This collection consists of ten photograph albums (binders) compiled and annotated by May Ellingsen. The albums contain both original and reproduced photographs of Cortes Island and nearby islands, including Twin Islands and Hernando Island. They are accompanied by captions and additional textual information such as pre-emption records, reminiscences and newspaper clippings. Most of the photographs date from the early decades of the 20th century, depicting homes and buildings, pioneer families, community activities, schools, wharves, boats, logging and marine activity. Fonds consists of two series: Series 1 (The May Ellingsen Historic Photograph Collection, Vol. 1-9, Accession 2004.003) and Series 2 (The Manson Family Album, Accession 2004.002).
Ten photograph albums (binders) containing 152 original photographs and 482 reproductions.
History / Biographical
May Ellingsen was born on March 13, 1914 to George and Robina Freeman. Her maternal grandfather, Michael Manson, was the first person to pre-empt land on Cortes Island, claiming a quarter section on Gunflint Lake in 1886. May spent her childhood on Hernando Island, where her family homesteaded and logged, and on Cortes Island, where she attended the log school at Manson's Landing.
In 1936 May married Elmer Ellingsen. They spent the next ten years in the Loughborough Inlet/Phillips Arm area while Elmer worked for his father's logging operations. During those years their children, Shirley, Bruce and Andy, were born. In 1946 the family moved to Von Donop Creek, where Elmer was logging. In 1950 they moved their float house, built at the time of their marriage, to Manson's Landing Lagoon and two years later, to its present permanent location on Hague Lake.
May and Elmer devoted much time and energy to building their community. Amongst her many community activities, May ran the library at Manson's Hall. She had a strong interest in local history, researching the history of land pre-emptions on the island, collecting and annotating photographs from pioneer families and recording interviews with old timers. She was a founder of the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society; the archives reading room is named in her honor. Historical materials and artifacts gathered by May formed the kernel of the museum's collections and archives.
Custodial History
May Ellingsen created the albums in the 1980s, and kept adding to them throughout the 1990s. She kept them at the Manson's Landing library and then at the museum from 1999. She officially donated them to CIMAS in 2004.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of ten photograph albums (binders) compiled and annotated by May Ellingsen. The albums contain both original and reproduced photographs of Cortes Island and nearby islands, including Twin Islands and Hernando Island. They are accompanied by captions and additional textual information such as pre-emption records, reminiscences and newspaper clippings. Most of the photographs date from the early decades of the 20th century, depicting homes and buildings, pioneer families, community activities, schools, wharves, boats, logging and marine activity. Fonds consists of two series: Series 1 (The May Ellingsen Historic Photograph Collection, Vol. 1-9, Accession 2004.003) and Series 2 (The Manson Family Album, Accession 2004.002).
Identity key to group photograph taken at Manson's Landing in 1911.
1. Eugene Paulson 2. Mrs. E. Paulson 3. Rose Manson 4. Lennard Hawkins 5. William (Bill) Hawkins 6.Hazel Manson 7. Mrs. Margaret (John) Manson 8. John Manson 9. George Freeman 10. Robina Manson 11. Florence Manson 12. Herbert Hawkins 13. Beatrice Hawkins 14. unknown 15. Mrs. George Quimby 16. George Quimby 17. George Quimby Jr. 18. Veronica Tiber 19. August Tiber 20. Mrs. August Tiber 21. Frederick Froud 22. Alice Marquette 23. Miss Kathleen Richards (teacher) 24. Frank Petznick 25. Anna Manson 26. Mabel Hawkins 27. Flossie Manson 28. Mrs. Fred Hawkins 29. Mrs. Gertie (Tom) Lambert 30. Tom Lambert 31. Bob Smith 32. Andy Hemorach 33. Nicol Manson
Identity key to group photograph taken at Manson's Landing in 1911.
1. Eugene Paulson 2. Mrs. E. Paulson 3. Rose Manson 4. Lennard Hawkins 5. William (Bill) Hawkins 6.Hazel Manson 7. Mrs. Margaret (John) Manson 8. John Manson 9. George Freeman 10. Robina Manson 11. Florence Manson 12. Herbert Hawkins 13. Beatrice Hawkins 14. unknown 15. Mrs. George Quimby 16. George Quimby 17. George Quimby Jr. 18. Veronica Tiber 19. August Tiber 20. Mrs. August Tiber 21. Frederick Froud 22. Alice Marquette 23. Miss Kathleen Richards (teacher) 24. Frank Petznick 25. Anna Manson 26. Mabel Hawkins 27. Flossie Manson 28. Mrs. Fred Hawkins 29. Mrs. Gertie (Tom) Lambert 30. Tom Lambert 31. Bob Smith 32. Andy Hemorach 33. Nicol Manson
This shows the Campbell River Lumber Co. logging camp buildings and long pier for dumping logs at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. In the foreground are buildings for family men, in the mid-distance are the homes of the Japanese families, and farthest, the cookhouse and camp buildings.
This shows the Campbell River Lumber Co. logging camp buildings and long pier for dumping logs at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. In the foreground are buildings for family men, in the mid-distance are the homes of the Japanese families, and farthest, the cookhouse and camp buildings.
Harry Sundick, one of the logging crew who worked at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. Note the railroad track in the foreground. Shortly after this picture was taken, he had an accident and was hospitalized.
Harry Sundick, one of the logging crew who worked at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. Note the railroad track in the foreground. Shortly after this picture was taken, he had an accident and was hospitalized.
Logging crew in front of the cookhouse at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. Of the men up on other's shoulders are: far left, Dick Thompson, next, Cliff Palmer. Far right, in the white shirt is Eric Erickson, blacksmith.
Logging crew in front of the cookhouse at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. Of the men up on other's shoulders are: far left, Dick Thompson, next, Cliff Palmer. Far right, in the white shirt is Eric Erickson, blacksmith.
Cow and chickens among the vacant logging camp buildings left after Campbell River Lumber Company logging ended at Stag Bay. Part of the pier can be seen in the background. The building on the right had been part of Japanese family quarters.
Cow and chickens among the vacant logging camp buildings left after Campbell River Lumber Company logging ended at Stag Bay. Part of the pier can be seen in the background. The building on the right had been part of Japanese family quarters.
May and Wilfred Freeman on the beach near the Hidalgo Point end of Stag Bay, Hernando Island. The building at the left end of the fence was known as the Rorison house. In 1915-16 a fisherman named Bisnet lived there and in 1917 the Mike Manson family moved in. The fence had been built earlier and protected some fruit trees.
May and Wilfred Freeman on the beach near the Hidalgo Point end of Stag Bay, Hernando Island. The building at the left end of the fence was known as the Rorison house. In 1915-16 a fisherman named Bisnet lived there and in 1917 the Mike Manson family moved in. The fence had been built earlier and protected some fruit trees.
The log barn at Big Meadow on Hernando Island. The barn is built of logs and hand-split cedar shakes. While the railroad logging was still operating, Victor Berg and his partner lived at the Meadow and logged poles using horses.
The log barn at Big Meadow on Hernando Island. The barn is built of logs and hand-split cedar shakes. While the railroad logging was still operating, Victor Berg and his partner lived at the Meadow and logged poles using horses.
Wilfred Manson holding his daughter Dorothy at Stag Bay on the beach at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. The old building in the background is located directly downhill from the George Freeman home. While the Campbell River Lumber Company was logging, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Robertson lived there. They owned an English bulldog who sired 'Brindle', the dog in the picture.
Wilfred Manson holding his daughter Dorothy at Stag Bay on the beach at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. The old building in the background is located directly downhill from the George Freeman home. While the Campbell River Lumber Company was logging, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Robertson lived there. They owned an English bulldog who sired 'Brindle', the dog in the picture.
The photograph shows a boatload of visitors going to Stag Bay, transport provided by the small gasboat in the background. During George Freeman's years at Stag Bay, he used this '"little green boat" for necessary commuting between Stag Bay and Lund, not only for personal needs but also for logging camp needs for repairs, medical emergencies, etc.
Wilfred Manson is standing on the gasboat in the back.
In the rowboat, L to R: Colin Campbell, Fraser Campbell (brothers), Jean Manson and Dorothy, Florence McKay with oar, Gwen Campbell and Thelma, Mrs. Colin Campbell behind Hazel McKay, Etta McKay.
The photograph shows a boatload of visitors going to Stag Bay, transport provided by the small gasboat in the background. During George Freeman's years at Stag Bay, he used this '"little green boat" for necessary commuting between Stag Bay and Lund, not only for personal needs but also for logging camp needs for repairs, medical emergencies, etc.
Wilfred Manson is standing on the gasboat in the back.
In the rowboat, L to R: Colin Campbell, Fraser Campbell (brothers), Jean Manson and Dorothy, Florence McKay with oar, Gwen Campbell and Thelma, Mrs. Colin Campbell behind Hazel McKay, Etta McKay.
Families of Hernando Island men who worked together in a very small logging enterprise.
L to R: Mrs. Gwen (Fraser) Campbell holding Thelma's hand, Mrs. C. Owen (friend) behind Etta and Hazel McKay, Mrs. Jean (Wilfred) Manson behind Dorothy, Mrs. Florence (Ervin) McKay holding Minerva Campbell.
Families of Hernando Island men who worked together in a very small logging enterprise.
L to R: Mrs. Gwen (Fraser) Campbell holding Thelma's hand, Mrs. C. Owen (friend) behind Etta and Hazel McKay, Mrs. Jean (Wilfred) Manson behind Dorothy, Mrs. Florence (Ervin) McKay holding Minerva Campbell.
Wilfred and Jean Manson's home at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. The house is under construction with scaffolding still up, but is nearing completion. The old logging pier can be seen in the background to the left and closer, one of the sheds belonging to the logging camp.
Wilfred and Jean Manson's home at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. The house is under construction with scaffolding still up, but is nearing completion. The old logging pier can be seen in the background to the left and closer, one of the sheds belonging to the logging camp.
Wilfred and Jean Manson's nearly completed home at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. The former logging camp cookhouse can be seen to the left. At this time it was used as a storage building for hay.
Wilfred and Jean Manson's nearly completed home at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. The former logging camp cookhouse can be seen to the left. At this time it was used as a storage building for hay.
Ruth Clark and Jean Robinson (nieces of Margaret Trenanan) and Wilfred Manson seated in an old car, with Jean Manson sitting on the running board. The former cookhouse of the Stag Bay, Hernando Island logging camp is in the right background. To the left are the storage shed, former camp manager's home and commissary building, part of which has been made into a garage for the car.
Jean Robinson was born in the Yukon in the house that Robert Service lived in when he wrote "The Trail of '98".
Ruth Clark and Jean Robinson (nieces of Margaret Trenanan) and Wilfred Manson seated in an old car, with Jean Manson sitting on the running board. The former cookhouse of the Stag Bay, Hernando Island logging camp is in the right background. To the left are the storage shed, former camp manager's home and commissary building, part of which has been made into a garage for the car.
Jean Robinson was born in the Yukon in the house that Robert Service lived in when he wrote "The Trail of '98".
Dorothy Manson, daughter of Wilfred and Jean Manson, with her dog 'Brindle' at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. Where the bulk of logging camp buildings had been, has been cleared and seeded to clover for hay. The house with a ladder had been one of the camp family houses. Note the beached "little green boat" at the end of her career.
Dorothy Manson, daughter of Wilfred and Jean Manson, with her dog 'Brindle' at Stag Bay, Hernando Island. Where the bulk of logging camp buildings had been, has been cleared and seeded to clover for hay. The house with a ladder had been one of the camp family houses. Note the beached "little green boat" at the end of her career.
Manson's sheep grazing in the field on Hernando Island which was created by removing the old logging camp buildings. On the left is a one-time camp family house and on the right is the former cookhouse, now a barn.
Manson's sheep grazing in the field on Hernando Island which was created by removing the old logging camp buildings. On the left is a one-time camp family house and on the right is the former cookhouse, now a barn.
Dorothy Manson standing behind 'Ruff' the new sheepdog, 'Brindle' lying beside them. In the background, beyond the rail fence, is (left to right) a steam donkey, a storage shed, the main camp manager's house (now the home of Mike Manson), a garage for the car and a barn.
Dorothy Manson standing behind 'Ruff' the new sheepdog, 'Brindle' lying beside them. In the background, beyond the rail fence, is (left to right) a steam donkey, a storage shed, the main camp manager's house (now the home of Mike Manson), a garage for the car and a barn.
This photograph was taken at Stag Bay near the Dick Parker logging camp buildings. The Mansons had raised some Bronze turkeys but had found it commercially unprofitable. These were some of the breeding birds. The gobbler, on the right, weighed 42 pounds. Here, May Freeman, L, Aunt Agnes (Jean Manson's aunt), and Wilfred Manson Jr. are feeding them. There is one White Holland turkey amongst them.
This photograph was taken at Stag Bay near the Dick Parker logging camp buildings. The Mansons had raised some Bronze turkeys but had found it commercially unprofitable. These were some of the breeding birds. The gobbler, on the right, weighed 42 pounds. Here, May Freeman, L, Aunt Agnes (Jean Manson's aunt), and Wilfred Manson Jr. are feeding them. There is one White Holland turkey amongst them.
