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Ed Pierson Photograph Album

 Collection
Identifier: PICT-2015-001

Scope and Content

The album contains photographs taken around New Mexico, as well as in Old Mexico (Chihuahua), La Sal, UT, Billings, MT, and Minnesota. Photos feature Pierson's family, hunting and fishing trips, and relate to his work as a range agent.

New Mexico places include: Acoma, Bishop Ranger Station, Brazos River, Capitan Ranger Station, Cumbres Pass, Esquibel Ranch Camp, High Rolls CCC Camp, Mesa Ranger Station, Sacramento Mountains,, San Marciel, San Mateo and Sandia Mts., Tierra Amarilla, Whitaker Ranch, White Sands. Also included is an antelope carcass tag from the State of New Mexico (1938) and a certificate honoring his conservation in farming efforts (1952).

Dates

  • 1929-1957

Creator

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. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.

Biographical Information

Ed Pierson (17 March 1908 - 17 July 1988) devoted his life to the management and protection of public lands. He started his career in 1938 as a “Range Agent” with the US Grazing Service in New Mexico. His civilian public service was interrupted in 1946 when Ed joined the US Air Force serving in WWII primarily in England. Returning from the war, Ed continued his work for the Grazing Service. Soon thereafter he left the government service to be the manager of the very large private Redd Ranch in Utah. In 1954, he returned to BLM in the Montana State Office as the Division Chief for Range Management. In 1957, he became the BLM State Supervisor for Wyoming where he remained until retirement in 1969.

During his tenure as Wyoming State Director the antelope/sheep tight fencing controversy was at its peak. Through Ed’s leadership new fencing specifications were adopted with the agreement of all sides to the argument. He also corrected inequities in the oil and gas lottery system that were adopted nationally bringing recognition to the BLM as a stalwart of government fairness. Ed worked to break down barriers that were separating each program within the Bureau and make each an integral part of the whole. In 1973, Ed was brought out of retirement to serve on the first Wild Horse and Burro National Advisory Board established by the Secretary of Interior.

Extent

121 items (1 box) : 1 album with 121 photographic prints

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The album contains photographs taken around New Mexico, including the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in High Rolls, Bishop and various other ranger stations, White Sands, Whitaker Ranch (Capitan), Acoma, Tierra Amarilla, and Albuquerque. Other photos are from Old Mexico (Chihuahua), La Sal, Utah and Billings, Montana. Photos feature Pierson's family, hunting, fishing, and relate to his work as a range agent.

Physical Location

B2. Filed by Pictorial number.

Related Archival Material

Civilian Conservation Corps Camp, Quemado, New Mexico Photograph Album, Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, University of New Mexico Libraries.
Title
Finding Aid of the Ed Pierson Photograph Album, 1929-1957
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
B. Silbergleit
Date
© 2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • 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