Sub-Series C: Graham County History

The Ryder Ridgway Collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, research files, printed matter, and family papers showing Graham County and Mormon history from 1799 to 1980. The majority of the collection consists of personal papers and government and business records that Ridgway collected documenting Graham County history from 1890 to 1960. The collection has been divided into two series.

Series I: Ridgway Papers extends from 1890 to 1976 and consists of Ridgway's personal papers. The series has been divided into two subseries. Sub-Series A: Correspondence houses primarily letters exchanged with W. Roy Pace, a fellow researcher interested in eastern Arizona history. The letters discuss details of family and regional history in Graham County. Sub-Series B: Manuscripts/Scrapbooks generally concerns historical events and individuals in Graham County.

Series II: Ridgway Collections extends from 1799 to 1980 and consists of materials that Ridgway collected or received regarding Graham County history. This series is divided into five subseries.

Sub-Series A: Personal and Family Papers houses materials that Ridgway received from individuals who were stimulated by his writings in the Eastern Arizona Courier. As a result, this series contains records of a number of Graham County families as well as genealogical and historical manuscripts and reminiscences written by a number of Mormon residents.

Sub-Series B: Mining Records includes materials showing the Alabama Mine, Carlisle Mine, Duncan Mining and Milling Company, Phelps Dodge Corporation, and the Terreroca Mining Company of Steepler, New Mexico.

Sub-Series C: Graham County History includes histories of the towns of Hubbard and Matthewsville, maps and drawings of Fort Grant and Fort Thomas, and transcriptions of news articles and research notes on county history.

Sub-Series D: Mormon/Arizona History includes transcripts of James H. McClintock's radio program Forward, Arizona, biographical information on Mormons William Jordan Flake, Joseph Neal Haywood, and John D. Lee, and maps of the 1885 survey of the East Salt and Gila River Meridian.

Sub-Series E: Ephemera includes pamphlets and brochures on a variety of topics similar to those represented in the series above. The materials are indexed by author in the card file located in Box 11A.