Weidenthaler (Clifford Paul) Heart Mountain Construction Scrapbook, 1942 June-October

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Summary

Title:
Clifford Paul Weidenthaler Heart Mountain Construction Scrapbook
Dates:
1942 June-October
Abstract:
The Clifford Paul Weidenthaler Heart Mountain Construction Scrapbook (1942 June-October) comprises a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings, a group photograph of engineers in the U.S. Army, and three custom buttons for construction projects along with a panorama of and a layout of Heart Mountain Incarceration Camp in Cody, Wyoming. The entire collection was digitized and is available online: Clifford Paul Weidenthaler Heart Mountain Construction Scrapbook Digital Collections
Extent:
1 box and 1.5 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Background

Scope and content:

The Clifford Paul Weidenthaler Heart Mountain Construction Scrapbook (1942 June-October) comprises a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings and a group photograph of engineers in the U.S. Army along with a panorama of and a layout plan of Heart Mountain Incarceration Camp in Cody, Wyoming. This collection was created by Clifford Paul Weidenthaler, who participated in the construction and operations of the incarceration camp in 1942. The newspaper clippings were collected from a various newspapers, including "The Cody Enterprise," "The Billings Gazette," and "The World Herald," documenting the progress of the construction project and Japanese Americans being transferred to the camp as well as construction of the Alaska-Canada Highway, also known as the Alcan, that the creator was involved in.

Biographical / historical:

The Weidenthalers have never been strangers to service - whether to cause, country, or family, the legacy of the Weidenthalers endures through what they have made and the children they have raised. Clifford Paul Weidenthaler, the compiler and previous owner of this album, and his son, Dale Weidenthaler, donate these records to history and posterity, with the hope that these documents and photographs will serve as partial testament to the Weidenthalers' contributions to America.

Herein, you will find records of Clifford's many works. First, with the Bechtel Corporation, whose work during World War II saw the construction of many shipyards, including Marinship and Calship, and ships for the United States Maritime Commission. Next, Clifford, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, helped build the Alaska-Canada Highway - The Alcan, to this day, proves the determination and ingenuity of its makers, as well as their enduring spirit against the hardships of the undeveloped frontier. Later, he participated in constructing and operations of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center; He never spoke of his feelings about what he had made, but, perhaps, you will find significance in knowing that this album was the only record of his past that he felt was necessary to document and preserve, and did so, for most of his life - The records were important to him, as both Clifford and Dale hope it will be for you.

Even after the War, Clifford continued to serve, working for the United Nations in Shanghai, China. Having led a life full of constructing wonders, Clifford Paul Weidenthaler eventually settled in Nebraska, where he retired as the Director of Personnel for the Department of Public Institutions.

Clifford's wife also devoted her work to America. Clifford was married to Nellie Mae Weidenthaler, NÊe Ferris, in Honolulu, Hawaii, 1950. She served America as a staff sergeant in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. Together, they raised three children, and one of them, Dale, is the present contributor of these records.

Today, Dale Weidenthaler has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to his family's legacy, as a United States Marine, army reservist, and deputy sheriff of San Diego County. The Weidenthalers have always put America's interests ahead of their own. So, too, with these meticulous records you now hold.

We, the Weidenthaler family, have made these contributions to history, both physical and intellectual, however small, and we hope that you will delight in their remembrance and enjoyment.

--Written by Professor Gwen Brockman after interviewing Dale Weidenthaler in November 2024.

Acquisition information:
The collection was created by Clifford Paul Weidenthaler and donated by his son, Dale Weidenthaler. The donation was coordinated by Professor Gwen Brockman, who is a friend of Mr. Weidenthaler's, and transferred to the Gerth Archives and Special Collections on September 27, 2023.
Processing information:

The Collection was processed by Adriana Linares in 2024.

The Gerth Archives and Special Collections derived born-analog objects (digital reproductions) from original items for long-term preservation and access, adhering to best practice and standards to ensure the authenticity, integrity, and security of material. For more information on the digitization process, please see CSU Japanese American Digitization Project technical reference guide.

The set of digital reproduction preservation files is stored on the Gerth Archives and Special Collections' department drive for both preservation purposes and duplication requests.

The set of access derivatives (access files) was created for the digital management system and is stored on the Gerth Archives and Special Collections' department external drive for staff use.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Adriana Linares
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-12-12 18:02:06 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website