Harold F. Osborne Collection

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Harold F. Osborne Collection

NAU.MS.6, NAU.PH.93.6.1-9


Descriptive Summary

Creator: Osborne, Harold F.
Collection NameHarold F. Osborne,
Inclusive Dates: 1947-1949.
Physical Description0.5 linear feet.
AbstractThe Harold F. Osborne Collection contains primarily AP news stories written at Gouldings Trading Post in Monument Valley, Arizona and nine photographs. The focus of these articles is on the Hosteen Cly Family and Harry Goulding Trading Post in Monument Valley. The documents discuss Navajo medicine, employment, crafts, language, and change and adaptability of the Navajo.
Collection NumberNAU.MS.6, NAU.PH.93.6.1-9
Language English.
Repository Cline Library. Special Collections and Archives Department.
Northern Arizona University
Box 6022
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6022
Phone: 928 523 5551
Fax: 928 523 3770
Email: Special.Collections@nau.edu

Historical Note

Harold F. Osborne was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and grew up in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from the University of Denver in 1934. and immediately began a career in journalism, working on newspapers in Denver, Estes Park, Colorado, Pueblo, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Seattle, Washington. From 1939 to 1950 he worked for the Associated Press as an editor and correspondent in Salt Lake City and Boise, Idaho. During this time he frequently wrote feature articles about pioneer life and Native American Culture.

He became especially interested in the Navajo people while in the Salt Lake City, and first learned of their destitute condition by talking with Utah business men who took food and clothing at Christmas to the Navajo in the Monument Valley. In 1947 Osborne made an extended visit to the Monument Valley, staying with trader Harry Goulding. On return he prepared a special series about the Navajo life that was distributed nationally by the Associate Press. The series was then donated to the Northern Arizona University.

Beginning in 1959, Osborne worked in Washington, D.C., as editor, publisher and communications manager for scientific agencies of the Federal Government. He retired in 1978 and has lived in Kingston, Washington, since then, still writing and publishing about Western History.

Harry Goulding Trading Post.

The Harry Goulding Trading Post is located in the Monument Valley. Harry Goulding ran the trading post from 1920's to the 1960's. Harry was born in Durango, Colorado, in 1897. He grew up in the Four Corners area and took up sheep ranching. After serving in the army in France from 1917 to 1919, he met his wife Leone Knee in 1921.

Harry first saw Monument Valley on a vacation in 1921. In 1925 Harry and his wife moved into the Valley and became traders to the Navajos. The trading post was built in 1927.

Harry Goulding was dedicated to helping the Navajo and also promoted Monument Valley to the general public. It was Goulding who in the late 1930's first convinced Hollywood to come in to the Valley. Movie making brought in money for the Navajo people.

Goulding's Lodge was built in 1953 and both the Lodge and trading post are open visitors and campers. For more information on Harry Goulding and his life with the Navajo's consult Tall Sheep by Samuel Moon, an excellent source, (#F817.M6.G686 1992). For more information ion the lodge and trading post write to Goulding's Monument Valley Lodge, P.O. Box # 1, Monument Valley, Utah 84536.

Scope and Content Note

The collection dates from 1947 to 1949. There are no series in the collection. There is a separate photograph collection of the Hosteen Cly family and Monument Valley (PH 93.6)

This collection consists of Associated Press articles written by Harold Osbourne about Navajos living in the Monument Valley area in 1947. The articles are very descriptive and vivid about the Navajo. The writings discuss such issues and activities as employment off the reservation, health, education, diet, economy, clothing styles, herding, weaving, paintings, ceremonies, medicine, rugs, and the overall adaptability and the benefits of change for the Navajo. The documents are very through and personal.

Organization

Organized in 2 series.

Restrictions

Restrictions

None.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for Northern Arizona University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Related Material

George Babbitt Colllection, [manuscript], NAU.MS.255
Leo Crane Collection, [manuscript], NAU.MS.255
Navajo Legends Collection, [manuscript], NAU.MS.241
United Indian Traders Association Collection, [manuscript], NAU.MS.299
Wide Ruins and Pine Springs Trading Posts Collection, [manuscript], NAU.MS.260
Day Family Collection [photograph], NAU.PH.120.1-88
United Indian Traders Association Collection, [oral history], NAU.OH.75

Access Points

Family Name(s)
Cly family.
Goulding, Harry, 1897-1981.

Corporate Name(s)
Harry Goulding Trading Post.

Geographic Name(s)
Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah)--Description and travel.
Navajo Indian Reservation--Description and travel.

Subject(s)
Navajo Indians.
West (U.S.) in mass media--History.

Administrative Information

Credit Line

Harold F. Osborne Collection, NAU.MS.6, NAU.PH.93.6.1-9, Cline Library. Special Collections and Archives Dept.

Container List

Series 1, Harold Osborne articles, 1947.
Box-folder
1.1 Allocated authorizations for expenditures under Navajo - Hopi rehabilitation, 1947.
Box-folder
1.2 Harry Goulding and Navajo crafts, 1947.
Box-folder
1.3 Monument Valley description, 1947.
Box-folder
1.4 Monument Valley and Movies, 1947.
Box-folder
1.5 Reservation description, 1947.
Box-folder
1.6 Navajo rug description, 1947.
Box-folder
1.7 Correct pronunciation of the name "Navajo," , 1947.
Box-folder
1.8 Health, education, diet, and economy of the Navajo people. , 1947.
Box-folder
1.9 Congressional bill of April 19th, general discussion of Navajo and some discussion of Goulding's Trading Post, 1947.
Box-folder
1.10 Current living conditions, clothing styles, herding, and weaving of the Navajo, 1947.
Box-folder
1.11 Navajo sand paintings and curing ceremonies, 1947.
Box-folder
1.12 Medicine provided by Goulding and Navajo health practices, 1947.
Box-folder
1.13 Employment off the reservation, 1947.
Box-folder
1.14 Navajo adapatability and the benefits of change, 1947.
Box-folder
1.15 Handwritten thank you letter dated Jan. 1, 1948, probably dictated by Tom Jones and transcribed by Harry Goulding. Thumb printed by 17 Navajos, 1948.
Box-folder
1.16 Typescript of AP story describing charitable activities of J.H. McGibbeny, written by Earl L. Jester, 1948.
Box-folder
1.17 Letter dated May 24, 1949 from Harry Goulding to Harold F. Osborne, 1949.
Series 2, NAU.PH.93.6.1-9, 1947.
The photographs show various family members of Hosteen Tso-Begay and Hosteen Cly spinning and weaving a blanket, cooking in front of their hogan, and, herding sheep and goats. Also included are scenic views of Monument Valley.
Digital versions of these images are available here.
NAU.PH.93.6.1: Navajos bring blankets to trade., Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah) ; Navajo Indian Reservation. Osborne, Harold F., 1947. Black-and-White Photograph, 16.5x20.5.
NAU.PH.93.6.2: The family of Hosteen Tso-Begay enjoying a meal of fresh meat..., Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah) ; Navajo Indian Reservation. Osborne, Harold F., ca 1947. Black-and-White Photograph, 19.5x24.
NAU.PH.93.6.3: Hosteen Cly's youngest Grand-daughter spin wood on a crude spinning wheel..., Navajo Indian Reservation ; Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah). Osborne, Harold F., ca 1947. Black-and-White Photograph, 24x19.5.
NAU.PH.93.6.4: Hosteen Cly's Grand-daughter preparing a meal over her small out-door fire..., Navajo Indian Reservation ; Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah). Osborne, Harold F., ca 1947. Black-and-White Photograph, 19.5x24.
NAU.PH.93.6.5: A Navajo mother, Hosteen Cly's Grand-daughter, prepares fried bread while her small son sits quietly by..., Navajo Indian Reservation ; Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah). Osborne, Harold F., ca 1947. Black-and-White Photograph, 19.5x24.
NAU.PH.93.6.6: Two tiny Navaho children tend their family's flocks of sheep and goats at the base of Monument Valley monoliths..., Navajo Indian Reservation ; Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah). Osborne, Harold F., ca 1947. Black-and-White Photograph, 19.5x24.
NAU.PH.93.6.7: Another scenic view in Monument Valley., Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah) ; Navajo Indian Reservation. Osborne, Harold F., ca 1947. Black-and-White Photograph, 19.5x24.
NAU.PH.93.6.8: Monument Valley..., Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah) ; Navajo Indian Reservation. Osborne, Harold F., ca 1947. Black-and-White Photograph, 19.5x24.
NAU.PH.93.6.9: A typical Navaho hogan, build among the sparse desert grasses on which the Indian flocks subsist..., Monument Valley (Ariz. and Utah) ; Navajo Indian Reservation. Osborne, Harold F., ca 1947. Black-and-White Photograph, 19.5x24.