The papers of Gilbert H. Hogue span the years 1898 to 1952.

Materials donated in 1987 (box 1) comprise some later papers and photographs belonging to his sons, which are included in the collection. The first folder contains a letter from Calvin Warnick with his assessment of the papers, and his transfer of the papers to the library. Also included is a report from the University of Idaho Foundation.

The professional papers include speeches, articles, clippings of articles, the program for his retirement, correspondence, including congratulatory letters on his retirement, and efficiency ratings and salary notices from the Bureau of Reclamation.

Family papers include the Resume of Shannon P. Hogue, and a history of the UNRRA Team 545 (a displaced persons program) by W.O. Hogue, both sons of Gilbert.

The photograph material includes photographs of projects that Hogue worked on and of family, including many of the Wilbur Hogue family taken in Liberia and Egypt. There are also some early photographs of the Hogue family in Missouri and near Orofino.

The bulk of the collection, which was donated in 1996 (boxes 2-4), contains yearly diaries kept by Gilbert Hogue during his school years in Moscow as well as his travels throughout the Northwest engaged as a surveyor and engineer. Besides recording the weather of the day, he also made note of events and people he encountered throughout his life. Many area pioneers are mentioned as well as holiday observations, marriages, epidemics, deaths, and world events. Many of the diaries also contain his cash accounts for the year, news clippings, photographs, and other memorabilia. His son, Shannon Hogue, evidently went through the diaries before they were donated to the university, inserting check marks and commentary throughout.

Diaries for the years 1912, 1914, 1915, 1923, 1929-1932, and 1936 are missing.