Sacaton (Akimel O'odham/Pima) and Fort Mojave (Arizona), Zuni (New Mexico), Riverside (California), White Earth Agency (Minnesota), and Other views in Arizona, California, Minnesota and Wisconsin
Collection Creator:
Churchill, Frank C. (Frank Carroll), 1850-1912 Search this
This album contains 207 photographic prints taken by Frank Churchill in February-March 1904 and March-July 1906, with the bulk being taken in 1903 and 1904. The album was later compiled and captioned by Clara Churchill. Some of the photographs were also later hand colored by Clara Churchill. The majority of the photographs were taken in Sacaton (Arizona) among the Akimel O'Odham (Pima), Fort Mojave Indian Reservation (Arizona), Riverside (California), White Earth Agency (Minnesota) and several locations in Wisconsin during Frank Churchill's assignment as U.S. Indian Inspector to visit Indian day schools and boarding schools. There are also a small amount of photographs at other locations in Arizona, New Mexico and California.
The photographs taken in and around Sacaton, on the Gila River Indian Reservation, were made in February 1904 and March 1906 on two different visits. The 1904 photographs include—Images from Issue Day; Indian Agency Building; Kee's (Ki) Tohono O'odham homes; giant cacti; Sawtooth Mountain views; Mrs. Churchill and Mrs. Alexander in a Pima grain basket; School Superintendent J.B. Alexander and wife and Gila Crossing Day School; Casa Blanca petroglyphs; Sacaton water supply. The 1906 photographs include—Superintendent J.B. Alexander with S.M. McCowan and Frank Churchill; Williams and Dr. Marden; Girls' dormitory and girl students at the "Indian Trading School," the boarding school in Sacaton; boys at the school and outdoor classes; M. Scott Smith; Mr. Crouse (trader); Superintendent Alexander, Mr. McCowan, Miss Chingian, Miss Squier and Mrs. Chuchill; Indian Agency offices; views on issue day; Gila River during floods; Bapchule church; fake petroglyphs made by Frank Churchill; and additional views of Sacaton and its surrounding area. Additional views around Phoenix include—an Apache camp outside of Phoenix; Salt River Day School; and the Mission at Gila Crossing.
Photographs from the Fort Mojave (Mohave) reservation and its surrounding area include—Class in gardening at the Fort Mojave Indian School; views of the reservation; views of the Indian School; Gold Road Mine (25 miles east of Fort Mojave); and Needles, California, across the Colorado River. There are also photographs of a trip to the Chemehuevi camp in California with Claude Compton (Trader). Photographs from Riverside, California and the surrounding area include—Views at the Sherman Institute (the Indian School on Magnolia Avenue); morning inspection; students on parade; views of the Perris school (before it was closed); and orange groves and rose gardens. There are also photographs in Banning, California. Additional photographs in Arizona include—views in Yuma; San Xavier Mission and ruins on the Santa Cruz River near Tucson; and Needle Rock near Prescott. There are a small amount of A:shiwi (Zuni) photographs from 1906 which include—Building of the Zuni dam; view of the Zuni school and several Pueblo views.
Photographs from Minnesota, taken among the Minnesota Chippewa include— White Earth Agency buildings; White Earth Indian School; and bark tipis; and the Wild Rice Indian School with condemned property. There are many photographs of the 38th annual June 14th celebration which include dancers, drummers, a barbecue and Chief Wadena (Minnesota Chippewa). Photographs from Wisconsin include—Ashland, Lac Courte Oreilles (Lake Superior Chippewa); Grind Stone Lake; Bad River Reservation; Logging and lumber facilities; Lac du Flambeau; Mr. Ferry's Farm and Island near Carter, Wisconsin.
Many photographs in this album do not have corresponding negatives.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to NMAI Archives Center collections is by appointment only, Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please contact the archives to make an appointment (phone: 301-238-1400, email: nmaiarchives@si.edu).
Collection Rights:
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish or broadbast materials from the collection must be requested from National Museum of the American Indian Archives Center. Please submit a written request to nmaiarchives@si.edu.
Collection Citation:
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Frank C. and Clara G. Churchill collection, NMAI.AC.058, National Museum of the American Indian Archives Center, Smithsonian Institution.
