Inventory of the North Carolina Forest Service Photograph Collection, 1913 – 1947

Descriptive Summary

Abstract: Between 1891 and 1938, forestry in North Carolina saw many changes. The state government hired its first state employee to carry out forestry work in 1891; its first professionally trained forester, John Simcox Holmes, in 1909; and its first fire wardens in 1915. However, when Holmes was given the titles of State Forester and State Forest Warden in 1915, no additional funding was appropriated for the positions. In 1922, the North Carolina state legislature gave less than $3,000 to the state for fire protection. Nonetheless, twenty counties matched state funds and each hired a fire warden. In 1926, the state constructed its first fire tower, in Harnett County. Between 1933 and 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps helped build 52 new fire towers, as well as assisted with other forest beautification projects. By 1936, two-thirds of the state's forests had been brought under organized fire protection.

The collection includes over 900 photographs that were commissioned by the North Carolina Forest Service. This collection contains black and white photographs, taken between 1913 and 1947. It includes a variety of subjects, such as lookout towers, exhibits, fire control practices, roads, and signs. [View digital items]

Title: North Carolina Forest Service Photograph Collection, 1913 - 1947

Creator: North Carolina Forest Service

Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives

Call Number: 7944

Language of Material: Material in English

Extent: 2.0 linear ft. (3 boxes)

 

Historical Note

Between 1891 and 1938, forestry in North Carolina saw many changes. The state government hired its first state employee to carry out forestry work in 1891; its first professionally trained forester, John Simcox Holmes, in 1909; and its first fire wardens in 1915. However, when Holmes was given the titles of State Forester and State Forest Warden in 1915, no additional funding was appropriated for the positions. In 1922, the North Carolina state legislature gave less than $3,000 to the state for fire protection. Nonetheless, twenty counties matched state funds and each hired a fire warden. In 1926, the state constructed its first fire tower, in Harnett County. Between 1933 and 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps helped build 52 new fire towers, as well as assisted with other forest beautification projects. By 1936, two-thirds of the state's forests had been brought under organized fire protection.

 

Collection Overview

The collection includes over 900 photographs that were commissioned by the North Carolina Forest Service. This collection contains black and white photographs and negatives, taken between 1913 and 1947 (with the bulk taken from 1928 to 1939). It includes a variety of subjects, such as lookout towers, exhibits, fire control practices, roads, and signs.

Collection Arrangement

1. Photographs, 1913-1947

Subject Headings

• Fire lookout stations
• Forest fires--North Carolina
• Forest fires--Prevention and control
• Forest fires--Prevention and control--Equipment and supplies
• Forests and forestry--North Carolina
• North Carolina. Division of Forest Resources
• North Carolina--History

 

Detailed Description of the Collection

1. Photographs, 1913-1947.

**A selection of photos from this collection have been digitized and can be accessed online via the FHS Image Database.

Box 1

1.1. Groups, 1929-1940 and undated. [digital items]

Groups of foresters and others from various meetings and activities.

1.2. Fire Control, 1926-1932 and undated. [digital items]

Fire control studies, equipment, fire fighting supplies, and fire suppression efforts.

1.3. Vehicles, 1930-1936 and undated. [digital items]

North Carolina Forest Service cars, trucks, and trailers.

1.4. Roads and Bridges, 1926-1941 and undated. [digital items]

The construction of, damage to, and completed roads and bridges.

1.5. Lookout Towers, 1926-1947 and undated. [digital items]

Fire lookout towers from various counties in North Carolina.

1.6. Views from Lookout Towers, 1928-1940 and undated.

Views from various lookout towers in North Carolina.

1.7. Tower Houses, 1937-1947 and undated. [digital items]

Lookout tower residences and related buildings.

Box 2

1.8. Other Buildings, 1939-1941 and undated. [digital items]

Rangers' residences, Civilian Conservation Corps camps, warehouses, and other general buildings used by the North Carolina Forest Service.

1.9. Signs, 1928-1936 and undated. [digital items]

Various signs, including fire prevention warnings, lookout tower signs, and warden signs.

1.10. Exhibits, 1927-1941. [digital items]

North Carolina Forest Service exhibits, largely at state fairs, as well as other educational activities, festivals, and parades.

1.11. Timber, 1926-1942 and undated. [digital items]

Timber and related forest industries.

1.12. Wildlife, 1927-1939 and undated. [digital items]

Deer, bears, snakes, birds, and other animals.

1.13. Fishing and Hunting, 1928-1934 and undated. [digital items]

Fishing, hunting lodges, and other related activities.

1.14. Dams, 1939 and undated.

Dams and reservoirs.

1.15. Telephone Lines, 1928-1940. [digital items]

Construction, repair, and maintenance of telephone lines.

1.16. Mount Mitchell, 1923-1937. [digital items]

Scenes of Mount Mitchell State Park, including tower and memorial on mountain's peak.

1.17. Miscellaneous, 1926-1943 and undated.

Everything from forest insects to hurricane damage to plant life to state parks.

Box 3

2016 Collection Addition

Additional North Carolina Forest Service photos organized by county; also includes photos from other states and international locations filed with the collection.

2.1. Bladen County. [digital items]

White Lake, Jones Lake, and Singletary Lake.

2.2. Stanly County.

Morrow Mountain State Park, pine timber, and more.

2.3. Surry County.

Pilot Mountain, Yadkin River, and other views.

2.4. Swain County.

Tuckasegee River, Falls on Long Branch, and more.

2.5. Transylvania County. [digital items]

Pisgah Forest, including Looking Glass Falls.

2.6. Tyrrell County.

Phelps Lake.

2.7. Union County.

Longleaf pine stands.

2.8. Wake County.

Tree planting ceremonies, original State Forest Nursery, trees around Raleigh, and more.

2.9. Warren County.

Shortleaf and loblolly pine.

2.10. Watauga County. [digital items]

Boone Fork Lumber Company, Watauga Inn, Cone Estate.

2.11. Wayne County.

Loblolly pine plantings, and more.

2.12. Wilkes County. [digital items]

Tory Oak.

2.13. Wilson County. [digital items]

Eastern Carolina Exposition exhibits, and more.

2.14. Other States.

 

2.15. England.

 

2.16. France.

 

2.17. Germany.

 

2.18. Forest Types - North Carolina (USFS photos).

 

2.19. Miscellaneous.

 

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright Notice

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], North Carolina Forest Service Photograph Collection, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Received from Coleman Doggett in January 2011; Additional photos received in 2016

Processing Information

Processed by Desiree Peterson, April 2012

Encoded by Desiree Peterson, May 2012

Support for digitization and outreach provided by the Alvin J. Huss Endowment.