Finding Aid to the Erl H. Ellis Papers 90.253.4124
Library and Archives at the Autry
2002
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org
Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: The Erl H. Ellis Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 90.253.4124
Physical Description:
.8 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1944-1982
Date (bulk): 1953-1980
Abstract: The Erl H. Ellis papers represent his work with the Westerners International from the late 1950s through the early 1980s.
Language of Material:
English
.
Biographical Note - Erl H. Ellis
Erl H. Ellis was born on 1888 April 10 in Garden City, Kansas. His family moved to Denver soon after his birth, where his
father, Daniel B. Ellis, went into law practice. Erl Ellis' grandfather, Lyman A. Ellis, was also a lawyer. Erl Ellis attended
Denver public schools as a young child and adolescent. He received a B.A. from the University of Colorado in 1910 and a law
degree in 1912. He practiced law in Denver until his retirement, except for a brief period when he was a naval aviator in
World War I. He and his wife Scotty had one son, Robert, who also earned a law degree. He became a banker in Pueblo, Colorado.
Erl Ellis was active in the Westerners and Westerners International from the early 1950's through the early 1980's. He was
an early and active member of the Denver Posse. In 1952, he became a corresponding member of the group. In 1953, he was elected
as a member. From 1954 through 1962, he served various posts in the Posse including editor of the monthly
Roundup magazine (1954), editor of the 1954 Brand Book, secretary (1956), secretary-treasurer (1957-1961) and finally sheriff (1962).
By 1974, he was a reserve member of the Denver Posse. He was president of Westerners International from mid-1974 through January
1, 1976.
Organization History - The Westerners
The Westerners was an organization that formed to stimulate and promote interest in the history of the Western frontier. The
first chapter, or "Corral," was organized by Leland Case and Elmo Scott Watson in Chicago on February 25, 1944. The second
Corral, the Denver Posse (the terms Corral and Posse are used interchangeably), was organized on January 26, 1945. In 1958,
the Westerners Foundation was organized with a home base located in Stockton, California. Its purpose was to help would-be
Westerners launch their own Corrals. In 1969, the name of the organization was changed to the Westerners International, and
headquarters were moved to Tucson, Arizona. The purpose of Westerners International continues to be the aiding of fledging
Corrals. It also acts as a clearinghouse for information about the organization and the Corrals that comprise it; awards yearly
prizes for best books and articles published by Westerners; and publishes the Buckskin Bulletin for its membership. The Westerners
also had a central role in the creation of the Western History Association. Today, there are 146 Corrals, with 39 located
outside the United States in thirteen countries.
At the inception of the organization only men could be active members of any given Corral, although both men and women could
be corresponding members (corresponding members simply applied for membership; active membership was confirmed upon those
corresponding members who had demonstrated a willingness to participate in the organization's activities over an extended
period of time). Today, most Corrals are coed. Most Corrals also have active publishing programs. Papers given at monthly
meetings are published in Brand Books issued by individual Corrals. Corrals also publish newsletters at their own discretion,
and, as noted above, Westerners International publishes a bulletin that is distributed to all Corral members.
The Erl H. Ellis papers represent his work with the Westerners International from the late 1950's through the early 1980's.
In this collection, researchers will find documentation of the Westerners and the Westerners International filtered through
Erl Ellis' experiences with those organizations. Since he was an elected member of the Denver Posse, there is much documentation
on the origins and functioning of that Posse through approximately 1980 in the Denver Posse file. There is extensive documentation
on the founding of the first official Corral in Chicago (see Chicago Corral, Denver Corral, Westerners International files)
as well as the decision to change the name of the organization to the Westerners International and relocate it to Tucson (see
Westerners International files).
Ellis was also a corresponding member of numerous Corrals and sought to collect all material published by those Corrals. He
encouraged acquaintances or friends interested in Western history living in other states to start Corrals. Thus, the collection
reflects these involvements: a great majority of the documentation concerns Ellis' attempt to acquire publications from the
different Corrals, or to encourage friends in other states to start Corrals. It is arranged alphabetically by Corral name.
Material on some Corrals is rather limited (in the case of San Francisco, for example, where an N. C. Nathan tells Ellis there
is no interest in San Francisco in forming a Posse), while on others it is extensive (in the case of San Diego, where Ellis
was a corresponding member from 1968-1983 and received all publications and meeting announcements).
Alphabetically by Corral name.
Collection Processed by Harold Christianson, Sharon Johnson, Tracy Brown.
Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit
https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Erl H. Ellis Papers, 1944-1982, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; 90.253.4124; [folder number] [folder title] [date].
Part of the Rosenstock Collection purchase.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
West (U.S.)--Societies, etc.
West (U.S.)--History--Societies, etc.