Wilson M. Rockwell papers

Collection

Identifier: COU:1366

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Wilson M. Rockwell Collection consists entirely of Correspondence files as well as a plethora of oversized material. In addition, a significant number of Rockwell’s publications are contained within the oversized material section of this collection. It is organized as follows:

Correspondence-This section contains all of the correspondents of Wilson M. Rockwell and is organized alphabetically and by the year in which it was written from 1963 to 1969. As stated above, this section makes up the majority of the Rockwell Collection.

Publications-Within the Publications section of this collection are books that were written by Rockwell; We Hold These Truths, The Utes, Creston Valley Profile, and Sunset Slope.

Manuscripts are typed versions of some of Wilson Rockwell's published works.

Scrapbooks-In this section of the collection are a number of scrapbooks that belonged to Wilson M. Rockwell, and contain articles and reviews from various newspapers on Rockwell’s publications. Scrapbook 1952-1963 has a complete page level inventory and Scrapbook April to December 1964 has been partially inventoried.

Dates

1937 - 1969

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for access.

Conditions Governing Use

Limited duplication of materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biographical / Historical

Wilson Rockwell, Colorado author, rancher, and politician was born June 26, 1909 in Bradford, Pennsylvania. He attended Whitier College from 1930-32, received his B.A. FROM Stanford University in 1933, and M.A. from the University of Denver1938. Rockwell married Enid Wolverton in April of 1938 and they have one son, Daniel Wilson.

During World War II First Lieutenant Wilson Rockwell served in the U.S. Air Force as Police and Prisoner, Provost Marshal, and Public Relations Officer at various Air Force bases including Shreveport, La., and Orlando, Florida.

Rockwell’s civic activities included: member of the board of Directors of the Delta County Memorial Hospital, president of the Paonia Rotary Club, State Senator from Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, and Delores Counties. He was also a member of the Elk’s Club, American Legion, Colorado Author’s League, Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity, and Colorado’s Cattlemen’s Association.

Wilson Rockwell as “western Colorado historian” has written the following: Uncompahgre Country; New Frontier-1938; Driftwood- 1940; No Way-1950; Sunset Slope- 1956; The Utes –a Forgotten People-1956; and Memoirs of a Lawman-1962. He has also written many articles many articles for Colorado newspaper and ahs hosted several radio programs- True Epics of Western Colorado and Frontier Reminiscences as well as the T.V. series Uncompahgre Frontier.

Rockwell has owned and operated a cattle ranch near Maher, Colorado since 1938. He now makes his home in Paonia, Colorado although his activities as State Senator often take him Denver.

The Wilson Rockwell Collection includes the typewritten manuscripts of Uncompahgre Frontier and Memoirs of a Lawman as well as seven scrapbooks (news clippings, letter, etc.) dealing with his political and literary accomplishments. Also the collection includes Politician’s Diary 1967 thru 1968 by Senator Wilson Rockwell which gives a first-hand view of the day-to-day experiences of a Senator.

Extent

3 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

A Colorado author, rancher, and politician, Wilson Rockwell operated a ranch near Maher, Colorado since 1938. Author of seven books on western lore and served as state senator from 1962-1970, when he moved to British Columbia. Collection contains scrapbooks, manuscripts of books, and some letters dealing with his political and literary life.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in the following series: Series 1: Correspondence, 1963-1969 Series 2: Publications, 1977 Series 3: Oversize Material, 1952-1966