Items in the Western History Room archives are restricted to in-library use only.
Search for book titles and other publications in the archival collections using the online SAGE library catalog link below.
Search for photographs and other records in the combined collections of the Western History Room and Harney County Historical Museum in our new DIGITAL ARCHIVES database.
Search for book titles and other publications in the archival collections using the online SAGE library catalog link below.
Search for photographs and other records in the combined collections of the Western History Room and Harney County Historical Museum in our new DIGITAL ARCHIVES database.
FEATURED SPECIAL COLLECTIONS OF THE WESTERN HISTORY ROOM
*NEW* Thomas E. Armstrong Collection
Nearly 8 cubic feet (that’s more than 70 individual file folders) of research compiled by the late Thomas E. Armstrong have recently been donated to the collections of the Claire McGill Luce Western History Room at the Harney County Library. Additional items in the collection include schematics and diagrams of the Oregon & Northwestern railroad line between Hines and Seneca, maps, photographs, unpublished manuscripts, and more. Armstrong was well-known on the West Coast for his extensive research, photography and writings about the history of narrow-gauge railroads that began to cross the continent in the early 1800s. Tom studied forestry and journalism at Humboldt State University in California. When Armstrong’s later vocation as an ordained Presbyterian minster took him East, he used the opportunity to research various rail lines, lumber companies, abandoned train cars and old railroad depots. He began writing many articles for railroad magazines, as well as producing pictorial books tracing the history of narrow-gauge railroads. He completed a full pictorial history of the Nevada-California-Oregon railway just prior to his retirement from the ministry. At the time of his death in 2013, Tom Armstrong was writing a history of the Edward Hines Lumber Company’s operations in Eastern Oregon. Armstrong was involved in surveying the old railroad tracks as part of a U.S. Geological Survey project. In the hopes that someone will pick up where Tom left off, the family agreed Armstrong’s entire Edward Hines Company-related research collection should be housed in the local community and made accessible to the public.
Click Here to view a list of the collection contents.
Edward Gray Collection
Edward Gray authored two books directly related to the history of Harney County: The Life and Death of Oregon "Cattle King" Peter French, 1849-1897 and William "Bill" W. Brown, 1855-1941, Legend of Oregon's High Desert. The Edward Gray collection is comprised of the working research library of the author who has researched and published several historical books on people and places in Central and Southeast Oregon. This collection focuses on the exploration and settlement of Oregon, particularly the central and eastern regions of the state. Subjects of local significance within the collection include Meek's Lost Wagon Train and the Elliott Wagon Train.
Walter McEwen Rare Book Collection
Walter McEwen, a local rancher and avid history buff, collected rare and valuable volumes over the course of a lifetime. A complete set of Bancroft books, and numerous first edition publications focusing on early exploration and settlement are featured. Subjects of local significance within the collection include early North American exploration and settlement; mountain men, fur traders and trappers; the Lewis & Clark expedition, the Oregon Trail, and native Americans.
Doug and Cathy Jory Rodeo Collection
Doug and Cathy Jory, authors of "An Oral History of Rodeo" book series, have donated an extensive research library about the sport of rodeo. The collection includes books, trade magazines, photographs and miscellaneous rodeo ephemera as well as an unpublished manuscript of interviews focused on the "Big Four" rodeos held in Ellensburg, Walla Walla, Lewiston, and Pendleton.
Deborah Bower Western Art History Collection
The Deborah Bower collection of Western art history publications has been over forty years in the making. This collection is composed of over 250 books, periodicals and gallery catalogs featuring Western art and artists including Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington.
Harney County Historic Livestock Brand Register
A digitized historic brand register includes the index book plus books B-F listing livestock brands registered in Harney County from 1894-1915. The original book can be viewed at the clerk's office in the Harney County courthouse.
*NEW* Thomas E. Armstrong Collection
Nearly 8 cubic feet (that’s more than 70 individual file folders) of research compiled by the late Thomas E. Armstrong have recently been donated to the collections of the Claire McGill Luce Western History Room at the Harney County Library. Additional items in the collection include schematics and diagrams of the Oregon & Northwestern railroad line between Hines and Seneca, maps, photographs, unpublished manuscripts, and more. Armstrong was well-known on the West Coast for his extensive research, photography and writings about the history of narrow-gauge railroads that began to cross the continent in the early 1800s. Tom studied forestry and journalism at Humboldt State University in California. When Armstrong’s later vocation as an ordained Presbyterian minster took him East, he used the opportunity to research various rail lines, lumber companies, abandoned train cars and old railroad depots. He began writing many articles for railroad magazines, as well as producing pictorial books tracing the history of narrow-gauge railroads. He completed a full pictorial history of the Nevada-California-Oregon railway just prior to his retirement from the ministry. At the time of his death in 2013, Tom Armstrong was writing a history of the Edward Hines Lumber Company’s operations in Eastern Oregon. Armstrong was involved in surveying the old railroad tracks as part of a U.S. Geological Survey project. In the hopes that someone will pick up where Tom left off, the family agreed Armstrong’s entire Edward Hines Company-related research collection should be housed in the local community and made accessible to the public.
Click Here to view a list of the collection contents.
Edward Gray Collection
Edward Gray authored two books directly related to the history of Harney County: The Life and Death of Oregon "Cattle King" Peter French, 1849-1897 and William "Bill" W. Brown, 1855-1941, Legend of Oregon's High Desert. The Edward Gray collection is comprised of the working research library of the author who has researched and published several historical books on people and places in Central and Southeast Oregon. This collection focuses on the exploration and settlement of Oregon, particularly the central and eastern regions of the state. Subjects of local significance within the collection include Meek's Lost Wagon Train and the Elliott Wagon Train.
Walter McEwen Rare Book Collection
Walter McEwen, a local rancher and avid history buff, collected rare and valuable volumes over the course of a lifetime. A complete set of Bancroft books, and numerous first edition publications focusing on early exploration and settlement are featured. Subjects of local significance within the collection include early North American exploration and settlement; mountain men, fur traders and trappers; the Lewis & Clark expedition, the Oregon Trail, and native Americans.
Doug and Cathy Jory Rodeo Collection
Doug and Cathy Jory, authors of "An Oral History of Rodeo" book series, have donated an extensive research library about the sport of rodeo. The collection includes books, trade magazines, photographs and miscellaneous rodeo ephemera as well as an unpublished manuscript of interviews focused on the "Big Four" rodeos held in Ellensburg, Walla Walla, Lewiston, and Pendleton.
Deborah Bower Western Art History Collection
The Deborah Bower collection of Western art history publications has been over forty years in the making. This collection is composed of over 250 books, periodicals and gallery catalogs featuring Western art and artists including Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington.
Harney County Historic Livestock Brand Register
A digitized historic brand register includes the index book plus books B-F listing livestock brands registered in Harney County from 1894-1915. The original book can be viewed at the clerk's office in the Harney County courthouse.