Charles Wright Diaries
Collection
Identifier: MSS-466-BC
Scope and Content
The collection contains photocopies of three diaries of Charles A. Wright. The first, dated 1914, is a diary of his excursions throughout the Indian country of New Mexico. The two others are records of daily activities for 1933 and 1936.
The 1914 diary describes three different camping trips, the first to Indian Pueblos and ruins North of Albuquerque including; Santo Domingo, Cochiti, Santa Ana, Jemez, Frijoles Canyon and Pajarito Plateau (now Bandelier National Monument), Taos, Picuris, San Juan, Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Nambe, Pojoaque and Tesuque. The second trip was South and West to Isleta, Laguna, Acoma, Pueblo Bonito and Canyon de Chelly. He described the terrain, villages and ruins, dances and dress. The third route took him to Zuni and the Navajo country. The record of that trip is more descriptive of customs as well as sights.
Wright's diaries from 1933 and 1936 describe his business activities as proprietor of Wright's Trading Post in Albuquerque, N.M. He also recorded his activities as owner of a ranch near Tijeras, N.M., his interest in an oil well at Barton, N.M. and the construction of a new two story office building at 320 West Gold in Albuquerque.
Wright recorded daily activities in his journals such as unusual customers, taking inventory in his store, the birth of a new calf, a U.S.G.S. survey on his ranch, a theft at the ranch and weather conditions.
The 1914 diary describes three different camping trips, the first to Indian Pueblos and ruins North of Albuquerque including; Santo Domingo, Cochiti, Santa Ana, Jemez, Frijoles Canyon and Pajarito Plateau (now Bandelier National Monument), Taos, Picuris, San Juan, Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Nambe, Pojoaque and Tesuque. The second trip was South and West to Isleta, Laguna, Acoma, Pueblo Bonito and Canyon de Chelly. He described the terrain, villages and ruins, dances and dress. The third route took him to Zuni and the Navajo country. The record of that trip is more descriptive of customs as well as sights.
Wright's diaries from 1933 and 1936 describe his business activities as proprietor of Wright's Trading Post in Albuquerque, N.M. He also recorded his activities as owner of a ranch near Tijeras, N.M., his interest in an oil well at Barton, N.M. and the construction of a new two story office building at 320 West Gold in Albuquerque.
Wright recorded daily activities in his journals such as unusual customers, taking inventory in his store, the birth of a new calf, a U.S.G.S. survey on his ranch, a theft at the ranch and weather conditions.
Dates
- 1914-1936
Creator
- Wright, Charles, 1878-1937 (Person)
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biography
Charles A. Wright was born September 7, 1878 in Kansas. He came to Albuquerque, N.M. around 1902 and managed the Fred Harvey curio shops in the Alvarado Hotel. In 1907 he opened his own curio shop at 301 West Gold. In the 1920s, after a few moves around downtown, Wright designed and built the pueblo-style Wright's Trading Post at 324 West Gold. The impressive structure was a downtown landmark until it was demolished in the 1960s.
Wright's other business ventures included a small ranch and oil exploration.
He died in Albuquerque, January 30, 1937.
Wright's other business ventures included a small ranch and oil exploration.
He died in Albuquerque, January 30, 1937.
Extent
1 box (.25 cu. ft.)
Separated Material
Photographs depicting Native Americans and Native American culture have been transferred to Charles Wright Photograph Collection
Archival CD of Vol.2 is in accession file.
Archival CD of Vol.2 is in accession file.
Creator
- Wright, Charles, 1878-1937 (Person)
- Title
- Finding aid of the Charles Wright Diaries, 1914-1936
- Status
- Approved
- Author
- Processed by CSWR staff
- Date
- ©2000
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT(US::NmU::MSS 466 BC::Charles Wright Diaries)//EN" "nmu1mss466bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu