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Thomas Branigan Memorial Library photographs

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-0001

Scope and Contents

The Thomas Branigan Memorial Library photographs consist of 396 photographic prints depicting people and places in the Las Cruces, New Mexico area during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Included are scenes of downtown Las Cruces, important Las Cruces personalities, businesses, hotels, homes, agriculture, irrigation canals, surrounding communities, the Organ Mountains, New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now New Mexico State University), Apaches, Juarez, Mexico, construction of the Elephant Butte Dam, and the Gen. John J. Pershing Punitive Expedition into Mexico to search for Pancho Villa.

Dates

  • ca. 1870-1975

Biographical / Historical

The Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, Las Cruces' first permanent public library, was formed in 1934-35 with funds willed to the City of Las Cruces by Alice Branigan in memory of her husband, Captain Thomas Branigan. The will provided $35,000 for the construction of a library building and an additional $10,000 for purchase of books. The original building, located on Main Street in downtown Las Cruces, was a modified Southwest Pueblo style designed by El Paso architect Percy McGhee. The library occupied that building until 1979 when it relocated to a new, larger and more modern structure at the intersection of Main and Picacho streets.

Extent

4.50 Linear Feet (6 Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Photographs from the collection of the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, Las Cruces, New Mexico, primarily depicting late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century Las Cruces-area people, places and events.

Processing Information

Archives staff Dennis Daily, 2004.
Title
Guide to the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library photographs
Status
Completed
Author
Archives staff and Dennis Daily
Date
2004
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Branson Hall
PO Box 30006
MSC 3475
Las Cruces New Mexico 88003 USA