Haynes, F. Jay (Frank Jay), 1853-1921

F. Jay Haynes (1853-1921), a photographer who traveled extensively in the West, was best known for his early photographs of Yellowstone National Park. In the 1870s and 1880s, Haynes operated studios in Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo, North Dakota, and St. Paul, Minnesota. As the official photographer for the Northern Pacific Railroad, he maintained the "Haynes Palace Studio," a special railroad car equipped as a mobile photography studio. In 1891, when tourist travel to Alaska was on the rise, Haynes also made a trip and was able to capitalize on the popular demand for photographs of the area.

From the description of Frank Jay Haynes photographs, circa 1879-1891 [graphic]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 319902975

F. Jay Haynes was a photographer who traveled extensively in the West and who was best known for his early photographs of Yellowstone National Park. He was also the official photographer for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and for a time he even maintained a special railroad car equipped as a mobile photography studio which was called the "Haynes Palace Studio." He opened his first studio in 1876 in Moorhead, Minnesota, and in 1879 opened a larger studio in Fargo, North Dakota. In 1889 he began operating out of St. Paul, Minnesota. In the period just before the Yukon gold rush, when tourist travel to Alaska was increasing, Haynes traveled to Alaska in 1891. The trip was a financial success as Haynes was able to tap into the high demand for stereoscopic prints and other photographs, although the most valuable photographs were those he took of glaciers.

From the guide to the Frank Jay Haynes photographs, circa 1879-1891, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)

F. Jay Haynes in 1876 established a photograph studio in Moorhead, Minn. and in 1879 moved to Fargo, N.D. He became the official photographer for the Northern Pacific Railway and also at Yellowstone Park. In 1889 he moved his studio to St. Paul, Minn.

From the description of F. Jay Haynes photograph collection [graphic]. [1870s-1890s] (North Dakota State University Library). WorldCat record id: 217311777

F. Jay Haynes was a photographer who traveled extensively in the American West and who was known for his early photographs of Yellowstone National Park. He was also the official photographer for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and for a time he even maintained a special railroad car equipped as a mobile photography studio called the "Haynes Palace Studio." He opened his first studio in 1876 in Moorhead, Minnesota, and in 1879 opened a larger studio in Fargo, North Dakota. In 1889 he began operation out of St. Paul, Minnesota. In the period just before the Yukon gold rush, when tourist travel to Alaska was increasing, Haynes traveled to Alaska. The 1891 trip was a financial success as Haynes was able to tap into the high demand for stereoscopic prints and other photographs, although the most valuable photographs were those he took of glaciers. [Source: Guide to the F. Jay Haynes & Bro. Photograph Album Colleciton, Special Collections, University of Washington].

From the description of F. Jay Haynes and Bro. Photographs, ca. 1891. (University of Alaska, Fairbanks). WorldCat record id: 309455595

Photographer, Yellowstone Park concessionaire.

Operated Studios in Fargo, N.D., and St. Paul, Minn. Official photographer for Northern Pacific 1881-1916, official photographer for Yellowstone Park 1885-1916; operated Monida Yellowstone and Yellowstone-Western Stage Companies 1898-1916; operated photo concession in YNP 1881-1916; operated Haynes Palace Studio Car 1885-1905.

From the description of F. Jay Haynes papers, 1870-1922 (bulk 1885-1916). (Montana State University Bozeman Library). WorldCat record id: 42928484

After the establishment of the Wind River Reservation in 1868 Camp Augur was built (near present day Lander) to help protect the Shoshoni Indians from raids by the Sioux. Camp Augur was renamed Camp Brown and moved about 15 miles to the northwest in 1871. In 1878 the camp was renamed Fort Washakie to honor the famous Shoshone Chief. In the 1870's the base was used as a launching point for government troops and their Shoshoni allies in various military campaigns. The post was active until 1909. Many of the original buildings are still visible.

Washakie was the long-time leader of the Eastern band of the Shoshone. He was friendly towards white settlers and participated in many of the military conflicts against the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe. He was the leader of his people from 1840 until his death in 1900 and was instrumental in the creation of the Wind River Reservation. At his death he was given a full military funeral.

Frank Jay Haynes (1853-1921) was a prolific photographer who traveled throughout North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Western Canada. He was a photographer for the Northern Pacific Railroad, the Black Hills Stage Company, and the Puget Sound and Alaska Steam Ship Line. He operated studios out of Fargo, North Dakota; Yellowstone Naional Park; St. Paul, Minnesota; and a traveling railroad studio along the Northern Pacific line. In 1883 he was named the official photographer for President Chester A. Arthur's trip to Yellowstone. President Arthur and his entourage stopped at Fort Washakie in early August on their way to Yellowstone.

From the description of Fort Washakie photograph collection, 1880-1890 (bulk 1883). (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 53475258

Frank Jay Haynes was born on October 28, 1853, in Saline, Michigan. He received his early formal education in that town's public schools and his first business experience in his father's mercantile store. When the family business failed in 1874, Haynes worked briefly as a traveling salesman and then secured a position with S.C. Graham, a photographer in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Following his apprenticeship with Graham, Haynes worked for another Wisconsin photographer, William H. Lockwood, before opening his own studio in Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1876. Almost immediately Haynes received his first contract from the Northern Pacific to take high-quality views of the "bonanza" farms in the Red River Valley. This initial contract led to numerous other commissioned trips for the NPRR to photograph the railroad's construction route in the Dakota and Montana Territories.

In January 1878, Haynes married Lily Snyder, Lockwood's sister-in-law whom he had met while working in the Wisconsin studio. The following year, Haynes felt his studio business was successful enough to move to a new, larger studio in Fargo. Haynes continued to travel on contracts for the NPRR, while Lily retouched negatives and oversaw gallery operations.

In 1881 Haynes made an NP-sponsored trip to Yellowstone Park and immediately recognized the photographic and business opportunities offered by the area. Thereafter, the Park figured prominently in Haynes' career.

By 1885, the photographer had adapted a railroad coach for use as a studio and was touring the Northwest in his Haynes Palace Studio Car. During his trips over the NP lines, Haynes produced hundreds of negatives of railroad and trackside subjects. He also increased his studio staff in Fargo and, simultaneously, established branch photographic operations in Yellowstone National Park. Haynes moved his studio from Fargo to St. Paul in 1889. He still maintained the Palace Studio Car on the NP's tracks, but increasingly delegated its operation to several trusted assistants. Finally in 1905, the studio car ceased operation and Haynes ended his close association with the Northern Pacific.

From his modest beginnings in Yellowstone Park, F. Jay Haynes, with the assistance of his son, Jack Ellis Haynes, developed a lucrative photographic business in the Park. They photographed and marketed hundreds of views of scenery, wildlife and tourist activities. By 1916, because of failing health, Haynes transferred his photographic interests to his son Jack Ellis Haynes.

F. Jay Haynes died at his home in St. Paul, Minnesota, on March 10, 1921.

From the guide to the Frank Jay Haynes papers, 1876-1962, (Montana Historical Society Research Center)

After the establishment of the Wind River Reservation in 1868 Camp Augur was built (near present day Lander) to help protect the Shoshoni Indians from raids by the Sioux. Camp Augur was renamed Camp Brown and moved about 15 miles to the northwest in 1871. In 1878 the camp was renamed Fort Washakie to honor the famous Shoshone Chief. In the 1870's the base was used as a launching point for government troops and their Shoshoni allies in various military campaigns. The post was active until 1909. Many of the original buildings are still visible.

Washakie was the long-time leader of the Eastern band of the Shoshone. He was friendly towards white settlers and participated in many of the military conflicts against the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe. He was the leader of his people from 1840 until his death in 1900 and was instrumental in the creation of the Wind River Reservation. At his death he was given a full military funeral.

Frank Jay Haynes (1853-1921) was a prolific photographer who traveled throughout North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Western Canada. He was a photographer for the Northern Pacific Railroad, the Black Hills Stage Company, and the Puget Sound and Alaska Steam Ship Line. He operated studios out of Fargo, North Dakota; Yellowstone Naional Park; St. Paul, Minnesota; and a traveling railroad studio along the Northern Pacific line. In 1883 he was named the official photographer for President Chester A. Arthur's trip to Yellowstone. President Arthur and his entourage stopped at Fort Washakie in early August on their way to Yellowstone.

From the guide to the Fort Washakie photograph collection, 1880-1890, 1883, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)