Papers, 1929,1991.

ArchivalResource

Lyon, Norm. Papers, 1929,1991.

Papers, 1929,1991.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54465064

The collection, 1929,1991, and undated includes photographic materials (film negatives, strip negatives of multiple images, single image negatives, photographs, photograph and negative albums, transparencies, slides, partial reels of film, and paste-ups) as well as paper (correspondence, reports, articles, newspaper clippings, obituaries, maps, and other materials.) The collection documents three aspects of Norm Lyon's life and work: his personal and family life; his work as an oil field reporter and photographer for the Michigan Oil & Gas News (MOGN); and his work as a photographer for the Mount Pleasant Daily Times News (MPDTN). The smallest part of the collection documents Norm's family life mostly in negatives and a few photographs, dating mostly 1935-1945. This part of the collection shows Norm's wife and children, their holidays, homelife, vacations camping, trips to Niagara Falls and Leonidas (Mich.), the children in Halloween costumes, playing with friends and toys, Christmas celebrations, the family dog "Rip", Phyllis' and Norm's club activities, particularly the Mount Pleasant Kiwanis Club and the Pere Marquette Club, card parties with friends, and their relatives. Life in and around Mount Pleasant (Mich.) as recorded for the MPDTN is a larger part of the collection. Most of the images are negatives and include downtown Mount Pleasant parades, holidays, sales, politics, juries, veterans, various board meetings, various clubs and organizations, the dedication of the Indian Hall on July 7, 1940, Isabella County Fairs, 1947-1948 and 1956; the opening or dedication of the new airport and swimming pool, schools and students. Other local areas documented include the Pre-Edenville dam, Reed City, Ithaca, Arenac, and Armada, among others. Central Michigan University (CMU) is documented as well, mostly in negatives. Of note are images of the cornerstone ceremony at Rachel Tate hall, 1956, the construction of the Arts & Crafts Building, 1947, the 1936 College Hop, Doc Sweeney's Gym Troupe, the Football Team, sports, and Homecoming events, ca. 1930s, all negatives, and photographs of the Training School fire of Jan. 8, 1933. Various other topics for the mid-Michigan area are also included and are detailed in the finding aid. The largest group of negatives and photographs documents all aspects of oil exploration and production in Michigan, 1930s-1980s, as well as in a few other states. A large group of negatives and photographs documents men in the oil business, both workers in the field and Association members, usually at meetings and parties, 1930s-1970s. Other images of groups of men or individuals show them relaxing, hunting, fishing, or working in businesses unrelated to oil. Portraits of individuals connected with the oil and the Purple Gang include Isaiah Leebove and Jack Livingston. Other men not connected with oil include Spikehorn Meyer, and Michigan governors Soapy Williams, George Romney, and Kim Sigler. Numerous topics related to oil exploration and production are well documented within the collection including: buildings and plants, oil fires and explosions, derricks, refineries, oil expositions, 1935-1937, land leases, sales, and landsmen, gas and gas plants, brine, oil well sites, pipes, gas stations, storage tanks, pumps, sinkholes, equipment, and various vehicles. Plants or buildings well documented include: Gaylord (Mich.), Gulf Oil Co., Hilliard's, Kalkaska (Mich.), Shell Oil Co., McClure, the Porter fields, Pure Oil Co., Reed City (Mich.), Roosevelt Refinery (Mount Pleasant, Mich.), Saginaw (Mich.), Sun Oil Co., Tekonsha, and Wise Township (Isabella County, Mich.). Fires well documented include: Roosevelt fire, 1933, Six Lakes fire, 1974, Sturble Well fire, 1934, and Woods Well fire, ca. 1930s. The papers document oil leases, reports, articles and reprints of articles, and clippings, obituaries, and correspondence of Norm and others.

11 cubic ft. (in 12 boxes, 3 Oversized folders) : ill.

Clarke Historical Library