W. R. Canton negatives
Scope and Contents
Collection consists of 70 nitrate negatives taken and compiled by mining and civil engineer W. R. Canton from approximately 1903 to 1930. Subjects include lab classes and fieldwork during Canton's studies at the University of Washington Mining Engineering College, as well as scenes of his dorm room and of the Mining Society club. Also depicted are mining sites and camps in Jackson County, Oregon, and McGill, Nevada. Oregon sites include Ethel mines, Siskiyou camp, Cole Springs, Steinman Overcrossing, and Dollarhide Bridge. Nevada sites include Berry Creek, Eureka Pit at Copper Flat, and McGill quarry.
The collection also contains Canton family snapshots, primarily taken in Medford, Oregon. These depict Canton; his wife, Ella O’Neill Canton; and their three children, William, Mary Patricia, and Edward. The images include early portraits of Canton in baseball uniforms, Christmas scenes and holiday gatherings, a soapbox derby, and family portraits.
Identifying information about the images is provided in captions on the negatives and in an accompanying index that was likely created by Canton.
Dates
- Creation: approximately 1903-1930
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Biographical Note
William Reynolds Canton (1889-1966) was an Oregon-based mining and civil engineer. He attended the Mining Engineering College at the University of Washington and conducted fieldwork at the Ethel Mines in Oregon. After graduating from the University of Washington in 1911, Canton worked at mining camps in Jackson County, Oregon, and McGill, Nevada. When he returned to Southern Oregon, Canton worked as a civil engineer for the State Highway Commission in 1922, then for Klamath County until his retirement in 1959.
Canton married Ella O’Neill in 1919. The couple lived in Medford, Oregon, and had three children: William Cornelius Canton (1920–2006), Mary Patricia Canton (1922–), and Edward Everett Canton (1925–2003).
Sources: “U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012,” University of Washington, 1911, via Ancestry.com; 1910 United States Federal Census via Ancestry.com; “Weddings,” Oregonian, July 20, 1919, page 4; “Bill Canton to Quit Post,” Herald and News, April 23, 1959, page 1.
Full Extent
0.50 Cubic Feet (70 nitrate negatives in 6 folders in shared box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Negatives taken and compiled by Oregon-based mining and civil engineer W. R. Canton from approximately 1903 to 1930. Subjects include mining sites and camps in Southern Oregon and Nevada, student life at the University of Washington Mining Engineering College, and Canton family snapshots.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged in three series:
- Series 1: University of Washington Mining Engineering College
- Series 2: Mining scenes
- Subseries 2.1: Oregon sites
- Subseries 2.2: Nevada sites
- Subseries 2.3: Unidentified locations
- Series 3: Canton family
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Researcher access to the negatives is limited for preservation purposes. To inquire about viewing the negatives, contact library staff. Fees may apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Meredith Sinclair, February 2017 (Lib. Acc. 28993).
Processing Information
Negatives in this collection were originally housed in two photograph albums. One album contained an index, likely created by W. R. Canton, that was also removed from the album and stored in a sleeve with the negatives. During processing, the negatives were numbered by the processing archivist. Original index numbers provided by Canton were listed on the negative sleeves when known, and identifying information about the images was transcribed onto the negative sleeves from the album index and from captions on the negatives. A selection of the nitrate negatives in the collection were discarded during processing due to image quality or condition concerns.
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the W. R. Canton negatives
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lewyn Nelson
- Date
- 2026
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org