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Rocky Mountain Online Archive

Collection Summary

Biographical Information

Scope and Content

Restrictions

Preferred Citation

Access Terms

Contents List

Harold D. Walter Collection, 1936 - 1958

Palace of the Governors Photo Archive, New Mexico History Museum

Email: photos@mnm.state.nm.us
URL: http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photoarchives.html

© 2012

Palace of the Governors, New Mexico History Museum


Collection Summary
	Title	Harold D. Walter Collection
	Dates (Inclusive)	1936 - 1958
	Dates (Bulk)
	Collection Number	PAC 055
	Size	2 linear feet
	Repository	Palace of the Governors Photo Archive, New Mexico History Museum
	Languages	English

Biographical Information

Harold Dean Walter (1900-1958) (Biographical data taken from notes of an interview with his wife, Mrs. Mae Walter, 25 November 1991, Santa Fe.) Harold Walter was born and grew up primarily in Aspen, Colorado. He lived in various Colorado locations, finally graduating from high school in Aspen. He took a course in auto mechanics in Michigan, but otherwise had no college or professional training. He was primarily self-taught in photography, reading extensively, and preferred to keep it as a hobby even during his most extensive periods of photographic work.

Walter worked at a molybdinum mine in Climax, NM, then for the American Metals Company in Terrero, NM as a Metallurgical Accountant from about 1930-1939. In Terrero he met his future wife, Mae, who was resident school teacher. In about 1939 he was transferred to the American Metals Company mill at Alamitos, near Pecos, NM.

In 1936 Walter took a three month summer course in photography taught by local professionals at the Art Center School in Los Angeles. This course considerably improved his compositional abilities and greatly encouraged his life-long interest in landscape photography. He also learned techniques of photographic composite printing, especially for adding clouds to photos. In 1940 he was appointed photographer for the New Mexico Coronado Cuarto Centennial where he photographed visiting celebrities; these negatives were turned over to William Colvert, Publicity Director for the Commission. He entered the Army in 1942 under a special program to test the military capacity of "older men" for active service. He held up well physically because of his long habit of mountain hiking, but the program was not continued and he was released after three months at its termination. (During this period Mrs. Walter became secretary to Elliott Barker, the New Mexico Game and Fish Commissioner, and continued at that agency for 25 years.)

Walter photographed most of the negatives of Smokey the Bear at his home during this period. He gave the negatives to the US Forest Service after becoming aggravated by repeated requests for prints. From 1943-58 he worked for various New Mexico State Agencies including the highway department; the last agency was the Oil Conservation Office.

According to Mrs. Walter, one of his major accomplishments was causing the US Geological Survey to recognize the inadequacy of evidence for the claim that Truchas Peak was the highest mountain in New Mexico. A formal resurvey showed that Wheeler Peak was actually higher. Walter photographed the survey and several other regional mountains. He called a peak immediately contiguous to Wheeler Peak "Mt. Walter" for personal pleasure. The USGS formalized the name after his death in 1958. He knew several regional photographers well, particularly T. Harmon Parkhurst (with whom he got on especially well), Wyatt Davis and Robert Martin. He knew and photographed several governors and artists (notably copying paintings by Herbert Dunton).He was closely associated with George Fitzpatrick and gave him first choice of his work for New Mexico Magazine, for which he did many covers. He was also a friend of Lorraine Carr. He died in Santa Fe in 1958 of heart and circulatory problems after severe exposure during a storm while hiking in the Pecos Wilderness.

Scope and Content

The collection was acquired in 1992 (HP.1992.54) and 1993 (HP.1993.11) as gifts from the estate of Harold D. Walter's wife, Mae Walter. It includes several hundred black and white prints and negatives and 35mm color slides of New Mexico and Colorado landscapes and buildings, governors of New Mexico and other individuals. Also includes a scrap book contaning 8x10 b and w silver gelatin prints, all taken in New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico during the January, 1940 re-creation of the Coronado Expedition for the Coronado Cuarto Centennial, 1540-1940.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Researchers may examine original material under supervised conditions in the Reading Room upon approval of request.

Copy Restrictions

Duplication allowed for research purposes. Permission to publish must be obtained from Photo Archives. Online Request Permission form available at http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photo_request.html. User responsible for all copyright compliance.

Preferred Citation

Harold D. Walter Collection, Palace of the Governors Photo Archive, New Mexico History Museum

Access Terms

Black-and-white negatives

Black-and-white photographs

Color slides

Historic buildings -- Southwest, New -- Photographs

Landscape photgraphers -- Southwest, New

Natural areas -- Southwest, New -- Photographs

Portrait photographs

Portrait prints -- Photographs

Scrapbooks

Silver gelatin prints

Contents List

Description

Container

Photos Scanned and Online, January 2013. Walter at direction mileage sign; Smokey the bear; Atkinson at Pecos Baldy Lake; Manual Lujan, mayor of Santa Fe, Lord Halifax, May 8, 1994; Elliot Barker; Dancers at Coronodo Exposition, 1940; Two dancers posing with map of Coronado Exposition, 1940; Group retracing Coronado' route, 1940; Fishing at Lake Katherine; Elliot Barker with group of men holding large trout; Mr. and Mrs. H.N. McDaniel with prize winning fish caught at El Vado Lake, 1948; Elliot S. Barker, Gov. John Dempsey on hunt, 1943-1946.Gov. Thomas J. Mabry in Los Alamos, 1947-1950; Gov. Thomas Mabry in garden of Governor's Mansion, Santa Fe, 1947; Governor's Mansion in winter; hunting at Sierra Chimoyosos; Blue Lake; Lost Lake northeast of Wheeler Peak; Pecos Baldy Lake, Oct. 7, 1944; dedication of Coronado State Monument, Bernalillo, 1940; Cross marking highest point in New Mexico, Wheeler Peak, 1952; Bob Ground and Kay Flock, Beatty's Cabin, 1948; Continental Divide sign, Independece Pass, Pitkin County, Colorado; South Truchas Peak from North Truchas, Sept. 25, 1947; High Country, Pecos Wilderness, 1938; Coronado taking oath, Coronado Entrada Pagent of Coronado Cuarto Centennnial, 1940; Bridge below Pilar, NM, June 8, 1948; Pecos Falls, October, 1944; Santa Fe River in Winter; Venus Needle, Todito Park, near Navajo, New Mexico; Fort Union on the Santa Fe Trail; State Capital, Santa Fe, NM; Aerial View of Santa Fe with State Capital in center; Unidentifed Santa Fe street in snow (Canyon Road?); Taking elevation of Truchas Peaks by triangulation from Los Alamos, NM, March 8, 1948; US Geological Survey, New Mexico, April 14, 1951, Harold D. Walter on right; Harold Walter on Thompson Peak, NM, September 6, 1952; Dr. Marsh at Beatty's Cabin, Oct. 10, 1948; May Walter on right with friend, Fall, 1938; Walter family and friends at Tall Pine Camp, Red River, NM, circa 1948.

Folder 1. Airplanes. 5 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 2 with negative numbers. Single engine aircraft, 5 unidentified men.

Folder 2. 9 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 7 with negative numbers. Deer, mule, llama, elk heard, bobcat,bears, cows. Smokey the Bear.

Folder 3. Artists. 5 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 2 with negative numbers. Arthur Musgrave painting; photos of paintings

Folder 4. Camping. 12 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, none with negative numbers. Two identified as camping at Pecos Baldy lake in 1936 and 1946.

Folder 5. Dignataries. 12 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 5 with negative numbers.Manuel Lujan, Mayor of Santa Fe with Lord Halifax, May 8, 1944. Peter Hurd, Edwin Mechem. Dr. Robert E. Bolton, Coronado Expedition to Mexico, January 31, 1940. Elliot Barker, February, 1946.

Folder 6. Expositions. 5 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, All with Negative numbers. Coronado Exposition, 1940. San Xavier del Bac Mission near Tucson, AZ, Coronado Cuarto Expedition to Mexico, January 11, 1940. Dean George P. Hammond, Dr. Neasham, Ward Yeager, Harold Walter, UNM President Simmerman, January 9, 1940, Campostelo, Mexico, January 20, 1940

Folder 7, Fishing. 6 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 5 with negative numbers. Lake Katherine, Oct. 1947;. Mr. and Mrs. H.N. McDaniel with two prize winning trout caught in El vado Lake, August 15, 1948. Elliot Barker. Harold Walter fishing.

Folder 8, Governors of New Mexico. 18 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, all with negative numbers. John Simms, John Dempsey, Brig. Gen. Larry B. McAfee. Edwin Mechem at dedication of Farmington airport. Thomas Mabry at formation of Los Alamos County. Ellot S. Barker with John Dempsey. Lynn Galloway. Jack Campbell. Charles C. Crever presenting certificate of appointment to Gov. Joh G. Sims, Jr., as honorary chiairman, New Mexico Saving Bond Drive. John Miles with Clint P. Anderson, Concha Ortiz y Pina de Kleven. Clyde Tingley.John M. Campbell fishing.John Dempsey with hunting dogs.

Folder 9. Governors Mansion, New Mexico. 4 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets all with negative numbers.

Folder 10. Horses and Riding. 14 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, none with negative numbers. Unidentified men with horses in mountains of New Mexico, circa 1947.

Folder 11, Hunting. 7 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 2 with negative numbers.Leaving Panchuela Ranger Station for Beattys and Elk Hunt Nov 26 to 29, 1948. Sierra Chimoyosos,in upper Pecos.

Folder 12. Lakes, New Mexico. 41 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 30 with negative numbers. 1944-1955. Pecos Baldy Lake, Lost Lake of Heart Lake, Williams Lake, Lake Katherine, Spirit Lake, Truchas Lake and and Sierra Chimayosos. Blue Lake, Penetente Peak and Santa Fe Lake, Stewert Lake,Lone Tree Lake,Middle Fork Lake, Cabresto Lake, Latir Lakes, Williams Lake, Middle Fork Lake,

Folder 13, Mines and Wells. 2 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, one with negative number. Klondike mine near Eagle nest.

Folder 14, Monuments. 4 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, all with negative numbers. Cross of Martyrs, Santa Fe. Dedication of Coronado State Monument, Bernalillo, 1940.

Folder 15, Mountains and Cliffs 1. 69 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 38 with negative numbers, 31 without. Truchas Peaks, Lake Peak, Sierra Chimayosis, Vondalee Page at Wheeler Peak, June, 1948,Grass Mountain, Santa Fe Canyon, Simpson Peak, Latir Peaks, Continental Divide, Independence Peak, Pitkin County Colorado. Beatty's Cabins, Oct 10, 1948. Bob Ground and KayFlock at Beatty's Cabin, Nov. 1948. Names carved on hugh spruce at Beatty's cabin, 1891. Owen Magnum at Round Mountain Corral. Viles Cabin, Upper Pecos, 1948. Sangre de Cristo Mountains with peaks labeled; Wheeler Peak in center, with Walter Peak, anmed for Harold Walter, right. Cross at top of Wheeler peak. Todilto Peak, near Navajo, NM. Trampas Ridge. Lake Peak and Penetente Peak. Gold Hill from Frazier Mountain. Frazier Mountain above middle forks lake.

Folder 16, Mountains and Cliffs 2. About 80 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, none with negative numbers. Most not labeled; many are duplicates of labeled phots in Folder 15

Folder 17, Pagents. 3 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, alll with negative numbers. Coronado Entrada Pagentof the Coronado Cuarto Centennial, q940. Coronado taking oath. Proposed US stamp; Large illustration.

Folder 18 Rivers, Falls and Dams. 14 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 9 with negative numbers. Juan and his burro caretta crossing San Lorenzo River, Quila, Mexico, 1940; Coronado Cuarto Expedition. El Vado dam and lake. Bridge at Pilar, NM, 1948. Pecos Falls, October, 1944. Santa Fe River in winter. Near headwaters of Pecos River. Holy Ghost Creek.

Folder 19. 5 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets,4 with negative numbers. Ruts of Santa Fe trail, near Ft. Union. Hyde Park Rd., near Santa Fe. Red River Road.

Folder 20. 20 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets all with negative numbers.Cleopatras Needle, Todilto Park, near Navajo, NM. Venus needle, same location.Green nobs, same location. Red River cliffs, same location. Aerial view of Shiprock, NM. Red Rock amphitheater, NM. Monument Rock, Santa Fe Canyon. The Beast, Todilto park

Folder 21. Ruins. 2 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, both with negative numbers. Fort Unionon the Santa Fe Trail.

Folder 22. State Capital, New Mexico. 8 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 5 with negative numbers. Old Capital building, not dated. Three aerial views of Santa Fe, with state capital in center. Not dated, probably circa 1945.

Folder 23. Street Scenes. 2 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes, both with negative numbers. Unidentified Santa Fe street (?Canyon Road) in winter

Folder 24. New Mexico Supreme Court. One 8x10" b and w print in glassine envelope with negative number.

Folder 25. US Geologic Survey. 30 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 12 with negative numbers. April 8, 1948. April 8-14, 1951. Elliot Barker, Harold d. Walter, May Walter. Taking elevation of Truchas peaks by Triangulation from Los Alamos, March 8, 1948.

Folder 26, Harold Walter, Family and Friends. About 75 8x10" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, 25 with negative numbers. Harold D. Walter at direction-mileage sign. Lee Wang at Panchuela Ranger station. HDW at Beatty's cabin. HDW on thompson Peak, 1952. May Walter, Falll 1938. Vandalee Page and HDW, Grass Mountain, 1948. Dr. Marsh at Beatty's cabin, 1948. Owen Magnum and HDW. HDW on Grass mountain. Ralph Trujillo, Bull of the Woods Mountain. Owen Magnum at Pecos Baldy lake, 1944. Earnest Bain and Frank, Upper Truchas Lake. Ralph Trujillo, south Truchas Peak. Santo Quintano and HDW climb Pecos Baldy, 1946. Earnest Bain and HDW taking Altimeter reading on summit of North Truchas Peak, 1947. Owen Magnum and HDW, Beatty's Cabin, 1944. HDW fishing in Pecos River. HDW looking at Wheeler Peak. Bob Ground, HOmer Pickens, Lee Wang, Lost Bear Lake, 1945. Wm. Moore at Cairn, Wheeler Peak. Gravestone of Barney and Belinda Walter. Picnic, Neiters and Spragues. McBrides and May Walter, Red River, NM 1945. Opal, Lloyd and May Walter, Red River, 1944. Ranger Johnson, 1939. Electric welder , ca 1936. Carl and Dale's first airport. Mrs. S. Omar (Elsa) Barker, 1953. Walters and Barkers, around fireplace. Judge Nebitt's 75th birthday.

Folder 27. Uncategorized images. 8 8x10" and 5x7" b and w prints in glassine envelopes and or plastic sheets, none with negative numbers. One from New Mexico Magazine, March 1951, Log Cabins Mail Order Style by HDW.


Box 1

Folder 1. 11x14" b and w silver gelatin prints, unlabeled, in plastic sheets. Harold and Mae Walter's wedding picture. Native American sand painter; New Mexico Mountain landscapes, many also in Box 1;

Folder 2. Maps of New Mexico mountain areas.

Scrap Book. 8x10 b and w silver gelatin prints, all taken during the January, 1940 recreation of the Coronado Expedition for the Coronado Cuarto Centennial, 1540-1940. Photos are captioned. Photos have been scanned and put online.
Map showing Route Taken by Coronado Expedition, January, 1940.
Eve of departure in front of Governor's Mansion: Harlod Walter, Mrs. Miles, Governor Miles, Dr. Neasham, Ward Yeager, George Fitzpatrick. Unm President Zimmerman poses with party at the University of New Mexico on morning of departure (Dean George P. Hammond on Left).
The giant Saguaro cactus near Tucson.
Entire party poses for Associated Press photographer at Nogales, Mexico. Dean Hammond, Dr. Ewing, Dr. Herbert E. Bolton, Ward Yeager, Dr. Neasham, Harold Walter.
Mexican Wood Haulers.
Main highway through forests of the giant cactus.
Harbor and City of Guaymas, Mexico
Old church at Guasabe which is noted for its Virgin of Guasabe.
Crossing the Sinoloa river on a ferry (pango) at Guasabe.
Typical native woman in front of thatched home.
Sourth of Pericos there were many beautiful parrots.
Native water haulers on the main street of Pericos.
The primitive method of making rope from the fiber of the maguay plant.
Blue tile church at Culiacan.
Crossing the San Lorenzo river at Quila.
Two span of oxen help us across the San Lorenzo river.
Juan doesn't need help--he has his burros.
Hauling sugar cane near Mazatlan.
Typical Native huts built of bamboo poles and covered with various kinds of straw near Rosario.
Higuar and plam trees near Rosa Morada.
Mexican road worker and family south of Mazatlan.
Dr. Bolton visits with people on pilgrimage to Talpa.
The expedition at hotel plaza in Compostela.
Queen of the Compostela fiesta.
The Plaza at Compostela.
Church at Compostela.
Dr. Bolton records days events at Compostela.
Looking north toward Tepic from Compostela.
Mountain Range north of Compostela.
Crossing the Santiago River.
Siesta time at Sentispac.
Street scene, Sentispac
Main highway through the jungle (Monte) near Tuxpan.
Deep mud north of Acaponeta.
Stuck for an hour.
Old convent at Mesillias.
Banana Plantation near San Blas.
Homeward bound (street scene at Fuerte).
Camp Coronado north of Fuerte.
Old Spanish buildings at Alamos.
Old Spanis buildings at Alamos.
Little village of Rebeico north of Soyopa.
The Yaqui river at Soypa.
Dr. Bolton poses for a picture.
Interior of church at Arispe.
Includes the article "Cultural Cooperation with Latin America" by Herbert E. Bolton, Jouranl of the National Education Association, January, 1940.

Scrap Book "Scraps". Brochures of Camera Clubs and Photo association exhibits showing Walter photographs. Snap shots of Walter and friends traveling. Native Americans, Mesa Verde, Petrified forest. Tear sheets of New Mexico magazine articles with Walter' photographs, including Santa Fe Fiesta, Mountain landscapes, fishing. Walter's draft registration and Induction telegram

Book "Abiding Memories." Memorial Book from Walter's funeral, November 12, 1958. Newspaper article about his death; baby picture of Walter; condolence cards; signatures of attendees at funeral, Scottish Rite Membership Certificate; correspondence

Three small boxes of 35mm color slides, unlabeled and not dated, in cardboard mounts. Travel snapshots, wedding, landscapes, automobiles.

Three black cardboard folding negative holders with glassine negative sleeves. A few 2.25 x 3.25" black and white negatives remain, most have been removed. Front pages document locations. Most appear to correspond to black and white prints in Box 1, many of which have Photo Archive negative numbers.

Manilla envelope containing about 20 black and white negatives,2.25 x 3.25" and 4x5" and 5x7". subjects include Wheeler Peak, Lake Williams, Elk Painting, Frazier Mountain, and Statues of Washington, D.C.

Manilla envelope containing correspondence, photocopies of photos with notes and negative numbers on reverse, Landscapes.

Manilla envelope containing Harold D. Walter High School Diploma, Aspen Colorado High School, 1920.

Manilla envelope containing hand-drawn map of the Upper Red River Country, with notes on elevations of peaks, hike distances and elevations.

Open-ended manilla folder with correspondence, notes, magazine articles.


Box 2