Skip to main content

Ralph S. Space papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MG 623

Scope and Contents

The material in this collection includes bound and loose articles, magazines, academics papers, diaries, letters and manuscripts by Space and other authors related to the field of forestry in the states of Idaho, Montana and Washington. It also contains historical information on the Lewis and Clark journey and materials containing gold rush information unique to Idaho.

Dates

  • Creation: 1743-1980

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Ralph S. Space was born on1901 in Kansas but was raised in the Clearwater country and graduated from Weippe (Idaho) High School and the University of Idaho, where he earned his degree in forestry in 1925. From 1920 to 1924, Space did a seasonal work on the Coeur d’ Alene, St. Joe and Selway National Forests as a smokechaser, scaler, timekeeper, and foreman. He accepted an appointment with the Forest Service in June 1925 and was assigned to the Olney Ranger District in the Blackfeet National Forest. Space later served on the Wolf Creek and Fortine Ranger Districts and on the Supervisor’s staff of the Blackfeet National Forest. He served in the Flathead National Forest and in the Northern Regional Headquarters’ Division of Recreation, Lands and Watershed management and later in the Division of Fire Control. In 1950 he was appointed Supervisor of the Cabinet National Forest and in June 1954 was named Supervisor of the Clearwater National Forest until 1963. He retired on April 30, 1963. He published three books, including” The Clearwater Story,” a book chronicling the history of the Clearwater National Forest. He was involved in the Nezperce National Historical Park, Society of American Foresters, and Clearwater Historical Society. He passed away in 1993 at the age of 92 and was buried in Orofino.

Extent

2 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection includes original academic papers and journals, partial and complete diaries, maps, magazines and handwritten notes.

Arrangement

The Ralph S. Space collection was housed in 1 box and 2 oversized boxes. A series order was imposed during the processing. The materials are ordered in series according to the type and nature of the material. After careful consideration, this collection was separated into Seven Series. Series Arrangement: Series 1: Manuscripts by Paul Russell Cutright. Series 2: Idaho-Clearwater and surrounding areas. Series 3: Academic Journals and Magazines. Series 4: Manuscripts by Ralph S. Space. Series 5: Historical Research by Ralph S. Space. Series 6: Diaries of Expenses of Ralph S. Space, the Forest Supervisor. Series 7: Maps (Oversize).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in this collection were donated by Ms. Judith A. Space on 5/10/2000.

Bibliography

Title
Guide to Ralph S. Space papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Daniel Olortegui.
Date
2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding Aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Repository