Leavitt served as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Agency and Governor of Utah. This digital archive focuses on his eleven years as Governor.

Homer Jones grew up helping his father, Randall L. Jones, photograph and promote the scenic beauty of Utah's national parks. He and his wife, Belle Macfarlane, ran Zion Photo Shop for over fifty years. The images searchable here represent the scenery he learned to love from his father and events in the schools and communities of southern Utah.

This section of the Howard R. Driggs Archive contains photographs of the historical places and important events on the pioneer trails documented during his life’s work with trail associations and historical publishing. Also included are illustrations by his colleague William Henry Jackson, renowned 19th century illustrator and photographer of the American West.

Socotwa is a trip log of participant activities and photographs from a river rafting voyage through the Glen Canyon area of the Colorado River from June 11-19, 1958.